Beacon Hill
Port St. Joe, FL
Beacon Hill is a small Gulf front community east of Mexico Beach, its public access running through Veterans Memorial Park, a 40-acre county park set up on a rise above the water. It's one of the few spots on this stretch of the Panhandle where bonfires are still allowed on the sand.
The bonfire allowance and dog-friendly sand set it apart from stricter beaches nearby, though it's a quiet, small community stop rather than a destination beach.
How we score beachesBonfires are permitted here, a rarity for this part of the coast, so it's worth checking current county rules if that's part of the plan. The dog park and pavilions at Veterans Memorial Park make it easy to turn a beach stop into a longer visit.
Parking is available at Veterans Memorial Park, with boardwalks leading down to the beach.
Boardwalks connect the park to the beach, a short walk from the parking area.
Beacon Hill's beaches are pet-friendly, one of the more welcoming spots for dogs in the area.
Panhandle summers bring heat, humidity, and hurricane season all at once, June through November, with water in the 80s by midsummer. Spring and fall bring milder weather and thinner crowds.
More Gulf Coast beaches
Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key, FL · Gulf Coast
Fine quartz sand that stays cool underfoot even in summer, sloping gently into calm Gulf water, and consistently rated among the best family beaches in the country.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater, FL · Gulf Coast
A lively Gulf-front strip with a fishing pier, a nightly sunset celebration at Pier 60, and calm, shallow water that makes it an easy family favorite.
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach, FL · Gulf Coast
Sugar-white sand within the Gulf Islands National Seashore, with dunes protected from development and water clear enough for snorkeling near the jetties.