Transportation
The Island Trolley
The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) launched their free, open-air trolley service along Pensacola Beach in 2024 on Friday, May 24th of Memorial Day weekend. It will run through Labor Day Monday, September 2. The Pensacola Beach Island Trolley is operated by Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) and runs daily from 4 p.m. to midnight (last pick-up 11:30), as well as throughout the day during Blue Angels week.
The trolleys help alleviate traffic congestion by allowing visitors to park anywhere and have a convenient way to tour the whole island.
Three trolleys will operate concurrently, running three routes. The eastern route runs from Casino Beach to Portofino, the western route runs from Casino Beach to Park West near the entrance gate to Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the commercial core route runs from Casino Beach to Grand Marlin with stops occurring along the new access road and at Pensacola Beach Boardwalk.
The energy-efficient, open-air trolleys run on clean diesel fuel and are outfitted with a GPS device that electronically tracks its location, updating its position every 30 seconds. The closest trolley stop to the house is at Avenida 18, just one block west on Via de Luna. A trolley route map can be found here:
Free Golf Cart Transport
Ok, so it’s not really “free” because they do drive for tips, but it’s almost free, and makes getting around so much easier! There are a several companies on the beach operating these carts but here are a couple of them:
The bicycle option
We have bikes here that you are welcome to use (at your own risk of course). There are helmets in the garage for you to use as well, along with bike locks. They are not new bikes and we do not guarantee they’ll always be in perfect working condition. We do work on them when we are here to make sure they’re in good shape to ride, but things happen.
There’s a bike pump in the garage if you need to pump the tires up, and there should be a little chain kit as well. If a bike needs professional attention, you can always call Paradise Beach Homes and they can get it repaired.
Depending on how busy they are, or if you prefer to take care of it on your own (if bridge traffic isn't bad), there’s a great local bike shop in Gulf Breeze:
Bikes Plus
2631 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
850-619-2238
Or, the shop on the beach that Paradise Beach Homes uses is The Fun Store next to The Shrimp Basket and The Ice Cream Shoppe. You can also rent additional bikes from there.
If you ride them anywhere, please use the provided locks to lock them up!
Getting around by car
Getting to the center/commercial area of the beach by car can be tough during the peak season because parking is limited. If you do go places by car, and you happen to leave the island, be aware that traffic coming back onto the beach can be bad on the weekends. Also, drive slowly and watch for pedestrians - they are everywhere!!
Also, if you leave the house by heading up to Avenida 20 (as opposed to down to 19), be aware that as you turn left, on the inside lane close to the curb there is a hole in the road that is not fun to hit. Avoid it if you can!
PLEASE TRY TO AVOID HITTING THE SPRINKLER HEADS AS YOU PULL IN AND OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE SEMICIRCLE IS NARROW AND A FEW OF THE HEADS ARE CLOSE TO THE EDGE.​​​​​​​​​