Surfside Beach | Credit: Terry Jaskiw
Numerous beaches across the Houston area offer vast waterfronts, recreational activities, and pleasant coastal areas for exploring and relaxing. Let’s look at some of the top beaches in and around Houston.
Sylvan Beach Park
Just over a half-hour drive from downtown Houston, you’ll find the scenic, 32-acre Sylvan Beach Park. The clean beach offers soft sand, limited waves, and a relaxed setting for swimming or reclining by the water. The park also has a boat ramp, fishing pier, children’s playground, and an air-conditioned pavilion.
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El Jardin Beach
El Jardin Beach is a small Seabrook beach based along Galveston Bay. It is a 40-minute drive from downtown Houston and a top-notch place to relax on a summer day. The family-friendly beach connects to a park with play areas and other amenities. The surf is calm, the beach lacks crowds, and the views are picturesque. The beach may only be four-and-a-half acres, but it is a must-see for Houston residents.
Stewart Beach
Stewart Beach is a perfect example of what makes the Galveston area the ideal beachside retreat. Roughly an hour from downtown Houston, Stewart Beach is a family-friendly beach on the Gulf Coast with turquoise waters. It has an on-site team of expert lifeguards, volleyball courts, playgrounds, and more.
Galveston Island State Park
Galveston Island State Park is on the western edges of Galveston and has plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy. Galveston Island State Park’s large, sandy beaches are quiet and undisturbed. It is a nature lover’s paradise with several diverse environments, and with 66 campsites, visitors can pitch tents by the water and enjoy the area’s beauty.
Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach, a small town and a beach on Follet’s Island right along the Gulf of Mexico, is about an hour from Houston. The water is warm, and the conditions are ideal for surfing or windsurfing. With four miles of scenic coastline, it is a perfect place for hiking by the water.
Sea Rim State Park
Sea Rim State Park is a biodiverse park along the Gulf of Mexico just under two hours away from Houston. The drive is well worth it for the incredible scenery you’ll find at Sea Rim. It is a water lover’s paradise with more than five miles of Gulf Coast beaches and 4,000 acres of inland marshes. The tranquil beaches are home to rare birds, and the numerous campsites are ideal for overnight visits.
