Gulf Shores, AL 251-543-1370

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What to do if a Hurricane Threatens Your Gulf Shores Vacation Fun

Now that the Alabama Gulf Coast is open for business and we are all rebounding from last year’s pandemic closures, we know you are ready to book your beach vacation getaway or flexcation soon!  Your friends at Sunset Properties want you to make the most of your beach vacation experience.  We want you and your family to enjoy all the great restaurants and attractions available here on our Alabama Gulf Coast.  We want you to dip your toes in the welcoming waters of the salty Gulf of Mexico and enjoy listening to the seagulls chatter and watching the dolphins play in our back bays of Orange Beach.  We want you to enjoy walking on our sugary sandy white beaches in front of the Hangout in Gulf Shores.  We hope you get to go boating and fishing and parasailing in Mobile Bay, if those things appeal to you.  But we also want you to be prepared just in case the weather doesn’t cooperate.  Here are some tips on What to do if a hurricane threatens your vacation fun in Gulf Shoes, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan:  

  • Know where you are

Keeping up with exactly where you are on a map is so important. Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico tropical weather, whether you’re dealing with a tropical storm or a hurricane, may not affect all parts of the Gulf Coast with the same severity.  What can be considered a major storm in one area of the Northern Gulf can be little more than a rain event just a few miles away.  Know where your vacation home is in relation to any severe weather that may be in the expected or affecting the Northern Gulf Coast.  Just because there is tropical weather in The Gulf of Mexico doesn’t necessarily mean your vacation has to be altered.  Sometimes, all it means is there is no swimming allowed in The Gulf for a day or so due to rip currents/tides.  And if that’s the case, you will still have a great time staying with Sunset Properties.  Most of our vacation homes have pools either right on site or only a short walk away.

  • Know exactly what you’re dealing with

Tropical weather can appear in several different forms.  The ones that seem to catch our ears here on the Alabama Gulf Coast are tropical storms and hurricanes.  What’s the difference?   As defined by www.weather.gov a tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds ranging from 39-73 mph (34 to 63 knots). And a hurricane is  a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds of 74 mph or greater (64 knots or greater).  Both usually only last a day or so.  It’s the strength of a storm that determines whether our island roads and businesses remain cautiously open or have to close temporarily for safety.  While no one likes to deal with tropical weather, knowing what you’re dealing with will make things more manageable.  And understanding that when authorities determine the situation is severe enough to ask residents and guests to leave or delay returning to our island home, we all must comply.

  • Be weather aware

Weather reports are often available a week or so out and it’s a good idea to check out our local weather within a couple of weeks of your arrival.  Not only will this help you plan what to bring to wear, but it can give you an idea if severe weather is possible or likely during your vacation.  While we love to say it’s always “sunny and 75 here” sometimes, we have to admit, it’s neither sunny nor seventy-five.  We urge you to get a weather app for your phone that will allow you to not only track out local weather here in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan, but will also allow you to get alerts that follow you while you’re in our neighborhood.  Sometimes the weather at The Dunes near Fort Morgan is perfectly sunny under breezy blue skies, while the weather in Gulf Shores at Lighthouse 607 or Harbor House 30 can be rainy and over in Orange Beach, at Seaside Beach and Racquet 2104 or Caribe C Penthouse 14, they may be looking at the brightest rainbow in memory.

  • Buy travel insurance

When you book with Sunset Properties, long before you check in to Navy Cove 2113 or Hangar Outer, we will offer you the option to purchase travel insurance.  Get it.  Go ahead and purchase the insurance.  You insure everything else important in your life, why would you not insure your vacation?  This is the one big leisure expense you saved for and planned on all year.  Make a small investment in travel insurance and guarantee yourself a financially secure vacation.  For details on all the different travel insurance options, take a look at our blog detailing reasons you really do need this.

  • Develop a Plan B

All business savvy folks have a Plan B, just in case Plan A falls through.  Great vacation planners do this, as well.  We cannot overstress the importance of purchasing travel insurance.  You save all year for your  beach vacation;  the kids are so excited and hyped up; you have your four legged baby all vaccinated and ready to roll, then you realize the weather will just not cooperate with your plans.  If you cannot check into your vacation rental because it is simply not available, check with Sunset Properties about rescheduling for a different date.  Call as soon as you know you cannot arrive on time!  Do not delay notifying our staff with this request.  With some restrictions, this may be an option.  Also, try not to get fixated on only one of our great properties.  Be sure to look at all of our inventory, just in case you have to change your beach home address.  While this may never happen to you, and we sincerely hope it doesn’t, it is always good to have your Plan B in place.  After all, no one likes an unfamiliar, unexpected vacation surprise.  Book your favorite home, but go ahead and take a look at all we have available, and decide which of our amazingly family and dog friendly beach homes could be your second or third choice.

  • Expect the unexpected

Expect the unexpected and plan for it.  No one likes that guy Murphy who has all those gloom and doom (if-it-can-go-wrong—it-will-go-wrong) “laws” and we are convinced he is related to Mayhem, because he seems to pop up at the most inopportune times.  We don’t like him and most of our guests don’t care much for him either.  But there’s no harm in preparing for the worst.  While none of us can stop a hurricane or a tropical storm, we can at least prepare.  And tropical weather or not, it is always a good idea to throw in a rain poncho when you’re coming to your beach home.  While it doesn’t rain all day every day during the summer months along the Alabama Gulf Coast, it usually rains for a few minutes, most days.  Be prepared for afternoon showers as you enjoy your stay with us.  Ponchos and flip-flops are totally normal in our neighborhood!

  • Understand your cancellation or rescheduling options

We know that sometimes you just have to cancel or reschedule your vacation.  Things come up.  While we do our best to accommodate our guests and make changing plans as easy as possible, we hope our guests will do their part, as well.  Ask your reservationist for specifics on rescheduling your trip if the need arises.  Know your options.  There may be fees associated with this and the property you were initially hoping for may or may not be available for your new dates.  Get all the details when you make your initial booking.  We, at Sunset Properties, are only a click or call away and we will be happy to help you understand all of the options that are available to you when you make your reservation.

  • Consider changing your destination city

If vacation home choices in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan become unavailable during your scheduled time, how about considering visiting an alternative location?  Sunset Properties also has a lovely vacation home in Park City, Utah.  While Park City is obviously a long, long way from the Alabama Gulf Coast, our vacation home Silver Saddles is as spectacular a home as you have come to expect from us.  It is a three bedroom, three and a half bath 2,000 square foot ground floor condo located in this beautiful mountain resort area.  Vacations in Park City, in both summer and winter, are memorable!  Rescheduling your summer trip away from the Gulf of Mexico and visiting Park City, located about thirty miles from Salt Lake City, Utah, may just be one of the best vacation decisions you and your family ever make!

If you have questions or need suggestions on what to do while you’re staying with us on the Alabama Gulf Coast, check out or blog on Romantic Things to Do in Gulf Shores or Things to do With Your Kids in Gulf Shores.  We live, work and play right here in beautiful south Alabama and we would love to offer suggestions on how to make the most of your time in our area.  And if a summer stay in the stunning Utah mountains appeals to you, we can help you get your Park City vacation set up, also!  See you soon!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

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It’s time for a Girls’ Weekend at The Beach in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan as we Welcome Alabama to The Wharf!

The Alabama 50th Anniversary Tour Concert at The Wharf on August 6, 2021, and you scored some great tickets for your friends and yourself.  Congratulations!  Now it’s time for you to plan your Girl’s Weekend Getaway to the Alabama Gulf Coast.  We think that’s an awesome idea!  We all remember when Alabama, featuring Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook from Fort Payne, Alabama were new to Country Music.  It’s hard to believe we have been enjoying their distinct sound for this long. But we have.  We grew up with them!  And now that we are a bit more mature than we were 40 plus years ago, our tastes have changed.  But our love of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan, just like our love of Country Music, has just grown sweeter than Momma’s tea over the years.  While you’re visiting our island paradise, you and your girlfriends should really try the following:

1.      A Luxury Penthouse Stay

Years ago, we would go to a concert and be happy to just sleep in the backseat of our Mom’s station wagon if we didn’t have a place to stay.  We’ve even gone so far as to head to the beach with nowhere to stay in mind, and, after spending the whole day on the beach, found ourselves too tired to drive home, so we slept in a car all night.  But now we’ve got real adult lives and real adult jobs and our tastes have changed significantly.  While the old wagon’s backseat was alright for the younger versions of us, today we like a little more comfort when we travel.  I know I do!  I, too, am planning to see Alabama at The Wharf.  (The first time I saw them was in the 70s…the nineteen – seventies… at the county fair… in Tuscaloosa!  Yes…I am that old!  And wow!  We’ve all come a long way since then….but I digress…)  This time I am excited to see them play at The Wharf in Orange Beach.  And, because I want to spend the weekend away from my house, just like you, I already have the perfect place to stay reserved.  I am sleeping, not in my car, but in a wonderful beach home near Fort Morgan.  Where are you ladies staying?  Sunset Properties has the perfect penthouse condominium beach home in Orange Beach or luxury beachfront condo in Gulf Shores already ready for you and your besties.  Would you rather stay in an exquisite single family beach home located right on the beach?  Check out Eden’s Waters where you will see first-hand what spending a weekend in a luxury Gulf-front beach home feels like.  Go ahead!  Spoil yourself!  And your girlfriends!  After all, this may be the last time you all come to Gulf Shores to see Alabama in concert.  Might as well make it the absolute best possible weekend you can!  Do it up right!

2.      A Spa Day

Speaking of spoiling yourselves, how about planning a spa day while you’re in town?  Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to some of the best day spas in the state.  Eden Spa and Salon in Orange Beach offers a wide variety of services and it is easy to find.  Eden Spa is  located right in the Palm Point shopping center in Orange Beach.  Don’t want to leave your luxurious beach home?  Call them, they will come to you!  They offer services to help you with hair, nails, skin and body care.  Serenity at the Beach, also located in Orange Beach, is another great option for some top-notch spoiling.  They offer services from pampering your hair and nails to pampering your whole body with deep tissue, stone and stress relief massages.  This is a must-do for any girls’ weekend.  Be sure to reach out to these wonderful day spas and make an appointment ahead of time.  Don’t wait or you might miss your opportunity to enjoy this important part of any girls’ weekend.

3.      A Personalized Souvenir

You probably have all the koozies, magnets and airbrush t-shirts you can stand already at home.  How about taking home an “adult souvenir” from this trip?  Your girls’ weekend out to see Alabama may just be a once-in-a-lifetime event.  And since you’re doing this weekend with your ride-or-die sisters, you want to make the best memories possible, right?  Then be sure to visit the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach while you’re on our island.  The talented and professional group at the Coastal Arts Center offers classes on making blown glass original art.  You can literally make your own souvenir!  Create something especially beautiful with your besties and make a great memory in the process! The Coastal Arts Center also hosts visual arts classes and pottery demonstrations.  This is a great way to pass an afternoon either before or after your day spa outing.  

4.      A Delicious Dinner

After a spa trip or making the perfect souvenir, you will definitely be hungry.  There are so many great restaurants to choose from on our island.  New restaurants squeeze their way in, and some are well received, and some seem to leave on a Gulf breeze.  And while we all have our new favorites, I suggest you try at least one of our restaurants that has been here for many years.  If you’re looking for “tried and true” as we say, enjoy dinner at DeSoto’s in Gulf Shores.  DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen is a local favorite.  How good is this place?  Sunny 105.7 FM, our local island radio station, holds a People’s Choice Award contest each year for locals to vote on their favorite places to eat, play, etc.  Sunny 105.7 has done this for many, many years.  And DeSoto’s has won this award many, many times!  Another local favorite is Doc’s Seafood Shack located on Canal Road in Orange Beach.  When you hear the word “shack” you might shy away from eating here.  Don’t let the name fool ya!  The good folks at Doc’s have been serving up some of the best seafood on our island for over 35 years.  You don’t stay relevant for that long if you aren’t doing something right.  Both of these are great suggestions for a fun girls’ night out dinner.  These two restaurants prepare their seafood a bit differently, but both are amazing places to eat!  Hey, why not try one on the first night you’re in town and the other for lunch or dinner the next day?!  

5.      A New Look – Head to Toe

What girls’ weekend trip is complete with a little shopping?  With the Foley Tanger Outlets just a few minutes away, there is no excuse why you all can’t spend some time soaking up some retail therapy.  Last year, the pandemic seemed to rob us ladies of our customary relaxing shopping experiences.  For months, many of our favorite stores were closed or the items we could buy were limited.  Welcome to post pandemic outlet mall shopping!  While you’re in south Baldwin County for The Alabama 50th Anniversary Tour Concert at The Wharf in Orange Beach, be sure to visit one of our favorite pedestrian malls located in Foley, Alabama.  The Tanger Outlets in Foley are open and shopping is encouraged.  With great stores featuring Kate Spade New York, Polo/Ralph Lauren and Coach just to name a few, why would any shopaholic deny herself the opportunity to “get her fill” of upscale bargains?  I can’t think of one reason!  Be sure to check out all of the ninety-seven stores that make this mall one of a kind in Coastal Alabama.  

The Alabama 50th Anniversary Tour Concert at The Wharf  will certainly be a great event to attend.  I, for one, cannot wait!  I am looking forward to spending the weekend in my Sunset Properties “home away from home”.  Even as a member of the Sunset Properties Team, I enjoy the luxury of staying in a perfectly stocked, tastefully decorated beach vacation home now and then.  Like an amazing Sunset Properties beach home, coastal spa days, DeSoto’s and Doc’s never disappoint.  And shopping at Tanger in Foley always leaves me smiling!  Enjoy your stay.  Enjoy your outings.  Make lots of memories.  Take lots of pictures!  And, if you haven’t already booked your vacation home, be sure to give us a call.  We have your getaway home ready for you and your group!

We wish you a safe and fun concert weekend.  And…hey… we might just be the folks singing right beside you at the concert!  We’re glad you’re planning to make Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan your “home in Alabama” even if it’s just for a couple of nights!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251-543-1370

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Post-pandemic Golfing in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan – Top Five Courses

Now that the Covid-19 case numbers have decreased and we are starting to hang out with our friends again, we golfers are excited to get back out on the courses!  Here along the Alabama Gulf Coast, our amenities are starting to open back up fully in our island home.  A post-pandemic golf weekend in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan may be just what the doctor ordered to help you get over those pandemic lockdown blues!  There is no better time than now to make up for all the missed tee times from last year and according to Sports Show , golf ranks among the ten most popular sports in the world, so it is no coincidence that some of the best golf courses in the world are found right here along the Alabama Gulf Coast.  But how do you know which course is right for you?  To make your decision easier, we have listed the top five golf courses in our area:

  • Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club 

Located just off Fort Morgan Road, Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club is another of our local favorites.  Peninsula offers three separate 9 hold courses:  Lakes, Cypress and Marsh and we encourage you to play all three.  Combine two of the three to make an 18-hole round.  Each provides a distinctly different challenge and reward.  Finding this type of variety in one resort location is not always easy.  Make sure to visit the Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club website  to learn about tee times and fees.  Sunset Properties is proud to offer the golfer with discerning taste an elegant beach home located about ten minutes from Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club.  Coquille at Martinique is a six-bedroom, five bath gorgeous beach home located in the golf cart friendly gated community of Martinique just off Fort Morgan Road.  After a day of golfing and enjoying the sun and breezes that flow through the Peninsula Golf Course, you’ll only be a short trip from a relaxing shower and a private sunroom or deck where you can enjoy your evening cocktail.

  • Craft Farms Golf Resort

Every serious golfer knowsCraft Farms Golf Resort is one of the top resorts in the country.  The Cotton Creek Course and The Cypress Bend Course were both designed by the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, making them extremely appealing to anyone who swings a club.  With perfectly trimmed fairways and surrounding areas unmatched in beauty, these 18-hole courses are a must for any golfer, pro or otherwise.  Craft Farms, located at 3840 Cotton Creek Circle in Gulf Shores, about fifteen minutes from the beachfront luxury home Lighthouse 607, offers beautifully furnished clubhouses managed by a knowledgeable and professional staff.  These courses are both challenging and entertaining.  To book your tee time, visit the Craft Farms online.  To get a closer look at the exquisitely decorated Gulf front beach home called Lighthouse 607, visit Sunset Properties.   Make sure you give Craft Farms a serious look, too.  After all, you may find Arnold Palmer designed the perfect course for You!

  • One Club Golf

For one of the most distinctive golfing experiences around, try One Club Golf.  Along with traditional day time golfing outings, One Club Golf offers golfing after dark.  That’s right, you can experience this glowingly fun way to golf, after the sun goes down. With Sunset Golf, Glow Golf and Golf Happy Hour, we are sure everyone in your family will have a blast.  So much of what we think of when we consider visiting a beach resort town, revolves around enjoying sunny days.  Well, with this new twist on a favorite sport, starry nights are in style, too!  Conveniently located at 4000 Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores, One Club Golf is just a short drive to the Bon Secour River area where Hangar Outer is located.  If enjoying the stars is something that appeals to you, be sure to consider Hangar Outer.  This special beach home was constructed out of an old airplane hangar and it is perfectly and appropriately located for any sky watcher.  Surrounded by 380 feet of water, the views of both water and sky are unmatched!  So after a day or night of golfing at One Club Golf, come home and continue your fun experience of enjoying twenty-four hours of fun at Hangar Outer!

  • Gulf Shores Golf Club 

Located in the heart of Gulf Shores at 520 Clubhouse Drive, Gulf Shores Golf Club is a semi-private club.  Guests are welcome to play this top rated Alabama golf course, along with members.   This beautifully kept 18 hole course is home to several local non-golfing residents.  Raccoons, squirrels and alligators can be found on or near the course.  The course has some challenging holes, as well.  Trees and ponds make navigating this local favorite fun and exciting. While you’re here, be sure to visit the Pro Shop and clubhouse.  Gulf Shores Golf Club, built in the 1960s, is an icon in our area and we know you will want to visit it while you’re in our neighborhood.  Speaking of neighborhoods, one of our favorites is the Fort Morgan Community.  Just minutes from Gulf Shores Golf Club, Tetherdown is a Mobile Bay front beach home just waiting for you and nine of your friends.  If a guy’s or girl’s golf weekend that includes fabulous views of the water is your goal, be sure to give this beach home a look.  Tetherdown, like Gulf Shores Golf Club, is surrounded with the natural wildlife that makes the Alabama Gulf Coast so inviting.  Be on the lookout for dolphins in Mobile Bay and possibly raccoons, squirrels or alligators near the home.  Also, if you see any of our Alabama Beach Mouse friends, please don’t disturb them.  They are endangered and we need them to help us keep our dunes intact.  

  • Kiva Dunes Resort and Golf

The Golf Course at Kiva Dunes has just over 7,100 yards of play area and is one of the top courses in Alabama.  Located just off Fort Morgan Road at 815 Plantation Road near Gulf and Golf East and Gulf and Golf West, Kiva Dunes is a completely public course.  In April 2018, it was ranked the top public course in Alabama by Golf Advisor.  The golf course, itself, as well as the professional staff, constantly receive rave reviews from guests and locals alike.  We are quite partial to them, as well!  Because of the novel location of this amazingly manicured course, which is literally between The Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay, the winds that pass over it change frequently.  Winds blow across the course from both the Gulf and Mobile Bay.  As every golfer knows, as the winds that blow across a course change,  the course, itself, changes.  This makes each golfing experience at Kiva a unique one. If you’re looking for a course that is constantly a challenge, well-kept and managed by super friendly folks, and is within walking distance from beautifully decorated beach homes that sleep up to seventeen of your closest golfing buddies, Kiva Dunes Resort and Golf is perfect for you!  For tee times and fees, visit Kiva Dunes online.

If you’re looking for a great place to practice and just hit a few balls around, be sure to visit The City of Orange Beach’s Orange Beach Golf Center located at 4700 Easy Street in Orange Beach.  Easy Street is just off Canal Road near The Wharf in Orange Beach.  The Orange Beach Golf Center features 9-Hole, Par-3 Course, lighted driving range, practice putting/chipping greens, practice sand bunker, and Pro Shop.  This golf venue is so lovely and well-kept.  We encourage island guests to visit The Orange Beach Golf Center for a relaxing afternoon.

Many of you have heard about the great courses in our area, but you’re not sure which one or ones to visit.  As locals, we’ve tried them all.  We are happy to recommend these courses, managed by our neighbors and friends, to you, our guests.  We believe you will fall in love with Golfing the Gulf Coast, just like thousands have before you.  And if you’re a repeat guest golfer, welcome back!

Remember, your vacation home is just as important as finding the perfect place to tee off.  Visit us at Sunset Properties and we can help you find those perfect accommodations for you and your family or you and your golf buddies.  From private pools to dog friendly options, to vacation homes with places to park your golf cart or your personal watercraft, at Sunset Properties, we have them all!  And we can’t wait for you to see them!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

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Ten Ways to Know You Love About the Alabama Gulf Coast – Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan

Lots of us are participating in social media challenges these days.  We, at Sunset Properties, are fans of many of these.  One of our favorites is the “tell me you love (something) without telling me”.  Here’s ours:

Tell me You Love the Alabama Gulf Coast without Telling Me You Love the Alabama Gulf Coast

1.      I daydream about playing mini golf at Pirates Island.

Mini golf is something we all did as kids.  As adults, we tend to gravitate to larger courses like those at Craft Farms or Gulf Shores Golf Club.  But sometimes we do admit, we find ourselves daydreaming about those warm spring and early summer afternoons when all we wanted to do was sink a purple ball into a silly hole as we golfed our way around a pirate ship shaped mini-golf course.  Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf located just north of the Intracoastal Holmes Bridge still offers fun and silly adventures for the whole family.  Time to make your daydreams a reality!

2.      My favorite picture on my camera roll has my bestie getting tossed off a giant flamingo by a rolling wave.

The waves of the Gulf of Mexico are unpredictable at best.  As long as the red flags are not flying, swimming in the Gulf is usually a wonderful experience.  The warm, salty water can make most achy joints feel nice.  Floating with the kiddos or you sweetheart is a great way to pass an afternoon.  With private beaches attached to great beach home subdivisions like The Dunes, enjoying the Gulf can be a daily indulgence while you’re in Gulf Shores.  That image, however, of your best friend tipping not-so-gracefully off that giant flamingo is still one for the record books!  We know.  We all have an image similar to that one on our camera roll, too!

3.      I have walked through the mouth of a shark.

Not everyone can say they’ve walked right through a shark’s mouth without getting so much as a scratch.  If you can, you are one of the special folks who really loves the Alabama Gulf Coast.  Souvenir City, located in the heart of Gulf Shores since 1956, is one of our favorite gift shops.  With everything from magnets to fudge, t-shirts to coffee cups, they pretty much have something for everyone.  We can’t think of one person who loves the Alabama Gulf Coast and hasn’t walked through the shark’s mouth.

4.      I know exactly how long it takes to get from Tanger Outlets to the Intracoastal Bridge.

About 15 minutes.  That’s the answer.  It takes about 15 minutes on an average day to get from everyone’s favorite coastal outlet mall in Foley to the WC Holmes Intracoastal Waterway Bridge that leads onto the island if you enter via Alabama Highway 59 (Gulf Shores Parkway).  If you choose to stop and shop at the Tanger Outlets in Foley, you’ll find more than eighty retailers ready to help you with some retail therapy.  But if you love the Alabama Gulf Coast, you already know that!  Just like you already know that when we leave the mall, we’re only about fifteen minutes away from the most beautiful coastal scenery anywhere surrounded by 32 miles of sugar white beaches.

5.      There is still sand in my backseat floorboard from my last visit.

Speaking of beaches, if you truly love our coastal paradise, there is still some sand in your backseat floorboard from your last trip down.  We ask that you watch out for the sea oats and Alabama Beach Mice and please stay off the dunes when you visit the beaches.  Please take your trash with you and leave only footprints when you visit the beautiful shoreline in Orange Beach, but those who love the Alabama Gulf Coast tend to take flip flops full of sand home with them.  And it ends up in the backseat floorboards.  There is seemingly no way to get all the sand out of a car.  But, honestly, who would want to?  Why not carry around a few grains of one of your favorite places on earth? After all, it’s just a tiny reminder of where your heart longs to be.  You love the beach and little island just like we do.

6.      I look forward to visiting two-toed sloths.

Like those of us who live on Island Time, two-toed sloths move at their own pace.  Usually, it’s a much slower pace than everyone else.  But that’s ok.  And like you, we love our friends, the sloths, who live at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.  We stop by to see them as often as we can.  They remind us to slow down, chill out, and enjoy all that our wonderful island home has to offer.  Speaking of slowing down, did you know there is a lazy river at Caribe B Penthouse 4?  Enjoying that makes for a wonderful afternoon.  But, if relaxing in a penthouse condo’s lazy river isn’t your thing, how about relaxing in a beach home right on the beach in Gulf Shores?  Check out Castaways 7B.  If you want to slow it down even a little more, take a look at Tortuga Bay, which is perfectly placed in the quiet Fort Morgan community.

7.      I have library cards for both the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Public Libraries.

While we’re on the topic of relaxing, we know sitting on a balcony overlooking the gleaming waters of the Gulf of Mexico, listening to the melody the waves make while reading a great book makes you smile.  The beach and books just seem to go together.  But, there’s no need to bring a book from home when you can borrow one from the Orange Beach Public Library or the Gulf Shores Public Library.  You already know the good folks at both the Orange Beach Public Library and The Gulf Shores Public Library only require a valid form of identification (a driver’s license) to get your library card.  We know your library cards have been safely parked in your wallet since last year and you’re itching to use both!  Our local libraries have great hours and are serving patrons in spite of the pandemic.  Check out The Gulf Shores Library’s website for their hours and The Orange Beach Public Library’s website for their hours.  

8.      My all-time favorite gumbo comes from Sea-N-Suds.

Your mouth starts to water each time you think about an ice cold beer perfectly placed beside a big ole bowl of Sea-N-Suds gumbo.  Admit it:  you can almost see that super cold condensation rolling right down that superbly chilled bottle as the amazing aroma of your favorite gumbo floats by your nose.  Inhale the goodness!  Since 1975, this uniquely styled restaurant has been serving up some of the freshest Alabama Seafood and coldest beers around.  Parking is sometimes a challenge for this wonderful local eatery, so why not consider staying at Lighthouse 607.  You can walk to Sea-N-Suds from that impeccably decorated beach front luxury condo.

9.      I know swimming at Alabama Point East can be challenging, but the fishing is amazing.

Fishing is more than a sport. It’s a lifestyle.  If you are a professional angler at heart, but choose to make your living some other way, we know you love to fish on the west side of the bridge at Alabama Point.  The swift waters that rush into and out of our back bays of Orange Beach offer some of the best fishing anywhere.  The beach at Alabama Point East Park is also a great place to spend a day with your family.  We don’t recommend swimming too far out in the swift waters, but the easy waves that touch the sandy shore are always perfect.  With restrooms nearby, you know you can’t go wrong enjoying a day here.  You might even catch a hermit crab or two.

10.    When I pass Shell Banks Baptist Church, Fort Morgan is just a few more songs away.

Fort Morgan Historic Site is a place locals and guests fall in love with after just one visit.  It may seem a long drive from the heart of Gulf Shores out Fort Morgan Road to the Fort, but if you pass the trip by enjoying our local radio station Sunny 105.7FM and noticing local landmarks, the drive doesn’t seem so long.  One such landmark is Shell Banks Baptist Church.  About eight miles west of the intersection of Gulf Shores Parkway and Fort Morgan Road, is the location of Shell Banks Baptist Church and Cemetery.  This particular place is extremely special because before any Europeans inhabited our island home, the Native American (Indian) village of Achuse was located on the site.  The first Spanish Explorers recorded a visit with these early inhabitants in 1539.  But anyone who loves our Alabama Gulf Coast already knows this.  Once you pass this landmark, you know you’re almost half-way to Fort Morgan. Turn up your radio and sing along as you finish your drive to the end of Fort Morgan Road.  Just outside the fort gates, you’ll pass The Dunes and The Indies.  Your perfect vacation home might just be inside one of the condo complexes.  Once you reach the fort, get ready for a fun-filled day of exploring both inside and outside the historic walls.  Inside the fort, you already know you’ll find years of history and memories just waiting to me made.  Outside, the beaches of magnificent Mobile Bay await you.

We know you love our family-friendly Alabama Gulf Coast just as much as we do.  If some of these ways don’t ring true with you, we’d love for you to tell us You Love the Alabama Gulf Coast Without Telling Us.  Use our comment section below for your thoughts!  At Sunset Properties, we listen to our guests.  We listen and respond.  We are a family-owned company and our guests become our extended family.  When you’re ready to return to your Island-Home-Away-From-Home, give us a call and we will be happy to help you find the perfect place to stay!  And if you’d like to own your own Island-Home-Away-From-Home, we can help you with that, too!

www.sunsetproperties.com 

251.543.1370

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The Interstate Mullet Toss is Back and You’re Invited!

What a year 2020 was!  Whew!  We are glad it’s behind us.  Between viruses and hurricanes and lock downs, we feel like we missed out on a whole year of beach fun.  We know you’re probably feeling it, too.  But rest assured, Spring 2021 is looking great along the Alabama Gulf Coast.  Folks in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan are starting to fill their calendars with lots of unique, fun local events coming up this year.  Spring Break is already here, and we’re seeing lots of sun-kissed faces all around our island.  Isn’t it about time you let our Gulf Coast Sun kiss your skin?  Well, the fun is just getting started!  April is right around the corner and you know what that means:  April Showers.  NOPE!  (Good guess, though!) It means it’s time to throw a fish!  The Interstate Mullet Toss is back and you’re invited!

 Here are five reasons you need to plan to be at the 2021 Interstate Mullet Toss:

 1.      Throwing a Fish is Fun

The Interstate Mullet Toss is held each April on the beaches of The World-Famous Flora-Bama located on the Alabama Florida State line because throwing a fish is fun.  Down here, in South Alabama and in the Florida Panhandle, we actually throw fish.  Dead ones.  Mullet, to be exact.  We use our bare hands and throw them as far as we can.  Across the sand and across state lines. Yes, you read that right.  For more than thirty years, locals and visitors alike have gathered on the beaches adjacent to our favorite coastal roadhouse to toss mullet (fish not hairstyles) as far as they will fly.  It is challenging.  It is a little stinky.  It is a bit of a slimy sport.  And it is fun! There actually is an amazing sense of accomplishment when you’re able to hurl a fish farther than anyone else in your competition category.  If you’ve never tossed a mullet, make your reservation now with Sunset Properties and plan to come join the fun!

  2.    This is a Family Event

There is a mullet tossing category for all ages and skill sets.  From kids to adults, young in years to young at heart, everyone is invited!  In order to make sure everyone has a chance to win, the good folks at the Flora-Bama have divided the competition into different categories, and this is a three-day event.  From April 23-25, 2021, the fish will fly.  Believe me!  You’ll see more fish fly than (dare I say it?) than Carter has little liver pills!  And Carter has a lot of pills!  And the best part of this family-friendly event is it’s all for a good cause – as it turns out – or several good causes.  This event has raised over $40,000 to help local charities in both Florida and Alabama.  The best kind fun is fun that benefits someone in need!  Kudos to the folks at the Flora-Bama and all those who participate in this event for your kindness!  And what happens to the fish after the event is over?  They get donated to our friends at Alligator Alley in Summerdale.  The gators have mullet for supper.  How cool is that?!

  3.    Social Distancing is Easy on The Beach

We know you have all been conditioned to observe social distancing guidelines over the last year.  We can’t think of a better place to practice social distancing than at the beach.  Getting outside, soaking up some good old Vitamin D, and spending time with your family and friends does everyone good!  There are tents and chairs spaces available to rent from local vendors at the Flora-Bama.  Check out this link for details.  You can’t bring your own alcohol to this event, but there will be plenty of adult beverages available for sale onsite for the grownups to enjoy.  Be sure to pack your sunscreen, shades and flip flops.  Even in April, without proper skin protection, you can catch a pretty bad sunburn while tossing fish.

  4.    Affordable Accommodations are Close

 So, we’ve piqued your interest, huh?  You’re sitting at your desk in your dull office thinking about how great it would be to spend a spring weekend at the beach.  You smile as you imagine how nice it will be to pack up the kiddos and head south to the warm sandy beaches that border the Northern Gulf of Mexico.  Just to get to throw a fish or two would actually be a bonus.  We totally get it!  If we didn’t already live here, we’d be headed toward the Alabama Gulf Coast, too.  But where’s a great place to stay?  Lots of places are already booked.  Lots of places have minimum stays that might not work for your weekend trip.  Well, we have some great ideas just for you!  Take a look at Sugar Beach 138.  This efficiency condo is just perfect for a family of four.  It’s only about a ten-minute drive from this cozy beach home to the Alabama- Florida state line, where your personal mullet-throwing-championship-trophy awaits.   Do you need a bit more space?  How about Sugar Beach 201?  This is a two-bedroom beach home in the same complex.   Need even more room, but you still want to spend the weekend in Orange Beach?  Check out Family Tides located right in the heart of Orange Beach.  This lovely beach home sleeps up to eight folks comfortably.     If you’d like to stay in Gulf Shores, give Spyglass 106-B a look.  This unit has such a neat layout!  It sleeps six comfortably and one bedroom is a loft.  At Sunset Properties, we’ve got just the perfect beach home for you to enjoy after a long day of tossing mullet!

 5.      Memories are Priceless

You’re probably asking how much does it cost to enter the Interstate Mullet Toss?  Fifteen dollars.  That’s all.  For $15, you get to sail your mullet from Florida into Alabama and you get a souvenir t-shirt.  And if your fish flies far enough, you win!  How much more do you get?  You’ll have a wonderful weekend of priceless memories and we hope you’ll take some pretty good pics of your trip. Get ready to catch some funny Snaps and make some hilarious Tik Tok videos.   Your friends at home will wish they had planned a whole weekend around tossing fish.  We know it sounds crazy, but trust us, they will be so jealous!  

So, what are you waiting for?  Grab yourself some new flip flops.  Dust off that beach straw hat and pack your sunscreen.  Pull out that super bright beach towel and tell the kiddos to load up!  It’s been a whole year since your toes touched the wonderful sandy white beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast, and that’s long enough for anyone to stay away.  Your beach is open.  Your new friends are waiting.  Sunset Properties has the perfect weekend beach home for you.  And we know there’s a fish with your name on it!  See you soon!!

Oh…and while you’re down here, ask a local, “Why do mullet jump?” There are lots of theories.

Angie’s answer, “They jump for joy!”

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

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Make the Alabama Gulf Coast Your Fall 2020 Virtual School Science Classroom

When most people think about visiting Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan, they think about a summer trip because school starts back in the fall.  But 2020 has given us a whole new perspective on how school should look.  Traditional classrooms and desks are being replaced with kitchens and dining tables and chalkboards with laptops.  These days all you need is a laptop or tablet, a peaceful place to study and some Wi-Fi, right?  Well then, why not spend at least part of your 2020 fall school year in South Baldwin County, Alabama?  The Alabama Gulf Coast has so much to offer curious minds.  

Here are five great virtual school science report topics for fall 2020:

 Monarchs

Many of our traditional fall guests were disappointed to learn the Annual National Shrimp Festival was cancelled this year due to concerns about the possibility of COVID-19 virus spread in the large crowd.  We urge you to come on down to the beach in October anyway to see a different kind of crowd:  Monarchs.  That’s right!  They will be everywhere!  Monarchs, as majestic as their name implies, by the thousands could be passing through our area.  Often overlooked because of all the other fun things going on down here in October, this year the Monarchs can have the spotlight.   Monarch butterflies, the ones with the pretty yellow, orange and black colorful wings, are migratory insects.  They actually travel from the US to Mexico and back twice each year.  Monarchs that reside in the Eastern parts of America during the spring and summer travel to Mexico in October to begin their winter season there.  Our little part of the Alabama Gulf Coast just happens to be in the migratory path of some of these insects.  As they pass through our area, thousands of them can be seen along Fort Morgan Road and all around our island.  They spend their winter months in the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico.  From Gulf Shores, by way of Interstate 10 West then south into Mexico, it’s about 1500 miles to these mountains where the Monarchs spend their winters.  Because many of the butterflies spend their springs and summers along the East Coast of the US, their total trip can be as far as 3000 miles.  These little guys fly three thousand miles just to hang out for a few months!   According to the US Forest Service, the Monarchs follow the magnetic pull of the earth and notice the sun’s location in the sky for directions to their winter home.  According to AL.com, these butterflies can be seen in South Alabama from late September through early October.  What better science project than to write a report about the migration of these magnificent insects after seeing the migration first-hand?  

Ospreys

Another great science report topic is to observe and write about ospreys.  Ospreys, also called fish hawks, are sometimes mistaken for eagles.  They are actually large raptors (we love that word:  “raptors”) and they live along the Alabama Gulf Coast.  Some of them migrate further south in the winter, while some choose to stay here with us.  With their pretty brown wings and white bodies, they are easy to spot.  As you travel around our island, look up at the tops of old dead trees or on special platforms that resemble power poles with little board floors nailed to the top of them.  That’s where our local ospreys build their nests.  These platforms can be seen from Fort Morgan to Orange Beach and all points in between.  There are a few of these near Lake Shelby in Gulf State Park.  Ospreys are amazing fish hunters and can often be seen soaring over Mobile Bay fishing.  Their talons (or toes and toenails) are super sharp and so is their vision.  Ospreys are protected animals and we are blessed to have so many around our little island home.

Alabama Beach Mice

The Alabama Beach Mouse is another protected animal who shares our island home with us.  This nocturnal little mammal is covered with buff and white fur and he is almost camouflage against the dunes in which he lives.  The Alabama Beach Mouse primarily feeds on seeds from sea oats and other coastal plants and small insects at night.   The mouse is a tiny little guy, weighing less than about three nickels.  You may catch a glimpse of them running in and out of dunes around your vacation home.  But remember, the Alabama Beach Mouse is an endangered species and it is illegal to catch or kill them.  Instead, they are fun to watch from a distance as they scurry along their little ways.  The mouse is an important part of our coastal ecosystem.  He makes his home among our sea oats which help hold our dunes in place.  The Alabama Beach Mouse is the coastal cousin to most other field mice found in our state.  Our tiny neighbor, however, makes his home exclusively from Ono Island in Orange Beach to Fort Morgan.  We, at Sunset Properties, happen to think he has exquisite taste!

Sea Turtles

Three main types of sea turtles have been known to nest along our Alabama Gulf Coast.  Loggerhead Sea Turtles seem to be the most common in our area, although Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles and Green Sea Turtles have also been seen.  Another protected animal, we want you to know about these magnificent creatures, but urge you not to go near them.  Mama Loggerhead turtles, who normally spend their days swimming, floating and hunting for crabs and shrimp (two of our supper favorites, too!)  in the salty waters of the Gulf of Mexico or one of our back bays, find their way onto our sandy white beaches to dig a hole and lay their eggs.  Sea turtle nests can be found from May to October and there are ways to observe them without disturbing them.  For more information on sea turtle conservation, follow this link to Share the Beach, a great group of folks who monitor sea turtles all year long.  You might get invited to participate with the Share the Beach folks and help baby turtles find their way back to the Gulf.  Doing this outside of a conservation group is a really bad idea.  Damaging a sea turtle nesting site is not only illegal, it’s just mean.  These turtle moms travel for miles across the Gulf and choose to lay their eggs along our Alabama Gulf Coast and we consider it a privilege they picked us.  To disturb these baby turtles as they grow inside their shells and prepare for their journey back to the Gulf is something no local would ever do.  Instead we work together to help them start their new lives safely.

Lemurs

The first four animals we listed are native, at least in part, to our area.  Some are protected by law, and, although you can find some pretty great pictures of the areas in which they live, and maybe even catch a glimpse of one of them, it is not necessarily a good idea to handle them directly.  The non-native Lemur, however, is a totally different option.  Lemurs, as we all learned in the hilarious movie Madagascar, are natives to that African island and those surrounding Madagascar.  However, our Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has a small lemur population and those little primates are super friendly and you can actually hold them, pet them and play with them.  The word “lemur” is taken from the Latin word “lemure” which means ghost or spirit.  Their little faces and white ringed tails give them the appearance of a spooky supernatural spirit being.  They are, instead, quite social and fun to interact with, far from spooky!  The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo offers a Lemur Encounter experience and we urge you to visit.  Operating under CDC guidelines for social distancing, our Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is open and the Lemur Encounter is one you won’t want to miss.  We cannot think of a better way to expertly submit a virtual report on lemurs than to have an actual visit with them.  Be sure to contact the good folks at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo for times and specifics on your encounter, but don’t miss the opportunity while you’re visiting us this fall!

We, at Sunset Properties, know you were probably disappointed when you learned the Annual National Shrimp Festival was cancelled for October 2020.  We were, too!  But we want you to know that there is still plenty to see and do on our island home.  So come on down, anyway.  Instead of booking a short weekend trip, go ahead and pack up the virtual school supplies and come stay with us for a week!  We have affordable fall pricing for families and vacation home options that range from one bedroom condos to luxury beach houses that sleep up to 20 people.  Bring your small dog, too, and choose one of our fur baby friendly rentals.  If you need more ideas for virtual school reports, check out our blog on Five Great Ways to Watch Dolphins Play.  Dolphins always make great topics!  We are looking forward to seeing you this fall and will help out your schoolers any way we can!  

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

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Beat the Mid-Summer Heat! Keep Cool and Social Distance in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

We know you guys are all too familiar with the social distancing guidelines.  Stay six feet apart.  Wear a lower face covering when possible.  If you’re sick, stay home.  Here along the Alabama Gulf Coast, we are becoming pros at keeping ourselves masked, separated and healthy, as well.  This has been pretty easy for the spring and much of the early summer.  When it’s not so hot, taking a walk on the  sand or sitting under an umbrella enjoying a good novel are great ways to social distance at the beach.  But what do you do when it feels so scorching hot outside that you limit your beach time to only part of the day, but you still need to escape the four walls of your vacation home without melting?

Here are five ways to Keep Cool and Social Distance While You’re in Gulf Shores:

Parasail over the Gulf of Mexico

Some folks have asked us what is parasailing?  Well, it’s actually being towed behind a boat while you’re hooked to a parachute.  It’s kind of the best way everrrrr to watch marine life in the Gulf without actually being in the water! How it works is simple.  You’ll get your parachute on and climb inside a boat and travel in the Gulf just offshore.  You’ll still be able to see your buddies on the beach and they will be able to get some great pics of you!   Once you’re out in the Gulf a few yards and ready to take off, you’ll find yourself flying up out of the water behind the boat pulling you in just a matter of minutes.  Forget trying to count six feet to social distance, while parasailing, you’ll go as high as eight-hundred feet over the water and just ride in the air. The good folks at Blue Sky Parasail and Watersports would love to have you join them for one of their outings.  The rates to parasail are very reasonable and the memories you’ll make are immeasurable.  If social distancing and staying cool are two of your goals while you’re vacationing with Sunset Properties in Gulf Shores, parasailing over the Gulf of Mexico needs to be on your list!  

Bike from Gulf Shores to Orange Beach

Lots of folks love to bike around our island.  We know taking a trip from Gulf Shores to Orange Beach with a few fun stops on the way will be a great way to social distance and keep cool.  Why not rent a bike at Tiki’s Bike Shack located on Gulf Shores Parkway next to what we “old tymers” remember as Zooland Mini Golf (now Tiki’s Mini Golf) and ride from there down Gulf Shores Parkway and turn left toward Orange Beach.  Of course, while you’re still on Gulf Shores Parkway, you’ll want to stop at Matt’s Homemade Alabama Ice Cream and just get a scoop or two for the road.  When you make the turn onto highway 182 also called Beach Boulevard, be sure to stop by our public beach in Gulf Shores and just spend a few minutes enjoying the sounds of the Gulf.  There really is nothing better than the feeling of the Gulf breeze on your skin in the middle of the summer.  Once you’re back on your way toward Orange Beach, you’ll see one of our favorite restaurants sitting out on the Gulf Side of the Lighthouse condos.  Be sure to stop in at Sea-N-Suds for a cold adult beverage and some of the best gumbo anywhere.  If you happen to be staying with Sunset Properties in Lighthouse 607, you already know about Sea N Suds!  Your adventure shouldn’t end here, though.   So, keep pedaling!  You’re only about ten miles from the heart of Orange Beach and the scenery along the way is spectacular!

Ride a jet ski in our beautiful back bays

Orange Beach is not only a fisherman’s paradise, but also one of the best places to ride jet skis!  While you’re social distancing, why not give it a try?  Our back bays, places like Bay La Launch and Wolf Bay, are brimming with sea life this time of year.  Dolphins will almost surely swim alongside you as you ride. Sea gulls and cranes are all along the shoreline.  While you’re out riding our back bays, be sure to visit Pirate’s Cove Restaurant and Marina and have a burger and a bushwacker!  If you’re staying with us at Grand Caribbean 425, a tastefully decorated two bedroom/ one and half bath condo (the perfect size for social distancing!), you are only a few minutes away from where this cool water adventure can start.   Visit the good folks at Alabama Extreme Watersports to schedule your jet ski rental and let the fun begin!

Slingshot yourself to Fort Morgan

We cannot think of a better way to cool off during the steaming summer days than to take a ride in a convertible, unless it’s riding in a Slingshot.  Slingshots are a kind of crazy cool cross between a convertible car and a three-wheel motorbike.  The good folks at Coyote Beach Sports in Gulf Shores will get you set up and on your way in no time!  Two people can ride comfortably, as long as one of you can drive a car with a manual transmission.  You should start from your condo at Crystal Tower 1406 in the West Beach area of Gulf Shores and travel out Fort Morgan Road until you reach the historic fort site.  The twenty-two mile ride out to the fort is such a nice ride and your scenery will change from hundred year old water oaks, to peeks at our lagoon, to passing beside Shell Banks Baptist Church and the old Indian village site.  Eventually you will be driving alongside Mobile Bay and end up at Fort Morgan where the Gulf and the bay meet.  This is a great ride and a great way to social distance and keep cool!

Go for a swim

Swimming is one of the best ways to cool off while social distancing.  Most pools have ten person-limit in the pool areas to help fight the spread of COVID-19.  However, the Gulf of Mexico is big enough to handle us all!  If swimming in the Gulf appeals to you and you want to be just a short walk away from the public beach in Gulf Shores, stay with Sunset Properties at Beachview 223.  This vacation home is a cozy one bedroom apartment on the second floor directly across the street from the world famous Pink Pony Pub and the amazingly white sandy beaches we all love!  Speaking of white sandy beaches, check out Beach Front 301!  This condo located on West Beach Boulevard is literally just steps away from our beautiful beaches!  Remember to social distance on the beach and only hang out with folks you know.  But swimming in the Gulf is a great way to get your splash on without having to worry about the ten-person limit at our pools.

We know the necessary social distancing thing can be a challenge when you’re trying to decide what to do in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan and avoid spreading the awful coronavirus.  We also know that with a little bit of creativity, you can still have a super fun vacation.  At Sunset Properties, we are taking extra precautions to keep your vacation homes guest-ready and safe.  If you’re wondering what we’ve been up to regarding this, be sure to check out our COVID-19 Updates Page.  We are looking forward to your arrival!  The beach is calling and social distancing can be a cool thing, so come on down!!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

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Top 10 Reasons To Go Fishing in Gulf Shores in the Fall

The reasons to fish the waters along the Alabama Gulf Coast in the fall are many.  Local anglers will tell you to plan your trip, come on down and expect to have a great time while you’re here.  We will tell you that there are lots of reasons to Go Fishing in Gulf Shores in the Fall, but here are our top ten:

1       The Temperature is Great

The weather in the fall in Gulf Shores is fabulous.  The days are usually warm following a cool start and the nights are comfortable.  Be sure to pack sunscreen when you come down.  Even though the sun’s rays are longer this time of year, you can still get a sunburn while you’re fishing.  Remember, the rays reflect off the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and off our crystal white sandy beaches and you can get a quick sunburn without even realizing it.  Also, pack both shorts and jeans.  We’re pretty sure you’ll need both.  Don’t forget a windbreaker or light rain jacket.  We do get a little rain here in the fall, but it usually doesn’t last long.  And pack your shades.  As the days cool in the fall the sun seems to shine brighter.  Shades and visors are a must for any fall outdoor activities, especially activities like fishing where water reflects the sun’s rays.

2       Charters are Easy to Get

Fishing charters leave out of Orange Beach all year long.  Fall fishing is a great excuse to book a charter and go a few miles off shore.   The good folks at Orange Beach Fishing Charters and Fishing Guides are ready to help you get started.  With off-shore, near shore and deep sea fishing options available, you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for.  Several of our favorite charter companies leave out of Zeke’s Marina.  For years, the good folks at Zeke’s have been ready to get locals and guests alike out on the open waters of the Gulf.  Another option is Gulf Rebel Charter Fishing.  For over 50 years, these folks have been taking fishermen and ladies right to the best spots to catch the most fish.  Gulf Rebel Charters is a local family owned business.  Still haven’t found what you’re looking for?  Give Extreme Chaos Inshore Charters a try!  This is one inshore fishing experience your whole family is sure to love!

3       Great Fish are in Season

Fishing is great along the Alabama Gulf Coast all year long and fall is no exception.  Dolphinfish like dolphin, dorado and mahi-mahi are in season all summer and through October.  Bull Redfish are also in season.  Flounder is a local fave and can be caught through October in our area.  Several species of grouper are also in season.  We love fresh Gulf Grouper!  Cobia is another local favorite and it is in season through October.  Whether you’re fishing from our famous Gulf State Park Pier or from one of our local charter boats, we are sure you will catch something great to eat while you’re here in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan.  If you can’t enjoy it here, pack it well in ice and take it home for a mid-winter feast you’re sure to enjoy!

4       Accommodations are Affordable

Lodging is a bit less expensive in the fall than it is in summer months.  With our tourist season winding down, we are able to offer nightly stays at reduced rates.  Usually, we have a greater selection of available properties to choose from, as well.  If you’re looking for a beach home to rent while you’re planning your fall fishing getaway adventure, check out Spunky Sandpiper.  This three bedroom beach home located in the Fort Morgan community sleeps up to twelve folks.  You can bring all your best buds on your fishing weekend and all stay together in this great home!  If a more unique beach home appeals to you, take a look at The Boathouse.  This boat shaped home is right on Mobile Bay and offers spectacular views!  It has two bedrooms and sleeps up to seven.  Small dogs are also welcome here with some restrictions.   Another great option for your fishing adventure is Navy Cove 1207.  This lovely condominium features two bedrooms and two bathrooms and sleeps up to six.  Additionally, it has its own boat slip.  That can be a definite plus for any angler!

5       Dining Out Is Quicker

With less folks visiting in our area in the fall than there are in the summer months, dining out is usually much quicker.  Lines at local restaurants are shorter and the whole experience can be much more relaxed and enjoyable.  This can be a real plus if you’ve been out fishing all day and you’re tired and hungry.  While you’re here, be sure to check out some of our favorite places.  For breakfast, you really should give the Ruby Slipper Cafe a try.  We love all of their eggs benedict choices.  And their coffee is second to none.  For lunch, stop by and see the good folks at Sassy Bass Amazin’ Grill on Fort Morgan Road.  Their seafood entrees are all excellent.  Would you rather have a great burger while you’re in our area?  You must try the World Famous Keg Burger at The Keg Lounge and Grill on Canal Road.  Don’t let the name fool you.  It’s not just a bar, it’s a great little hidden treasure.  They have a wonderful kids menu, too.

6       The Beaches are Less Crowded

Our beautiful beaches are less crowded, too.  If long quiet walks collecting shells without the hustle and bustle of the summer crowd appeals to you, you’re in luck!  Fall vacationers find our beaches easier to access and more peaceful than in the summer months.  Truly the lazy days of fall appeal to many.  If you’re one of those people who enjoys listening to the sounds of the waves, reading a good book and enjoying the warmth of the sun without the heat of summer, you’re going to love Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan in the fall.  Once you’re through with your fishing charter, we encourage you to take a blanket out onto our beautiful beaches and just enjoy watching the stars in the night sky.  

7       Festivals are in Full Swing

Fall is not only fishing season along our Alabama Gulf Coast, but it’s also festival season!  Be sure to plan your fishing adventure weekend to include one of our great locally produced festival activities.  Festivals celebrating seafood, musicians, and birds are just a few of the great events we have planned for the next few months. The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival lasts for several days in November and can be found at many venues.  Check out their website for details.  For a complete list of our festivals, read our blog entitled Four Fall Festivals You Shouldn’t Miss in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan.   While fishing is a great reason to come this fall, our festivals may just be the reason you want to stay a little longer.

8       Nightlife Rocks

The Nightlife here in our area never disappoints.  In addition to the great music you’ll find all around our island during the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, you’ll also find music playing at all of our favorite places.  Live Bait Food and Spirits is known for its great entertainment.  Be sure to try their Greek Nachos, too, while you’re there!  The Hangout in Gulf Shores has become world famous for their entertainment.  Even though Hangout Music Fest is in May, we’re sure you’ll find some enjoyable moments at the Hangout this fall!  And don’t forget to stop by The Wharf after dark.  The Ferris Wheel never disappoints and offers a breathtaking view of our island!  And the Spectra light show offers nightlife fun for the whole family.  After all, young anglers need to have fun, too!  

9       Golf is Right Around Every Corner

What better way to make a fishing weekend extra fun than to add a golf outing to it?  With great weather all fall long in our neighborhood, why wouldn’t you do just that?  Golf courses are all over our beautiful island home and golf packages are very easy to get this time of year.  Whether you want to golf at a course Arnold Palmer designed or at one of the oldest and best kept courses around, Gulf Shores Golf Club, your choices are abundant.  For a complete list to all the courses around, check out our blog about best places to golf.  We encourage you to book a golf outing while you’re here.  After all, why not experience the best we have to offer, both on land and at sea?

10     Who Really Needs a Reason to Fish Anyway?

Seriously!  Come on…who does need a reason to fish?  Fishing is one of the most relaxing sports around and it can end up being the most exciting!  Fishing is something we can take our kids along to and do with our parents.  Fishing creates an opportunity to make unforgettable memories and can provide food as well as entertainment.  After you think about, you really don’t need a reason to fish….just a time and a place!

Come on down to the Alabama Gulf Coast this fall and fish, golf, enjoy our nightlife and stay with Sunset Properties while you do it all.  We are looking forward to your arrival and we are here to help you with your reservation or to answer any questions about any of the fun activities we have going on in our area.  Go ahead!  Make a plan!  Come on and Fish!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

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Four Fall Festivals You Shouldn’t Miss in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan

We know when you plan your vacation to the Alabama Gulf Coast, visiting our sandy white beaches is always at the top of your list.  We get it. Everyone loves listening to the sounds of the waves hitting the shore and watching the seagulls play overhead.  In the summer, the beach is all abuzz with swimmers, surfers and watercraft riders.  There are so many things to do right there on the beach, you may not think about anything else.  But what about when the fall comes?  Trips tend to be shorter and the beaches are not quite as busy as they are in the summer.  What is there to do in the fall when you only have a couple of days to enjoy South Baldwin County?  We want you to know about Four Fall Festivals you shouldn’t miss while you’re in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan.  From seafood, to wildlife, to some of the best music and art anywhere, fall festival season down here is just getting started!  You really need to come on down to Coastal Alabama, stay with Sunset Properties and check these out:

Alabama Coastal BirdFest

The 16th Annual Alabama Coastal Birdfest:  A Birding & Nature Festival will be held October 2-5, 2019.  BirdFest showcases great bird- and nature-watching spots all around Baldwin and Mobile counties, including Fort Morgan, Dauphin Island, Weeks Bay, Gulf Shores, and more. BirdFest offers excellent bird and nature watching experiences for both experts and novices alike.  Festival goers can expect to see a wide variety of coastal and migratory birds, alligators, dolphins and an array of local wildflowers.  Many BirdFest activities are ticketed, however there is one event that is free to the public.  In addition to the different ticketed locations of this festival, a Bird and Conservation Expo is planned for Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Fairhope campus of Coastal Alabama Community College in the Halstead Amphitheatre.  This outdoor expo is free to the public and everyone is invited.  The 16th Annual Alabama Coastal Birdfest is a production of The Weeks Bay Foundation and proceeds will benefit this local conservation group.

Annual National Shrimp Festival

A production of the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, The 48th Annual National Shrimp Festival is planned for October 10-13, 2019 at the public beach area in the heart of Gulf Shores.  The Shrimp Festival, a locally produced and nationally recognized festival celebrating one of our favorite crustaceans, continues to be volunteer-driven.  Dozens of locals come together and collaborate to produce one of the best food, music, arts and crafts festivals anywhere.   This year’s music lineup is sure to please all who attend.  Look for musicians to be performing on two stages.  Groups expected to perform include:  The Tip Tops, Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster,  and the Velcro Pygmies.  There will be tribute bands celebrating the music of Def Leppard, Elvis and AC/DC.  Local faves Tophat & Jackie, Brent Burns and Elaine Petty are also scheduled.  Be sure to check out the fine arts area featuring local and national artisans.  And don’t forget the food.  As is tradition, we expect to have shrimp in all kinds of recipes.  We love our Alabama Gulf Shrimp and hope you will try some while you’re here.  The Annual National Shrimp Festival is free to the public.  For guidelines on what you can bring into the festival site or for shuttle stop locations, check out their website.  We will see you there!

Oyster Cook-Off and Craft Spirits & Beer Weekend

If you thought the Annual National Shrimp Festival was the last thing going on this fall along the Alabama Gulf Coast, think again!  We have a couple of more festivals you need to try!  Join several of your besties at the Hangout in Gulf Shores November 1-2, 2019 for the 12th Annual Oyster Cook-Off and Craft Spirits & Beer Weekend.  This ticketed event is slam full of all the things we love about Gulf Shores:  beachfront, seafood, music, good friends and fun!  While not every oyster will give you a pearl, you’re sure to make a treasure chest full of memories when you meet your friends at the Hangout in early November.  There will be restaurant tastings, celebrity chefs cooking and craft beer sampling.  You can expect cocktail demos and an oyster shucking contest.  There will be a champagne lounge and a tailgating experience.  In addition to all this, there will be live music right on site!  Your ticket covers so much, we can’t even list it all here.  But you can check it all out for yourself on the Oyster Cook-Off and Craft Spirits & Beer Weekend website.  Everyone knows the Hangout is always a great place to…well…hang out…but when they do a festival, they do it up right!  Be sure to put this weekend on your calendar and stay with Sunset Properties while you’re in our neighborhood.  We have several condos and beach homes that are really close to the Hangout and we are sure we can find you the perfect place to stay!

Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival

Since 1984, the good folks at The Flora-Bama Lounge and Package Store have produced the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival.   This eleven-day multi-venue event will take place November 7-17, 2019 in both Alabama and Florida along our beautiful Gulf Coast.  Named for a beloved night watchman at the Flora-Bama, the late Frank Brown, this festival celebrates people who otherwise might not get public recognition.  This unique festival allows seasoned song-writers and up-and-comers alike, the opportunity to showcase their talents.  Because this festival “moves” from venue to venue, festival goers not only are exposed to a variety of songwriting talent, but also get to experience the best our coastal communities have to offer in food and drinks.  This year the Southeast Tourism Society has named the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival one of the Top 20 STS Events in the Southeast for November 2019.  With great venues like The Flora-Bama Lounge and Package Store, the Coastal Arts Center in Orange Beach, Lucy Buffet’s Lulu’s in Gulf Shores and the Sandshaker at The Wharf, we are inclined to agree.  We can’t wait to see songwriters like Mac Davis, Dean Dillon and Mark Dreyer perform.  For a list of all songwriters represented, check out their website.  

The summer may be over down here along our Alabama Gulf Coast, but the fun sure isn’t!  We hope to see you this fall.  Whether you’re just coming down for one of our great festivals or to stay for a couple of weeks, we at Sunset Properties are anxiously awaiting your arrival!  We have condos and beach homes located in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan.  We have vacation rental properties that will sleep from 2 to 22 and everything in between.  Want to bring your fur baby with you for your fall getaway?  We’ve got you covered on that, too!  So go ahead, plan your festival outing and plan on staying with us at Sunset Properties.  

Happy Fall, Y’all! 

We’ll see ya soon!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

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5 Tips to Help You Enjoy Your 2019 Annual National Shrimp Festival Weekend

Welcome to The 48th Annual National Shrimp Festival in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama!  We are so glad you’ve decided to spend an October weekend with us!  For four fun fall days, October 10-13, 2019, Shrimp Festival Fever will take over Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan.  And we know many of you have been to visit our lovely island during Shrimp Fest, but for those of you who haven’t yet come down to experience the crustacean celebration, we invite you to give us a try!  The Shrimp Festival, with its 250,000 estimated attendance, can be a bit intimidating.  We thought we’d give you a few tips to help you enjoy your 2019 Annual National Shrimp Festival Weekend:

1       Know Where You’re Staying

With so many options on where to stay during Shrimp Festival Weekend, how do you decide what’s best for you?  At Sunset Properties, we are happy to help you with that!  If you want to stay within walking distance of the festival, check out Bare Foot.  This lovely three bedroom home sleeps up to eight people and is only a short walk to the main public beach in Gulf Shores.  If you’d like to stay in a condominium in Gulf Shores, take a look at Island Sunrise 468.  This super cute condo sleeps up to eight people comfortably and has an amazing Gulf front beach view.  Maybe you want to stay a little farther away from the festival site and use a shuttle for part of your trip to it.  Check out Dunes 704.  This one bedroom condo sleeps up to six people and has two full baths.  It is located near Fort Morgan and will allow you all the quietness of the Fort Morgan community after you leave Shrimp Fest each evening.  If a penthouse appeals to you,  be sure to check out Caribe C Penthouse 14 in Orange Beach.  While you’ll need to plan your transportation to the festival site, you’re sure to love this elegantly decorated penthouse condominium that overlooks Perdido Pass.  

2       Know How to Get to The Shrimp Fest Site

So getting to the Shrimp Fest site can be a bit complicated.  With the roads blocked off just north of the public beaches in Gulf Shores, parking can be pretty challenging.  We suggest taking BRATS.  Baldwin Rural Area Transit Service, lovingly known by us locals as BRATS, is the best way to get there.  BRATS shuttles will pick you up and drop you off outside the festival site making access a breeze!  Festival goers can purchase an all day rider’s pass and shuttles run about every 15 minutes.  For a complete list of shuttle stops, check out this link to the Festival Shuttle Guide.

3       Know Your Art and Entertainment Options

This is the 48th Annual National Shrimp Festival and the Arts and Crafts and Music continue to just get better with each year.   The fine arts section of The Shrimp Fest is a juried show and awards are given to the best of the best.  The Crafts section is slam full of crafters who create everything from clothes to household items and just plain unique art.  If you’re having a hard time deciding what to get your special someone for Christmas, make a plan to shop the Shrimp Festival.  We are sure you’ll find something for your someone who seemingly has everything.  There are so many unique items to choose from, your Christmas shopping will be super easy while you’re here.  And of course, you’ll want to know the music lineup.  We  have included the music lineup here, but remember things can change a little:

Thursday, October 10, 2019

EAST STAGE 

• Lisa Christian: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

• Poarch Ninjas: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

• Ryan Balthrop: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

• Tobacco RD: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

• Style the Band: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

• Doctor Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster: 8:15 PM – 10:00 PM

 WEST STAGE

• Logan Lassiter: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

• Hannah McFarland: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

• Roxy & The Magic Johnsons: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

• Bruce Smelley: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

• David Jones & Friends: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

• The Tip Tops: 8:15 PM – 10:00 PM

Friday, October 11, 2019

EAST STAGE

• Tophat and Jackie: 10:00 AM -11:30 AM

• Tracey & Alan: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

• The Defrosters: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

• Will Smith: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

• Journey2Mars: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

• Category 6: 8:15 PM – 10:00 PM

WEST STAGE

​• Brent Burns: 10:00 AM -11:30 AM

• Christina Christian: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

• Shiny Objects: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

• Yeah, Probably: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

• The Wildflowers: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

• Doctor Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster: 8:15 PM – 10:00 PM

Saturday, October 12, 2019

EAST STAGE

• Elaine Petty: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

• Ten Penny Gypsy: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

• JoJo Pres: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

​• Miles Flatt: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

• Cort Carpenter: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

• Mustache’ The Band: 8:15 PM – 10:00 PM

WEST STAGE

• Singing for Scholarships Contest: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

• Elvis Remembered: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM

• Ultimate Def Leppard: An Incredible Tribute: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

• Highway to Hell: The Ultimate AC/DC Tribute Band: 6:00 PM  – 7:30 PM

• Velcro Pygmies: 8:15 PM – 10:00 PM

Sunday, October 13, 2019

EAST STAGE

• Worship Service: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

• Al & Cathy: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

• Sandra Kaye & The Legend Band: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

• Voodoo Bayou: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

WEST STAGE

• Marcus & Ebony: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

• Andy Smith: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

• Wavelength: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

• The Groovinators: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

4       Know How to Dress

Fall along the Alabama Gulf Coast can be a bit tricky.  One day it might be a clear beautiful 80 degree day with low humidity and the next day it may rain and be a cool 60 degrees outside.  So what do you wear to Shrimp Fest?  We suggest packing some fun tees and shorts and your flip flops.  You’re probably going to need them at least one of the days you’re here.  Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit, too!  The Gulf is still warm enough to take a dip and all of our beach vacation homes have available pools.  Some even have hot tubs on site and you won’t want to miss out on those!  Also, bring some comfy jeans.  Nights in October can be a bit chilly.  We can’t predict the evening air temps from year to year, but it’s better to be prepared than to be chilled while you’re watching your favorite bands perform at the festival.  And it’s a good idea to pack your frog tog or wind breaker.  Like we mentioned before, sometimes it does rain a little in October.

5       Know What You Can Take Inside

The Festival grounds are gated, but entrance is free.  The National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores is a family event.  Bring your kids, in-laws, and best buds and plan to stay a while.  Phones and cameras are allowed.  And they have a wonderful Kids Area all planned out.  You will want to take pictures and make life-long memories while you’re here.  Having said that, though, there are a few things you cannot bring into the festival site.  Pets are not allowed.  If you choose to bring your dog with you on your Shrimp Festival Weekend Vacation to stay in one of our many dog friendly rentals, we strongly suggest your reach out to the good folks at Sea Paws Dog Resort to schedule a play time for your fur baby.  Coolers are not allowed.  Why would you need one anyway?  The best food available anywhere and the coldest beer and sodas will be available right inside the festival.  For other FAQs, follow this link to the Shrimp Festival page for information.

We at Sunset Properties are thrilled to know you’re coming to celebrate Shrimp Fest Weekend with us.  If you have any questions about your vacation home reservation, call, text or email us.  We are happy to help.  And remember, our Shrimp Festival Weekend is four days long, so you’ll want to plan to come early and be there Thursday when it opens.  Thursday is less crowded than any other day and it’s the day when most of us locals go and hang out.  So come on down a day early and hang out with us!  We are looking forward to your arrival!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

251-543-1370

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