A white sand beach, clear blue water and a glorious tropical west coast sunset can fill your vacation dreams. Visitors have been attracted to Florida's gorgeous Gulf Coast beaches since the late 1800s. With an extension of the Atlantic Coast's railway in the early 1900s, more and more travelers enjoyed Florida's moderate tropical climate. Today, this area is still perfect for sunbathing, shelling, fishing, boating and bird watching. The peaceful Gulf captivates all that visit.