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Destination guide
The name says it all. Welcome to the best of the Gulf Coast
Bordered by Bon Secour Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, and dotted with lakes and lagoons, Gulf Shores is a water lover's paradise. The beaches give new meaning to the term "beach blanket," with sand so soft you might not bother bringing a towel. Your Gulf Shores vacation rental will be close to kid-friendly fun like zoos and water parks, as well as nature reserves that offer glimpses of shore birds and sea turtles. Whether you're loading up the kayak with rod and reel or just loading up the beach bag with sunscreen, Gulf Shores is ready for you.
Activities
Shore up your tranquility on beaches soft as silk
You can book a Gulf Shores vacation rental with the confidence that every water-related activity you can think of will be at your fintips, whoops, fingertips. The beaches have soft white sand and turquoise waters, and the fishing is fabulous either from the pier or off the deck of a chartered boat. Gulf State Park is particularly appealing. It includes 2 miles of rustic beachfront, camping and picnicking areas, and plenty of kayaking and boating opportunities. You'll also find the head of Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, 25 miles of paved hiking and biking trails along the coastline.
Weather
Year-round warmth and stormy summer weather
With mild, tropical weather throughout the year, it might be hard to decide which month is best to book your Gulf Shores vacation rental. They're all good. Peak season for visitors is summer, when temps hit the 90s and school is out. Hurricane season lasts from June through November, so make sure you're storm ready and checking local forecasts. Spring temps are in the balmy 70s, so you can skip the storms and still enjoy the outdoors, and you'll have the run of the place in winter. Temps will be in the 50s and prices will be budget friendly.
Natural features
Gulf Shores invites you to take a boardwalk on the wild side
In a city full of beautiful beaches and family-friendly fun, it's a special treat to find that Gulf Shores is welcoming to other species as well. West of the center of town is Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, home to beach and coastal barrier habitats where you can find sea turtles nesting on the white sand and hundreds of bird species in the wetlands. A few miles north of the refuge is Weeks Bay, a chain of marshes and estuaries threaded with boardwalk trails that allow visitors a peek at crabs, waterfowl, and alligators.
Transport
Transportation to and around Gulf Shores
The nearest airport is in Pensacola, FL (PNS-Pensacola Intl.), located 33.4 mi (53.8 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you could also fly into Mobile, AL (MOB-Mobile Regional), which is 44.5 mi (71.7 km) away.