The beach is a popular destination during the summer, and residents of Houston are fortunate to have several options within or a little over an hour away. These beaches range from more rustic stretches to bustling vacation spots. We’ve listed our top five beaches near Houston to help you decide which would make the best destination for you.
East Beach
East Beach is located to the east, in Galveston, and is the largest and most popular of Texas’ beaches. It’s the only beach in Galveston where alcohol is permitted. This has led to East Beach becoming the top location for festivals, competitions, and concerts, making it a lively destination for beachgoers.
Admission to the beach is free, though parking is $8. Free parking is just a short walk away if you look. There’s plenty of food trucks and vendors to pick from for a quick bite, and conveniently located rental companies offer everything from jet skis to umbrellas. Restroom and shower facilities are located on site.
Stewart Beach
A little more family-friendly, Stewart Beach is a fantastic getaway that offers more than your typical beach visit. The beach offers restrooms, a snack bar, showers, and a souvenir shop. It is also just a few minutes from Galveston’s entertainment district, which has carnival games and rides appropriate for all ages.
Chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. For an $8 fee, guests can secure a pass to drive onto the beach. No alcohol is allowed on the beach.
Galveston Island State Park
If you’re looking for a more rustic beach vacation, Galveston Island State Park is the perfect spot. It was voted one of Texas’ best beach picnicking spots. The park stretches for more than 2,000 acres and has nine nature trails that offer sightings of a remarkable number of birds, not to mention plenty of fishing spots. It’s no wonder the park is a favorite among bird watchers and fisherman.
Access to the park is $5 for visitors over age 12. Guests are welcome to set up tents right along the beach for the ultimate camping experience. Restrooms and showers are available.
Crystal Beach
Crystal Beach is located on the Bolivar Peninsula, which can be accessed via ferry from eastern Galveston. The peninsula has about 30 miles of continuous beach, but the most popular stretch is around 10 miles into the peninsula. Crystal Beach boasts powder soft sand and bathroom facilities.
Access is free, but you will have to purchase a parking pass for your vehicle.
Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach is the main draw to the quiet town it’s named after, and this stretch of white sand is just an hour’s drive from Houston. Enjoy fresh seafood or a hearty lunch from any of the locally owned restaurants along the beach. Surfside Beach also has some of the cheapest beach vacation rentals. Pets, bonfires, and horses are allowed on the beach, and for $12, guests can purchase annual passes that let them park on the beach all year long.
These five beaches are some of the best in Texas and are just a short drive from our Houston Honda dealership.
Photo by tara marie | Licensed under cc BY 2.0
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