Can pure white sandy beaches, warm water, great golf and restaurants all be found in Alabama? Yes. Many people are not aware that the very southern part of Alabama actually borders the Gulf of Mexico, running from Orange Beach past Gulf Shores all the way to Fort Morgan. The sand here may well be the best in the states. Golf and scrumptious Cajun food is everywhere you turn. 

 

Gulf Shores

The get the most out of your visit, rent a high-rise condo on or close to the beach through the Meyer Real Estate Company. We stayed at the Mustique building across the street from the Gulf, which had a large lagoon and an almost 360-degree view of Mobile Bay.

The building has 22 floors, and the higher units allow you to see across Mobile Bay toward Point Clear with downtown Mobile in the distance. Each floor only has two units, each having 2,500 square feet and three to four bedrooms. Mustique is the last condo on this side of Gulf Shores, and all the units on the west side have unobstructed views. The units had the amenities of a luxury hotel. Even the kitchen had a great view.

Family members only have to cross the quiet, sandy street to access the pristine beaches. Although only a few miles from downtown, the beach is sparsely populated, allowing for a tranquil experience. The is ideal for building sand castles. The water in the Gulf is very warm, no tip-toeing, gradually entering here, unlike most Pacific beaches. The Mustique complex also has a pool and Jacuzzi for those who get tired of swimming, wadding or just submerging in salt water. For more information, visit www.meyerre.com.

 

The golf

There are several great golf options just a short distance away. The Golf Club of the Wharf at Gulf Shores is the closest and has recently been remodeled. Jay and Carter Moorish were brought in to give this layout more character. Numerous bunkers and water hazards were added to the original course. The facility is in excellent shape and has a large practice area. On the way to Fort Morgan is the Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club, which has 27 holes and is in great shape. This Earl Stone design sits adjacent to the Bon Secour National Wildlife Preserve and its fairways are framed by oaks, cypress trees and other native coastal Alabama vegetation. Peninsula Golf actually sits on the bay side of the Fort Morgan Peninsula. Plus there are several holes looking out to Mobile Bay. These are both fun and challenging courses for novice and experienced players alike. 

The food

This is Cajun country. It has some of the best shrimp and seafood dishes you will ever taste. On your way into town, stop at LuLu’s at Homeport Marina restaurant, which is owned and run by LuLu Buffett, sister of the famous entertainer Jimmy Buffett.

LuLu’s sits right on the intracoastal waterway, just beneath the bridge leading into Gulf Shores. This large, open-air facility has something for everyone. We dined on shrimp and grouper, both locally caught. The food and service was excellent. LuLu has had so many requests for recipes, she started LuLu’s Fun Food a line of specialty food items focusing on gulf cuisine.

LuLu’s is also a place to hang out, with several bar areas and even a large sandlot volleyball court. There is always something going on, from the weekly art markets to the live concerts. The Homeport Marina is home to the area’s largest boats and yachts, offering a safe place to anchor with close proximity to the gulf. For more information, visit www.lulusathomeport.com.

The prices in this part of the U.S. are reasonable compared to Cabo San Lucas or Hawaii. Large luxury condos, such as the one we visited, will cost you less than half the price of similar West Coast or Florida resorts.

Fees at the excellent local golf courses, again, will be less than half what you would expect to pay for this quality. The best way to access Gulf Shores from the West Coast is to fly into Pensacola or Mobile and then rent a car. Both airports are less than an hour away.