In Upper Grand Lagoon, parking tells the story. Good luck finding a spot outside one of the restaurants on Thomas Drive during peak dining hours. This community lays claim to the largest collection of independently owned eateries in the wider Panama City Beach region. It’s a quality that adds flavor to a community with a more native feel than the nearby beach haven to the west. “More residential, more local,” says Quinn DiBacco, vice president and North Florida manager of DiBacco Importing & Distributing in the neighborhood. “A lot of local restaurants, good food. We do get tourists down on this end, because the Grand Lagoon’s right here. But this is generally where all the people who live here come.” Don’t get it twisted, though — there’s still plenty of outdoor fun to be had here, too.
Off The Hook Bar and Grill offers outdoor waterfront dining with a casual atmosphere and great food in Upper Grand Lagoon.
In the water, on the water, or above the water, there's fun for the whole family in Upper Grand Lagoon.
1/2
Fresh seafood and more galore
In a community surrounded by water, seafood dominates. People here have their pick of fresh fish, shrimp, oysters and more. “I probably eat out personally three to four times a week. We always eat [in this area],” says Nicole Hulgan, owner of Pieces on the Beach, a coastal chic and antique market in Upper Grand Lagoon. “Even when I go to the west end of the beach, it’s just not the same. Here, we’ve got some great local restaurants.” One hotspot is Christo's Sports Bar & Grill, a local favorite connected to, of all things, a gas station. The eclectic dining spot features a wide menu and plenty of TVs, which come in handy during football season. Richard Anderson, a local Realtor with Premier Properties of Bay Co., says everything on the menu there is good, whether its shrimp just from the water or piping-hot Philly cheesesteaks. Other popular options include J. Michaels Restaurant, renowned for its oysters, or Dat Cajun Place Cafe where “The name speaks for itself,” says Anderson, a native of the region. Locals looking to celebrate often head over to North Lagoon Drive for Capt. Anderson's Restaurant & Waterfront Market and The Grand Marlin, two upscale dining options. And when people feel like mixing it up, there’s a Publix on Thomas Drive, convenient for grabbing groceries for a home-cooked meal.
Christo's Sports Bar and Grill is a local favorite for lunch, dinner, and sports in Upper Grand Lagoon.
The Grand Marlin is passionate about offering an ever-changing menu, made from scratch daily, using only the freshest seafood and highest quality ingredients.
1/2
Single-family homes are ubiquitous in Upper Grand Lagoon
Upper Grand Lagoon branches out into a labyrinth of residential corridors around Thomas Drive. Though close to the beach, it tends to be quieter and heavily residential. Single-family homes dominate the landscape, some dating back to the 1950s. Many have new traditional Craftsman and Mediterranean styling with spacious floor plans. Situated on a peninsula that juts into the Grand Lagoon and Saint Andrew Bay, this neighborhood offers plenty of waterfront homes. One of the most popular such locations is the gated community of Bay Point. “The good thing about this [neighborhood] is it’s not a cookie-cutter thing,” Anderson says. “These are all custom homes.” Though buyers can find homes in the $200,000s, most landlocked options will cost somewhere in the $400,000 to $600,000 range. Meanwhile, a home with a water view usually tops $1 million and can climb as high as $2 million. Townhomes in the area are less expensive but can climb into the $600,000 range, depending on location.
Large meditteranean style homes are common throughout Upper Grand Lagoon neighborhoods.
Massive estate homes on the water can be found in upscale gated communities in Upper Grand Lagoon.
1/2
A battle for the best Bloody Mary
Who doesn’t love a little bit of competition? It’s fitting that this restaurant hub is home to the Annual Grand Lagoon Bloody Mary & Music Festival, held in November at the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort. Local watering holes vie for recognition of the “Best Bloody Mary in the Grand Lagoon,” and the event includes live music, too. Locals looking for fresh produce frequent the Grand Lagoon Waterfront Farmers Market, held on weekends at Capt. Anderson's Restaurant.
Large homes on spacious lots on the golf course demand top dollar when they go on the market in Upper grsnd Lagoon.
Capt. Anderson's restaurant in Upper Grand Lagoon is one of those rare "family" restaurants that not only survives, but strengthens and improves through the years.
1/2
St. Andrews is a boon
While world-class beaches are less than 10 miles away, locals are even closer to another natural gem: St. Andrews State Park. This 1,200-acre expanse is one of the most popular outdoor attractions in the state, attracting one million visitors each year. St. Andrews is an accommodating space as well, whether someone wants to fish or go bird watching. Marc Miller, a local realtor with RE/MAX By the Sea, likes the park for surfing. It has the best waves, he says. “Everybody goes there,” says Miller, who has been a realtor for over three years after previously working at Panama City’s Naval Surface Warfare Center. “They’ve got walking trails, you can camp, they’ve got a boat launch in there.”
Boaters can take advantage of this community’s location along the lagoon and the bay for leisurely voyages. Those without a boat, meanwhile, can explore using one of the myriad charters here — many of them are located by Capt. Anderson's Restaurant and the adjacent Capt. Anderson's Marina. “For a long time, every year, I would charter one of the boats over here and take a group of friends for an all-day fishing trip, and have a great time,” Anderson says.
Dune Lakes are home to many species of wading birds in Upper Grand Lagoon.
Whether on jet skis, fishing or skiing boats, or large cruisers, summer is perfect for water fun in Upper Grand Lagoon.
1/2
Thomas and Lagoon make navigation simple
Thomas Drive and North Lagoon Drive are hubs of activity in Upper Grand Lagoon, but they’re also stretches that link locals to other parts of this region. North Lagoon Drive can take drivers up toward Front Beach Drive, the main waterside artery in neighboring Panama City Beach. Thomas Drive connects to U.S. Route 98 for commutes across the lagoon, toward Panama City. Locals can also access the Bayway bus service here, thanks to the multiple stops along Thomas Drive.
Upper Grand Lagoon is a residential community with plenty of outdoor fun and shopping and dining options.
US Hwy 98 runs through Upper Grand Lagoon leading to Panama City Beach.
1/2
Bay District hits high marks
The wide-ranging Bay District Schools system covers students in Upper Grand Lagoon, a district with a B-plus overall grade on Niche. The area’s A-minus-rated Patronis Elementary has an active PTO, one described as the heartbeat of campus. At the B-plus-rated Surfside Middle, extracurricular activities include multiple sports teams, among them a championship-winning girls volleyball team. J.R. Arnold High also carries a B-plus grade, and students here can participate in career and technical education programs on topics ranging from construction technology to early childhood technology.
The Surfside Middle School family will provide a standards-based and technology-rich curriculum to promote student learning and foster self-esteem.
Patronis Elementary School has 648 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1.
1/2
Written By
Lia Jones
Photography Contributed By
Kevin Willis
Video By
Christian Gortler
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sassy French,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Upper Grand Lagoon, FL sell after 142 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Upper Grand Lagoon, FL over the last 12 months is $675,888, up 76% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
** MOVE IN READY.....Stunning End-Unit Townhome in Prime Location - 8222 Annabella's Lane**Experience the perfect blend of comfort, style, and convenience in this 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome, ideally situated at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac in the sought-after Annabella's community.Step inside and be greeted by fresh, neutral paint and brand-new luxury vinyl plank flooring
Welcome to 3528 Cottage Cove Lane, a new home at Sanctuary Beach in Panama City Beach Florida. This home is under construction and is situated on an interior lot. It features a grand entry foyer with stairs leading to the second level bedrooms and a hall leading to the spacious downstairs living area. The foyer offers a coat closet and garage access just off the entry and a powder room. As you
Welcome to 3533 Sanctuary Drive, this like-new stunning coastal craftsman home is nestled within the serene gated community of Sanctuary Beach in Panama City Beach, FL. This remarkable property, completed at the end of 2023, offers a harmonious blend of modern luxury and timeless elegance, making it a must-see for discerning buyers seeking their own piece of paradise.Spanning 2,517
Sold completely furnished, this stylish bayfront retreat is ready for you to enjoy from the moment you arrive. Wake up to breathtaking views of beautiful St. Andrews Bay or enjoy cocktails at sunset on the expansive balcony. The open-concept floor plan flows effortlessly, with floor-to-ceiling windows that invite natural light and frame the sparkling water views. Marina Landing does not allow
Very nice newly remodel home few minutes from the beach, zoo, hospital and many other amenities. Do you want a second home? or are you a first-time home buyer? Either way this is a deal for you and your family! It has a very large living room and spacious bedrooms including a large studio that can be used as an office.
Fabulous small, private community of 24 townhomes - off the main road, peaceful & quiet. 3/2.5 with single car garage. Kitchen, living & dining down, all bedrooms & laundry up. Master suite has trey ceiling and attractive arched doorway into master bath. Double vanity, walk-in closet. Large, front-loading W&D upstairs near all the bedrooms, conveys with sale. Kids or guest rooms down the
Like its namesake ocean gem, Perla is a rare find for those seeking an active and refined lifestyle. Contemporary 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartment residences blend sophisticated style and quiet comfort with the quintessential coastal allure of 30A and Panama City Beach. Days that sparkle with poolside fun and laughter blend into evenings that glow with golden hour sunsets reflected on the waters of
Now available! This spacious 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome is located in a gated community in the heart of Panama City Beach. Each bedroom features its own private bathroom, plus there's an additional half bath downstairs for guests. The open layout provides comfortable living and dining areas, perfect for everyday living. The rent includes community amenities, landscaping, irrigation, pest
EMERALD PARK LEASING NOW - apply today on our website or visit us onsite. Welcome to Emerald Park, a new ultra-luxury apartment community in Panama City Beach, FL. Nestled between the beach and downtown, Emerald Park offers the pinnacle of coastal living in the Florida Panhandle. This boutique community offers spacious floorplans all with remarkable finishes. Emerald Park also features the
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
