Some of us plan vacations way ahead of time, and some of us … don’t.
If you’re one of the latter — or just feeling a little spontaneous — and want to get away to a beachy destination before summer ends, then we’ve got just the list for you.
The Texas coast is only a few hours’ drive from SA, offering plenty of options for summer fun. These 23 Lone Star State beaches would be perfect to visit before summer ends.
South of Port Aransas, tpwd.texas.gov
Spend a day at the beach building sandcastles in the sun, or make it a weekend getaway by staying at one of the park’s nearly 100 campsites or enjoying one of the park’s paddling trails. The park fills up quickly, so reservations are recommended for both camping and day use. Credit: Shutterstock / E. Dan Klepper
galveston.com
A trip to Galveston is almost a rite of passage for Texans. Home to 32 miles of shoreline and a multitude of parks, you’re sure to find something that suits your style. Plus, visit Galveston Island’s Historic Pleasure Pier, replete with amusement park rides, arcade games and funnel cakes, for a day of family fun right over the water. Credit: Shutterstock / Carlos Bruzos Valin
Jefferson County, fws.gov
Roam the beach’s nearly 20 miles of coastline while admiring the shells and sand that have washed up from the Gulf. Fun fact: nearly all of Texas’ known prehistory is represented in the artifacts that have been discovered along this particular shore. Credit: Photo via Instagram / etxtraveler
sopadre.com
South Padre Island is one of Texas’s most well-known beaches for a reason, with some of the safest and clearest water in the Gulf. A popular spring break destination for college students across the state, South Padre Island is also a popular family vacation destination for Texans from all walks of life. Credit: Shutterstock / Roschetzky Photography
Lower Rio Grande Valley, fws.gov
The 97,000 acres of preserved land in this park are open to the public for wildlife watching, fishing, hunting, education and photography. Hiking trails weave throughout the park, so bring your best walking shoes to explore as much of the land as possible. Credit: Shutterstock / Joel Trick
210 Seabreeze Dr., Rockport, rockportbeach-texas.com
Rockport is the first, and one of only four, Blue Wave Beaches on the Texas Gulf Coast, making it one of the state’s cleanest and most vibrant beach destinations. Parking fees are in effect — more information is available online. Credit: Shutterstock / Grossinger
Bluewater Highway, Surfside Beach, surfsidetx.org
Just a quick detour from nearby Galveston, Surfside Beach offers a quieter, more low-key opportunity to soak up some sunshine and dig your toes in the sand. Plus, if you’re coming from the west, the TX-32 bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway provides stunning views of coastal marshes and the gulf on the horizon. Credit: Photo via Instagram / shotsbyrayray
Nueces County, portaransas.org
Located on Mustang Island, Port Aransas is a classic Texas beach holiday destination. Go fishing, light up the grill, splash in the waves or just enjoy the ocean breeze. Be advised: the ferry to Mustang Island runs between two to six times per day. Credit: Shutterstock / Ryan Conine
Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, visitcorpuschristitx.org
Tucked behind dunes, the white sands of Malaquite Beach are untouched by vehicle traffic, ensuring a safe, family-friendly day at this picturesque beach. Located at Padre Island’s midsection, Malaquite Beach serves as the perfect jumping-off point to explore what its website calls one of the “longest stretches of undeveloped barrier island on the planet.” Credit: Shutterstock / Tim Malek
Padre Island, nps.gov
The park’s 70 miles of coastlines, prairies and dunes make it a haven for Texas wildlife — over 380 bird species call it home. Time your visit just right and you can catch one of this summer’s public sea turtle hatchling releases. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / William L. Farr
Boca Chica Blvd., Brownsville, tpwd.texas.gov
At the very end of Highway 4, Boca Chica Beach is a getaway untouched by urbanization, though it’s become more well known recently due to SpaceX’s presence. Drive just a couple of miles down to the beach and you’ll find the tip of Texas, where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico. Be advised: SpaceX activity has in the past disrupted the beach’s operations, though the beach is open for the summer. Credit: Shutterstock / westtexasfish
700 Lighthouse Beach Road, Port Lavaca, portlavaca.org
A favorite for both locals and tourists alike, the tropical atmosphere and birdwatching opportunities of Lighthouse Beach make for a stunning weekend getaway. Simply hook your RV up at one of 55 hook-up sites and head to the salty waters, or take a stroll down the 2,200-foot boardwalk. Plus, check out its namesake, Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse, the oldest extant wooden lighthouse structure in Texas. Credit: Shutterstock / Henryk Sadura
202 S. Palmetto St, (361) 729-2858, tpwd.texas.gov
Set up a picnic or even pitch a tent for the night under the shade of the park’s live oaks. Just north of Corpus Christi, the park boasts great fishing, hiking, birdwatching and camping spots. The park is undergoing road construction this year, which may cause intermittent delays. Credit: Shutterstock / bayoutlaw75
Southern Jefferson County, tpwd.texas.gov
Four-thousand acres of marshland hug the 5.2 miles of beachfront at this state park, offering a unique display of wildlife near the sandy shores. After suffering severe damage in 2005 and 2008 as a result of Hurricanes Rita and Ike, the park reopened in 2010 and has now made a full recovery. Credit: Shutterstock / Solomon Freimuth
