Coastal Living | Market Perspective

Southern Living’s Top 20 Beach Getaways for 2026, and Why Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Continue to Shine

Southern Living’s latest ranking feels especially meaningful to me because so many of these places are part of my own story, from my South Carolina roots to the Gulf Coast lifestyle I love sharing today.

Guided by the Gulf. Grounded by Integrity — Meredith Folger Amon, Gulf Coast Expert Real Estate Advisor — Guided by the Gulf. Grounded by Integrity.

Article Focus

Southern Living Beach Rankings

Featured Market

Gulf Shores / Orange Beach

Written By

Meredith Folger Amon

“I was born in Hilton Head and spent my college years in Charleston, so seeing Gulf Shores and Orange Beach ranked among the South’s most loved beach destinations feels both personal and well deserved.”

I always enjoy seeing a fresh list of the South’s favorite beach destinations, but this one feels especially personal. Southern Living recently published its Top 20 Beach Getaways for 2026, and Gulf Shores and Orange Beach came in at No. 2. For those of us who know this stretch of coast well, that recognition feels earned.

I was born in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and I attended the College of Charleston, so many of the South Carolina destinations on this list are places I know in a real and lasting way. I spent a great deal of time at Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Myrtle Beach, Sullivan’s Island, and Pawleys Island. Each has its own mood, its own cadence, and its own appeal. That is part of why I appreciate this ranking so much. It reflects how memorable coastal places are not just about sand and water. They are about character, lifestyle, and the way they make people feel.

Southern Living’s Top 20 Beach Getaways for 2026

1. Golden Isles, GA

2. Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, AL

3. Destin, FL

4. Hilton Head, SC

5. Tybee Island, GA

6. South Padre Island, TX

7. Isle of Palms, SC

8. Myrtle Beach, SC

9. Sanibel Island, FL

10. Anna Maria Island, FL

11. Folly Beach, SC

12. St. Augustine Beach, FL

13. Siesta Key, FL

14. Kiawah Island, SC

15. Virginia Beach, VA

16. Pawleys Island, SC

17. Sullivan’s Island, SC

18. Oak Island, NC

19. Ocean Springs, MS

20. Panama City Beach, FL

Why No. 2 Matters for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

What immediately stands out to me is that Gulf Shores and Orange Beach ranked just behind Georgia’s Golden Isles and ahead of Destin. That says a great deal about how people continue to view Alabama’s coast.

From my perspective, this area offers a beautifully balanced coastal lifestyle. The beaches are wide and welcoming. The water is striking. The boating culture is real. There is fishing, waterfront dining, nature trails, music, and an easy rhythm that makes people want to return. For buyers considering a second home, an investment property, or a primary residence, that kind of appeal matters.

It is one of the reasons I believe so strongly in the long-term strength of Orange Beach real estate, Gulf Shores homes and condos, and Ono Island for those who want privacy, boating access, and close proximity to the Gulf.

A South Carolina Perspective on an Alabama Coastal Win

Because I know the South Carolina coast so well, I do not say this lightly. Alabama earning the No. 2 spot is impressive.

Hilton Head has timeless beauty. Folly Beach carries a relaxed and unpolished charm that makes it unforgettable. Isle of Palms feels polished and easy. Sullivan’s Island is understated and elegant. Pawleys Island has a quieter, more reflective appeal. These are all special places, and I understand exactly why they made the list.

But Gulf Shores and Orange Beach bring together something especially compelling. You can spend the morning on the beach, the afternoon on the water, and the evening at a waterfront restaurant watching the light soften over the boats and back bays. That combination of beach lifestyle and boating lifestyle is one of the things that makes this market so distinctive.

What This Recognition Means for Real Estate

When a well-known Southern publication highlights Gulf Shores and Orange Beach at this level, I think it reinforces something many of us already know. This is not simply a seasonal destination. It is a coastal market with lasting appeal.

That matters for sellers who want confidence in the broader visibility of the area. It matters for buyers comparing Alabama with Florida or the Carolinas. And it matters for people who are looking for a place that offers both lifestyle value and long-term desirability.

In my own work, I see that interest play out across Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Ono Island, especially among those who are looking for waterfront living, boating amenities, or a second-home retreat along the Gulf Coast.

My Final Thoughts

I enjoyed seeing Southern Living give this kind of recognition to so many places that shaped my own sense of coastal living, especially Hilton Head and the Charleston-area beaches. At the same time, there is something especially gratifying about seeing Orange Beach and Gulf Shores ranked so highly.

For me, that No. 2 finish feels earned. It reflects the beauty of the coastline, the lifestyle, the boating access, and the kind of experience people remember after they leave. In real estate, places people remember are often places they come back to.

If this article helped, I would love for you to drop me a quick note. If you are considering buying or selling along the coast, I would be glad to help you navigate Ono Island, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and nearby Gulf Coast communities.

Work With Meredith Folger Amon

Meredith Folger Amon is a Gulf Coast Expert Real Estate Advisor, licensed in Alabama and Florida. She specializes in helping buyers and sellers navigate the buying and selling of homes along the Gulf Coast.

Explore communities and available listings at SearchTheGulf.com.