Vacation ideas - Gulf Shores AL

[cookiedough]

For all you southern Alabama, northern Florida, etc. area riders:  We would like to take a family vacation this June family of 4 (2 teenagers) and drive the 18 hours south to see the ocean/Gulf of Mexico for the first time and thinking of closest place is Gulf Shores, ALabama.  Was wondering if you all have any suggestions on places to stay (condos/beach houses) and places of interests as must sees along with restaurant ideas.  We originally wanted to drive an extra 8 hours into southern Florida (Florida Keys) but 18 hour drive is probably enough for us since the 14 hour trek to South Dakota a few years ago was long enough and for sure more of a boring ride.  Not sure if it would be worth the extra 8 hour drive to southern Florida when we really would like to finally take a long week vacation we haven't taken now in the past 2 summers before the kids get out of high school and don't want us around anymore (already has started to take place).

My co-worker who came from Alabama is there now and gave me a few suggestions and from the internet searches the white sand beaches and crystal clear water is going to be the main stay, but would like to see what else any of you have for ideas.  She also said the seafood is cheap and 10x fresher/better.  There seems to be quite a few condos/beach houses still readily available in June and reasonably priced around 800 bucks per week's stay, probably a lot cheaper than staying in southern Florida, not sure? since haven't been down south past Illinois/Missouri area.

Any comments or suggestions much appreciated!!!

[donaldcc]

Enjoy some of the best beaches around.  look for Kenny Stabler who grew up in Foley, AL right next to Gulf Shores.  Try the Pensacola Naval Air Museum, price is right - free
http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

 don't spend all your time driving.  get a condo, hang out, eat some good seafood and enjoy the family.  I was there as a young guy in the Navy at the N.A.S. and Regional Medical Center in Pensacola many moons ago.  I'm sure all the bars I frequented are long gone.  

[donaldcc]

  BF it's your territory.  give him your advice.

[santa]

Where are you coming from?? A good area is the Fort Morgan area in Gulf Shores. Last time down I ate at a place and had all the shrimp I could eat for $9. they just keep bring them. Lamberts resturant is a great experience for the family it is north of Gulf Shores food is good and they coming out from the kitchen with fresh rolls and throw them to you at your table. Beaches are the best. You can take a Ferry over to Mobile and go to see the battle ship USS Alabama and a submarine along with many other things. Have a good time.
Santa

[BF]

  BF it's your territory.  give him your advice.

Got back from Biloxi last night and went straight to work (midnight shift) and just got home from that.  Beat and going to bed. 

I'll post back tonight.

[..]

Fort Morgan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Morgan_(Alabama)

http://www.gulf-shores-alabama.net/things-to-do.html

[cookiedough]

Where are you coming from?? A good area is the Fort Morgan area in Gulf Shores. Last time down I ate at a place and had all the shrimp I could eat for $9. they just keep bring them. Lamberts resturant is a great experience for the family it is north of Gulf Shores food is good and they coming out from the kitchen with fresh rolls and throw them to you at your table. Beaches are the best. You can take a Ferry over to Mobile and go to see the battle ship USS Alabama and a submarine along with many other things. Have a good time.
Santa

WI: land of cheese, brats, and cows.  Never been to the ocean.   
Lamberts will be on our eating list in June.  All you can eat fresh shrimp under 10 bucks I may NEVER leave.  Bread products/rolls would be right up my kids alley as well. 
Ferry ride to USS Alabama/sub will be on our list as well.

I wonder if the condo's get booked up pretty soon maybe I should get the time off work scheduled in next few weeks for June and book a cheaper condo pretty soon?  I would assume the longer I wait to book the condo/beach house the less availability of course plus the price will only go up if less condo's available. 

Not looking forward to the 18 hour drive south although going thru Tennessee and other states I have never been to will be different scenery for sure.

[santa]

Lamberts and the Shrimp place are two different places. Were in Wisconson, I'm originaly from Manitowoc WI. Grad from Lincpln 1965.
Santa

[cookiedough]

south of Madison small hick town class of 1988. 

[Mongo]

We been to Gulf Shores more than a dozen times but not since 2004. They do have some great beaches.
Spend the Extra and get beach front. Orange Beach just east of gulf shores is just as nice. Remember Water front and beach front are not the same. water front could put you on the Intercoastal waterway or Mobile Bay. Houses on Fort Morgan rd can put you 20 miles from the town's food and shops
But if you want to break up that long ride down stop by the Barber Museum in Birmingham Al it's great.

http://www.barbermuseum.org/directions.php

[ricoman]

Good for you doing the family thing.
You'll have a good time for sure.
Take a lot of pics. Good memories for 10 years from now.
Pretty soon you'll get good answers to your questions about where to stay.

[cookiedough]

I'll be doing some calling on vacation condo rentals on beachfront this week for mid-June to see what is available and how much.  Online they seem to be around 800 bucks per week and the pics looks nice.  Probably a lot cheaper than southern Florida places to stay is my guess.

Beaches look pretty clean not like up here with weeds galore to contend with plus Lake Michigan is always cold to swim in vs. the gulf of mexico, for us northerners, will feel like a sauna/bath tub I bet just a little salty is all.  I might try my hand at fishing that long pier for 8 bucks per day but gotta find out how much a 2-3 day fishing license will be as well for out of state residents.  Fishing charters seem decent priced as well 55-65 bucks per person for 4 hours of fishing.  20+ lb. fish sure beats what I usually catch up here being 6-8 ounce panfish.

[donaldcc]

. . .   "Never been to the ocean."    
> . . .

 always amazes me when i hear that.

after growing up in florida and moving to california.  i love the beaches and the water.  don't limit yourself to Gulf Shores as you plan your trip.  You could go as far over as Pensacola/Fort Walton and get a nice condo, go to some great restaurants that are not so expensive and have some primo beach time.

you and your family could have a GREAT time.  

  give some thought to going out on a fishing boat one day so you could get out a few miles in the Gulf and see what it is like to not be able to see land.  lots of beach activities your kids might like such as parasaling etc.

[BF]

For all you southern Alabama, northern Florida, etc. area riders:  We would like to take a family vacation this June family of 4 (2 teenagers) and drive the 18 hours south to see the ocean/Gulf of Mexico for the first time and thinking of closest place is Gulf Shores, ALabama.  Was wondering if you all have any suggestions on places to stay (condos/beach houses) and places of interests as must sees along with restaurant ideas.  We originally wanted to drive an extra 8 hours into southern Florida (Florida Keys) but 18 hour drive is probably enough for us since the 14 hour trek to South Dakota a few years ago was long enough and for sure more of a boring ride.  Not sure if it would be worth the extra 8 hour drive to southern Florida when we really would like to finally take a long week vacation we haven't taken now in the past 2 summers before the kids get out of high school and don't want us around anymore (already has started to take place).

My co-worker who came from Alabama is there now and gave me a few suggestions and from the internet searches the white sand beaches and crystal clear water is going to be the main stay, but would like to see what else any of you have for ideas.  She also said the seafood is cheap and 10x fresher/better.  There seems to be quite a few condos/beach houses still readily available in June and reasonably priced around 800 bucks per week's stay, probably a lot cheaper than staying in southern Florida, not sure? since haven't been down south past Illinois/Missouri area.

Any comments or suggestions much appreciated!!!

If "white" sand beaches and "cyrstal clear" blue water is high on your wish list, then come a few miles east to Northwest Florida and vacation here in Destin/Fort Walton Beach.  Seriously, Gulf Shores is nice, but their beaches are not the whitest, nor is their water the clearest.  



















You won't beat Destin for seafood.  I can recommend a couple specific places, but with those, what you eat that evening, swam in the gulf earlier that morning.  

However, if you really want Gulf Shores, I don't have any specific ideas on where to stay, but there are scores of condos that line the beach that you can book a stay.  

North of the Gulf Shores area is Fairhope.  They have a cool unique, old downtown area for shopping and antiques.  

Lamberts is where they throw the dinner rolls at ya.  It's directly north of Gulf Shores on 59 south of Foley, Al.  

http://www.throwedrolls.com/shopcontent.asp?type=foley

In Orange Beach, they have a huge shopping complex with an outdoor ampitheather that books big name concersts......

http://amphitheateratthewharf.com/

The Naval Museum is a short drive east to Pensacola Naval Air Station.  

http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

Fort Barrancas is there also.  

http://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/fort-barrancas.htm

To the west of Gulf Shores (about 20 miles) is Fort Morgan.  There's also a ferry there that will go across the mouth of Mobile Bay and take you straight to Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island.  

The ferry won't run when the bay is a little rough.  Call ahead.  

http://www.mobilebayferry.com/index.html

Go to youtube and search for Mobile Bay Ferry.  There's several videos there. 

Once over on Dauplin Island, you can drive north over the Dauphin Island Parkway Bridge and on to Mobile and check out the USS Alabama.  

http://www.ussalabama.com/

Biloxi and the casinos are just a day trip to the west.  Highly recommend the Hard Rock Casino....and the Beau Rivage is a 3 minute walk away.  

http://www.hardrockbiloxi.com/

http://www.beaurivage.com/

The drive down the Mississippe coast heading west on highway 90 from Ocean Springs, over the bridge, past all of the casinos and all the way on down to Bay St. Louis is a beautiful drive.  And as a point of note, if your drive it, take note of all of the vacant lots where all of the old stately southern mansions, motels, giftshops and the like used to be.....before Hurricane Katrina a few years ago.  If you only knew what all used to be there, and then take that drive today, it's sobering.  

New Orleans is only about 3 hours away for a day trip too.  

What else ya want to know?  

[cookiedough]

thanks BF and all others.  I'll check for condos also in Destin/Fort Walton as well, good to know.

Seems like all the pics the beaches are not that crowded which we really appreciate the most.  

What is more touristy Destin area or Gulf Shores?  I assume they are so close it doesn't matter much and that area would be a lot less crowded than say southern Florida I bet in June.

Destin area seems a tad more expensive (over 1 grand most of them) for condo pricing after I checked some places out just now.  We'd like to spend under 1 grand for a full week if at all possible and have seen a few condos in gulf shore area for around the 800 dollar range leaving room/money to do other stuff as well.  We won't be spending a lot of time in the condo (mostly beach) so don't want to blow a lot of moola on a place we will just be sleeping at overnight.

I think we will stop at a lot of the places BF has mentioned after reviewing them online.  While down there,  might as well drive and see it all to at least say I have been to Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and maybe even Louisiana if we have time.  But from the looks of it,  I may have to play hooky and take 2 weeks off work vs. only 1 so much to see and do.  Pretty cool in guessing 5 hour drive or so you can see 4 states all at once, neat!

[..]

Destin is part of the redneck riviera. It's built up, it's congested, it's horrible, it's tacky.

Just look at it on Google Earth.

Nuther alternative is Navarre Beach.

[BF]

Destin is part of the redneck riviera. It's built up, it's congested, it's horrible, it's tacky.

Just look at it on Google Earth.

Nuther alternative is Navarre Beach.

Like everything in life, it's what you make it. 

[donaldcc]

  good summary BF!  after reading this I think this FL boy will have to come back for a visit to the area. 

[billyjakester]

Been going to Destin since '78.  If you stay somewhere and use a public beach, it will be crowded, but less expensive.  If you choose a beach front condo (with limited beach access) you'll pay more, but it won't be as crowded. 

Waiting 'til after Labor Day will yield a big reduction in prices in many places, if you can schedule it.  Holiday Isle due south of Destin Harbor has very limited public parking and therefore the beach areas are mostly for the condo users.......too far to walk from public parking.  Try 'Jetty East'... been around for a while, but has a unique layout. Check out their location on Google satellite.  The "Jetty" side units have killer unobstructed sunsets.  There's no high rises west..... 'til you get to Okasoola Island. Now that you know this, I'll have to kill you. We now have the third generation going here.

bill

[cookiedough]

Been going to Destin since '78.  If you stay somewhere and use a public beach, it will be crowded, but less expensive.  If you choose a beach front condo (with limited beach access) you'll pay more, but it won't be as crowded. 

Waiting 'til after Labor Day will yield a big reduction in prices in many places, if you can schedule it.  Holiday Isle due south of Destin Harbor has very limited public parking and therefore the beach areas are mostly for the condo users.......too far to walk from public parking.  Try 'Jetty East'... been around for a while, but has a unique layout. Check out their location on Google satellite.  The "Jetty" side units have killer unobstructed sunsets.  There's no high rises west..... 'til you get to Okasoola Island. Now that you know this, I'll have to kill you. We now have the third generation going here.

bill

Agree on pricing June and July most places are a tad and some way too expensive.  I told the wife lets just pull the kids out of school on cheaper months but she frowned on that idea.  Besides, schools don't like taking the kids out of classes for family vacations but have seen several other parents do it as well.  It is not like our kids are going to flunk or anything getting A's and a few B's. 

Thanks all for the suggestions and anything else anyone wants to add feel free to post.  I'll shut up now. 

[BF]

thanks BF and all others.  I'll check for condos also in Destin/Fort Walton as well, good to know.

Seems like all the pics the beaches are not that crowded which we really appreciate the most.  

What is more touristy Destin area or Gulf Shores?  I assume they are so close it doesn't matter much and that area would be a lot less crowded than say southern Florida I bet in June.

Destin area seems a tad more expensive (over 1 grand most of them) for condo pricing after I checked some places out just now.  We'd like to spend under 1 grand for a full week if at all possible and have seen a few condos in gulf shore area for around the 800 dollar range leaving room/money to do other stuff as well.  We won't be spending a lot of time in the condo (mostly beach) so don't want to blow a lot of moola on a place we will just be sleeping at overnight.

I think we will stop at a lot of the places BF has mentioned after reviewing them online.  While down there,  might as well drive and see it all to at least say I have been to Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and maybe even Louisiana if we have time.  But from the looks of it,  I may have to play hooky and take 2 weeks off work vs. only 1 so much to see and do.  Pretty cool in guessing 5 hour drive or so you can see 4 states all at once, neat!

cookiedough.....

Check back tonight and I'll answer that question and post back with some more info and suggestions for you. 

[billyjakester]

Here's the webcam (Jetty East) looking east.  I've heard, but not experienced, people say they hit the beach early (Navarre Beach 'in-season') in the day to stake out a place. 

I see a regular at Jetty East who lives in Ft. Walton beach and drives the 15-20 miles to vacation on Holiday Isle most years.




http://www.jettyeast.net/webcam.htm

[Jess from VA]

Houseboats are cool, even if they never leave the dock.

[Xtracho]

I grew up in and ran a charter boat in Orange Beach. The island (yes, Gulf Shores/Orange Beach) are on an island is family friendly and boasts a lot of good eats. Live Bait in Orange Beach was one of my dad's favorites. Sea n Suds in Gulf Shores is a tradition for all you can eat fried mullet on Tuesdays. Tacky Jacks on Cotton Bayou is where the locals go for breakfast brunch on Sundays. Ribs n Reds in Gulf Shores is good also. All in all, there are tons of choices. But, for the best burger on the island or a dozen (or two) raw oysters, it's hands down Papa Roccos. It's on the west side of Hwy. 59 about 3 blocks north of the beach. If you stop by tell the owner, Bill, that Buffalo says hello.

IMO stay the hell away from Lamberts. Horrible food and veggies straight out of the can.

[ricoman]

Houseboats are cool, even if they never leave the dock.

they are, that one is a tad rough
can't think of anyone I know up north who would drag it out on the lake in Jan.
I dunno, maybe a little paint?

[..]

I did this a few years ago with some English friends on vacation.

2 teenage boys in the group really enjoyed it.

http://www.blackwatercanoe.com/

[..]

I found a great ocean front house on Navarre Beach and another year at Fort Morgan thru this web site

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/alabama/gulf-shores?from-date=2013-06-09&to-date=2013-06-16

[BF]

What is more touristy Destin area or Gulf Shores?  I assume they are so close it doesn't matter much and that area would be a lot less crowded than say southern Florida I bet in June.

Actually, both.  They're both pretty "touristy".  Being "touristy" is the bread and butter all along the Gulf Coast from one end to the other.  Every area tries to out-do the others to compete for your tourist dollar.  However, Destin is probably more popular as a family destination (no pun intended).....mostly because of the quality of the beaches and the water......and the aminities such as shopping, fishing and such.  In fact, it was reported in the local media a couple years ago that we were the #2 "drive-to" destination in the country behind Disney World.  Don't know if that's true or not, but they did report it.  

Panama City Beach used to be a really fun family place with really great amusment parks and stuff, but they tried really hard to be more like Destin and out do it by building as many condos as they could....and they bulldozed all of what orignally made PC Beach really great IMHO.  

Right now, PC Beach is being over run with college spring breakers.  We are too, but not as much as they are.  

Basically, we have 3 main tourists seasons.....the summer high season, the winter snow bird season (lots and lots and lots of northerners) and the spring break season (now).  The fall is a slower time of year when us locals can get out and enjoy some of what we have here.  When you're wanting to come is the "high" season and all along the Gulf Coast, it will be the most crowded and the busiest time of the year.....and the most expensive.  

If I were you....and since you've never been here before, I wouldn't limit myself to just one spot......I'd split my time and book a couple differnt stays at a couple different places along the Gulf.  You might want to consider more than a week.  

For example, you could start out staying over in the Gulf Shores area and treat yourself to some of the options mentioned in that neck of the woods (since you'll be so close, you really should consider a day trip over the New Orleans while here).  Then, prehaps book a room on Pensocala beach and enjoy a trip to Fort Pickens.  That's where they held the indian chief Geronimo.  It's on the west end of Pensacola Beach.  

http://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/fort-pickens.htm

Then take the wife and the kids on a ride on a seriousely huge ferris wheel in an air conditioned gondola on Pensacola Beach....

360 Pensacola Beach Observation Wheel~ Grand Opening!

And then, instead of Destin (it is nice, but it will be crowded June, July and August), book a room on Okaloosa Island (Fort Walton Beach).....just as nice, 3 minutes to Destin and it won't be as crowded.  

When on your way to FWB/Destin, leave Pensacola Beach heading east and drive down Santa Rosa Island through the Gulf Islands National Seashore to Navarre......

Gulf Islands National Seashore

.....and then when you get to Navarre, check out and take a walk out on the Navarre Beach Pier to check out what people are catching.  You're kids will probably really like seeing what people pull up and catch.

Mako Shark @ Navarre Beach Fishing Pier 10/23/10

Then, take a couple days around here in the FWB/Destin area and take your kids snorkeling under and around the Destin Bridge (it's called the Marler Bridge).  

Destin Snorkel Tours - Video 01

You can rent some waverunners and jet around the east pass and all along the island.  You can rent a pontoon boat and play out on Crab Island with the kids in knee to waist deep water (there hasn't actually been and island there since the late '60's...but it's still called Crab Island).  

Crab Island Destin Florida

And like Donald said, take the family out on the Gulf for a day of deep sea fishing.  Once in Destin, just take a walk along the docks on the Harbor.  There are booths there were you can book a trip.....either a party boat or a private charter.  You'll probably have more fun and it will be more fun for the family on a party boat.  

Princess Destin Florida Fishing

There are sailing charters.....

Blackbeard Pirate Ship Sailing Into Destin Harbor

......there are glass bottom boat tours, dolphin tours.....

Boogies Watersports - Dolphin Cruise - Destin [url=http://www.Boogieswatersports.com]www.Boogieswatersports.com[/url]

.....para-sailing.....

Parasailing in Destin Florida!

.....and lots and lots of other "touristy" stuff to do in Destin....while you're staying on Okaloosa Island.  I'm not sure they have all of that in Gulf Shores.  Probably all of the stuff that Britman hates.  

Big Kahuna's Waterpark Destin, Florida

If you make it down here and in my neck of the woods, pm me when you do and I'll point you towards all of the good places to eat.  

[BF]

Destin is part of the redneck riviera. It's built up, it's congested, it's horrible, it's tacky.

Just look at it on Google Earth.

Nuther alternative is Navarre Beach.

I grew up here and have lived most of my life here and all along the Gulf Coast, and have lived in places from Pamana City to Gulf Port, MS.  I haven't heard someone refer to us as the Redneck Riviera in a long time.  They call it the Emerald Coast now.....not as low class as Redneck. 

But do you know why they used to call us the Redneck Riviera?  We got that moniker from all of the tourists we used to get here back in the days before we where "discovered" from places like Alabama and Tennessee. 

[cookiedough]

thanks BF,  you live in a paradise as long as no hurricanes come thru IMO.  Gee, this 2 days of driving and only 5 days of visiting paradise seems to short of a vacation.  Might have to go 2 weeks. 

Parasailing, deep sea fishing, and dolphin watching trips have already checked out and going to do along with going to have to check out snorkeling trips yet. 
As of know,  we are debating (more like arguing) on places in gulf shore/orange beach area for a week since all the Destin area places are over 1 grand in June but maybe can find 1-2 nights in Destin area as well.  Thanks again for the ideas, nothing like that up here in the midwest besides waterparks which are a dime a dozen.

[BF]

Check the rates on Okaloosa Island.  Might be cheaper as it's not Destin, but just west of it.  It's still the same Gulf and you are only three miles from the Destin bridge.  Google Destin West resort and see what they've got.  They have facilities/rooms on the gulf and the bay side......and a cool lazy river thing you can float around in.

The location map for Destin West is correct on this page (the map on the Destin West page isn't)....

https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=hts&oq=&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLF_enUS297US297&q=Destin+West+resort

Here's their web page.....

http://www.destinwest.com/

They are by no means the only complex/resort on Okaloosa Island, there are many, many more. 

https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=okaloosa+island+&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLF_enUS297US297&q=okaloosa+island+condos&gs_l=hp..4.0l5.0.0.0.11662...........0.4oIrrX2lYf4

[cookiedough]

BF,  thanks again for all the info.  I just booked condo in gulf shores thru anchorvacations with those B.S. fee this and fee this that must pay.  They offer free amenities though being 1 per day per adult free dolphin cruises worth 22 bucks each,  1 free waterpark per day for adult 33 bucks worth, and BEST for me 65 bucks for 4 hours free every single day if want it if available deep sea fishing for the 7 days we are there.  We will go parasailing, see aviation museum and uss alabama, etc. and maybe snorkeling and sight seeing as well among other things. Won't have much time to enjoy the surf/beach maybe 2-3 days tops with all the other places we want to see and do while down south 18 hours.

BF,  no rush, but if you want to send me places to eat that are good and relatively inexpensive, PM me anytime in next month or so mainly in gulf shores area and 1-2 in destin area as well.

I think with all the suggestions we will have plenty to do in the 7 days down there and might have to make it another year for another 7 days to do all the stuff I bet we won't have time to do.  Never seen the ocean and a big fat ghostly white WI northerner hitting the ocean would be like someone from Florida swimming in Lake Michigan 40-50 degree waters, well almost.

I still remember 15+ years ago my wife and I before kids went to Arizona to sight see and the hotel we stayed at everyone thought we were nuts in March being the ONLY ones in the outdoor pool temps in the low 60's.  All the locals staying at the hotel asked us if we were nuts and from WI.  I said BOTH, how did you know?  

[..]

Please, please go to the Naval Air Museum.

It's really very good and bloody enormous 

[FLAVALK]

Destin is part of the redneck riviera. It's built up, it's congested, it's horrible, it's tacky.

Just look at it on Google Earth.

Nuther alternative is Navarre Beach.

I grew up here and have lived most of my life here and all along the Gulf Coast, and have lived in places from Pamana City to Gulf Port, MS.  I haven't heard someone refer to us as the Redneck Riviera in a long time.  They call it the Emerald Coast now.....not as low class as Redneck. 

But do you know why they used to call us the Redneck Riviera?  We got that moniker from all of the tourists we used to get here back in the days before we where "discovered" from places like Alabama and Tennessee. 

I started going to Gulf Shores back in the early 70's and we usually stayed at a friends place out near Ft Morgan. It was truly and unspoiled beauty devoid of high-rise condos and the such. The Flora-Bama was the place to hang out and Hazels Nook was the place for soft shell crab sandwiches..YUMO! Unfortunately, nothing stays the same. Last time I was there, I almost missed the Flora-Bama because it was wedged in between high-rise condos 

[cookiedough]

Yah, I hear yah on the high rise condos from near dalphine island to destin area and over east even more into Florida.  I took well over 7 hours researching all the 1 bedroom condos available on the dates we need.  When I google earth/mapped the entire shoreline all it is is condos mainly.  Talk about your money maker as well every condo has 250-350 worth of processing fees on top of the base rate.  Not only is there a 15-20 dollar parking fee at most condos and some have a 22 dollar hotel towel fee, but the real insult is some condos you have to pay 20 bucks per week's stay for internet access.  Heck, even the fine print on some condos I read state they ONLY supply 1 day's worth of toilet paper so better bring 2-3 rolls NO joke.  Gee whiz, times must be tough if the condo cannot afford 2-3 rolls of TP in 1 week's time?   

I suppose though one big hurricane has the potential to wipe out the entire coastline and they have to pay dearly for flood/hurricane insurance and recoupe the costs onto their customers?

[BF]

Yah, I hear yah on the high rise condos from near dalphine island to destin area and over east even more into Florida.  I took well over 7 hours researching all the 1 bedroom condos available on the dates we need.  When I google earth/mapped the entire shoreline all it is is condos mainly.  Talk about your money maker as well every condo has 250-350 worth of processing fees on top of the base rate.  Not only is there a 15-20 dollar parking fee at most condos and some have a 22 dollar hotel towel fee, but the real insult is some condos you have to pay 20 bucks per week's stay for internet access.  Heck, even the fine print on some condos I read state they ONLY supply 1 day's worth of toilet paper so better bring 2-3 rolls NO joke.  Gee whiz, times must be tough if the condo cannot afford 2-3 rolls of TP in 1 week's time?   

I suppose though one big hurricane has the potential to wipe out the entire coastline and they have to pay dearly for flood/hurricane insurance and recoupe the costs onto their customers?

A large part of those "fees" are actually taxes that go to the local governments collect to advertise the area.  In our area, they call them bed taxes and they go the Tourist Development Council. 

We've had a huge (to put it mildly) scandal as of late regarding the TDC and how that money has been being spent. 

I got your pm Cookie.....haven't had much time to post back to you yet, but I will.....either here or back to you in a pm. 

[Xtracho]

The Flora-Bama is a mere shadow of itself. Joe Gilchrist, the owner, sold the parking lot on the west side of the building to Brett Robinson for $14 million. And you see the result, the Phoenix condos. The island is still a great place to stay and enjoy the beaches.

[.]

Waiting 'til after Labor Day will yield a big reduction in prices in many places, if you can schedule it.  

on that. My girlfriend and I go to Gulf Shores or Panama City Beach every year in September and generally have great weather, sparse crowds, and everything still open for the most part. And the whole week seldom costs over $1500 for the condo, nightly entertainment, liquor, etc. (and we generally book eight nights if possible to maximize our stay)

And BF, the pics you posted further up the thread are really making me wish September would hurry up and get here. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to spring for a trailer to bring the Valk down behind the SUV or just ride and let my sweetie drive the supplies down. But one way or another, the Valk is coming on vacation with us this year.  

[FLAVALK]

The Flora-Bama is a mere shadow of itself. Joe Gilchrist, the owner, sold the parking lot on the west side of the building to Brett Robinson for $14 million. And you see the result, the Phoenix condos. The island is still a great place to stay and enjoy the beaches.

Yup, and especially after hurricane Ivan all but destroyed it in '04.

[.]

I started going to Gulf Shores back in the early 70's and we usually stayed at a friends place out near Ft Morgan. It was truly and unspoiled beauty devoid of high-rise condos and the such. The Flora-Bama was the place to hang out and Hazels Nook was the place for soft shell crab sandwiches..YUMO! Unfortunately, nothing stays the same. Last time I was there, I almost missed the Flora-Bama because it was wedged in between high-rise condos 

Yeah, I actually DID miss it last time down (which was the first time in about 10 years I'd been to the Flora-Bama) and was pretty well inside Florida before realizing it. I figured the owners must have sold the land he wasn't using on either side for a hell of a good payday as the last time I'd been there that was all open beach. You're right; nothing stays the same and the Gulf Coast is pretty overgrown now. Lucky for me, the crowds head out Labor Day weekend and it's pretty smooth sailing for the most part after that (sometimes almost literally-except the sailing isn't always so smooth-had to drive through the Arkansas portion of last year's Labor Day hurricane to get there).