Winter Concert Series at the Alabama Gulf Coast

We have a really cool Winter Concert Series coming to Gulf Shores at the end of January. Tickets are $35 and the shows will be held at Erie H. Meyer Civic Center. Doors open at 6 and the shows start at 7. Click here to purchase tickets.  

Starting off the series on January 30th and 31st we have Jim Witter’s “The Piano Men.” Jim Witter is a world renowned Canadian musician that has been traveling for 30 years! He has been preforming “The Piano Men” for over 15 of those years. He is known for his renditions of songs from singers Elton John and Billy Joel. His show begins with songs from the 1970’s and progresses through time. Showing clips, newspaper headlines, and events from the time periods. Jim really gives you a blast from the past with this show with Witter playing the grand piano. This is going to be a concert you do not want to miss. This is a show people beg to see again and again!

Next up we have Riders in the Sky on February 6th and 7th. Riders in the Sky are known for preserving the heritage of Western Music and then presenting it the new generation. They have been preforming for over 40 years and have had more than 7,200 appearances as well as 40 albums! They have been playing The Grand Ole Opry for the last 35 years, which is where you will usually see them. Come out and see America’s Favorite Cowboys and see how they do it “The Cowboy Way!”

Marc Broussard is going to be giving us the gift of classic R&B , rock, and soul on February 16th. He is known for having a Bayou Soul sound to his music. Marc was discovered after he released an independent EP and signed to Island Records and reordered his first album Canercro. This album was successful and led him to release more albums over the next few years with record labels, but has recently began to record independently again. Marc will be in Gulf Shores February 16th and then will be continuing his tour through the US and ending overseas! Make sure you come out and get a dose of this amazing soul music.

To finish off an amazing line up of artists Paul Thorn will be closing the Winter Concert Series on March 2nd. Paul is from Tupelo, Mississippi and makes sure that his Southern roots show through his music. Before pursuing a music career he was a professional boxer with a 14-4 record! His music career began while he was working in a furniture factory and playing local clubs where he was discovered by Miles Copeland. By the end of the month Paul was opening for Sting. Since then he has recorded 12 albums of his own!

Looking to come down and check out the Winter Concert Series? Sunset Properties has you covered! Whether you need a property for the whole family or just something for two, we have options! Give us a call at 251-543-1370 or check out online at www.sunsetproperties.com .

Holiday Festivities on the Beach!

Happy Holidays Friends! Sunset Properties hopes that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and we hope that in the coming weeks you have a wonderful Christmas as well. With all the holiday cheer in the air here are a few events to help you celebrate the holiday spirit!

Running now through December 29, The Baldwin County Bicentennial is hosting a Holiday Lights Drive- Thru and Christmas Festival. The show starts at 5:00 PM and ends at 9:00 PM. Folks can expect to see the likes of Santa, Mrs. Claus, Cindy Lou Who and even the Grinch! They will be having games for the kids, a rolling petting zoo, and train rides through the park. Beignets and Hot Chocolate will be available for purchase ( please bring cash).

The Wharf will be having their 3rd annual Holly Days on Main Festival on December 10th and 11th from 10 AM to 5 PM. You can expect to find fun for the whole family! Children’s Activities, Wreath Making, Dance Performances, a Lighted Boat Parade, and even a Santa Pub Crawl! While the kids play make sure you get your Christmas shopping checked off your list. There is always plenty to choose from when you go to a festival at The Wharf! For a list of the schedule click here.  Make sure you come out and show your support and make next year their 4th annual!

Who doesn’t like free movie night? Lulu’s is hosting Dinner and a Movie on Lulu’s Beach every Tuesday in December. Movies like Frosty, Polar Express, and Home Alone are on the agenda for the upcoming weeks. They will be serving complimentary popcorn, cookies, and hot chocolate. Make sure you bring a blanket or chairs to sit in as seating is limited. Tell your little one to look for the Lulu’s Elf after the movie to win a prize!

For the athletic crowd, Flora-Bama will be doing a “Make it to the Line” Run/ Walk on December 17th. Their slogan is “Run, jog, walk, or crawl to the line at our 4 mile run/walk and 1 mile fun run.” The kind of energy we all have nearing the end of the year! There will be complimentary food and beverages available to participants immediately following the race. Registration is $30 and to the first 400 people includes a souvenir race shirt.

Looking to come down to the Alabama Gulf Coast? Look no further than Sunset Properties for your perfect Vacation Rental. Whether you’re looking for a quaint condo or to bring the whole family down, we have you covered. Ocean House II 2301 Is a 3 bd/3 bath ocean front unit that sleeps 9. This unit has new granite countertops and sinks along with new tile throughout the unit! Looking to bring the whole family? Dream is a house located in the Dunes Subdivision in Fort Morgan. This house has a private pool with a waterfall! It sleeps 16 people and has 7 bedrooms. If you need something a little smaller Beach Time may be perfect for you. It’s a 3 bedroom house that sleeps 8 located in Gulf Shores on the lagoon.

Give us a call or send us a text at 251-543-1370. Or visit our website at www.sunsetproperties.com.

Thanksgiving on the Beach!

Hey Friends! Thanksgiving can be the perfect holiday to make new family traditions. It doesn’t really matter where you are or what you are eating as long as you are gathering with your family. This could be the perfect opportunity for the family to get together and enjoy a new family tradition without the stress of making sure that everything is right. Bring the family down and just relax and let someone else do all the hard work!

Hangout Fest is hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner from 11 am- 4 pm. The price for adults is $32.99 and for children 5-10 it is $14.99. Children under 5 eat free! They are taking reservations for time slots and will be paid at the restaurant. The menu is full of classics as well as Gulf Shores Gumbo and Housemade Pie. What a perfect opportunity for the cook of the family to get to enjoy their meal too! Make a new tradition by spending it with friends and family at The Hangout.

This is Alabama will be presenting a Coastal Half Marathon on Saturday 26 in Orange Beach. There is a 1 mile fun run and a 5K that will be taking place. Click here for more info about this awesome event!

Come hang out at the Flora-Bama on Thanksgiving for a potluck dinner! They will take care of the Turkey and Ham, but ask that you bring a side dish! This event is free for everyone and they ask that they have your potluck dish in the tent by 12:30 and they begin serving at 1 PM. This is their way of giving back to the community and being able to celebrate with their guests and staff!  

We have plenty of larger properties to sleep the whole family! We have a 5 bedroom Duplex in Fort Morgan that sleeps 10 called Deans Dunes. This property has a full kitchen just in case you do want to make the perfect Thanksgiving meal for the family. It also faces the gulf so you can enjoy the sound of waves crashing at night. Golden Yona is another property we have that sleeps 10. It is a 4 bedroom 4 bathroom duplex also in Fort Morgan. This home is also is just 2 houses down from the community pool! If you are looking to be closer in town check out Phoenix West II 2606! This is a 3 bedroom condo that sleeps 12 overlooking the gulf. These are just a few of the properties we have available. Give us a call at 251-543-1370 or check us out at www.sunsetproperties.com .

Freedom Fest Weekend in Orange Beach

Hey Friends! Cars, Live Music, Raffles, and Patriotic Spirit. What more could you ask for from a weekend at The Wharf? Freedom Fest is rolling into The Wharf on September 30th to October 2nd. They are going to be putting on a heck of a show for everyone. Free live music from iHeartRadio, door prizes that include a 50/50 drawing, and even fun for the kids! There will be a vendor area set up with a giant variety of food. Things like Barbecue Ribs, Crawfish, Burger, and Philly Cheesesteaks are just a few of the items on the list!

Bama Coast Cruisin’ is setting up September 29- October 1st from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. If you like cars this is the car show to come to! They will be set up and down Main Street showing off everything from antique trucks to classic hot rods. There’s still time to register your car and have everyone check your car out as well!

There are two ticketed events over the weekend. You can purchase tickets at Ticketmaster for both events. The first one being ZZ Top with special guest Jeff Beck at The Wharf Amphitheater on Friday night! This is going to be a great concert. On Sunday, The Wharf and Freedom Fest will be hosting a benefit concert for Folds of Honor. Folds of Honor is a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to family members of fallen and disabled service members. The headliner is John Rich of Big&Rich! The show will start at 1 p.m. with two speakers. One being Ben Walborn, a former U.S. Navy Blue Angel and the next is Kevin Lacz. Kevin is the author of “The Last Punisher” and served with Chris Kyle “The America Sniper.”

Looking to come down and need a place to stay? Look no further than Sunset Properties. Come check out our beach front condos and get a taste of heaven while you are in town! Live the life of luxury while you are here by staying at our Phoenix I 1108 property. It is a 3 bedroom 2 bath end unit condo that has beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico. Don’t need something so big? We have a one bedroom one bath beach front condo called Boardwalk 584 that would be perfect. This unit over looks Sea n Suds and is within walking distance of most activities in Gulf Shores. Give us a call or send us a text at 251-543-1370 and let us find you the perfect place to stay!

The Orange Beach Wharf

Have you missed the concert scene? Being able to listen to your favorite band or artist perform the song you have listened to for years is a feeling you just can’t describe. Or, you get to town and realize there’s a concert playing near you and you just go. Then, the next day you’re back at the beach getting a tan. If these sound like things you’re interested in you should check out The Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach, AL. On their lineup this year you will see names like Dierks Bentley, Phish, Jimmy Buffet, and Morgan Wallen.

Check out our two condos at The Caribe for a place to stay! Caribe B Penthouse 4 is a 3 bedroom condo with a beautiful view overlooking the bay. While Caribe C Penthouse 14 has a view of the gulf! Bring the family and enjoy the amenities that the caribe has to offer. 6 pools total, 2 water slides, fishing docks, tennis courts, a putting green, and even his/her saunas. Cobalt is located right next to the condos and has some of the best food you could imagine! If you plan on eating there make sure you get there early or the wait may be long. If you don’t feel like waiting for a table at the actual restaurant you can check out the poolside Cabana Menu. The best part is that it is located only 15 minutes from The Wharf! Perfect for those that are wanting to shop, explore, or see a concert. Plus, if you just want to stay in you can always check out all the cool things the Caribe has to offer.

For a full list of concerts and events at The Wharf click here!

18th Annual Orange Beach Billfish Classic

Are you ready for a new adventure?  Join the top anglers in the country and lots of cheering fans at the 18th Annual Orange Beach Billfish Classic.  This event takes place out of the marina at The Wharf.  The events start on the 18th of May and go through the 22nd.  You can keep track of your favorite team and check often for their weigh-ins.  The fishing starts at noon on the 19th and goes until weigh in on at 11 AM on the 22nd. There is a Weigh in on Saturday also on Saturday from 6 until 10 PM.  So come enjoy all the fun activities at The wharf and then see if your favorite team won the big prize!  Below are all the details from the Orange Beach Billfish Classic Website.

First of the Gulf Coast tournament season and the kickoff tournament of the Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship series.  The Orange Beach Billfish Classic was formed in 1998 for the express purpose of providing financial support for organizations that speak effectively for all recreational fishermen. The OBBC quickly became a top event on the Gulf Coast tournament circuit and serves as an important fundraiser for The Billfish Foundation and the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). In 2011, over $50,000 was donated to these organizations, bringing the total contributed over the history of the tournament to over $500,000.

2014- Triple Crown trophy
2014- Triple Crown trophy

The OBBC is the country’s only non-profit billfish tournament with 100% of all net profit donated to qualified 501(c)(3) conservation organizations. The OBBC is an all-volunteer effort so there is no overhead to deduct from the financial support that’s provided to our conservation beneficiaries.

Beginning in 2013, The Wharf Marina Entertainment Complex hosted the Orange Beach Billfish Classic for the first time, and hosted the tournament again in 2014 and 2015. Over the course of the four day event, the crews, anglers and participants enjoy a series of fun and food-filled events, with a Captain’s Meeting on Wednesday evening and culminating with an awards brunch on Sunday morning. The organizers look forward to a big turnout this year in order to continue to support the organizations that fight for our resources.

10361061_634166736676009_1355216962380415182_n“I’d like to take a minute to personally invite everyone to join us for the 2016 Orange Beach Billfish Classic,” Dorland said in a recent interview. “Our staff will welcome you with open arms and we’ll all do our best to show you what a great experience this event has become, from the great fishing to our world-famous Gulf Coast hospitality. Come fishing with us this year — you won’t be disappointed.”

Interested participants are welcome to contact Dorland personally at (251) 402-8190 for more information.

Orange Beach Billfish Classic schedule of events is as follows.
Wednesday, May 18th• 4-11 pm: Registration and Optional Cash Awards open under the big tent • 6 pm: Cocktails and Hors d ’Oeuvres • 7 pm: Dinner • 8-11 pm: Optional Cash Awards Pot Party 2016

Schedule Of Events Thursday, May 19th • 10:00 am: Mandatory Captain’s Meeting under the big tent • 10:30 am: Boats may leave The Wharf through Perdido Bay to Perdido Pass • 12 noon: Boats may leave Perdido Pass. Any boat choosing to leave through Sailboat Bay may not leave The Wharf Marina until NOON, May 19th • 12 noon: Fishing Commences Friday, May 20th • 7-10 pm: Weigh in at The Wharf Saturday, May 21st • 6-10 pm: Weigh in at The Wharf Sunday, May 22nd • 9-11 am: Tournament Awards Breakfast

 

Delta Wildlife Boat Eco Tour

A don’t miss trip for nature lovers big and small take a Delta Safari!  This charter departs daily from Tacky Jacks in Gulf Shores and tours the scenic and historical and Mobile Delta system.  You can learn local history enjoy beautiful scenery and learn about our unique ecosystem and the animals that live here on this family friendly hour and a half trip.

Experience the swamps of the lower Mobile-Tensaw Delta on this highly rated wildlife tour. This is the “must do” tour for all avid lovers of nature and its creatures when visiting Mobile, Alabama. The Mobile-Tensaw Delta is Mobile’s biggest jewel – If you do nothing else, take this trip!

TOUR COST: Adult: $19.99, Child (6-15): $14.99, Under 5: FREE.20160328_165924
DEPARTS: Daily. Charters available 7 days.
LENGTH: 1.5 hours. Reservations suggested.

As we float among the open Marsh watching for a variety of wildlife including Alligators, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Heron, Cormorant, Pelicans, Nutria and more, learn about these unique animals of the swamp and how they live. Commentary includes points on the history, geology, ecology and characters of the Delta, as well as Alabama State Lands mission in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and the ‘Forever Wild’ program.

Perfect for children of all ages, Delta Safaris operates over 100 school field trips annually – we know kids and welcome yours aboard. For Children 5 and Under, please email us after booking and we will add their FREE tickets to your booking.

All commentary provided by experienced Delta Nature Guides.

Includes: The best eco-tour in Alabama, showing off the best delta eco-system in the USA. As seen in National Geographic – Adventure Magazine, Southern Living Magazine and on National Morning Shows.

Operates: Additional tours are offered on busy days. This public tour operates 5 days a week from February 15 – December 31st each year. From January 7 – February 14, it operates on Saturdays and Sundays only. Closed on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Private Group Charters available year round. Book Online above, Call: (251) 259-8531 or Email: info@5RDS.com for more information.

Delta Safaris is the only State of Alabama authorized Concessionaire offering tours of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, Bottle Creek Indian Mounds and Champion Cypress. We believe in a Leave No Trace policy, in educating and preserving these amazing jewels for future generations.

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Policies & Disclaimers:
Cancellation Policy: Rainchecks will be provided in the event of inclement weather. Unsafe passage call will be made by Captain on day of event. All other cancellations require 24 hour notice for refund.

What to Bring: Comfortable clothing, cameras and binoculars. Packed food and drink is welcome on board – no glass containers please.

Should I Tip?: Tips are not required but are graciously received. Our guides strive hard to educate and entertain. Please let your guides know how they did.GS Sunset

Cancellations: Rainchecks will be provided in the event of inclement weather. An unsafe passage call will be made by Captain on day of event. All other cancellations require 24 hour notice for refund.

Be sure to call and book your trip to enjoy this unique trip with your family!

Rainy Summer Vacation

It is that time of year  We are getting tons of calls from people planning their summer vacation.  It is also the time of year for us to get tons of rain. Unfortunately, travel insurance does not cover if you have a rainy summer vacation , but just because its rainy does not limit your fun things to do in the area.  We wanted to give you a few hits and helpful tips over the next few weeks so you will be completely prepared for your trip no matter what happens. This week I just wanted to talk to you about an alternate plan.

You never know from one day to the next what will happen on your vacation so the biggest tip is to be FLEXIBLE…  Flexibility will save hurt feelings, and bad attitudes from taking over the trip.  A little extra planning will allow for seamless transitions if it rains or if your group has just had enough sun for that week. Lucky you are on the Gulf coast it is the place to be when its rainy outside!

If you are just a group of adults looking for some great activities when it rains on your vacation.  Everything from shopping at the outlet mall or beach souvenir stores to Local cultural experiences at one of the many theaters or museums in the area.  Of course there is always a choice of movies and we have two movie theaters in the area  The Cobb Pinnacle Theaters, and Carmike Cinemas at the Wharf.  

When it rains on your summer vacation and you are planning for the ever-board teens that are here with you try Blond Johns for all of their surfing dreams.  Or if surfing and skating are not on their radar and movies or shopping is not their thing visit Adventure Island they have indoor laser tag and an arcade.  Or you could try Arena Next Play at the Wharf, or the indoor arcades at Waterville, or The Track.

Children have the most selections by far on rainy summer vacation days.  So when planning if you have little ones all you need to know is what they are interested in.  Of course just like above there are movie options shopping and arcades.  But specifically for kids or anyone interested in science or animals check out the Esturairum at The Dauphin Island Sea Lab. The Esturarium is just a quick ferry ride away over to Dauphin Island.  If you are up for a little bit of a car ride take a day trip to Mobile or Pensacola.  In Mobile those science lovers in the family would enjoy The

Rainy Summer Vacation ideas
Rainy Summer Vacation ideas

href=”https://www.exploreum.com/”>Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center.  With rotating exhibits throughout the year this is a fantastic place to spend the day for the entire family.

Our all time favorite spot to direct families to is the Naval Air Station in Pensacola Museum.  It is free to the public although they always accept donations.  The museum has more planes that you can see in a day in every corner and even hanging from the ceiling.  History surrounds you at every turn and even in the cafe.  They have flight simulators, cockpit trainers, and a virtual flight deck.  Not to mention the Blue Angel’s practice here.  The 325-seat giant screen theater features the latest in state-of-the-art motion picture projection. The theater has upgraded from 70mm film projection to stunning premium laser-illuminated 2D projection system boasting full 4K resolution—nearly 9 million pixels on-screen—the first of its kind installed in an institutional theater.

So no worries!  There is plenty to do on rainy summer vacation it just takes a little planning ahead.  You will be sure to have the best vacation no matter what the weather happens to do while you are on vacation.

 

 

Portabella’s, A Don’t Miss Resturant in Foley!

After a very long day two, stressed out women were on a hunt for some great dinner!  We decided to give a new place a try and it was the perfect decision.  This hole in the wall restaurant holds up to it’s name.  It is not fancy on the inside or overlooking the water or some serene park but it doesn’t matter.  The inviting atmosphere and friendly local staff make you feel at home in the newly renovated restaurant.

Portabella’s is located in the heart of historic Foley on hwy 59 on the east side of the road.  Almost at the end of the historic district it shares a building with the Foley Fish Company.  There is parking in front and just to the South of the building.  As you enter the glass front doors you can enjoy a view out the large plate glass windows in front that have a view of 59 and all of the comings and going in town.

As we came in our friendly waiter welcomed us in and offered us nay table in the place.  He brought us menu’s and some great sweet tea.  After we perused the menu for a while we decided to each get a salad and to share a pizza.  Not just a basic pizza we actually asked for a half meat and half what was most closely called a supreme pizza.  I got the Spinach Salad with the house green onion vinaigrette dressing.  This salad was beautifully fresh spinach, feta cheese, olives, pecans, and a little red onion and the dressing.  I could have had just a giant plate of this salad and been very very happy.  It was a fantastic flavor combination and I will absolutely get it again!  My mom who came to dinner with me got a basic house salad that was mixed greens, cheese, bacon, tomato and croutons.  She loved her salad as much as I did.

Now for the main dish our pizza!  It was a beautiful 14 inch pizza half covered in meat.  It is called The Lion!  Sausage, pepperoni, ham, bacon, and prosciutto on top of this pizza worthy of the carnivore .  It was unique in that the meat was all amazing not the norm that you would get on a chain meat Pizza.  The other half of our pizza was a “Foley.”   The “Foley” includes peppers, onions, olives, mushrooms, pepperoni, sausage.  Again with beautifully fresh veggies and uniquely fresh meat the “Foley”only honors this community with it’s goodness.

There is always a soup of the day, great salad menu.  Sandwiches with the same beautiful ingredients that were on our pizza and even healthier lighter choices.  Oh, and pasta!  I am going to try some pasta sometime soon.  So as you are coming in on that shopping day you make to Foley, don’t miss Portabella’s. Instead of sitting in traffic pull over and have a great dinner at this don’t miss yummy Italian jewel to our community.

American Fun, The Perfect Little House For Your Getaway!

This is a quaint two story house, close to the Dunes Community Pool, and NEWLY updated in 2012. There is plenty of room for the family in this 1,600 Sq Ft 3 bedroom, 3 bath duplex.  The beach beckons to you from behind the houses just 150 yards away.  You get sneak peaks of a view from both balconies and a really nice view off to the West of the Sunset.

American Fun 3

American Fun 4

                                                                                             As you enter the house you will notice the spacious living room with ocean colored walls and modern furniture. The couch is a sleeper sofa.

American Fun1

 The adjoined dining area has a table for 6 with additional seating at the kitchen bar. The fully stocked, fully equipped kitchen with full size appliances is perfect for cooking your favorite seafood dishes at meal time. The floors are tiled throughout except for the bedrooms. Right off of the kitchen is the “lavender” room that has a King size bed and access to a shared bathroom.

American Fun 2

Upstairs to the left is the kid’s room with two twin beds and a full private bath. The Gulf facing Master bedroom has a King bed with its own private bath as well as access to a balcony. Each room has its own TV. This house also has underneath parking. As a guest of the Dunes Community, you have access to the Dunes Community pool and hot tub as well as the Dunes Condo pool, hot tub, sauna, and work out facility.

This house rents from Saturday to Saturday during the spring and summer, but is available for shorter stays outside of these times. Give us a call for pricing on less than weekly stays 1-888-877-9270!