Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County. Pensacola is a sea port on Pensacola Bay, which connects to the Gulf of Mexico. A large United States Naval Air Station, the first in the United States, is located southwest of Pensacola (near the community of Warrington) and is home to the Blue Angels flight demonstration team and the National Museum of Naval Aviation. The main campus of the University of West Florida is situated north of the city center.

Pensacola is nicknamed "The City of Five Flags" due to the five governments that have flown flags over it during its history: the flags of Spain (Castile), France, Great Britain, the Confederate States of America, and the United States. Other nicknames include "World's Whitest Beaches" (due to the white sand prevalent along beaches in the Florida panhandle), "Cradle of Naval Aviation" (the National Museum of Naval Aviation is located at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, home of the legendary Blue Angels), "Western Gate to the Sunshine State," "America's First Settlement," "Emerald Coast," "Redneck Riviera," and "Red Snapper Capital of the World."

Pensacola, Florida - A History Buff's Mecca
With the many historic buildings of Spanish and French architecture, this area is a historian's dream. With the Historic Pensacola Village, North Hill Preservation District, Palafox Historic District and Seville Historic District, quite a few days can be filled if you take your time to explore them all. You can do this at your leisure if you want and walk yourself through the districts. A map for walking tours is available at the visitor center... read more