Cissy,

Thank you for your reply. It sounds like it is just what we hoped it to be. After reading your reply I can hardly wait to go. We have been visiting Gulf Shores/Orange Beach for many years and wanted to stay somewhere different. Thanks again.

Nan - what floor will you be on?

Cissy

Cissy, I've been occupied with guests since Thursday, so don't know our 'official' numbers, but DH says his gauge read 2/10 of an inch. Better than noting, but not nearly what we'd hoped.

Still predicting 30-40% chances though, so maybe the Lord will bless us with it soon!

Yes, it will be a bit chilly, but still very comfortable. We have a condo at Gulf Shores Plantation (Palms 6308) and just love it all times of the year. To rent ours go to Meyers Realty. If ours does not work for you there are many choices. FYI the Palms is the nicest building and accommodations with a balcony looking straight out to the ever changing gulf. We also own an efficiency (5204)in the 8 floor concrete building (The Dunes) with a to die for view. It is handled by Mandoki Realty. The Plantation does have a large, breath taking beach right there with no streets to deal with. The sand is beautiful, white and soft. There are 7 pools within the Plantations with one being heated. Spring breakers are never a problem as you will almost exclusively share the area with families. Good luck, The Fort Morgan peninsula is absolutely the best beach around and has totally recovered from the hurricane. If you go, take time to go to the old fort at the end of the peninsula. We like the food at the privately owned Desota restaurant.

As you can see by my name i also live near Gulf Shores ( Fairhope). It has recovered nicely and is having a booming tourist season. We have a condo and it stays book so we can't go! Not complaining though.
The Wharf is really nice. It is a must see esp. if you have kids. The farris wheel always is a hit. The big attraction for kids is Waterville. It is a great water park that has now opened a surfing area. I'm not sure how it's done but you surf. It does take some practice. There are usually as many adults as kids
.
i second Lulu's/ It's fun but always busy. Even in "winter' it's busy. I must say as many times as i've been i've never seen JB. But i'll keep trying.

Remember in July it will be hot, hot and humid. This is also time for no-seeums/ black flies come out. If there is a breeze it will be fine but keep bug spray handy.
Have fun and come spend the day in Fairhope. It is beautiful and quaint. If yo want more details on F'hope just ask.
Karen

Thanks for all the great info! We are looking into taking a trip (our first) there in August, with the kids.

Any other lodging recommendations?

Friends suggested GS to us, we had never heard of the area before. They like to stay at The Beach Club, so that's all I've looked into so far.

Point Clears' Marriott Grand Hotel is very nice, but it's on the bay, not the beach. It has a tiny dark sand area - or did when we were there. I has some great pools for kids!

It.

OSB is right. The Grand Hotel is nice. The pool is great too. The only problem is it is very, verry crowded most of the time. The pool is used by BOTH guests and members. I was there last week @ 4:30 and you had a hard time finding a chair close to the pool. The back seats were available.Most people want to be close to their kids so that usually isn't an option. It started clearing out about 6:00. I don't know what it was like earlier in the day. I do know that they are going to build a new pool so guests can have a pool of their own. But don't let that stop you from coming. It is definitely toursit dependent.

I have stayed at the Beach Club and liked it. It has been several years but I'm sure you will love it.

One good thing about At least the public schools. coming in Aug . is our schools are in session.They start Aug 9! Can you believe that? So you should have it all to yourselves. .

I haven't been often, but when I have, the pool has never been that crowded. I think I was there mid to late August, that would explain it, with some of the kids already back in school.

Sorry about the confusing last part of my post. Kids are home! Always distracting me. Yes, we start school here earlier every year. This is probably why you found the GH to be less crowded. Also it pretty much slows after Labor Day. This is a good time if you don't want crowds.

This is a very helpful discussion. I'm headed down to the area in a couple of weeks from Chicago. I'm staying in Perdido Key.

A few questions:

1. Does anyone know if the Florencia is nice? That's where we're staying. I booked it through MeyerRE. It looks nice on the internet.

2. Any recommendations on places to eat in the Perdido or Pensacola areas?

3. I've got 5 kids who range in age from 10-19. I was thinking of going to Waterville one day. Anyone been there? I've checked it out on the web and it looks like a good waterpark. Any other "obvious" ideas for teenagers? We're first timers, so we're sort of in the dark.

4. Are there quaint towns that might be suitable for a day trip?

Many thanks!

Good place to eat in Pensacola:
http://www.mcguiresirishpub.com/

Info in the Gulf Shores area:
http://www.al.com/gulfshores/cityguide/
Lots of good restaurants listed there, but if you want specifics, I'll comply, just ask.

My kids are grown now, but used to love Waterville when they were younger ( to teens ).

There is a new ,just opened complex called the Wharf. Here is their link:
http://www.thewharfal.com/

Tanger (used to be called the Riviera Center) for shopping:
http://www.tangeroutlet.com/

If that's not enough shopping for you drive to Malbis for Coldwater Creek, Sonoma and the like at the Eastern Shore Center. Eat at Roussos for great seafood! It's in the middle of the center.

Also, visit the tiny city of Fairhope for it's artsy & antique shops. Maybe eat at Wintzell's there (it's not downtown but on HWY'old 98') or Gambino's - both have great seafood!

Thanks, OleSouthernBelle!

We'll probably do one of those dolphin boat rides. Should we go with any particular outfit?

In terms of places to eat, are there restaurants favored by the locals? Especially seafood?

How about a place to get cajun food?

Fairhope looks like it's about an hour away. It sounds like you live there? It might be a nice diversion. Do you think any of the art shops or other places in town have websites we could check out?

One more question for now: I understand that in August it's darned hot. What hours are best for the beach? The teenagers like to sleep in, so it will be a challenge dragging them out to Gulf before 10am, but if that's a "must" we'll crack the whip.

Thanks!

I've not done a dolphin boat trip in GS - You can often see them from the beach in the AM.

Here''s a link to multiple choices:
http://tinyurl.com/2zvaav

We have done a deep sea fishing trip from:
http://www.zekeslanding.com/index.htm
I do recommend them.

I was 'raised' in Mobile and GS was/is my stomping grounds. Sis lives in Fairhope, the rest of the family in Mobile. Plus DH has two professional meetings/yr. at the Perdio Beach Resort & sometimes I have one myself, so we're there fairly regularly.

As far as the 'hot' - yes, you've chosen the hottest most humid month to visit. But the good thing is you have the water/pools to cool you off and maybe a libation or two - & fruity slushies for the kids.

Here's a website with pics for Fairhope:
http://www.shopfairhope.com/

There's also alot of antique shops and a neat old fashioned soda fountain at the Rexall Drustore in downtown Foley.

As for 'local's places, everyone has their own preferences, but here are some :
Bayside Grill (not my fave but good food - no atmosphere & abit out of the way).
King Neptunes ( convenient - very small -no atmosphere, but great food & drink!).
Wintzell's in FH (somewhat famous)
Gambino's excellent food (FH)
Louisiana Lagniappe:
http://www.sanroccay.com/

The last three should have some cajun dishes - but most seafood places do in the area. - it won't be the same as being IN LA though, IMO.

Hazel's (buffet) - family style (started as a 'stand' where I used to get oyster po-boys when in the area).

http://www.theoysterhouse.com/ - a very popular place, so go early to avoid lines.

Zeke's has delicious food (pricey)
as does The Voyager - this has a wonderful view of the beach/Gulf - more for a special night out with DH.

Tacky Jack's is reputed the best place for breakfast.

Yes, FH is about an hour away - you said you wanted a day trip - right? There is a cute ice cream parlor there for the kids too.
http://www.beautifulfairhope.com/

Another idea for the smaller kids is to check out the AL state park activities. My kids enjoyed their nature walk, snake feeding demonstration, sandcastle building 'lesson' etc. - I'm not sure if this is still available. I have emailed
alapark.com to find out.

This was the reply from ALAPARK:
Hi, the beach store does a print out each day for the nature trails, demonstrations, etc…..call 251-968-8837.

For further assistance you can call our 1-800-ALA-PARK office or visit our website www.alapark.com . Thank you for your interest in our parks and if we can mail you a brochure packet just email us a complete mailing address. Have a nice afternoon.

Thanks, OleSouthernBelle!

You're very kind to supply all of this helpful information.

I'll let you know how we fare!

Glad to help, MTBenz! Hope you all have a ball!