re: Pensacola beach - Best public access areas?

It's popular and you'll have neighbors, but we like setting up under the fishing pier by the beach ball water tower. The pier is like the causeway and gives great shade if you don't want to be in the sun full time. People generally don't encroach on you too bad, but you have to get there before lunch generally, to make sure you get a spot under the pier. There's a little stretch on the west side of the pier that is alcohol free zone, but under the pier and east of it are ok. There's a walk-up snackbar/bar, a restaurant, and usually a snowball stand. There's showers and bathrooms too