Travel Guide
Move Over Florida! Discover This Cheap Texas Beach Town Hyped As A Top Spring Getaway
Mar
Texas ain’t just honky-tonk bars, rippin’ rodeos, and oversized trucks…
Since Florida is always the South’s most sought-after beach destination, even a state as massive as Texas gets overlooked for some of the most scenic beaches this side of America.
Whether it be the ‘Cancun of Texas‘, underrated Corpus Christi, or one idyllic beach town being hyped as a top spring destination this year, there’s more than meets the eye than Texas’ rootin’ tootin’ cowboy reputation despite Fort Worth being the South’s trendiest city.
While there are certainly some hidden gems in Florida to avoid the crowds, this almost unheard-of town is your best bet for a blissful escape with sunny shores and no inflated spring break prices.
Considered one of Texans’ favorite hideaways, lesser-known Crystal Beach has cracked the ranks of HomeToGo’s top beach destinations and the number one beach town in Texas.
Let Florida Be Florida: Give This Texas Gem A Chance
Florida beachgoers are up for a wild time up, down, and all around the oddly-shaped state’s coastlines this time of year, whether it be the rowdy college crowd ready to let loose, screaming kids giving their parents headaches, or Florida’s retirees attempting to redefine ‘beach bod’.
Plus, Florida has become so popular multiple cities, such as Miami, have enforced stringent rules for vacationers.
Texas on the other hand, has long taken freedom seriously. Yes, there are rules, but Crystal Beach is one of the most liberating beaches in the South.
Parking isn’t a worry as you can drive on the sand and even bring Fido along, but just make sure he doesn’t contribute to the ecosystem if you catch my drift.
While Crystal Beach doesn’t boast Caribbean-like waters like Florida, they’re clear enough to enjoy a relaxing swim, various water sports, and beach activities like nighttime campfires under starry skies, shelling, kayaking, and too-many-to-name fishing excursions.
Why The Newfound Hype For Crystal Beach?
Overtourism concerns are worldwide at this point, which means travelers have taken the opportunity to lift the veil on gatekeepers’ secret getaways.
And given that “spring break” is a multi-faceted travel experience, it’s safe to say more people are looking for a sense of authenticity rather than overrated attractions we’ve all seen before and the unavoidable crowds of the most popular beaches.
That’s where Crystal Beach comes into play. One thing you’ll immediately notice is the openness of the shorelines versus towering condos and unsightly commercialized settings of more noteable getaways.
Plus, it’s very affordable in comparison to some of the most jam-packed beach destinations right now.
HomeToGo’s 2025 Beach Index gives Crystal Beach a 9.52 score out 10 for affordability. For sample size, Crystal Palace Resort is in the low $100s throughout spring and there are numerous vacation rentals mirroring those rates as well.
Another selling point for Crystal Beach is the consistently warm weather, joining the affordability category, ranking in the 9’s for ‘clear skies’ and ‘heat’.
Nobody likes a cold beach!
The Ultimate Road Trip Destination
The all-American road trip has made a comeback in the past year or so. Well, unless you’re a Californian like me, where my Jeep sets me back $5 per gallon.
But when it comes to Texas, some fuel stations are almost as popular at church on Sundays, whether it be Rudy’s breakfast tacos or the beaver-branded world you never knew you needed at Buc-ee’s.
While you can easily reach Crystal Beach from Houston being about an hour away, true road trippers will love Camp Margaritaville Resort Crystal Beach.
This RV resort surging in popularity with all the necessary hookups needed plus posh amenities such as a resort-style pool with swim-up bars, a tiki bar with live music, poolside cabanas, and on-site restaurant for a cheesburger in paradise.
Circling back to the beach, Crystal Beach’s own tourism board actually encourages beach rides over long strolls, stating, ‘Vehicles are allowed to drive on, park and enjoy all 27 miles of coastal waters‘.
Plus, visiting neighboring Galveston is a lot of fun too. While it’s often clowned on as a dirty beach town, there’s plenty to see and do, but Crystal Beach is by far the prettier location.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
