Panama City Beach Tips
West End Panama City Beach Guide: Laguna Beach, Sunnyside & Camp Helen
ShoreDrop LLC · Last updated: September 2026
The West End of Panama City Beach is the quieter, more residential stretch of coast west of Pier Park, including Laguna Beach and Sunnyside and running toward Camp Helen State Park and Lake Powell. It's best for families, couples, and longer stays who want wide, calmer beaches over nightlife and attractions. The main trade-offs are fewer restaurants and more limited beach parking.
Where is the West End of Panama City Beach?
Driving west on Front Beach Road past Pier Park, the high-rises and attractions start to give way to condos, townhomes, and beach houses. That's the West End. It includes the communities of Laguna Beach and Sunnyside, and much of it sits in unincorporated Bay County rather than inside the city limits. On the public beach access map, the West End has the highest access numbers.
What is Laguna Beach, FL like?
Laguna Beach is a laid-back stretch of mostly condos and townhomes, with a handful of hotels, just west of the Pier Park area. You're a short drive from shopping and dining but far enough away that evenings are calm. Several public beach walkovers serve the area, with some roadside parking along Front Beach Road.
What is Sunnyside, FL like?
Farther west, Sunnyside is quieter still: a long stretch of beach backed largely by private homes and rentals, with fewer public access points. It's the kind of beach where you spread out, read, and watch the sunset.
What else is on the West End?
• Camp Helen State Park: Nature trails and beach at the far western edge of PCB, bordering Lake Powell, Florida's largest coastal dune lake.
• Conservation Park: Miles of boardwalk and hiking trails inland, a good plan for red flag days or cooler mornings.
• Pier Park: A short drive east when you want restaurants, shopping, or a busier night out.
West End beach tips
• Plan parking ahead. Many West End accesses have little or no parking, and roadside spots along Front Beach Road fill early.
• Mind the flags. The West End is quieter, so don't assume a lifeguard is nearby. Check the flag at your access point.
• Everything comes off the sand by 7 p.m. Leave No Trace applies here too.
Which West End beach accesses does ShoreDrop serve?
The West End is ShoreDrop's home base in Panama City Beach. We deliver full beach setups to ten public beach accesses:
Drop your pin in the app, walk down to a finished setup, and leave when you're ready. Pick one of our four packages, from a solo Chill Pill to a Mega Drop for the whole crew, or build your own with chairs, umbrellas, tents, coolers, and games. We pack everything up before the 7 p.m. cutoff. No parking scramble, no haul, no gear in your condo.
• Laguna Beach: Beach Accesses 76B, 79, 80, 81, 82, and 84
• Sunnyside: Beach Accesses 86, 89, 92, and 95
Frequently asked questions
Is the West End of Panama City Beach good for families?
Yes. It's quieter and more residential than central PCB, with calmer evenings and less crowded beaches, which many families prefer, especially for week-long stays.
Where is Laguna Beach, Florida?
Laguna Beach is an area on the West End of Panama City Beach, along Front Beach Road just west of the Pier Park area.
Is the West End of Panama City Beach less crowded?
Generally, yes. With fewer big attractions and more private homes and rentals, the West End sees lighter crowds than the Pier Park and central Front Beach Road areas.
Can I get beach chairs delivered on the West End of Panama City Beach?
Yes. ShoreDrop delivers chairs, umbrellas, tents, coolers, and games to ten West End public beach accesses: 76B, 79, 80, 81, 82, and 84 in Laguna Beach, and 86, 89, 92, and 95 in Sunnyside. Your West End beach day, delivered. Download the ShoreDrop app, choose Panama City Beach, and drop your pin. [Book your setup.] Follow @shoredropemeraldcoast on Instagram for PCB beach updates.
Your West End beach day, delivered. Download the ShoreDrop app, choose Panama City Beach, and drop your pin. Book your setup. Follow @shoredropemeraldcoast on Instagram for PCB beach updates.
Ready to skip the hauling?
Download the ShoreDrop app and reserve your setup in minutes — Virginia Beach or Panama City Beach.
