gistfile1.rb

# view
<%# map %>
<%= gmaps(@gmap_options) %>

# controller
  def dealer_locator
    if params[:search].present?
      # find locations within x miles of search params

      # find all locations near the search query
      @locations = Location.near(params[:search], params[:distance], :order => :distance)
      @json = @locations.to_gmaps4rails do |location, marker|
        # iterate through each result and build the marker

        # distance = Geocoder::Calculations.distance_between(params[:search], location.address).round(1)
        # marker.sidebar "<span>#{location.name} (#{distance} miles)</br>#{location.address}</span>"
        marker.sidebar "<span>#{location.name}</br>#{location.address}</span>"

        marker.infowindow "
        <span class='name'>#{location.name}</span>
        <span class='address'>#{location.address}</span>
        <span class='phone'>#{location.phone}</span>
        <span class='hours'>#{location.hours}</span>"
      end
      # flash notification
      flash[:notice] = "No dealers within #{params[:distance]} miles of #{params[:search]}" if @json == "[]"
    else
      # show no locations
      @json = nil
    end

    # set map options, and data source
    @gmap_options = {
      "map_options" => {
      },
      "markers" => {
        "data" => @json,
        "options" => {
          "list_container" => "markers_list"
        }
      }
    }

    # render the page
    respond_to do |format|
      format.html { render "pages/store/dealers" }
    end
  end
end