We're looking to take an impromptu beach trip over 4th of July weekend. I know - worst possible time to travel! We've done Gulf Shores and it was fine, but we had a bit of a health emergency while we were there so I don't think I could convince my wife to do it again. Looking at Destin, but it's a super crowded touristy place. South Padre is probably going to be way too exciting for our tastes. We like going to places where all the grey haired folks will be. Oak Island, North Carolina is my #1 fav - but it's just too far for a long weekend.

Anything off the beaten path y'all could recommend?

South padre isn't partying much as you think

Matsui said:

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South padre isn't partying much as you think

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i don't know. OP is looking to hang out with grey haired folks, so a couple kids building a sandcastle and music from a bluetooth speaker might be too exciting for him.

I'd wager any decent beach within driving distance of Houston is going to be a popular tourist spot. Especially 4th of July weekend.

You could look at Port A/Cinnamon Shores. It's at least not a crazy long drive, but will be crowded.

Matagorda.

PINS. Take your 4 wheel drive and your camping gear and you have 60+ miles of beach to choose from. No problem with too many tourists once you get beyond about 10-15 miles down the beach.

All pretty good ideas. I don't love crowds so I'm probably barking up the wrong tree anyway lol.

Y'all are probably right that any beach will just be wild right now.

Cinnamon shores was on my list of potentials. It's close to Hallettsville so a quick drive for me. Their webpage has pretty slim picking this close to booking.

PINS is something we enjoy doing - we'll head out that way to fish - but we aren't much of campers when it's this dang hot out.

Thanks for the input guys - I may just end up doing Destin and fight the crowds

If you want actual beach, I would assume most will be crowded. If you want just next to the water Port O Connor and Rockport might be your best bet as far as not overly crowded

a.froman said:

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If you want actual beach, I would assume most will be crowded. If you want just next to the water Port O Connor and Rockport might be your best bet as far as not overly crowded

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POC is insane during July 4th.

The Chicken Ranch said:

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a.froman said:

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If you want actual beach, I would assume most will be crowded. If you want just next to the water Port O Connor and Rockport might be your best bet as far as not overly crowded

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POC is insane during July 4th.

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Scratch that then. My bad

it'll be crowded everywhere for 4th of july.

Every beach or navigable is going to be an absolute ****show. Even with our ****ty coast.

South Padre will mostly be families. It won't be crowded compared to most beaches on July 4.

Does it have to be a beach? Palm Springs might be your huckleberry. Gays and greys. Wife and I go once a year in August/September.

Bolivar peninsula close to Houston but a little off the beaten path

Potcake said:

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Does it have to be a beach? Palm Springs might be your huckleberry. Gays and greys. Wife and I go once a year in August/September.

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Well I guess it is technically "driving distance from Houston", but not sure that 2+ days of driving each way is what the OP was hoping for.

I'm starting to consider south padre island. Last time I went it was very spring break like but it's close and I haven't been in years

South padre. Don't do Destin. Madhouse

I just remember when I was younger south padre was the hot place to be - it was wild any weekend or vacation. I guess the crowds and wild folks have moved on?

Stayed at cinnamon shores last summer. Should be on your list. Would probably say south Padre island though, I think it's worth the extra couple of hours drive. We stayed at Saida towers pretty close to Saffihire towers (nice from what I hear but pretty pricey).

The family spent Memorial Day weekend on SPI and stayed as Seavista Condos via VRBO. Great location and not too crowded or crazy. It's on the southern end of the beach with no commercial properties on the beach immediately to the south. Lots of space and it was all families. Very nice weekend and relaxing.

Seavista condos are a little dated, still in decent shape, but their location is great!

it isn't a hot place to be. seriously. its super family friendly and relatively low key. relaxing and chill.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I think we have narrowed down to padre. Now to find a place I like

Take 124 out of Winnie and head to the coast. When the road T's, go through the barriers to the left. That was always pretty secluded back in the day. Also, there was always a good produce stand there to hit on the way back home.