Beach Bonfires on Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach

Thomas Drive is the beating heart of east-end Panama City Beach, stretching from the St. Andrews Bay area all the way to Front Beach Road. This strip is where locals and visitors alike come for the best restaurants, bars, and beach access in PCB. Public beach accesses #1 through #24 line the shore along Thomas Drive and the surrounding streets, providing dozens of entry points to the Gulf.

Beach Access #1 on Spyglass Drive is the easternmost public access in Panama City Beach, tucked among beachfront homes near St. Andrews State Park. As you head west, the accesses become more spaced out and the beach opens up wider. The area near accesses #4-6 is home to Schooners — the legendary "last local beach club" and one of the most iconic bars on the Gulf Coast.

Rick Seltzer Park sits between accesses #15 and #16, offering one of the best free parking areas in PCB along with restrooms, picnic pavilions, and a gazebo. This is one of our most-requested bonfire locations because of the convenient facilities and spacious beach. Pineapple Willy's, another PCB institution known for its ribs and Gulf-front dining, is nearby at the western end of Thomas Drive.

For bonfire guests staying on Thomas Drive or the east end of PCB, you're in prime bonfire territory. The beach here is wide, the access points are plentiful, and you're surrounded by dining options for a pre-bonfire meal. Whether you're walking from Schooners or driving to Rick Seltzer Park, we can set up your perfect bonfire within minutes of wherever you're staying.