South Padre Island Opinions (Austin, Corpus Christi: car rental, spring break, rentals)

[bvn99]

For those whose love the beach, please share your opinions about South Padre Island. What is the airport code of SPI? Thanks.

[Moonlady]

I believe the airport is actually Harlingen - HRL. Frankly, if I'm going to drive, I'd rather go to Port Aransas. If I'm going to fly, I'd rather go to Florida. I may be in the minority, but I was not impressed with South Padre at all. For a Texas beach, I think Port A has a lot going for it - great places to stay, good restaurants and the city of Corpus Christi in close proximity for more entertainment options. SW is running specials right now (as is Jet Blue) and you can probably fly into Ft Myers or Ft Lauderdale for not much more that a flight to S. Padre.

In all fairness though, I haven't been in many years. Maybe you'll get some other positive opinions.

[AustinTexan]

I grew up 30 minutes from South Padre Island so I might have a biased opinion, but I think it's a great vacation spot! The beach there doesn't have clear blue water or anything like that, but there's plenty to do down there, and it's not as fast paced as other beaches like those in Florida. There's some really good fishing there, Parasailing, jet ski rentals, horse back riding, nightclubs, electric car rentals/dune buggys, and great food. Every Friday night there's a huge Fireworks display on the Bay, right in front of Louie's Backyard which is really nice. You'd fly to Harlingen and then take a shuttle or rent a car to South Padre, which is about a 30 minute drive. I would recommend renting a car since you'll need it to get around, especially since it's so HOT. Let me know if you need anymore details.

[McDavis]

Totally agree with AustinTexan. Padre is a fun place. We get together there with friends each summer. It's fun for the kids as well as the grown-ups. I did notice this year that the rental price for our condo (same one as last year) went up. And it appears that they've extended peak season a week longer in August. But all in all, it's definitely worth checking out!

[twange]

Just went there for the first time in late March. What we liked about it, is the fact that it's not overdeveloped like Florida's beaches. If you are into fishing, camping on a beach, birdwatching or just not seeing high-rises forever, it's really cool. Sure, the water isn't clear and blue:the western Gulf is a repository of all of Texas' great rivers! But the sunrises are beautiful.

Warning though: Don't go anywhere near spring break unless you're into that sort of thing. We aren't but it was the only time we were able to make it there to visit family. Unfortunately, it was also Holy week, so add thousands more...it was pretty crazy. My guess is that like Florida, Nov-Feb would be the best time to visit.

here's a pic:

[DWong]

Originally Posted by twange

Just went there for the first time in late March. What we liked about it, is the fact that it's not overdeveloped like Florida's beaches. If you are into fishing, camping on a beach, birdwatching or just not seeing high-rises forever, it's really cool. Sure, the water isn't clear and blue:the western Gulf is a repository of all of Texas' great rivers! But the sunrises are beautiful.

Warning though: Don't go anywhere near spring break unless you're into that sort of thing. We aren't but it was the only time we were able to make it there to visit family. Unfortunately, it was also Holy week, so add thousands more...it was pretty crazy. My guess is that like Florida, Nov-Feb would be the best time to visit.

here's a pic:

If you can go somewhere else, go. If you like it quite and peaceful and to say there's a lot to do.. well you havn't seen much. Weather is dreadful, water is dirty, not much development (and there's a good reason why that is)

Come to CA, we have all kinds of beaches to choose from, not to mention cool weather. Just bring a yet suit if it's not hot cuz esp in NoCal, the water can be chilly!

[twange]

Originally Posted by DWong

If you can go somewhere else, go. If you like it quite and peaceful and to say there's a lot to do.. well you havn't seen much. Weather is dreadful, water is dirty, not much development (and there's a good reason why that is)

Come to CA, we have all kinds of beaches to choose from, not to mention cool weather. Just bring a yet suit if it's not hot cuz esp in NoCal, the water can be chilly!

Um, we're not talking about California beaches, the OP asked about S Padre. Why? Because this is an Austin, Texas relocation forum. As far as the statement about "not seeing much", that's an arrogant thing to say. I'm assuming that was directed at me since you quoted my post. I've seen plenty of this country's beaches: up and down both east and west coasts as well as both of Florida's coasts. My family owns a condo near St. Petersburg Beach. I still enjoyed S. Padre because it was still the ocean. It was a nice getaway and it was cheap. The dunes were cool and the bird watching is great. If you want to swim in clear, tropical waters, go to Mexico or the Caribbean. If you want to surf, go to California. If you want a quick getaway that's cheap and still scenic, and within driving distance, try some areas of the Texas Gulf.

And my point about lack of development was a positive statement. I've seen enough beach-front development to last me a lifetime.

[DWong]

Originally Posted by twange

Um, we're not talking about California beaches, the OP asked about S Padre. Why? Because this is an Austin, Texas relocation forum. As far as the statement about "not seeing much", that's an arrogant thing to say. I'm assuming that was directed at me since you quoted my post. I've seen plenty of this country's beaches: up and down both east and west coasts as well as both of Florida's coasts. My family owns a condo near St. Petersburg Beach. I still enjoyed S. Padre because it was still the ocean. It was a nice getaway and it was cheap. The dunes were cool and the bird watching is great. If you want to swim in clear, tropical waters, go to Mexico or the Caribbean. If you want to surf, go to California. If you want a quick getaway that's cheap and still scenic, and within driving distance, try some areas of the Texas Gulf.

And my point about lack of development was a positive statement. I've seen enough beach-front development to last me a lifetime.

Well, having been there over a dozen times myself. sorry, there isn't much. It's a beach, nothing more. I noticed how you didn't argue the cleaniness factor or weather. But yet, if you're in Austin and need to go to a beach, padre is fine. But having to been to plenty myself, it is nothing that catches my eye.

[McDavis]

Wow. I think you've illustrated the why many times Californians undeservingly get a bad wrap here in the Lone Star State. Generally, us Texans don't take kindly to insults about our home. And when I say "Texans", I mean us natives AND the nice people who got here as quick as they could.

Honey, I've been to plenty of beaches myself, California, Florida, and both coasts of Mexico. South Padre may not be the prettiest, but if you didn't have a good time there, that's your own fault. I'll take a Corona, a little Robert Earl Keen on the stereo, good conversation all while watching the kids play in the South Padre Island surf over most "prettier" beaches any day. For many of us, it's about as close to a Texas paradise as you can get. But then again, "Texas" is as much a state of mind as it as place.

Now I want you to know that I don't mean any insult to California, but just be a little nicer to us, especially on an Austin board.

[love roses]

He did argue the cleanliness factor...much of it isn't pollution. It's because our beaches are in a gulf, not open sea and the rivers emptying into the gulf drop lots of sediment. I'm sure rivers empty into the sea on the West Coast too, but again, it's not bowl shaped there like it is here to trap the sediment. And yes, I have been to East Coast and West Coast beaches and still like my Texas beaches.