Bay St. Louis is a trendy, fun place to play and live

Don’t leave out a visit to Bay St. Louis on your visit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Trendy and fun. Pubs, cafes, shops, fishing well, just lots to do. Enjoy views of the bay while sipping your favorite beverage.

Located not far from New Orleans, Bay St. Louis is easy to reach. Take I 10 South at the Bay St. Louis exit or drive along U.S. Highway 90 from the West or East. The small city is located at the mouth of the Bay of St. Louis.

Stay at one of our vacation rentals and drive a few minutes West along Beach Blvd. Cross the Bay of St. Louis bridge and arrive. Walk around the quaint old town where houses were first built in the late 1800s. These houses serve as restaurants, shops, and pubs.

Take a bay tour from the marina or rent a boat or jet ski and explore for yourself. Please take time to listen to the podcast produced by Gulf Life Now by clicking below.

Time to light a fire, enjoy our fire pits- podcast

When I arrived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I was surprised to find that during the hottest summer nights, marshmallows were roasting. People just love sitting around our firepits, drinking beer, and roasting food. It’s a favorite pastime for most of our guests.

Several of our properties have large fire pits with chairs so guests can converse. You can talk about the big fish that got away or that sunburn from the beach. The point is that people like sitting around the fire. They use the fire pits year around.

When you are looking for a property on the ChristiesGulfBeachRentals.com website, you should look for a property with a fire pit if you have a large group. We welcome you to our properties and wish you the best.

Great restaurants on the Mississippi Gulf Coast-Podcast

There are so many excellent restaurants on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, that it’s hard to know where to start. What we did was create a podcast for you to learn about restaurants that are close to our coastal vacation rental properties.

Most are located on U.S. 90 and our guests generally drive by these restaurants coming and going along the Coast. They see one and wonder if it’s a good place to go. Listen to our podcast below for some recommendations.

Welcome to the Beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast – Podcast

This podcast is intended to introduce you to the Beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast. Why follow the herd to Florida, Alabama, and elsewhere in search of beaches and fun things to do? We have it all except crowds, traffic, and high costs. You can see our beaches here not between buildings as in other places.

Welcome to our podcast by Christies Gulf Beach Rentals. Read additional information about the are in our blogs on this site and listen to other podcasts. ChristiesGulfBeachRentals.com

Guest Comments Help

Speaking for our properties, comments made by guests have helped continuously improve experiences for the next guests. We really want your feedback. Our properties have a book which we encourage you to write in. This book is available for all guests to read. At the end of your stay, we want you to reward us with a five-star rating.

The rating has to be earned. You as a guest can help us not only earn a five-star rating but keep it. Sometimes we experience the “can’t see the forest for the trees” syndrome. You may notice something that we have overlooked. Everyone who stays at one of our properties or any property has a different experience depending upon how they utilized all of the features of the property.

For example, some use the washer and dryer to launder their clothing so they will be in a position to tell us how that experience was. Others do not use the laundry and are unable to contribute to our continuous effort to improve. While I am speaking about our properties here, the same holds for any vacation rental that you visit.

Most owners strive to keep their properties in great condition. A few and they are the exceptions, can create a bad impression for all of us. This is why you should take the idea of leaving comments seriously. If you stay at a vacation rental and it is dirty, not well organized, fails to deliver on multiple promises, reflect your experience in their book and online.

This burgeoning democracy of the internet is at least for this industry helping to make us all better at being good hosts. The bad ones will simply go away. Many of our guests are not first-time vacation renters. On occasion, we do have a guest who is new to this type of accommodation. Recently one such guest stayed at our newest property and had wonderful things to say about it. “Extremely clean” was one statement that felt good to hear.

Some of our properties are historic homes and they do require more maintenance effort than newer homes. We are constantly adjusting the doors and other things that wear as the property gets older. That said, there is no reason for the property not to be clean and presentable inside and out. If there is an issue the hosts should communicate the to you.

This past year one of our primary properties suffered some damage due to a hurricane. The damage was strictly outside and did not affect the interior. The porch piers are damaged and we had them repaired soon after the hurricane but not before guests arrived who had already reserved. They could continue to use the porch but the repaired columns needed more cosmetic work. We explained this to our guests and they understood.

This is different from a property that is deteriorating and the owners have failed to keep it property maintained.

A comment one of our guests made was well taken. The property needed mirrors in bedrooms because with a large number of guests (up to 8), people were trying to get ready to leave at the same time and not everyone could use the bathroom mirror. Mirrors were installed within days of the guest’s comments.

At another property, a guest called the host and explained that one of the beds was hard to sleep in. Our host went to the property when the guest was out (with their permission) and found that the bed was indeed worn out. Before the guest returned the host replaced the mattress with a new one. The guest was very pleased and rewarded us with a five-star rating.

Obviously, I can not speak for every host or property owner however, it stands to reason that comments from guests will only help improve future experiences not just for the guest who is commenting but for others as well. Not all guests will be satisfied with our properties. It’s a fact. One guest left a lower rating on one of the third-party websites for a property. As it happens the guest just did not like the area, not just where the property was located but the Gulf Coast. This leads me to a few comments of my own.

Guests should be thoughtful about their comments. Do not blame the host for things beyond their control e.g. a neighboring property where there was a fire or other incident which kept them up all night. The area because the waves were not high enough. Local restaurants because they did not serve a specific food.

Some guests give hosts low ratings because they are upset about issues that have nothing to do with the property itself. On one occasion a guest left a low rating because guests at a neighboring property were loud. We had no control over that property. Had we known that the guest was offended by that noise, we would have attempted to contact the hosts for that property.

Remember that vacation rentals are a business and that the suggestion or failure of their business will depend in part on comments from guests. If the property can not achieve at least four stars on average they will have a hard time staying open. It’s fairly simple If you enjoyed yourself at the property, it was as advertised, give the host a five-star rating. If the property had minor issues and they were addressed consider a five-star or four-star. Any rating lower than four stars will hurt their business.

If you believe that there were issues that could have been corrected and were not but they were minor in nature, give no rating at all. Leave comments in their book or communicate directly to the hosts. If however, the property was a “dump”, leave a rating commensurate with your experience there.

Coastal Cottage

Please visit our Coastal Cottage page on this site to see photos and learn more about our newest property. We are pleased to offer this newly remodeled property a block from the beach in Gulfport, MS. The house was built in 1950, completely renovated from the studs out in 2006, and with extensive improvements in 2021/22, it is ready as a premier beach location for vacationing families and those who just need to get away.

Our property has three bedrooms. It’s truly unique. Our property manager, Christie has planned, hand-picked items, and decorated the property with a “beach” theme. New everything, flooring, paint, doors, fixtures, and more. The two queen beds have head and footboards with 12″ mattresses. All new of course. The full-size beds have upholstered heads and footboards. All bedrooms have full closets.

The kitchen would not be modern without white cabinets and granite countertops. We selected a tall table that has an insert to permit more guests when necessary. Full full-sized washer and dryer will reduce the size of your wardrobe, why not launder your clothing while staying with us?

Our white picket fence in front is very attractive. If you have children, our backyard is completely fenced with a six-foot privacy fence and gate. We offer a horseshoe toss area, and green lawn along with a barbecue and seating area. Our feature is the fire pit that burns real wood. Our first few guests will have free wood from trees we cut to improve the yard. Enjoy the evenings with a fire, we even include marshmallow spikes.

This website has links to things to do but the star is our Amazon video device that permits you to ask “local restaurants” for example and it will display the restaurants that are close. You simply tap and it will give you more information and even call the restaurant.

No expense has been spared to present you with a wonderful property to enjoy your free time. We recommend up to eight persons with two per bed. Oh, and there is parking for up to four vehicles on our property, at no charge of course.

You will love the area. A two-minute walk will take you to three restaurants. Three minutes and you reach another and a few more minutes, two more. The beach is a block away, there are two paths to walk to the beach which is open 24/7. You can even have a fire at the beach in one of the provided rings.

Do not forget to book on this site. Our booking fee is very low compared to third-party sites.

Children and Vacation Rentals

Many people ask if children are acceptable at our vacation rentals. Our answer is yes, of course. But why to people ask? One reason is that many owners of residential vacation rental properties have decorated and furnished their homes which are used when they are not rented. We have all been children and understand that some are a bit more active than others. So the short answer is that owners are concerned about damage.

Another issue with children is the actual physical property and setting. Most people with small children “child proof” their homes. This means that there is little within reach of the smallest children that they can break or get injured with. Our rental homes are not “child proof” which means that guests must be very careful with their children. We place the burden on our guests to provide supervision over all activities inside and outside of the property.

Two of our properties have yard fences and gates. This helps to restrain an fast moving child. That said, the fences are only as good as the parents in making sure that someone does not leave a gate open or that the child can not open the gate. Our yards are generally safe in that there should not be any sharp objects or things that are a clear hazard.

We have other properties that are not fenced and gated, we recommend that you choose a property that is fenced for the youngest children. We caution you when taking your children to the beach or for that matter even walking in the neighborhoods. Please take care that they do not wander into the streets unaccompanied.

Family vacations draw more guests to our properties than individuals on their own or without children. There are events that tend to be more “adult only” affairs which are the exception. Please feel free to bring your children. When you arrive, familiarize your self with our property information binder. Walk the property, be sure that nothing is a danger to your children. Close the gates and if necessary tie something through the lock hole to prevent inadvertent opening of the gate by an errant child.

We have no issues with children running around in our properties. That’s what kids do. I went to one of the properties while guests were enjoying the front porch and the weather. It was truly a full house, perhaps 12 individuals including several children. The kids were having a great time. I had to dodge them a few times but if they were writing the review we would have had 20 stars.

Why not live on the Coast?

You have decided to spend your vacation or getaway weekend or holiday. You like they are for all of the great things to do, the fantastic food, the events and yes, the beach. Perhaps you have visited more than once. You may not know that the Mississippi Gulf Coast is one of the most affordable areas on or near the water in the entire country.

Not only are our property values far lower than in most other areas, according to several sources, but Mississippi is also the lowest-cost state to live in. Look at the price of gasoline on any one day. Compare to where you live. Our cost for power, water, and even property taxes is at or lower than most other areas. How about the fact that Mississippi has a 7% sales tax and 5% on the purchase of vehicles?

Income taxes are among the lowest in the nation. If you are over 65, there are zero state taxes on any retirement income including withdrawals from IRA and 401k. Where there are a few states with zero state sales tax, you can bet that your state income tax cost after age 65 will favorably compare with those zero income tax states.

Senior property tax discounts are big

If you file for your senior property tax benefit, your tax rate could be as low as 1/2 of 1%. Compare the difference in property tax along the Coast to what you are paying where you live.

I could go on and on about the benefits and lower costs but that’s not the only reason to move here. You already know why you should consider moving here. You like it here, that’s why you have visited. If you are a reader who has not yet visited, you are in for a surprise. Let me explain.

Florida and many other areas along the coastline are full of high-rise buildings that block the view. Congestion, traffic, and high cost of living make those places acceptable to visit but not to permanently live there. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is a hidden gem. Our beaches are not crowded. With more than 40 miles of white sand beach, you can spread out.

Low density population, no traffic helicopters

Our area is one of low-rise buildings. Yes, there are a small handful of large condos but they are few and spread out. The last one was built over a decade ago. The area is not densely populated. About 420,000 people live in three counties that are about double the geographical area of Orange County CA which has a population of over 3,000,000.

We have no traffic helicopters. Did I mention we have 12 casinos? Even if you do not gamble, the casinos have great restaurants and entertainment.

Come visit, enjoy yourself. If you would like to see what is available go to Logan & Anderson, Gulf Coastal Realtors, and check out homes available through their website. FYI, you can buy a home pithing walking distance of the beach for as low as $250,000. If you want to live a bit further from the beach, you can buy a new home for less than $200,000.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Food Culture

There is simply no place in the nation that has a greater variety of cultural foods than the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Much of the food culture here is closely connected to that of New Orleans not far away. Seafood is of course a staple here and fresh seafood is something that you can only get where it’s caught.

Seafood

Starting with seafood, you should know that our country is being bombarded with fish originating from other nations. I understand that there is seasonality for some fish but there is no reason why anyone should eat catfish caught anywhere but Mississippi or Louisiana. Our fish is earned hereunder strict government regulation. Yet, catfish caught in Southeast Asia is still served in some restaurants. When you eat catfish along the coast ask if it’s locally produced.

Shrimp is abundant in the area. There are two main seasons for shrimp here and they are tasty. Many restaurants receive fresh shrimp daily. In fact, you can buy fresh shrimp from the same fishermen at the ports along the coast. Once again, you can go to the big box store and buy frozen shrimp that is imported from Asia. Why? There is no better shrimp than gulf shrimp.

Blue Crab is a local favorite. You can find it prepared in many ways but fried crab it the most common way it is served. Often you receive several on your plate and then open and eat. The blue crab is caught all around the bayous and inland waterways.

Redfish, black drum, flounder, bass, speckled trout, and many other species of fish are available in restaurants. Redfish are still considered somewhat endangered and it is hard to find outside of the South in a restaurant. Fish comes in daily to restaurants so enjoy.

Crawfish

I put crawfish into its category. While it’s fish, people here enjoy them in a season which is generally the early winter through spring. Crawfish are served boiled on everything from stuffing for flounder to a topping for eggs. The most popular way to eat crawfish is to buy them from a shack that opens just to sell them cooked in a bag or live in a bag. Everyone who sells them cooked in a bag or even live mixes them with their mix of seasoning. Crawfish are farmed along the coast but again, it irritates me to see Asian crawfish competing with our local farmers.

The shacks only sell locally sourced crawfish however cooked crawfish may come from elsewhere. Ask before you order. Why come all this way to eat crawfish from another country?

The Boil

Now we are talking. The typical boil is a “crawfish boil”. You start with a large pot and I mean a very large pot. They make pots just for boils. Fill partly full with water, throw in yo, ur spices and bring to a boil. Throw in corn-on-the-cob, sausage, and redskin potatoes. Then fill the pot with fresh live crawfish. Bring back to a boil. When ready, empty the water and toss the entire contents on a trestle table. If your boil is not for a party, you use boil trays which are large with a one-inch lip to hold any juice and fill it with crawfish and the other ingredients.

By the way, five pounds of fresh crawfish is about right per person.

Popular dishes

Red beans and rice with sausage is a local favorite. Jambaliah is a rice dish with various ingredients e.g. chicken or fish. Etouffee can be crawfish, , crab or shrimp., this saucy dip is eaten with rice which is added at the time of eating. Fried chicken is without a doubt one of the most popular southern favorites. Anything fried, from candy bars to an alligator. Greens are on most menus along with okra and other traditional southern veggies. Don’t forget fried green tomatoes and fried pickles.

Even local deserts

Coconut cake is popular in the spring around Easter. King cake is popular during mardi gras. There are several pies and cakes that are local to this area and New Orleans. You can buy them in grocery stores.

I could go on and on about the food here, I left off many dishes that you would probably not find elsewhere. You should know that while these delicious Cajun and Southern dishes are popular you can find almost any other fare here. With the connection to the rest of the world through the military bases, many cultures have restaurants here. Enjoy.

Wedding at Blue Wave

It was a bit rainy of and on during the weekend when our guests were married. They chose the Blue Wave, our beautiful house located one block from the Gulfport beach. They were married at the kiosk on the beach at the intersection of Cowan and Beach Blvd.

Gulfport Beach Kiosk

According to the people at Harrison County who manage the beaches, this location is the most popular along the entire coast for small weddings. You can see the kiosk from our front porch so it was a short walk for the party to reach the kiosk and exchange vows.

Our property was perfect for the reception which was held both inside and outside. They erected tents on our lawn and set up tables. Good thing we have plenty of parking on the property and adjacent to it. While it was a smaller wedding, their sufficient space for the entire wedding party and guests to have a great time.

There are other weddings on our calendar, some will be larger and some on the small side, regardless our Blue Wave house is the perfect venue for a beach wedding. Please contact us if you are interested. We can arrange for tents, tables, anything you need to make the event a success.

Gulf Coast Restaurants on the Water

This blog is intended to provide a few of the many restaurants located on water along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Our focus will be on Gulfport and Biloxi since that is where our properties are located at the present time. We will add others over time.

The restaurants listed are located on the beach, across the street from the beach with a beach view or located on a Bayou not far from our properties. If we list one that is further afield the distance will be mentioned. Check back as this blog page is a work in progress.

View from Golden Nugget Sports Bar Restaurant of Biloxi Harbor

The restaurants listed are considered good although the author has not eaten at all of them. There are specific restaurant reviews on a related website that is linked here and those restaurants are not all on water.

You should know that there were many more restaurants on or near the beach before hurricane Katrina. Most of those located on Beach Blvd, U.S. 90 were rebuilt so they are modern and well air-conditioned. Many offer decks with views, these are the ones that I like even if the food is adequate, sitting by the water having a cold drink is part of the fun.

BILOXI AREA

Salt Grass – located on the north side of Beach Blvd across from the Golden Nugget Casino. There are views of the entrance to Biloxi Bay even though this is not located on the beach.

Golden Nugget Sports Bar restaurant – Great views of the harbor. The food is great (personal experience) as are the margaritas.

Blind Tiger – located on the beach across from Harrahs Casino. This one has a large deck.

McElroys – On one of the ports in Biloxi near the Hard Rock Casino. Located on the harbor has good views on the south side.

The Reef – Located on Beach Blvd, has a large deck (one of the best decks) with a great view of the sea.

Shaggys – next to the Reef with a deck as well. During the summer they open their much larger deck overlooking the sea.

Slap y’Mamas – Also located near Shaggys and the Reef. It has a deck but it is smaller than the others.

GULFPORT

Felix’s – Very close to our Blue Wave and Gulf Coast Haven properties. This is locked on the north side of Beach Blvd but it is raised and has a nice deck.

Island View Beach Casino – Located on Beach Blvd just west of US 49 in Gulfport. There are two restaurants in this Casino with sea views and decks.

OTHER GULF COAST AREAS

You should visit Ocean Springs, a small city with lots of restaurants and small bars and an active night scene. There are two restaurants on the water of note. Mikey’s on the Bayou a must stop for oysters and McElroys on the Bayou with a great view.

View from McElroys on the Bayou looking north. They have a dock for boats

OTHER SOURCES

We have included some other sources that also provide information about the properties.

Gulfcoast.org This is a great place for all things Gulf Coast.

Sun Hearld the local newspaper with articles about local restaurants

Sun Hearld must try restaurants in the area

Trip Advisor this is a link to their top 10 restaurants on the Gulf Coast

Yelp their link to their top 10 restaurants on the Gulf Coast