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Families looking for beaches may not think of Texas, with its western flair and sunshine to spare. But Galveston, Texas is a place where denim, sand, Stetsons, and sandals go together! A lesser-known fact about the state of Texas is that it is home to some fabulous family beaches! (It has not-so-family-friendly playas as well, but we only talk about PG destinations here! I’ll just drop the name East Beach for anyone who would like to do a little research later!
With 367 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, Texas has a huge number of beaches, and as a native Texan, I can guarantee that some of the best places for a beach vacation for families are found on Galveston Island.
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A Bit About Galveston History
Established in 1839, the city of Galveston has been welcoming travelers to its shoreline for over a century. In 1865, this extended barrier island hosted one of its most significant visitors, although his name is often lost to history. General Gordon Granger brought the much-delayed news of the Emancipation Proclamation to the shores of Texas on June 19th, and for years Texans have been celebrating Juneteenth as the day when freedom finally arrived. (With the creation of a federal holiday, as of June 16, 2021, the rest of the United States is celebrating, too!) While visiting Galveston, visitors can take a Juneteenth Walking Tour if they need a break from the sun, waves, and shopping!
But, even with its incredibly abundant history and some of the best seafood this side of the Mississippi, people come to Galveston for the beaches. Wild beaches, groomed beaches, surveilled beaches, and hidden pieces of paradise can all be found on this 200-square-mile island 50 miles southeast of Houston.
Stewart Beach at The Seawall
Ah. Seawall Boulevard. With its weathered, pastel-colored buildings and lingering fried-shrimp smell, the Seawall is the epitome of a touristy beach town that rebels against the idea that it is a tourist trap. The actual seawall is an 8-mile concrete construction designed to protect Galveston from the many hurricanes and wind storms it endures all year round. However, it has been transformed into a laid-back beach zone where people can wear flip-flops from Old Navy and cutoff jeans from the back of their closets.
If families are looking for lifeguards, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, and sandcastle-building competitions, Stewart Beach is the beach to look at. Stewart Beach is an all-in-one family destination. They also offer umbrella rentals for those of us who just want to sit back and watch everyone else exhaust themselves!
Porretto Beach at the Seawall
Just down the Seawall from Stewart Beach, we find Porretto Beach. It’s private and usually less crowded than its public cousin, but it is full of fun nonetheless. Entry is free, but there are plenty of things you can pay for! You can rent an umbrella and chairs for around $40 a day, and several local establishments will deliver food and drink directly to you! Pretend the family is on an exotic island resort without the inflated price tag! Speaking of inflated– Porretto Beach also boasts float and jet ski rentals, too!
Take a walk on the not-so-wild side on Porretto Beach! photo by Elizabeth Punches
Pleasure Pier at the Seawall
Continue down the Seawall from Poretta Beach, to see Galveston’s flashiest attraction, Pleasure Pier. While this is not technically a beach destination, Pleasure Pier is definitely worth checking out. You can enjoy a scrumptious lunch at Bubba Gump’s and then toss your cookies out over the ocean on one of their many twisty-turny rides that propel daredevils over Galveston Bay!
Pleasure Pier at its best! -photo by Eddie Bugajewski on Unsplash!
Babe’s Beach at the Seawall
Contrary to its name, Babe’s Beach is not the scene of any “Gone Wild” videos! It’s actually a nice stretch of land named after a former state senator. There are plenty of places to eat and shop along the Seawall here. Lifeguards, lots of sandy space, and many opportunities for bird watching are found here. The “people watching” is pretty great, too! With its shallow waters and restroom facilities, Babe’s Beach is a perfect spot for whole-family fun!
[ctt template=”8″ link=”Kkbhb” via=”no” ]Discover 7 of the best family-friendly beaches in Galveston, Texas! Wild and relaxed and well-groomed and surveilled beaches await![/ctt]
Crystal Beach on Bolivar Peninsula
Jump in the car and drive right onto the Bolivar ferry! This free ferry takes beachgoers from the main Galveston Island to the more rugged and secluded Bolivar Peninsula. Now, it is a peninsula, so technically, travelers could cross back over the bridge and drive all the way around the bay to get there, but that would take away a ton of fun! The ferry itself IS a destination, and it is a perfect excursion for families. First of all, it’s absolutely free! And there is a very high probability of seeing dolphins on this trip. Also, it gives you fairly easy access to the shallow waters of Crystal Beach, one of the best Galveston beaches for hanging out with friends and family on the Gulf Coast. You can park and camp on this beach, but make sure you shell out $10 for the beach pass for your car. (I’ve seen more than one person try to talk their way out of a ticket, and “I was just dropping my friends off” never works!) But after paying for the sticker, boogie board, and barbecue, all you want!
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Crystal Beach on the Bolivar Peninsula, 2019. This was social distancing before we had to!
Bonus Beaches
While Stewart, Babe’s, and Crystal get all of the attention, there are two extra Galveston beaches worth mentioning: Pocket Park 1 and Pocket Park 2. If you keep driving down the coast from the Seawall, you will eventually arrive at the west end of the island where the pace is slower and the concentration of tourists is lower. Pocket Park 1 is a great place to spend the day hanging out, barbecuing, and working on a tan in a completely chill family setting. This beach is not too far from major attractions like Schlitterbahn!
Pocket Park 2 is more off the beaten path. You won’t find any fine dining here (or any food shacks either)! This is just a tranquil oasis away from the crowds and partiers. It’s the perfect place to experience the clam waters of the gulf in an equally peaceful setting. One of the best things about this spot is The Tipsy Turtle restaurant. It offers free parking and easy access to the soft sand and gentle waves.
If you have any history buffs or military aficionados in your crew, you will not want to miss Seawolf Park. This tourist spot was once the site of an immigration station, and it is the current location of the USS Cavalla, a WWII submarine! It is a great spot for fishing, and the picnic tables make it the perfect place to refresh your explorers with a quick lunch!
Other Things To Do In Galveston
Be sure also to check out the non-beachy parts of the island while you’re there.
The Strand is the historic district of Galveston. Eat yummy confections, souvenir shop ‘til you drop, and eat as much Mexican food as you want!
Moody Gardens has a hotel, 3D and 4D theaters, a museum, and an aquarium! It’s an all-in-one family vacation destination!
Schlitterbahn Galveston is one of the premiere water parks in the world! Bring lots of sunscreen and snacks so that you can slip and slide all day!
Murdoch’s on the Seawall is the ultimate gift shop on the island! You can find all the souvenirs and supplies you need for a successful break in the breakers!
Also fun is Family Friendly Attractions and Events at Moody Gardens
When You Go
Getting To Galveston From LA
Houston is a very easy city to get to from just about anywhere in the world. United, American, Delta, Spirit, and Southwest all have nonstop flights from LAX. The flights take 3 to 3 ½ hours. Southwest Airlines flies nonstop from LAX to either of Houston’s Airports. These flights go quickly, but the Wanna Get Away Fares are worth booking early! Houston is a hub for United Airlines, and they have plenty of nonstop flights from LAX to Houston International. Other airlines like Spirit will get you across the country, but watch out for baggage fees and other add-ons.
But, if you really want to get into the spirit of Texas, take a road trip to Galveston from the STAPLES Center to Stewart Beach in just under 24 hours! (That’s via I-10. If you add another hour or so to your trip, you can cruise down I-40 and hit Route 66!)
If you’re short on time and need a flight option, here are a few. Just remember that there are two airports in Houston, so you will need to plan your rental car reservations accordingly. After you procure your vehicle, all you have to do from either airport is jump on I-45 and head south!
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Where to Stay In Galveston
Galveston has a wide variety of accommodations, but you will need to reserve early for the best! Here are some options at various price points.
The word “meilleur” translates to “best’ in French, and this apartment hotel lives up to its name. The Meilleur is located on the Strand in historic downtown Galveston.
The Moody Gardens Hotel and Spa puts guests right in the middle of the action! It even boasts an aquarium, replica Egyptian pyramid, and a rainforest!
La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham is on the West End of Galveston. It’s a great place for families to stay! You won’t have to wonder why kids still want a pool when they’re at a beach because this La Quinta has one!
Baymont by Wyndham Galveston is a great place to stay on the West End!
The Inn at the Waterpark in Galveston puts tourists near the beach and near Schlitterbahn waterpark, too!
Vacation rentals are really where visitors want to stay in Galveston. Renting one of the iconic beach houses on stilts is a classical way to to experience the island. Websites like VRBO are full of holiday homes that will make your day and make your stay. Book at least six months in advance for the best locations and deals.
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