Best Beaches Close to San Antonio

San Antonio is an exhilarating area packed with enjoyable stuff to do, whether you’re in town visiting family or for a weekend getaway. With its mild and balmy weather all year, this city is an excellent place to get some sun and sand, even in the winter. Furthermore, the city has some incredible beaches and is full of memories waiting to be made.

Look no further if you’re searching for the best beaches near San Antonio that you should visit the next time you’re in the area.

Surfside Beach

Surfside Beach, about three and a half hours beyond San Antonio, has recently grown in popularity. It remains a clean, friendly oceanfront village with a fun atmosphere and a lovely waterfront.

Surfside Beach, just outside of Galveston, has plenty of landmarks to make your day by the water even more enjoyable for the whole family. The town caters to beachgoers with water sports, restaurants, and equipment rental shops.

There is a small fee to park close to the beach, but it is just as easy to walk along the pedestrian-only path and enjoy the long coastline with shallow water access that is safe for even small children.

Mustang Island State Park

people at the Mustang Island State Park beach

This state park, located just south of Port Aransas, is on the Gulf of Mexico and has five miles of beautiful coastline for tourists to enjoy. While appreciating the water is a must for every visitor, there are many other ways to experience nature that the entire family will enjoy.

Stay at a beach campsite, paddle sections of the twenty-mile fishing and paddling trail, or participate in one of the Ranger programs on beachcombing, coastal bird watching, and other activities. Mustang Island State Park is an excellent place to introduce your children to new ways to enjoy nature while also enjoying the beach on this natural barrier island.

The state park is also close to Corpus Christi and many other natural attractions and family-friendly activities, such as the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, the Texas State Aquarium, and the USS Lexington for history buffs.

Guadalupe River State Park Beach

Guadalupe River State Park, located near San Antonio and Austin, offers a unique beach experience that will thrill and excite people of all ages. This park contains one of Texas’ Canyon Lake Beaches, stretching for four miles along the Guadalupe River. There is a pebble beach along the designated swimming area instead of sand, and plenty of space for picnicking, water sports, and general enjoyment.

You can rent fishing equipment, canoe, kayak, or paddle down the river to take in the sights. Visitors to the state park can camp and participate in horseback riding, biking, hiking, and more activities.

The state park is conveniently located near several other well-known hotels and beaches, so you can stay a few nights and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the river even if you don’t want to camp.

Comal Park Beach

Comal Park Beach, located on the south shore of Canyon Lake, is another beautiful Canyon Lake Beach that offers a gorgeously maintained, spectacular swimming area rivaling an oceanfront experience. Make the most of the wide-open spaces, pebble beach, and warm sun. Although the lakefront is wide, parents can relax because there is a roped-off and assigned safe swimming area.

Aside from that, it has one of the cleanest lakefronts in the state and is popular with locals and visitors. However, Comal Park Beach is quite exposed and lacks shade, unlike some other Canyon Lake beaches, so bring sunscreen and an umbrella. Also, open seasons and closing times can vary, so call ahead of time to confirm.

Matagorda Bay

boat ramp at Jensen Point near Matagorda, Texas close to sunset

Matagorda Bay, located eighty miles northeast of Corpus Christi, has a stunning Gulf of Mexico coastline that draws families yearly. Matagorda Bay is a wonderful, friendly area ideal for seaside lounging and spending a relaxing day at the beach.

Try the beaches on this gorgeous stretch of bay if you’re looking for a less-known spot that won’t be as crowded. Because the area is where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Colorado River, the beachcombing and views are second to none.

This area’s clean, spacious nature allows you to let your children play while keeping an eye on them. However, due to the bay and river convergence, this area can experience rough waters and rip tides at certain times of the year. To the south end of the beach, the water is crystal clear, and the beach is safe to drive with a permit.

Galveston Island

Locals and visitors recognize Galveston as one of Texas’ best beach destinations. This barrier island along the Gulf Coast is an excellent place to visit with the family because there is so much to do both on the water and in town.

Visit the iconic Pleasure Pier theme park, ride a water coaster, or visit Moody Gardens aquarium and amusement park. Galveston Island State Park is another family-friendly destination with numerous trails for birdwatching, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and general exploration.

Galveston Island has 32 miles of beaches, many of which have showers, restrooms, amenities, restaurants, boardwalks, playgrounds, rentable beach houses, and other amenities. Although Galveston’s water hasn’t always been clear, the brownish tint is due to sediment and is safe for swimming.

North Beach Corpus Christi

the USS Lexington “The-Blue-Ghost” Floating Museum

North Beach Corpus Christi is the ideal place to satisfy your curiosity while also taking in the scenery. After seeing the anchored USS Lexington, a World War II aircraft carrier converted museum, stroll down the 1.5-mile beachfront to the Texas State Aquarium. While the area is attractive to tourists, the atmosphere is still enjoyable.

Although the waves are typically gentle and calm in this area, jellyfish can occasionally be found. According to some locals, people favor this bay for swimming. The beaches are still a perfect place to relax, enjoy the sand, and explore the Beachwalk.

There are also numerous fishing jetties in the area, and if you get hungry, there are numerous restaurants.

Few things are more enjoyable than a day at the beach. Near San Antonio, Texas, there are miles and miles of beautiful coastlines ideal for watersports, swimming, and other educational, fun, and relaxing attractions.