Each year there are hundreds of pundits who attempt to rank the best beach in the nation. Rankings are so subjective based on personal feelings and tastes. But when a publication like Southern Living puts out a list people below the Mason-Dixson line give it more attention.

In their published list they stated "These reader-voted favorites offer more than beautiful beaches. With charming downtowns, fresh-caught fare, and plenty of ways to get out on the water, each destination offers its own brand of seaside magic."

Southern Living added that they conducted a survey by third-party agency, Proof Insights, among Southern Living consumers, asking them to rate their favorite places across the South.

If any Alabama locals took the survey the might have voted another location to keep our Big Beach a secret.

You can read the full results from the poll HERE, but the spoiler is that they ranked Gulf Shores - Orange Beach area as #2 in the South!

Southern Living's recap of the gorgeous Alabama beaches was reduced to this paragraph:

"Florida can have its panhandle, but Alabamians are pretty happy with their own 32-mile stretch of shoreline that unfurls across these twin towns. The vacation destination is home to excellent seafood restaurants, mesmerizing blue-green waters, and even an open-air music venue that regularly brings in big names. Visit in April to experience the Mullet Toss at the Flora-Bama, a giant party on the beach that involves flinging fish. Don't leave the area without paying a visit to Gulf State Park, where you can hike, bike, and meander your way through six different ecosystems."

Since our southern lifestyle bible usually gets it right we will overlook this one-time error. We know our beach community is #1.