Nothing but beach! South Padre Island

Best Things Nearby:
The beach! Also lots of good "beach" shopping, and plenty of restaurants of all descriptions.

Best Things About the Resort:
Location right on the beach. Three beautfully maintained pools as well.

Resort Experience:
High rise condos directly on the Gulf of Mexico. Upper units probably have a breathtaking view of the sunrise over the bay, but our unit was on the first floor. All the same, it was very convenient for our family.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

A truly lovely waterside restaurant. The local seafood (shrimp, red snapper, et al) is prepared in novel ways that set this place apart from the plentiful seafood restaurants on the island. Service was above average.

The resorts that line the South Padre Island beach put you RIGHT on the beach. We stayed at Saida Condos and spent most of our days on the beach. The beach is very shallow with sand bars every 20 feet or so out from the water's edge. Great fun for medium sized kids and adults that aren't strong swimmers because you can get the feeling of being "way out there" without ever going in over your head.

When we arrived, the water was unbelievably warm, almost too warm at the edge. As the days went by the surf kicked up and the water temperature moderated, but only enough to make a dip in the Gulf of Mexico refreshing. The beach itself is immaculately maintained. There was no sign of litter or unpleasant sea-debris (seaweed, etc). Not too many gulls (probably due to the beach being so clean), just enough for atmosphere.

We did travel up the island to the undeveloped areas, but found it a little TOO wild for us and our two-year-old baby. Too much traffic on the beach (I'm talking cars and trucks here) and a lot of trash lying around. I usually go for less developed areas, but this was one case where it didn't pay off. There were more people there than in the resort areas.

South Padre Island is at the far southern tip of Texas. It is a barrier island, and as such is simply a large stripe of sand separated from the mainland by an aquamarine blue bay. I probably would not have chosen to go there except that a friend was getting married there and my husband was the preacher! We brought our 2-year-old and a nanny/friend and we had a fantastic six days.

This is the best "mainland" beach experience I've ever had. You just can't put islands in the same catagory as far as I'm concerned. The area is relatively new, but well developed with a civilized resort area, lots of beachy shopping, and more restaurants than you could ever try. These range from the chains like Denny's and Dairy Queen to the local flavored seafood places that overlook and overhang the water. Prices range widely, too. If you love shrimp, you'll love South Padre.

The beach goes on and on and on. It is wide and clean and the water is warmer than I would have believed. The sand is fine and white, but still hot in the August sun. . .don't forget the flip-flops!