It’s only Monday, but why not dream about Fridays of days past when you’d hit the highway southbound for the best of the Texas Gulf Coast. Now, we realize there are a lot of newcomers to these parts, so let us introduce you to our beaches: Port Aransas (Port A for locals), South Padre Island (SPI, an abbreviation you’ll see often), and Corpus Christi (Corpus). We’ve combed the SecondShelters.com archives for our first Vacation Index to vacation homes on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Galveston
Destination: Galveston, southeast of Houston
Galveston, the barrier island city, is just about the fastest way to go from Dallas-to-toes in the sand. It’s also home to some of the most architecturally significant homes in Texas. Though the years, we’ve followed some fascinating homes that’ve gone on the market.
Now, the old part of Galveston where most residential is located isn’t directly on the beach. But driving around, you can’t miss Seawall Blvd., which’ll give you easy parking and beach access.
Cinnamon Shore in Port Aransas
Destination: Port Aransas, a town on Mustang Island near Corpus Christi
Cinnamon Shore is a 62-acre master-planned community modeled after New Urbanism-style communities like Seaside in the 30A area of the Florida Panhandle. There are residences for sale and for vacation rental, as well as a town center with pools, an internal lake, park space, and restaurants designed in Gulf Coast vernacular.
South Padre Island
Destination: South Padre Island, the southernmost tip of Padre Island
South Padre Island (SPI) is as close as Texas gets to tropical Gulf breezes on sun-kissed shores where the water doesn’t look a mini-marshmallow away from Swiss Miss (Galveston). Clearly, you purchase a second home on SPI because of the water. There are lots of high-rises to suit a lock-and-leave vacation home lifestyle of your own — or at least live that way for a week or two by lease.
The Reserve at St. Charles Bay
Destination: Rockport, north of Corpus Christi
The Reserve at St. Charles Bay is a master-planned community of villages, cottages, and custom homes near the city of Rockport, which sits on three bay systems. Those bays offer renowned birdwatching, fishing, and more for those who want quiet lagoon-style living.
