Houston is a great place to live and work, and people also love to visit the city. The town is surrounded by miles and miles of beautiful beaches that are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing on the sand. While there aren’t precisely beaches in Houston, Texas, you can conveniently get to beautiful sandy shores nearby.
When the weather gets warm, many Houstonians like to escape the city in search of the perfect beach. No matter your taste, you can find the ideal spot for your next family vacation or romantic getaway.
So, take advantage of the beautiful sandy beaches by visiting one of the top beaches near Houston, TX.
- QUICK OVERVIEW
- Most Popular Beach In Houston: East Beach
- Top Rated Hotel In DownTown Houston: Cambria Hotel Houston
- Hostel In Houston: Wanderstay Houston
- Best Thing To Do In Houston: Explore The Houston Space Center
Most Famous Houston Beach
Houston is one of the most popular destinations in Texas, and it’s got plenty of beaches to go around. This is one of the most famous beaches in the area.
East Beach – Galveston Island
East Beach is at the top of famous beaches near Houston, Texas. It is the largest beach in Texas and is one of the only beaches in its area that allows alcohol.
You will enjoy this beach if you love beach volleyball tournaments and sandcastle competitions. East Beach is a popular option for visitors and tourists with its wide range of activities. You can swim, tan, or hire Jet Skis or parasails over the clear lake.
East Beach also has good facilities; you can access rental options for cabanas, beach chairs, and umbrellas. There is a playground and a covered pavilion that is great for families.
Food, restrooms, and showers are also available at East Beach’s 80-acre R.A. Apffel Park. You can use any of the multiple park entrances for a day-use fee. Like many beaches in Houston, TX, you can go hiking around the area.
In addition, the east end of Galveston is home to some of the most popular beaches in Houston, Texas. With several concerts and festivals held in the summer, it is no surprise people love this location.
There are many hotels and lodges around Galveston. Check out Moody Gardens Hotel for an accommodation with great facilities, room service, and friendly staff.
Best Beaches Near Houston, TX for Families
When it comes to vacations, Houston is an excellent destination for families. The city is filled with fun activities, and a new festival or event is always happening. But the fun doesn’t stop there. Here are some of the best family-friendly beaches near Houston, Texas.
Stewart Beach – Galveston
Stewart Beach is one of the safest beaches in Houston for kids. Families seeking a beach getaway love this location; we’re sure you and your kids will love it too.
Because of its lifeguard coverage and calm waters, Stewart Beach is a good place to relax. Additionally, it has many amenities like concessions, showers, chairs, and umbrella rentals. There is also a kid’s playground for family-friendly activities.
Stewart Beach is at the junction of famed Broadway Avenue and the Seawall. Many consider it one of the beaches in Houston, Texas to visit. You can also find wheelchair rentals, a gift shop, and more at the beach park.
Best Western Plus is a perfect location with exotic rooms, a 24/7 front desk to attend to your needs. Best of all, it’s right next to the beach.
Sylvan Beach Park – Harris County
If you’d like to escape all the hubbub going on in the city, then you’ll definitely like Sylvan Beach Park. Its cooling ocean breeze and pleasant surroundings make it famous among other beaches in Houston, TX.
This 32-acre park is the ideal location for you and your family. It has excellent sand, no seaweed covering the beach, and lower waves for better swimming. The kids are safer here for a dip in the water.
In addition to a playground, Sylvan Beach Park has a boat ramp, a fishing pier, seats, and picnic tables. You can spend the day picnicking with the whole family and the afternoon fishing for only a few dollars.
Wondering which Houston beaches are fantastic for events, gatherings, or meetings? Sylvan Beach Park is one of the best. Plus, you don’t want to miss the annual Sylvan Beach Festival Crawfish Jam held in the spring.
If you are planning to stay around, you can get reasonably priced food, drinks, and comfort at Cambria Hotel Houston.
Surfside Beach – Brazoria County
Surfside Beach is located on Follet’s Island along the Gulf of Mexico in Brazoria County. Although it is well known among Houstonians, it is still one of the most laid-back beaches in Houston, Texas, especially during the off-season.
This beach boasts miles of unspoiled shoreline along with neighboring coastal marshes and bays for exploration and is home to marine life.
It is also the nearest beach to Houston, with options for bird viewing and shell collection. There are boat ramps, a biking route, and offshore fishing charters in addition to the famous Surfside Jetty County Park.
You can enjoy the beautiful scenery at Lake Jackson Inn & Suites even before you get to the beach. This hotel puts in the effort to make sure you have a comfortable and relaxing stay.
Crystal Beach – Bolivar Peninsula
Crystal Beach is ideal for families that enjoy the outdoors and wildlife. Its white sand and pristine waters make for a beautiful experience.
One unique feature differentiating it from other beaches in Houston is that you can park on the beach. You can always camp on the beach and set up the barbecue grill, too.
If your family loves the outdoors and wildlife, then Crystal Beach is your place. It has facilities for sunbathing, boogie boarding, or fishing. The kids can spend time building sandcastles or collecting seashells on one of the most beautiful beaches in Houston, Texas.
At the southern tip of the peninsula, you will find the Point Bolivar Lighthouse. It is an excellent backdrop for family photos. The environment is beautiful for hikes, especially after sunset, and the beach is pet-friendly.
If you want to visit Crystal Beach and catch other lovely sights along the way, check out Best Western Plus in Baytown. There aren’t too many luxury hotels in Bolivar Peninsula.
Top Dog-friendly Beaches In Houston, Texas
Houston is a big city, and it’s not always easy to find a place to take your dog for a walk. Here are the dog-friendly beaches in and ear Houston where you can enjoy the sand, surf, and sun with your furry friend.
Bryan Beach – Freeport
With three miles of pristine coastline, Bryan Beach is the ideal location for you and your pet. Many visitors consider it among the top beaches in Houston, TX, for dogs, and rightfully so.
However, all dogs must be leashed, although the beach doesn’t specify how long the leash must be. Travelers appreciate the open atmosphere of one of the most relaxed Houston beaches. Your dog can enjoy playing or taking a dip in the water.
Bryan Beach also has camping, fishing, and birding facilities along its golden shoreline. You can always bring your pet along if you clean up the garbage and keep the noise down.
Texas A&M Hotel is one of the popular suites you can find near Bryan Beach. Excellent location. Great for kids and pets.
Seawall Urban Park Beach – Galveston
This beach is well-known by Houstonians and beyond. It is ideal for spending time and having fun with your leashed dog. The sandy beach and calm waves make it perfect for a day out under the sun.
After a day of strolling your dog, you can rest and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere or browse surrounding stores. The urban park’s ten-mile stretch and long walkways are famous around beaches in Houston and the entire United States.
With one of the longest walkways around the area, you can go walking, bicycling, or people-watching. The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier amusement park, located at Seawall and 25th Street, is another famous sight to catch.
There are many other hotels in the Galveston area, you can check out The San Luis Resort. Its advantageous location offers a fantastic view and the resort is pet-friendly.
Upper Horsepen Creek Park – Houston
Horsepen Creek may not be among the most extensive beaches in Houston, TX. Still, it’s a good option for your furry buddy.
Although road riding, birding, and fishing are popular activities along this trail, you can still find some peace and quiet. The route is lovely to explore anytime and is open all year. Dogs are permitted, but they must always be on a leash.
Additionally, this location is the nearest dog-friendly beach to Houston. You will find a sizable dog park with lots of space at Goforth Park. This stroll is pleasant on both paved and unpaved grass. You can always walk along the banks of Horsepen Creek if you want something unpaved.
If you plan to stay in Houston for a while, Club Quarters Hotel is known to be great value for money, while providing the comfort you and your pet need.
Bill Archer Dog Park – Houston
Bill Archer Dog Park is certainly worth mentioning. This park spans 17 acres and is the biggest park in the city. There is enough space for off-leash play and a variety of amenities for you and your pets to have a wonderful time.
Unlike other beaches in Houston, Bill Archer Park doesn’t have sandy shores. But there is an excellent pond for your dog to splash around. There are two distinct zones at the Bill Archer Dog Park for big and little dogs. The big dog part’s 14 acres, and the little dog part’s 3 acres.
Both parks have agility courses, bone-shaped ponds, and strolling paths and are entirely enclosed and double gated. You should check this location out if you’re looking for dog beaches in Houston, Texas.
You can’t run out of luxurious hotels to stay in Houston. SpringHill Suites is a popular option offering luxury and comfort for you and your pet.
Most Beautiful Houston Beaches
The coastal areas of Texas aren’t just suitable for fishing and barbecue. They’re also home to some of the best beaches in the country. Here are some of the most beautiful Houston beaches.
El Jardin Beach – Seabrook
El Jardin Beach is a favorite destination for locals to take their families for seaside picnics. Even though locals love it, El Hardin is one of the Houston beaches that attracts few tourists.
Despite being a small beach, it is abundant in plant and marine life. Additionally, it has electric outlets, picnic tables, BBQ pits, park benches, and everything to keep you relaxed and enjoy scenic views. No wonder it’s one of the best beaches in Houston, TX.
Dogs are permitted on the beach but must always be on a leash. Everything about this beach is excellent. However, there isn’t much parking space, so make sure you go early.
If you want to stay over, Boardwalk Inn offers ozy and chic accommodation at a great price.
Galveston Island State Park – Galveston
Galveston State Park is not only beautiful, but it is the nearest beach to Houston with some of the best variety of activities. There is something interesting for every beach lover and nature enthusiast.
You can go fishing, surfing, kayaking, or paddling when you are not swimming. The state park also has facilities for hiking, bird watching, and nature walks or sightseeing. You can also explore Galveston Bay or the Gulf of Mexico from this location.
Additionally, it has restrooms, showers, and picnic tables. Rentable RVs, tents, and rental cabins are also available.
Galveston Island State Park is one of the most extensive beaches in Houston, TX. The State Park covers up to 2,000 acres and features beautiful landscapes, including wetlands and estuaries.
Check out The San Luis Resort Spa or Best Western Plus if you are looking for some luxury and comfort.
Jamaica Beach – Galveston
Jamaica Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Houston, Texas. It has sandy beachfront, pristine waters, and beautiful views from every corner. But these features aren’t even what makes the beach popular.
When it comes to vacation rentals, Jamaica Beach is one of the most sought-after areas. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in activity during the summer, holidays, and event weekends. This is one of the best beaches in Houston for a reason.
The City Park and the Jamaica Beach Swimming Pool are next to each other on Jolly Roger Road. Many events are held on the beach all year round, including fundraisers, the annual Easter egg hunt, and Mardi Gras parades.
Everyone who’s been to has something nice to say about Holiday Inn Club. It has a great view and is close to the beach.
Other Famous Beaches in Houston
Porretto Beach – Galveston
Galveston’s Porretto Beach is a private beach well-known among other beaches near Houston, for its welcoming atmosphere and family-friendliness. Picnicking, sandcastle-building, canoeing, and paddleboarding are popular activities here.
The shallow, pure waters make swimming here both safe and fun. The seawall is also a great place to take a stroll. Pets are allowed on the beach, but they must be on a leash.
Public bathrooms, chairs, and umbrella rentals are available, just like other beaches in Houston. Its most notable events are music festivals and Sand Castle competitions.
Four Seasons on the Gulf has an excellent location, especially for those who’d like easy access to the beach and beautiful views.
The Texas City Dike – Texas City
With a length of 5.3 miles into Galveston Bay, the Texas City Dike is the longest artificial fishing pier in the world. It has the best boat launches and fishing locations on the Texas gulf coast.
Due to its accessibility and fantastic amenities, including Dike Beach, bathrooms, fish cleaning stations, picnic shelters, and more, it is one of the most well-liked beaches near Houston.
Bird viewing, Jet Skiing, swimming, and cycling are additional sports that you may enjoy here.
Home2 Suites by Hilton in Texas City has everything you could need while vacationing. You can also bring your pet along.
Quintana Beach County Park – Brazoria County
Quintana Park is a 52-acre coastal park with day-use amenities situated on the upper Texas Gulf Coast.
The impact of the weather around Quintana beach is more potent than on other beaches in Houston. You can go bird watching, fishing, swimming, surfing, beachcombing, and shell hunting here.
The park has covered pavilions, picnic tables, grills, a playground, a volleyball court, hiking trails, a pedestrian beach, and many other facilities, unlike other beaches in Houston.
The ruins of the Freeport Harbor Defense and the former location of Fort Bates are two historic locations nearby that history buffs can explore.
If you plan to stay around Brazoria County, consider Courtyard by Marriott. Convenient location with friendly staff. It might just be what you need.
MORE BEACHES IN USA |
Enjoying the Best Beaches In Houston, Texas
There are many things that Texas is famous for, and the state has a lot of great things to offer. One of them is the beautiful beaches in/near Houston. Most of them are just a short drive away from the city.
Beaches are one of the best ways to get away from it all. Grab a cold sweet tea with some famous foods in Houston and enjoy the coast. The sights, sounds, and smells evoke a sense of peace and are the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Many beaches in Houston, Texas are ideal for people of all ages. If you love the Texas sun, you’ll probably want to check out one or more of these beaches.
