Who claimed Florida for Spain and sailed along the Gulf Coast?

The correct choice is Juan Ponce de Leon. He is well-known for claiming Florida for Spain during his exploration in 1513. Ponce de Leon is often credited with being among the first European explorers to extensively explore the southeastern U.S. region, particularly Florida.

Ponce de Leon's expedition is historically significant because he not only claimed the land for Spain but also named it "La Florida," which means "Land of Flowers." His journey along the coast contributed to the European awareness of this part of North America.

Panfilo de Narvaez, while he did explore parts of Florida later on, is more famously known for his disastrous expedition that began in 1528 and ended in many hardships and loss of life, rather than for claiming Florida. Fr. Jacques Marquette and Rene-Robert de la Salle are associated with exploration of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes region rather than Florida, making them unrelated to this specific claim.