Sans Souci

Sans Souci is a Gulf-front condominium building at 999 Fort Pickens Road on the west side of Pensacola Beach. The seven-story building sits directly on the Gulf, with a boardwalk from the pool deck to the sand, and it is across the street from Peg Leg Pete’s and a 24 hour convenience store. Pensacola Beach is the developed center of Santa Rosa Island, and the Gulf Islands National Seashore protects long stretches of undeveloped dunes both east and west of town.

Completed in 1975, Sans Souci has about 114 condos in one, two and three bedroom floor plans. Many units have balconies with Gulf views, and some ground floor units open almost directly onto the beach. Two elevators serve the building, and covered parking spaces are close to the entrances.

Shared amenities include a Gulf-front pool and hot tub with a sundeck, a fitness area, a picnic area and a coin laundry on the ground floor. The property is gated. A stop for the free Pensacola Beach trolley is in front of the building, which makes it easy to reach the center of the island without moving the car.

Sans Souci condos are individually owned and rented through their owners and several rental companies. Furnishings, parking rules, pet policies and beach chair service vary by unit, so review each listing for what is included. The sand along this part of Pensacola Beach is fine and white, and summer brings long stretches of calm, clear water. Sea turtles nest here from May through October, so guests are asked to keep beach-facing lights low after dark and to remove chairs, tents and toys from the beach at night.

The Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier, Casino Beach and the Boardwalk are about two miles east, and Fort Pickens and the western end of the Gulf Islands National Seashore are about 10 minutes west by car. Downtown Pensacola, the National Naval Aviation Museum and Blue Angels practices at the naval air station are within a half hour drive. Sans Souci suits families and couples who want a mid-size Gulf-front building with a quieter setting than the island’s center, plus a well-known seafood spot just across the road.