Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores is a city on Alabama's Gulf Coast. Its Gulf State Park has beaches, trails and a pier, plus a golf course and a zip line over the dunes. To the west, sea turtles and migratory birds thrive among the coastal habitats of Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Farther west, 19th-century Fort Morgan guards Mobile Bay. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo offers hands-on encounters with lemurs, kangaroos and sloths.
The location of Gulf Shores on the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico makes it vulnerable to hurricanes. In September 1979, Hurricane Frederic leveled most of the town. In September 2004, Hurricane Ivan caused extensive wind and flooding damage. In 2005, while the city was still cleaning up from Ivan, Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage and flooding.
With bright sunny summers and warm winters, Alabama Gulf Coast weather offers year round opportunities for beach, fish, golf and enjoying life. Gulf Shores quickly recovered from Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina and has enjoyed many years without major storms. While the area enjoys a strong "snowbird" season from December to April, many locals say that May/June and October/November are the best months.
Winters are generally mild and residents can enjoy outside activities the majority of the time. Summers are hot, which makes for great beach weather, and the sea breeze provides relief from the heat and humidity.
Ocean fishing, beaches, boating cruises, and especially golf are major draws for the area. Chartered fishing boats and cruise boats for sunsets, dinner cruises, dolphin watching, and watersports embark regularly, and the area is home to two of the top-rated golf resorts in Alabama - Craft Farms and Kiva Dunes. There are a total of nine signature golf clubs, as well as a state-owned 18-hole course. Other popular attractions include the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (as featured in Animal Planet's "The Little Zoo that Could"); Pelican Place at Craft Farms, a shopping mall; and Waterville USA, a family amusement/waterpark. The city is home to an annual three-day music festival on the beach each May, the Hangout Music Festival.
The City of Gulf Shores is moving forward with plans to transform Gulf Place, the city’s most iconic stretch of beachfront and main public beach area with a $15 million Gulf Place Revitalization Project. Amenities will include a public boardwalk on the beachside of the parking areas and public green space, walking paths, shade structures, restrooms, and attractive landscaping. Sustainable and low-impact development strategies will be major components of the project, including on-site stormwater management and reuse. Beach dune restoration will be incorporated into the design to provide habitat and protection from storm surge.
Gulf Shores is a family friendly community whose government works to protect and enhance the quality of life for its residents, visitors and retirees, while promoting economic prosperity in a business-friendly atmosphere.
Jack Edwards National Airport is located in Gulf Shores and offers services from Gulf Air Center, Salt Air Aviation Center and Platium Air Center. The airport is located right in town, just two miles from the beach and is extremely convenient. Their FBO Gulf Air Center will gladly provide you with a rental vehicle and have you on your way to the beach or golf course or fishing, while they take care of fueling and storing your aircraft. There is 48 hour and long term parking available. The longest paved runway extends 6,962 feet .The facility is at an elevation of 17 feet. They offer outside tiedown as well as hangar space for your aircraft They can provide space by the night, week or on a monthly basis.
