I wanted to take a trip to the beach this holiday weekend. I haven't been to Galveston in years. I heard Galveston is not all that great either. Anyone know a clean desent beach in the Houston area? Thanks
I hear the ship channel is pretty nice this time of year. Watching the sunlight glisten off the smokestacks is a beautiful sight to behold...
How far do yo want to travel? I don't know if you would consider the valley (South Padre Island)the Houston area...http://www.sopadre.com/index.php
Galveston is suppossed to be getting a lot lot better. I woudl try it. If you are willing to drive a bit, you can always drive down to Rockport / Port Aransas area. There are clean beaches down there usually relatively crowd free - though on Memorial Day weekend, there'll be crowds everywhere. Mustang Island State Park starts near Port Aransas and is pretty cool... http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/mustang_island/ Though to get there you have to cross a ferry (short, short 3-5 minute ride across a canal), and the line for the ferry will be mega long this weekend.
I wanted to stay around the Houston area. If the gas was cheaper then I would give South Padre a try. But I have heard that is the best beach in TX. Thanks
It's been years and years and I don't even know if it's still any good, but we used to turn onto 61st street after hitting the island, head to the seawall and turn right and drive till you can't drive anyone (west beach?). The beach at that end of the island was pretty cool! You could drive on the beach and even build fires and spend the night. Doubt they allow that anymore though.
When I go to Galveston, I usually go to the far west end by San Luis Pass. It will be the least crowded and you have some elbow room. Get there really early and you can enjoy a large part of the day without hardly any crowds and less heat. Sat will be better than Sunday because the Saturday crowd will trash the beach some. Bring everything you need because there aren't really any stores out that far.
You may want to consider going to Surfside or even Matagorda depending where you are coming from in Houston
Last time I was there the beaches were so trashed I was in complete disbelief. I might have been due stuff washing up from Katrina though. It was like a disaster zone. It was horrid. (That wass Surfside)
Galveston is fine. It depends on what you want to do. If you want to rent a house for the weekend or something, I suggest Pirates Beach, Jamacia Beach or Sea Isle...they are private and are decently maintained. (or anything west of those beaches is good as well) Not a ton of beach, but enough. Brownish/Blue water and regular sand. It's not the Virgin Islands, but it's nice enough if you just want to spend some time at a beach or if you have kids. Not sure about camping areas/conditions
Hopefully just the timing. Otherwise thats too bad but not really surprising.\ I was in Port Aransas two weeks ago and there was a ton of seaweed.
That's what we always do. I can't remember the last time we went straight on 45 instead of turning on 61st. Always less crowded on the West side.
I live in Galveston and agree with this if you're going to spend the day here. It's a little extra driving but it's worth it. Less drunks, riff-raff, etc. When I want to go to the beach for an hour or so I just park somewhere on the seawall.
What will be the busiest / most crowded day @ Galveston this weekend? Sat, Sun, or Mon? Is there anyway to get to Galveston by 288 instead of 45?