Southern Living August 2007
By Cassandra M. Vanhooser / Photography Mary Margaret Chambliss
Quick Trip to the Coast
Plan a last-minute getaway to South Padre Island for surf, sand,
and endless fun.
South Padre is a rare coastal community that still allows horseback
riding on the beach.
A NOTE TO OUR READERS:
"Quick Trip to the Coast" is from the August 2007 issue
of Southern Living. Because prices, dates, and other specifics are
subject to change, please check all information to make sure it's
still current before making your travel plans.
Palm trees. Warm sea breezes. Miles and miles of sandy beaches.
You've been craving one last trip to the beach before Labor Day
signals summer's end, and you'll find it here on South Padre Island.
This 34-mile-long sliver of sand sits at the very tip of Texas,
just northeast of Brownsville and 30 miles north of the Mexican
border. You can while away the hours lying on the beach or indulge
your more adventuresome side. All you have to decide is what to
do first.
Checking In?
Finding a place to lay your head may be your most difficult
decision--and your biggest challenge. Summer rates soar in South
Padre, and deals are scarce.
For a short stay, we prefer the convenience and amenities of a full-service
hotel. Cushy beds and an inviting pool keep us coming back to the
Sheraton Beach Hotel & Condominiums ($179-$560). The nearby
Radisson Resort ($215-$415) offers both guest rooms and condos.
On the island's less trafficked northern end, you will find newer
properties, including LaQuinta Inn & Suites ($239-$400) and
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites ($99-$229).
If you're traveling with a crowd, shop around for a condo that offers
daily rates. Contact the South Padre Island Convention & Visitors
Bureau (www.sopadre.com or 1-800-767-2373) for a complete list of
hotels, motels, and rental companies.
Fun in the Sun?
If you're headed to the beach, plan to get there early.
The best spots will be blanket-to-blanket well before noon. Don't
bother lugging chairs and umbrellas from home either. You can rent
them right on the beach. You'll pay around $25 for an umbrella and
chairs. Your hotel staff should be able to direct you to the nearest
vendor.
South Padre is a playground for adventure seekers too. Lope through
the surf on a guided ride at Island Equestrian Center. Sign on with
Sonny's Beach Service for catamaran cruises and fishing, or rent
a kayak, personal watercraft, or banana boat. Kids love splashing
through Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark ($32.99 adults, $26.99 ages
3-11).
In the spring and fall, South Padre ranks among the windiest spots
in North America, but the breezes are a little gentler in the summer
months. It's the perfect time to learn a new aquatic sport. Private
windsurfing lessons from The Boatyard run about $40 per hour, including
board and equipment. South Padre Island Kiteboarding also offers
stand-up paddle boarding lessons and equipment too, though it takes
a much larger investment to get started.
During the heat of the day, take a break and visit Sea Turtle, Inc.
Through daily Meet the Turtle tours, you'll come nose-to-nose with
these magnificent creatures. Your $3 donation goes toward rescue
operations and conservation efforts.
Dine Divinely
A trip to the beach without great seafood is like a church without
Bibles. Sacrilege! The Seafood Botana ($30.99) at Dirty Al's, a
bait shop turned restaurant, comes with enough fried shrimp, oysters,
and fish fillets to feed a small army. Like most restaurants on
the island, they'll also cook your catch of the day ($6 per pound)
any way you like it.
Try Scampi's house specialty, the peanut butter shrimp
($24.95). A local favorite, Cap'n Roy's offers both seafood and
Mexican. For awesome blackened, grilled, or fried fish tacos ($9.99),
stop by the colorful, laid-back Dorado's Baja Bar & Grill. Be
sure to save room for the homemade banana-chocolate cake.
In addition to gourmet coffees, fruit smoothies, and chai lattes,
Yummies Bistro serves breakfast all day. Try the huge Yummie Burrito
($7.99) or, if it's after 11 a.m., the delicious panini sandwiches
($7.49-$7.99). We know you'll love Boomerang Billy's, a beachside
bar behind the Surf Motel. In the evening, head to Wahoo Saloon
on the bay side for an awesome sunset view.
Stop To Shop
We know you didn't come to the beach to shop. Still, there are a
few stores you really should check out before you head home. Look
for fashion-forward clothes, shoes, jewelry, and purses at Isla
y Rica. Designer Raydean Hensz exhibits her signature style at Park
100 Home. At Karen's Custom Toe Rings, you'll find everything from
thin sterling bands to 14-karat diamond-encrusted rings for your
perfectly pedicured digits.
