what reason is there for Houstonians to visit Corpus Christi or South Padre Island (close to RGV area) over Galveston?

[texas7]

Originally Posted by oil capital

IMO, it all depends what you are looking for. If the beach and swimming in the Gulf is your top priority, then South Padre it is (or as suggested by others above, go in the other direction to Orange Beach etc, for 2-4 hours' more drive). If the seaside atmosphere, restaurants and things to do are your priority (as they are mine), then there's little reason to go to Corpus or South Padre (especially when considering how much easier it is to get to).



FWIW, I have never been bothered by, or even seen, any noteworthy "thug" or "riff-raff" elements in Galveston.

Galveston is a more hard-lived and gritty town. Lots of homeless and riff-raff. You can avoid it by not going out at night. It is a city people live in that tourists go to rather than a primarily tourist town hence the grittier feel and residents. Slowly changing as beach-dreaming transplants move in or air bnb investors buy.

[texas7]

I don’t really know anyone who goes to beach in Corpus. They either do South Padre or Port Aransas. South Padre is okay for a weekend but any longer and it’s boring as there isn’t much to do other than the beach. Restaurant choices are super limited and most seem all the same.

[Texas100]

Its a 9 hour drive to Florida and 5 1/2 to SPI. I will gladly go the extra mile to get to Pensacola. I go to Pensacola because it's closer than Destin and is the same Beach. Pensacola has pristine Emerald waters and Sugar white Sand. The beach is immaculate and surreal.

[mojo101]

Do you think it is a good idea to rent a small studio and spend weekend or even a week in Galveston,I like the smell of ocean breeze .
Do they have good internet connection?

[Texas100]

If I'm going on a beach vacation I prefer Pensacola. It has beautiful beaches and historical parks plus Palafox and Seville Square. It can't be beat.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by texas7

I don’t really know anyone who goes to beach in Corpus. They either do South Padre or Port Aransas. South Padre is okay for a weekend but any longer and it’s boring as there isn’t much to do other than the beach. Restaurant choices are super limited and most seem all the same.

North Padre at Corpus is nice.

South Padre isn't developed like Galveston or for that matter Destin.

Most of Padre Island is completely undeveloped. Its if you want to do the beach in a relaxed place. And if you want to do something, there is the Brownsville Zoo and I believe Harlingen has an aircraft museum. You could venture to Matamoros. Its just a lot nicer beach than Galveston.

[Texas100]

If that water in Galveston stayed clear like it was last month. There would be no reason to go anywhere else

[nasser1990]

CC, or SPI, respectively, have nicer shores and crisp waters for vacaters or spectators, but even so, Galveston is a good enough beach city to visit every now and then.

[Htown2013]

Originally Posted by Texas100

Its a 9 hour drive to Florida and 5 1/2 to SPI. I will gladly go the extra mile to get to Pensacola. I go to Pensacola because it's closer than Destin and is the same Beach. Pensacola has pristine Emerald waters and Sugar white Sand. The beach is immaculate and surreal.

THIS. Destin distance requires a week to make it worth it. Living in SW suburbs, SPI is no more than 5 hours away, which is fine for a long weekend. Destin is nicer, but SPI is more tropical and has far nicer water than Galveston.

[texas7]

Originally Posted by Ghost Town

South Padre has a lot more and the water is always much better.
Corpus Christi typically has better water. But not always.

South Padre has a prettier beach and clearer water than Galveston but a whole lot less to do if you are looking for off the beach things. Unless you are content with mostly bars as off beach activities and restaurants that primarily serve the same thing. In all fairness, it is a very small strip so it is limited in what businesses it can provide.