Gulf Shores Alabama Map

About Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores is a locality in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. It has a population of 16,401. The population density is 212.4 people per km². Gulf Shores is located at 30.2460°N, 87.7008°W. It observes the Central Time (America/Chicago) timezone. ZIP code: 36542.

Gulf Shores unfolds as a vibrant ribbon of pale sand against the restless turquoise of the Gulf of Mexico, its shores a constant dialogue between land and sea. It lies 27.4 miles west-south-west of Bellview, FL (from Bellview, FL: bearing 237°T), and is situated 8.3 miles west-south-west of Orange Beach. Here, the air itself carries a saline kiss, a humid embrace that softens every edge and lends a hazy luminescence to the long afternoons. Pine forests, their needles whispering secrets to the sea breeze, march inland from the dunes, their shadows offering a dappled respite from the sun's insistent glare. The very character of Gulf Shores is shaped by this perpetual proximity to the ocean; a place where the rhythm of tides dictates the pace of life, and the horizon, an unbroken promise of endless water, defines the spirit of its inhabitants. The narrative of Gulf Shores is intrinsically tied to the bounty of its coastal waters and the enduring allure of its beaches, a story that began with its establishment as a significant tourist destination. Its economy thrives on this very attraction, drawing visitors who come to bask in the sun, cast lines into the surf, and explore the rich estuarine environments of nearby bays and bayous. The legacy of its past, once more focused on fishing and modest seaside inns, has blossomed into a bustling hub of hospitality and recreation, yet the echo of its simpler origins can still be felt in the friendly greetings exchanged and the unhurried moments savored on the boardwalk. The distinct character of Gulf Shores, therefore, is a testament to its ability to embrace growth while holding fast to the elemental beauty that first called people to its shores.

About This Gulf Shores Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Gulf Shores, Alabama — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 30.246036, -87.700819. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Gulf Shores and Baldwin County.

Detailed location data for Gulf Shores includes the ZIP code (36542), telephone area code (251), county seat of Baldwin County (Bay Minette), and school district assignment (Gulf Shores City School District). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Gulf Shores is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.