South Padre Island or Destin, FL? For a family trip. (Houston: rental, condos)

[Maddie800]

We recently moved to Houston and want to plan a short trip in driving distance from Houston. We are looking for somewhere on the beach we , kid friendly with activities close by and we are taking our dog - so pet friendly. I've heard great things about Destin and South Padre Island. The beach doesn't have to be perfect but much much clearer than Galveston!

If anyone has been to either can you please weigh in with your opinion. Thanks much

[ethanw]

I've been in both locations.
As much as I want to keep the money in Texas I would say Destin all the way. Don't look south unless you ready to fly to Mexico.
One thing to keep in mind. Destin is very expensive unlike South Padre, if that makes a difference.
A beach house in Destin is around 3K-4K a week if that's how you roll. Hotels of course are much cheaper
South Padre, much affordable, hotels and private beach houses

[texas7]

S. Padre will be a little bit closer but as far as beautiful beaches go - Destin hands down. If I were looking for a shorter drive, I would do Gulf Shores, AL - closer than Destin by a couple of hours and great beaches as well. S. Padre is much clearer than Galveston but not the clear emerald green water or sugary white sands of Gulf Shores, AL or Destin, FL. Gulf Shores is a bit more affordable than Destin and very family friendly as well.

You can get a condo in Destin much cheaper than $3-$4K. I can usually find one to rent on the beach every year for about $12--1500 for a week. For $3-4K - you can get a beach house to sleep 10-12 people (4 bedrooms and sofa sleepers).

[laniec]

I agree. Destin would be more expensive and a little longer drive but it's much prettier than South Padre. Alabama is a good option too.

[David Dollar]

Destin all the way. Heck, even Pensacola.

[Maddie800]

Looks like Destin it is! Thanks everyone!

[trbstang]

Certainly Destin. We went last year, and really want to go again. We stayed in the Sandestin resort area, really nice with all kinds of properties; highrise beachfront condos, bayfront condos, regular hotels, homes and townhomes for rent. Our Marriott, which is on the edge of the resort but a member hotel, was under $200 a night and included the resort amenities and access to the private beach area. We had a fun, full 4 days there and will certainly go back, if not this year, soon.
We stayed in Mobile, AL the night before and after our days at Destin, saving us over $200 on hotels, but we still spent 4 days in Destin.

Oh, and if you do check Sandestin out, some places add the resort charge to the advertised price - up to 20% or so. Something to ask about.

[kreeyax]

We rented a small, private home on Pensacola beach last summer for around $900/week. Probably not as much to do at P-beach as Destin, but we mostly wanted to relax and lay on the sand. The water was great there, and the beach was not very crowded at all. I recommend using VRBO.com to look for rental houses.

[tstone]

I took this trip this time last year, and on the strip of beaches from Orange Beach AL to Destin FL, the gulf water & sand looked the same (white & green-blue). The difference was immediately behind the beaches in AL is piney woods and muddy creeks, while FL has bigger sand dunes. Destin is more trendy and a whole lot busier with traffic, with the lack of traffic lights on the main road. More do there, hard to relax in FL, easy to relax in AL. Overall, I actually found FL to be slightly cheaper than AL.

I've never been to South Padre but I've seen pictures (and travel advisories) and have no desire to go. If you're considering Corpus/Padre, may as well make a day trip to Galveston for activities, and for beach go all the way to the eastern tip of the island.

[oceangaia]

I go to the Florida panhandle about 3 or 4 times a year. In fact, I'm leaving tonight for a 4 day trip.

Everything said so far is spot about the water clarity and beach quality. I think Destin compares favorably with South Padre on price. SPI hotels and condos are very proud and I've always been able to beat them in Destin. One place I use on VRBO is Sandpiper Cove where you can get a 2BR condo under $200/nt. Also you can get a few miles off the beach like in Ft Walton or Niceville and get a cheap hotel under $100. In Pensacola you can find places for $70 along I-10 and only be 15 minutes to the beach. You have to go all the way to Brownsville to do that in SPI.

Pcola beach is great, in fact it is much more concentrated so if you stay near Casino Beach and the pier you will be in the middle of dozens of restaurants and shops and it is a very walkable area. The public beach facilities are MUCH better than anything at Destin.