Gulf Breeze Area Information

Waterfront and Golf Community Real Estate
Julia Braddy and Debbie Williams Realtor Associates

Coldwell Banker/JME Realty | 3688 Gulf Breeze Parkway |Gulf Breeze Florida 32561
(850)932-1000/1-800-543-9904Ext 12 & 13 | Pager: (850)839-9038 (Julia)| Pager: (850)887-2897 (Debbie)

Area Information

Gulf Breeze is situated in the southwest portion of Santa Rosa County, between Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach. At the tip of a peninsula, three of Gulf Breeze's borders are defined by water. Then Pensacola and Escambia bays separate Gulf Breeze from its nearest neighbors, Pensacola and Milton, while the still shallow waters of a Santa Rosa sound lie between Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Reach on Santa Rosa Island. The abundance of water and recreational activities provides an enviable lifestyle for Gulf Breeze residents. In Gulf Breeze, you'll find the best of all worlds- unspoiled natural beauty, a relaxed lifestyle, a wide array of cultural and employment opportunities and plenty of small-town charm and southern hospitality.

Government

Local government is managed through the five-member Santa Rosa County Commission. Gulf Breeze is an incorporated city with an elected mayor and a five-member city council. Gulf Breeze City Hall is located at 1070 Shoreline Drive. County services are easily accessible to Gulf Breeze area residents through the library where a tag office and tax collector are located at 1060 Shoreline Drive. Residents may also use the South Santa Rosa Service Center located at 5819 Gulf Breeze Parkway Monday through Friday: (850) 939-1259.

Education Excellence

Excellence in education is a primary concern for the teachers, parents, administrators, and school volunteers in Gulf Breeze. The elementary, middle and high schools are adjacent to each other on Gulf Breeze Parkway. Oriole Beach Elementary, east of Gulf Breeze, also serves area residents. On average, area students achieve higher on standardized tests than the state average. All of the schools participate in Blueprint 2000, a model of quality education. Students in 9th through 12th attend Gulf Breeze High School. The high school works with higher education facilities to offer dual enrollment and early admissions programs. Students also enjoy a full complement of athletic and extra-curricular programs.

Residents have many opportunities to continue their education locally. Pensacola Junior College offers more than 100 academic programs, ranging from certificate programs designed to prepare the student for immediate job placement, to two-year associate degrees and university transfer programs. The University of West Florida offers bachelors, masters and educational specialist degrees in the colleges of arts and social sciences, business, education and science and technology. The main campus is located nearby Pensacola. Two other four-year colleges, Liberty Christian College and Pensacola Christian College also serve the area. Individuals interested in pursuing occupational training have a variety of career-oriented institutions to choose from, including Locklin Vo-Tech.

Health Care

Gulf Breeze Hospital
1110 Gulf Breeze Highway
Opened in 1985 to serve the greater Gulf Breeze Holley-Navarre and Pensacola Beach communities. The 60-bed hospital features an intensive care unit, three operating rooms, and outpatient surgery program, 24-hour emergency care, cosmetic surgery and mammography. It is also the home of the Fertility Institute of Northwest Florida, which offers the only in-vitro fertilization or "test tube" baby program in the area.

Growing Business Economy

Local governments have made long-range plans to secure the area economy by maintaining a strong military presence, increasing tourism, and supporting local businesses. The area's largest employers include the Navy, health care education, and industries like Monsanto, Champion International and Westinghouse Corporation.

New business licenses in Santa Rosa County have nearly doubled over the past year, and Gulf Breeze has shared in this growth. The local Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce supports the growing number of local businesses. The downtown area, easily accessed by Highway 98, is edged by the three strip malls and a collection of retail and service establishments which provide convenient shopping and services for local residents and tourists. Because the majority of residents work in Pensacola and surrounding areas, Gulf Breeze residents enjoy the benefit of a metropolitan work environment while coming home to an area with small town appeal.

Recreational Information

	Blackwater River State Forest 690 acres with picnicing, swimming, fishing, boating, nature trails, canoeing and camping located in North Santa Rosa County.
	Gulf Breeze Fishing Pier and Wayside Park Park contains boat launch and picnic tables. "World Famous" fishing pier is 2 miles long. No license required.
	Gulf Islands National Seashore The park is a 150-mile long strip of barrier islands rich in culture and history. Activities include camping, swimming, fishing, boating, snorkeling and scuba diving.
	Shoreline Park and S. Santa Rosa Recreation Center 138-acre park and sports complex, maintained by the city. Includes football and soccer fields, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, walking trails, community exercise programs, boat launch, public beach and picnic areas.
	Tiger Point Golf and Country Club Enjoy 36 holes of championship golf. The lush fairways and manicured greens greatly enhance the course's natural beauty.
	Tiger Point Sports Comples Baseball, softball and soccer fields and a childrens playground in a 30 acre park.
	The Zoo Gulf Breeze Zoo featuring over 800 animals and lush botanical gardens.

Relocation Information

	Proof of Residency There is no time requirement before you are allowed to apply for residency status. The simplest way to establish residency in Florida is to register to vote.
	Vehicle Registration Newcomers must register their vehicles within 10 days of gaining employment or registering their children in school. Vehicles can be registered at the South Santa Rosa Service Center east of town, or at the Gulf Breeze Library. You must register your vehicle before you can obtain a driver's license. Monday - Friday (850) 939-1259.
	Driver's License New residents must apply for a driver's license within 30 days of becoming Florida residents. Drivers with valid licenses from another state will only be required to take a vision examination. All other applicants must take three tests: vision, written and driving. Florida driver's licenses are valid for six years. The License Office in Gulf Breeze is located at 1386 Shoreline Drive. Tuesday - Friday (850) 934-5180.