Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BEACH GUIDE
SPI is beaches, but there is great variety along the 34 miles of bright white, hard-packed Gulf sand. You can enjoy
the company of a few thousand of your best friends you haven't met yet, go for a drive, get lost in the dunes or
shed virtually everything far from another soul.
SPI's spine, Padre Blvd, extends 12 miles from the south to a point where the pavement literally ends. Within
the city limits, roughly the area south of the SPI Convention Center, there are 23 free beach access points between
the condos, motels and houses that line the sand. These have very limited parking and seldom have toilets.
North of here it gets increasingly undeveloped and there are several access points where you can drive your
vehicle out onto the sand, sometimes for a fee. On summer weekends, many of these areas are tailgating para-
dises.
Need an umbrella to shade from the energetic sun and some beach loungers to rest your weary bones? Most
beach access points have vendors that will rent you gear. Among the largest is
Beach Service
( 956-761-5622;
www.padrebeachservice.com
; rentals from $25;
Mar-Nov) with 20 locations. You can reserve in advance (vi-
tal on busy weekends) or have your gear delivered.
From south to north, here are some SPI beach highlights:
Isla Blanca County Park
( 956-761-5494; 1/2 Park Rd 100; per vehicle $5) Just south of the causeway, this
county park is the most popular beach on SPI thanks to various concessions and facilities.
Andy Bowie County Park
(Beach Access #2; 956-761-2639; per car $5; dawn-dusk) Across from South
Padre Island Convention Center, this pleasant beach park is now surrounded by condo developments. It has a
shaded picnic building with views, real toilets and is 5.5 miles north of Isla Blanca.
Edwin King Atwood County Park
(Beach Access #5; per car $5; dawn-dusk) Two miles north of Bowie,
Atwood sports towering sand dunes backing the beach. This is a beautiful, unspoiled area where sand often ob-
scures Padre Blvd; however, real estate agent signs suggest a different future.
North End
Padre Blvd ends 12 miles north of Isla Blanca. North of here there's 20 miles of nothing but sand and
dunes all the way to Port Mansfield Pass. Nude sunbathers, anglers, bird-watchers and other outdoorsy types can
find a sandy acre to call their own; vehicles can drive on the beach.
Eating
The waterfront is predictably lined with popular seafood joints and bars with decks over-
looking the water. But go a few blocks inland for some of the best eats in the area.
Manuel's Restaurant
( 956-943-1655; 313 Maxan St; mains from $6; 7am-2pm Mon-Sat)
That steady 'patting' sound you
hear comes from the ladies in the back room making flour tortillas. Everything is dead-
simple here, including the decor, but the classic Mexican fare is excellent. Get a side of
avocado with anything you order, including the huevos rancheros at breakfast.
MEXICAN
$
Joe's Oyster Bar Restaurant
SEAFOOD
$$
