Perdido Key, about 15 miles west of Pensacola, was first discovered by the Spanish in 1693 and it has long been a treasured getaway island for beach connoisseurs.

The key is linked to both states by high-rise bridges which whisk the traveler over water and onto the barrier island, which offers nationally ranked beaches, stylish condos and memorable old-time nightspots that draw locals and tourists alike.

But its popularity has exploded in the past decade as more people learn of its charms. Nearly 70 percent of the key is protected parkland; nearby Big Lagoon State Park offers a user-friendly setting for everything from nature walks to pops concerts; and the Perdido Key area is growing rapidly, as new homes and state-of-the-art public schools attest.

Perdido Key, which means "lost island" in Spanish, offers the Gulf of Mexico on one side and tranquil Olde River on the other side.The variety makes it ideal for all sorts of family watersports, including fishing, skiing, snorkeling, surfing and swimming.

The beaches are so fine that they were rated No. 12 in the entire nation by "Dr. Beach." The Maryland geologist, Dr. Stephen Leatherman, ranked beaches around the nation on the basis of softness of sand, water and sand cleanliness, number of sunny days, smell, pests, access, and crowds.

While upscale development has modernized part of the key, more than half of the island is preserved from growth by federal and state parks. The results: Plenty of access for the public and plenty of room for those who want to roam the sand or sunbathe in near-silence. The parks also provide covered picnic areas, restrooms and other amenities designed to keep tourists comfortable.

At Big Lagoon State Park, a 40-foot-high tower provides a fine view of birds and other creatures in a habitat of woods and marshes.The park's attractions range from campgrounds, hiking trails and picnic areas to a pavilion where concerts brighten the warm-weather night air.

Conveniently located eleven miles east of Gulf Shores, Alabama and ten miles west of Pensacola Florida, this barrier island combines all the charm and beauty of resort living with a family oriented atmosphere.