Alabama’s Gulf Coast
Orange Beach and Gulf Shores

by Johanna Kramer
October 2008

Situated just over the border from Pensacola, FL, Alabama’s Gulf Coast boasts 32 miles of some of the most beautiful beaches in the Southeast. With its quiet charm and a lack of crowds, like the neighboring beaches in Florida, the Gulf Coast is the ideal getaway.

There is a calm, relaxed, laid back feeling here and a quiet charm that makes you feel instantly at home. The locals are equally gracious and low key with what one always equates with Southern hospitality.

The vibrant blue green Gulf waters entice those who wish to soak up sun and swim in the surf. Away from the beaches, the Gulf Coast’s array of waterways and bayous awaits exploration. Several boat charters are available, but why not try a luxury dinner cruise aboard the 1965 classic Biloxi schooner at Corsair Charters (866.986.8088, corsaircharters.com)? Captain Mike Broussard takes you on a discovery tour of the tranquil back bays where you can play with dolphins while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Gulf Coast. Dinner is made using locally grown produce and freshly caught seafood, such as wild shrimp and blue crabs. For a more hands on charter tour, visit Sailaway Charters (251.974.5055, geocities.com/sailorskip), where Captain Skip takes you out on his pontoon boat for a 2-hour shrimp and crab catching adventure through Longs Bayou and Wolf Bay. Watch as Captain Skip trawls the waters and pulls up a net full of creatures to look at and touch, if you dare.

If you are more of a land lover and want to explore and enjoy an outdoor adventure try hiking through the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge (251.540.7720, fws.gov/bonsecour). Its 7,000 acres of beachfront and forest are home to the endangered Alabama beach mouse and serves as a nesting site for green and loggerhead sea turtles. The Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research and Education Center (251.928.9792, weeksbay.org) is 6,000 acres of land and water that is home to hundreds of species of birds and turtles, reptiles and wildlife as well a protected estuary. Visitors can explore the area on foot using over 5,000 feet of elevated boardwalks or hike on over two miles of trails.

Golf along the Alabama Golf Coast is a year round sport with 10 signature courses all within driving distance of the beach. Lost Key Golf Club (850.492.1300, lostkey.com) is situated in the lush setting of Perdido Key between historic downtown Pensacola and the powder white sands of the Alabama Gulf Coast. The Arnold Palmer Design Group redesigned the 71-par signature course in 2006. If planning a golf vacation, look no further than the full service beach resort Gulf Shores Plantation (800.317.4815, gulfshorevacations.com). Packages include 18 hole greens fees with cart at Kiva Dunes and use of its indoor pool or any of its six outdoor pools, lighted tennis courts, steam rooms, Jacuzzis, saunas, exercise room and of course the quiet calm of the beach.

Dining in Alabama’s Gulf Coast is a treat for any seafood lover but most restaurants will tempt any appetite whether a seafood lover or not.

King Neptune’s Seafood Restaurant (251.968.5454) is a treat for those who are seafood lovers. This small simple seafood restaurant has become known as the place to go for royal reds, a deep-water shrimp with the sweet taste of lobster or their fresh plump oysters and of course fried green tomatoes.

Lulu’s (251.948.3030, lulusathomeport.com) owned and run by Lucy Buffet, Jimmy Buffet’s little sister is located on the Intracoastal Waterway in Gulf Shores. It’s Tropical feel is relaxing as you sit and munch on a Big Fry Seafood Basket made up of fried Shrimp, Oysters, Catfish and Crab Claws (my favorite). Other tasty treats include the Mahi Tacos or Fried Green Tomato BLT and the perfect end to the meal is the Key Lime Pie or Bread Puddin’. Don’t forget to check their schedule for live bands and events.

Cosmos Restaurant & Bar (251.948.9663, cosmosrestaurantandbar.com) is an exciting gathering spot where guests enjoy a creative menu and unique libations. Dining is offered inside, or outside on a large deck where friends come together (dogs welcome too) to listen to local musicians. Favorite fare included Banana Leaf Wrapped Fish, Asian Glazed Tuna and their unique twist on sushi, a Fried Green BLT Roll and Fried Chicken Wing Roll and the while sipping a Mango-tini made up of orange rum, triple sec, mango and lime juice.

A short drive out to Magnolia Springs brings you to Jesse’s Restaurant (251.965.3827, jessesrestaurant.com), an upscale restaurant located in Magnolia Springs original post office. Jesse’s serves fresh seafood and is famous for its Whiskey Steak, a Ribeye marinated in Jack Daniels and herbs and spices. Chef Joseph Gilley works magic in the kitchen, the champagne crab bisque is a house specialty and thoughts of their Shrimp and Grits or the Grouper Pecan make my mouth water.

Finding a place to stay is easy with the help of sales staff from Lighthouse Vacation Rentals & Condos (800.826.1213, youngssuncoast.com), Caribe Resort Sales and Rentals (888.607.7020, cariberesort.com, Meyer Real Estate (800.859.8948), Kaiser Realty (800.225.4853, kaiserrealty.com) or The Wharf (251.224.1008, thewharfal.com), a mixed-use development featuring condos, hotels, dining, retail, entertainment facilities and a marina.

The closest airports to the Alabama Gulf Coast are Pensacola, FL and Mobile, AL and are only about an hour away.

When planning your vacation to The Alabama Gulf Coast, be sure to check out the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau (800.745.7263, gulfshores.com). Here you will find a list of scheduled festivals and events and more detailed information about this beautiful Coastal Community.

Johanna Kramer is a freelance travel writer living in Durham. Pictures provided by the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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