Beaches, when and where? (Mobile, Decatur: spring break, school, camping)

[pyro4ik]

This summer will be my first one here and I've been told that there are beaches about 6 hours south of HSV. Any reccomendations? Also, when does it typically get warm enough to go?

My friend is a Marriott GM and can get me discounts, so I prefer to go with them. Have a great weekend.

[bluebeard]

personally, I would go in the spring and fall before and after it gets too hot... but that's just me.

[pyro4ik]

sounds good, but where? are there beaches in Mobile? google led me to Orange Beach, is that any good, or should I keep driving until I get to Florida?

[guxu]

Orange Beach is pretty nice.

[friday13]

We went in September with small children (school not an issue) to Orange Beach and it was hot, not blistering hot like June-August, but we mainly stayed by/in the pool in the morning and evenings (in the building's shadow), and napping/car-driving the rest of the day (Pensacola, Mobile via Dauphin Island ferry), or just driving to get away from the heat (instead of getting cabin fever indoor). We were told last September was unseasonably hot (I don't think I could've taken the seasonable either). We had a few showers, and overcast days, but it was stuffy and uncomfortable altogether. WE'll try October this year, although a little bit risky, as by then it could turn to unseasonably cold pretty fast (as it was the case on the day we returned home, it was "freezing" in Bham when we pit-stopped, people were wearing hoodies, we beach clothes).

[friday13]

Originally Posted by pyro4ik

sounds good, but where? are there beaches in Mobile? google led me to Orange Beach, is that any good, or should I keep driving until I get to Florida?

What people refer to as "the beaches of AL" is mainly the stretch (literally) of sand from Ft. Morgan-Gulf Shores-Orange Beach-to Perdido Key (state line divides there). They're are continuous beaches/towns just like Madison-Hsv (not Hsv-Decatur). That's where the lodging facing/close to the beach is. Of course you can drive 10 mi from N Gulf Shores, and still be in GS, but not on the beach. In your case, you might be tied to the Marrott location.

One more thing: we went to the beach for the beach, not looking for spring-break beach experience, which I heard AL beaches are not renowned for. They're more family-oriented (like Madison, you get the idea), but that's not to say you won't find a bar or two. We just didn't look for them. When we got there off-summer season, the beach population was basically small kids with their parents, and old people (all of us getting the good deal on lodging after LDay, and sans the crowds)

[bmrisko]

I have always gone to beaches in North Carolina, but was pleasantly surprised by the beaches around Ft. Walton, FL...specifically Grayton Beach and Seaside, located east of Destin. It took us around 5 hours to get there from Madison.

[Reactionary]

pyro4ik - I don't know where you're from, but I noticed that many northerners go to the beach to cool down (ocean breezes). Here, we go to the beach because it's hot. Sizzling hot. Can't walk on the sugar white sand without burning your feet hot.

The Gulf warms up enough for swimming between May and September - the hotter the better. The busiest time is June / July / August when school is out. I like going to the beach year-round.

I really enjoy Orange Beach, but the whole Redneck Riviera is pretty nice. There are choices ranging from Spring Break (i.e., Panama City Beach and Fort Walton) to family-friendly (i.e., Pensacola and Gulf Shores) to primitive camping (i.e., Perdido Key - hiking miles of beach to get to beach campsites).

[Bamachic80]

I recommend Destin

[rmepilot]

Originally Posted by Bamachic80

I recommend Destin

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