Navarre Beach, Florida with author, Catherine Mann

Welcome to Navarre Beach, Florida

With USA Today bestselling author, Catherine Mann.

http://catherinemann.com

Catherine writes steamy romance for Silhouette Desire and romantic suspense for Berkley Sensation and Sourcebooks Casablanca.  A RITA Award winner, she has over two million books in print in more than twenty countries.  Catherine resides on the Florida coast with her husband, four children and menagerie of pets.

Why Navarre Beach, Florida?

Navarre, Florida – my hometown – is called Florida’s Best Kept Secret!  Located in the Florida panhandle between Pensacola and Destin, few people have heard of our little piece of paradise, yet we have the same pristine beaches and emerald waters with less hassle from overcrowding.  Sure we don’t have bright marquee lights, water parks, T-shirt shops and putt putt courses dotting every corner, but you won’t have to fight for an inch of sand to spread out your beach towel.  Navarre Beach is a barrier island (alongside the small town of Navarre), with sandy gulf shores on one side and the Santa Rosa Sound on the other.  The Santa Rosa Sound offers smoother waters for boating and jet skis.  Note, when you’re deciding on a place to stay, you’ll want to ask if the hotel/condo is ocean side or sound side if you have a preference.  If you’re in the mood for a quiet week by the shore, rent a condo on Navarre Beach at a lower cost than our higher priced neighbor Destin.

Three restaurants from high to low prices a local would know about

Cocodries serves Louisiana style cuisine, sporting a large dining room and spacious outdoor patio right on the Gulf.  Higher priced for the area, it is still a bargain for a nice evening out.  Cocodries is located right on the beach at 8649 Gulf Blvd., Navarre Beach, FL 32566.

Sailor’s Grill, Bakery and Bar offers mid-priced, informal dining by the water.  They serve fabulous seafood for lunch and dinner, as well as an amazing breakfast menu with fresh bakery items. FMI: http://www.juanaspagodas.com/restaurant.htm (Also see Juana’s below in Hot Spots question.)

Lark’s Nest is a tiny coffee shop that serves breakfast muffins and deli sandwiches along with the best java in town.  Lark’s Nest has a second location that’s only open in the morning, a beachside drive up trailer by the Navarre Beach bridge.  http://www.larksnest.com/Larks_Nest/welcome.html

And while you only asked for three, here’s a bonus spot for desert.  You won’t want to miss a trip to The Twist.  Some might bypass the little trailer for a fancier building, but they would be missing out on top notch ice cream parlor taste!  You’ll find The Twist located at 1816 Prado St., Navarre, FL 32566.

A local hot spot

For a fun beachy date night, check out Juana’s, an open air beach pagoda with live cover band style music on the weekends, including a small dance floor.  Volleyball nets are set up just outside at no charge.  Juana’s is also connected to Sailor’s Grill so great food is available.  You’ll find Juana’s on your right just after you cross the Navarre Beach bridge.  http://www.juanaspagodas.com/

What is Navarre Beach known for that is not stereotypical?

Families with children will want to stop by the Butterfly House located between the Navarre Beach Bridge and the kiddie splash pad/park.  http://www.panhandlebutterflyhouse.org/  If you’re looking for amusement parks and retail row for your vacation, you’ll probably want to pass.  However, Navarre offers sun and relaxation, with the bright city lights of Pensacola and Destin only an hour’s drive.

How would you describe the general population Navarre Beach? 

Navarre, Florida is a family oriented beach community with a large number of military families from the surrounding installations – Pensacola Naval Air Station, Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base. Navarre also has a number of retirees.  No surprise since once you’ve checked out the laid back beaches and sunshine, you won’t want to leave either!

A link to info about the barrier island of Navarre Beach:  http://gonavarrebeach.com/

A link to more general info about the community of Navarre:  http://www.navarrechamber.com/