Beach in Texas

[utmck]

Looking at taking my 15 girl and one of her girl friends to the beach and was wondering where would be the best place to go?

 

[iamtigerwoods]

For the effort and time it takes to get down to South Padre, which is the only thing that can somewhat be called a beach in Texas, you can drive over to Gulf Shores, AL or the Florida Panhandle..

 

[VacantlyOccupied]

Gulf Shores is a hell of a lot farther from Austin than South Padre is.

 

[iamtigerwoods]

Yes, it is 4 hours further. It is also exponentially nicer than the mud and jellyfish infested "beaches" in Texas.

 

[austintexas]

Someone is actually recommending an Alabama beach over South Padre? Giggle.

I'm typing this from South Padre. Been on the beach every day the past week. Not a single jellyfish, piece of garbage, nothing. Come to think of it, in 25 years, I have never seen a jellyfish down here. So, basically, I don't know what beach you're talking about.

South Padre is beautiful. 5-5.5 hour drive from Austin. Come on down.

 

[UTEE]

The OP specified "Beach in Texas" and I'm assuming there's a reason for that. The beaches in Alabama and the panhandle of Florida are certainly beautiful-- my sister lived in Pensacola for ten years and we spent a lot of time there, and in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City Beach.

But Gulf Shores is almost twice as far from Austin as is South Padre Island (~680 miles as opposed to ~365 miles to SPI). That's CONSIDERABLY further to drive, especially for the "quick getaway" type trip that going to our own Texas beaches are usually all about.

I was down at SPI about three weeks ago and I saw two jellyfish for the whole 5 days I was there. But honestly, that's the first time I can ever remember seeing even one, and I've been going there for over 20 years.

Anyway, back to the topic of the OP-- I think South Padre is by far the best beach in Texas. You really can make it in ~5.5 hours without even pushing the speed limit too much, and IMO it's worth the extra couple of hours over Port Aransas or another Texas beach.

 

[austintexas]

Today the water is deep blue, clear and tons of bikinis on the beach. God Bless Texas.

 

[iamtigerwoods]

If you are a Dallas-ite, it is a coin toss for the drive.

Just throwing out options, as some folks are not as familiar with the Florida/Alabama panhandle area and its proximity..

 

[NickDanger]

The irony is that the "jellyfish" are almost always cabbage heads and they are harmless. They do glow in the dark, which is cool.

The man o' war are the ones to watch out for.

 

[Benson32]

south padre island, there is absolutely no question.

 

[huge]

galveston is beautiful this time of year.

and the water is nice and cool and refreshing.



or not.

still, sharkys crystal beach is hard to beat

 

[Aces_Full]

Sharky's is cool, but I prefer the Ship's Wheel. Both places can be fun if you're with the right people. Haven't tried the new Tiki Hut yet either.

But best in Texas has to be Padre when talking beaches. Plus it'll give your daughter a sense of the layout when she returns in a couple years for Spring Break '09.

 

[Bookman]

In reply to:

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[JohnnyM]

to get to AL you have to drive hours in Louisiana. that is a dealbreaker even if they weren't 2x as far.

 

[Orangesweat]

I'll be spending next weekend in Port Aransas. Going to swim and do some deep sea fishing.

 

[Benson32]

In reply to:

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[alxhorns]

port aransas.....anybody?

 

[Mrmyke709]

Port A is just fine, as is Mustang Island. I tend to do the National Seashore, since I can 4WD down the beach till there is no sign of humanity.

 

[HornOnTheBayou]

My rule of thumb for Gulf of Mexico beaches is get as far away from the Mississippi River as you can. With that being said, SPI is the only beach in Texas I really like. Although Port A isn't bad, just not as nice as Padre.

 

[Rusk]

The only time I've ever been to South Padre was some kind of freak record setting year for jellyfish. I got stung about 40 times in 4 days, after a while I was totally used to it and barely cared.

It was still fun, though.

 

[seb44]

Spent the weekend in Port Aransas. The beaches were clean and the water clear.

 

[SA_Town_Horn]

South Padre Island and its not even close.

Stay at the Sheraton. The beach and swim up bar pool dominate.

 

[midtown]

South Padre is a much nicer beach but for a guy with a 1 yr old Port A is perfect. Reasonable drive with a little one and lots of accommodations to choose from. I was just in the valley for business and the flight to HRL is cake.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

I like Matagorda, but there's no hotels or any of the development the OP may be seeking to entertain 15 year old girls with.

 

[TheFied]

Texas Monthly had a cover article a few months ago on the top 20 beaches in Texas. SPI is the best. We stayed at La Siesta (bed & breakfast not on the beach but close) last summer.