South Padre Island Opinions (Austin, New Braunfels: condos, hotels, schools)

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by bluejaye

Austin to SPI takes a little over six hours to drive, depending on traffic.

I agree the SPI is pretty empty compared to some of SoCal beaches, but they say it picks up a lot after memorial day and the whole month of March is a spring break nightmare. Lets not forget that in CA you have some beaches that aren't packed depending on where you go.....like blacks beach.....if you don't mind nude peeps.

I would say the biggest difference about the beach here vs CA is that in CA your having to drive to the beach most likely and fight the traffic find parking and then try to relax, when your on island you don't have to worry about that much.

Picking a beach all depends on where you live, how much money you have for your trip and what activities you want to do. I said anyone can find there "perfect" beach if they try hard enough.

I'm still in debate if I will stay here for another month or go back to Southern CA, if I do stay I can update anyone on the summer crowd situation here.

Im a big fan of water not beaches, but beaches give you access to the water. Sitting on a beach baking in the sun is not my idea of a good time. That being said, I went to s padre island once and the water was really clear. I have been to the beaches in orange county and LA (got married at huntington beach). I would say that california water is not necessary clear. The one thing the california beaches do is they keep them extremely clean. Personally I like the natural beaches which means you may have a ton of seaweed, sticks etc.

When it comes to water though, the pacific coast is freezing cold, where the gulf is toasty warm and that makes all the difference.

[austifornian]

It's about 6 hours or so and it feels like half of that is getting across the King Ranch will give you an idea of what big means in Texas.

[DWong]

Originally Posted by Austin97

Im a big fan of water not beaches, but beaches give you access to the water. Sitting on a beach baking in the sun is not my idea of a good time. That being said, I went to s padre island once and the water was really clear. I have been to the beaches in orange county and LA (got married at huntington beach). I would say that california water is not necessary clear. The one thing the california beaches do is they keep them extremely clean. Personally I like the natural beaches which means you may have a ton of seaweed, sticks etc.

When it comes to water though, the pacific coast is freezing cold, where the gulf is toasty warm and that makes all the difference.

Yes we try to keep them clean, but look at em after a holiday weekend, peoople still leave their trash unfortunately. No the one's by the larger cities isn't very clear. Our middle coastal ones are much better. Oh and yes our seaweed is something that will wrap around your ankles all the time. did I mention we have sea lions about?

[bvn99]

We have a lot of talk here. Can anyone share the pics of SPI? Thanks.

[bluejaye]

Originally Posted by Austin97

Im a big fan of water not beaches, but beaches give you access to the water. Sitting on a beach baking in the sun is not my idea of a good time. That being said, I went to s padre island once and the water was really clear. I have been to the beaches in orange county and LA (got married at huntington beach). I would say that california water is not necessary clear. The one thing the california beaches do is they keep them extremely clean. Personally I like the natural beaches which means you may have a ton of seaweed, sticks etc.

When it comes to water though, the pacific coast is freezing cold, where the gulf is toasty warm and that makes all the difference.

If you beach isn't clean your water probably isn't clean so they go hand in hand. The trash you leave on the beach or pile hire into overflowing garbage cans blows right into the water.

If you are fan of Natural beaches I would say you would like South Padre Island.

[love roses]

I think there are some on the general Texas forum.

[austifornian]

Most beach water quality problems emanate from street runoff. Anything that runs down storm drains ends up in the ocean without much if any filtration. Compare the amount of development around LA, Orange County and San Diego with Padre and it's fairly predictable where you will find the most polluted seawater.

[dblixt]

I think South Padre is kind of overrated. Panama City has it beat and Ft. Lauderdale too especially for Spring break locals

[jimmyjack]

Hoooweeee! Well my beach is better than your beach! Neither one holds a candle to Phuket so what's your point? We're in Texas and someone was askin about a Texas beach.

[jimmyjack]

Originally Posted by AustinTexan

Wow, I never thought I'd say this, but here's a Californian who actually gets it. You probably understand South Padre better than all your wannabee transplants who live here, put together. Good job.

You really ought to try and get out more. For all of your bad mouthin Californians, you seem to forget people like Buck, Wynn and Merle.

Austin music has stronger ties to California than Nashville, you might want to give that a thought before you go shootin your mouth off. There's good people from all over and standing on the same piece of ground your whole life is really not any real source of Texas Pride.

Some of the best times I'll never remember was had out Bakersfield way.