Wife just booked the condo for the family.

Going to golf, hit the beach, hit some seafood joints, and do the Flora-Bama.

Any recs?

The SEC Beachfest is August 23-26 in Gulf Shores

violence, sex and golfing.

Write about how that goes. I might take my family to the beach in October - just not sure where yet. I've been to Pensacola many times but never Orange Beach.

We go to Orange Beach twice a year. When not cooking up a storm in the beach house, we love to go to:

Gulf Shore Steamers. Delicious Royal Reds:

http://www.gulfshoressteamer.com/about.asp

Then there's Papa Rocco's (Gulf Shores) for excellent Pizza and beer and funky atmosphere. It reminds me of the Pizza places we have here in New Orleans. http://www.paparocco.com/

have fun

Grew up in the area...if you haven't ever done so, stop in Foley on the way to OB and eat at Lambert's...work on your pass catching skills and catch some "throwed" rolls.

If you like to golf, you've got lots of choices.

Enjoy the Redneck Riviera...

Heading there next week. We are staying at Turquoise Place, and I can't wait. Golf at Craft Farms and The Penninsula.

We always have a great time!

I've never been to Texas' coast. What is it like?

The Texas coast is a sportsman's playground and has its own charm, but the sand and water quality are inferior to the FL panhandle.

The Mexican food and Mexican seafood is way better, though ")

I'm going to be in Gulf Shores the same weekend as the Beachfest.... My poor wife will never forgive me for making her go to this.

Orange Beach

Sounds like a beach sector in an amphibious invasion.

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We are staying at Turquoise Place, and I can't wait.

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My family and I stayed there last year and had a great time!

Be there 8/5 - 8/10 at brother's beach house. Finest beach on the gulf!

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Orange Beach

Sounds like a beach sector in an amphibious invasion.

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Now that is funny.

Serious question - I usually go to Destin but I have never been to Orange Beach. I noticed that it's cheaper so is it a good alternative? Good family place? Clear water?

water not as clear as florida. nice place, but prefer destin and east of there. captiva island is really nice as well, but it is a haul.

If you go to Lamberts, be prepared to be worthless the rest of the day. It's Travel Channels #1 place in america to pig out.

I live in Sikeston, MO (original lamberts) and we only go a few times a year when family is in town.

Good food, huge portions, and the throwed rolls gimmick is fun. Overall its a pretty good time.

I just saw the Captiva Island post! By far my favorite place to go, if you're going to relax, and not trying to rage with college kids.

Flora Bama is outstanding. Nice atmosphere, good drinks and the best oysters on the half shell you'll ever have.

Orange Beach can be less expensive than Destin and SoWal. The water is really just as clear and beautiful as it is on the Florida panhandle. I don't ever notice a difference.

The condos and beach houses are nice, especially the farther east you go, towards Perdido.

To me, Gulf Shores is hardcore spring break/college/high school/locals crowd. Then you go east for a few minutes and you're in Orange Beach and it becomes a little higher end, with more families and nicer condos and highrise hotels. Still plenty of college kids. But it's not out of control.

The Florabama is fun. For anyone going there, though, be careful. The police basically park outside of the place and wait all evening for people to leave the bar and get into their cars after a night of drinking Bushwackers.