Food scene
Favorite Restaurant is about a 15 minute drive across San Luis Pass bridge located in the Sea Isle subdivision just past Jamaica Beach in the West End of Galveston. Restaurant, convenience store, souvenirs, grocery items, T-Shirts, bathing suits.
110 locals recommend
The West End Marina and Restaurants
21706 Burnet DrFavorite Restaurant is about a 15 minute drive across San Luis Pass bridge located in the Sea Isle subdivision just past Jamaica Beach in the West End of Galveston. Restaurant, convenience store, souvenirs, grocery items, T-Shirts, bathing suits.
Fresh fish market about 16 miles from the property. They have local fresh fish and shrimp from the Gulf as well as spices, fish fry mix and more.
8 locals recommend
Allex's Seafood Market West
13730 Termini-San Luis Pass RdFresh fish market about 16 miles from the property. They have local fresh fish and shrimp from the Gulf as well as spices, fish fry mix and more.
Bit of a drive but worth it!
https://katiesseafood.com/
Long-running market offering a variety of fresh seafood & shellfish, mostly from local waters.
29 miles (45 minute drive)
174 locals recommend
Katie's Seafood Market
1902 Wharf RdBit of a drive but worth it!
https://katiesseafood.com/
Long-running market offering a variety of fresh seafood & shellfish, mostly from local waters.
29 miles (45 minute drive)
Bottomless mimosas at brunch! Great views of the Gulf while you dine. Food is great! 12.5 miles
49 locals recommend
Castaway's Bar & Grill
111 Fort Velasco DrBottomless mimosas at brunch! Great views of the Gulf while you dine. Food is great! 12.5 miles
Dorado's Dive Club
135 Shark Ln13.8 miles
Jetty Shack
412 Parkview Rd14.3 miles
Red Snapper Inn
402 Bluewater Hwy13 miles
Seahorse Bar & Grill
310 Ocean Ave13.2 miles
Rainforest Cafe
5310 Seawall BlvdFun Place for Kids in Galveston
Neighborhoods
• Historic Strand District – The historic heart of the Island, this district is bustling with shops, restaurants and more, housed within buildings that have stood here for more than a century in their exquisite architecture. From here, the central location makes for a quick stroll over to the museums, boat tours and more along the harbor side.
409 locals recommend
Galveston
• Historic Strand District – The historic heart of the Island, this district is bustling with shops, restaurants and more, housed within buildings that have stood here for more than a century in their exquisite architecture. From here, the central location makes for a quick stroll over to the museums, boat tours and more along the harbor side.
At more than 10 miles long and 17 feet high, Galveston’s seawall is the longest continuous sidewalk in the country and the world’s longest mural. Today, the iconic Seawall Boulevard is a happening place for beachgoers and serves as a gorgeous backdrop to a variety of shops, restaurants, attractions and gear rental stores—but this was not always the case. After the Great Storm of 1900 leveled Galveston, its resilient community devoted years of effort to raise the island and build the protective seawall that stands here today. Now, runners, cyclists, skaters and surrey riders decorate the seawall, inviting visitors to join in the fun.
45 locals recommend
Seawall Boulevard
Seawall BoulevardAt more than 10 miles long and 17 feet high, Galveston’s seawall is the longest continuous sidewalk in the country and the world’s longest mural. Today, the iconic Seawall Boulevard is a happening place for beachgoers and serves as a gorgeous backdrop to a variety of shops, restaurants, attractions and gear rental stores—but this was not always the case. After the Great Storm of 1900 leveled Galveston, its resilient community devoted years of effort to raise the island and build the protective seawall that stands here today. Now, runners, cyclists, skaters and surrey riders decorate the seawall, inviting visitors to join in the fun.
Things to do in Surfside Beach just down Blue Water Highway from the Beach House: Fishing, Surfing, Shopping, Renting Fun, Activities, Boating, Birding, Visiting Historical Sites, Shelling.
http://www.surfsidetx.org/page/city.things_todo
93 locals recommend
Surfside Beach
206 Starfish StreetThings to do in Surfside Beach just down Blue Water Highway from the Beach House: Fishing, Surfing, Shopping, Renting Fun, Activities, Boating, Birding, Visiting Historical Sites, Shelling.
http://www.surfsidetx.org/page/city.things_todo
Sightseeing
Check schedules, events, ticket info for activities at www.bcfas.org. Serving the areas of Clute, Freeport, Lake Jackson, Quintana and Surfside Beach . The Center includes:
The Center for the Arts & Sciences
Brazosport Art League
Brazosport Center Stages
Brazosport Museum of Natural Science
Planetarium
Symphony
The Center for the Arts & Sciences
400 College BoulevardCheck schedules, events, ticket info for activities at www.bcfas.org. Serving the areas of Clute, Freeport, Lake Jackson, Quintana and Surfside Beach . The Center includes:
The Center for the Arts & Sciences
Brazosport Art League
Brazosport Center Stages
Brazosport Museum of Natural Science
Planetarium
Symphony
The park features handicapped accessible parking and a walking trail, with beach access for swimming, and is located just outside the Treasure Island community.
Natural habitat for birds such as the scissor-tailed flycatchers and orchard orioles, as well as migrant birds like buntings, tanagers, cuckoos, and warblers. Be sure to visit during the annual Monarch migration in late September and early October.
The park can be accessed via Bluewater Highway, CR 257.
6 locals recommend
Kelly Hamby Nature Trail
12083-12135 Bluewater HwyThe park features handicapped accessible parking and a walking trail, with beach access for swimming, and is located just outside the Treasure Island community.
Natural habitat for birds such as the scissor-tailed flycatchers and orchard orioles, as well as migrant birds like buntings, tanagers, cuckoos, and warblers. Be sure to visit during the annual Monarch migration in late September and early October.
The park can be accessed via Bluewater Highway, CR 257.
Sea Turtle Tours! Thursday by appointment only Call 409-766-3500 to make reservations
National Marine Fisheries Services
4700 Avenue USea Turtle Tours! Thursday by appointment only Call 409-766-3500 to make reservations
Touch, See, Explore at the Visitor Center and Aquariums, Marine Fish Hatchery, Wetland Walkway and other activities. Admission is !FREE!, donations are appreciated.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishing/sea-center-texas/
35 locals recommend
Sea Center Texas
302 Medical DrTouch, See, Explore at the Visitor Center and Aquariums, Marine Fish Hatchery, Wetland Walkway and other activities. Admission is !FREE!, donations are appreciated.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishing/sea-center-texas/
The Public Beach
11 miles of free public beach access within walking distance of the beach house. Handicap accessible, Day Use, Fishing, Pic Nic, Swimming. Access roads 1-5, East of Surfside Village, Freeport
Follett's Island Beach
11 miles of free public beach access within walking distance of the beach house. Handicap accessible, Day Use, Fishing, Pic Nic, Swimming. Access roads 1-5, East of Surfside Village, Freeport
Local Shopping
Easy access shopping for the area
Quaint beach clothing store in Surfside Beach, Texas. Souvenirs, T-shirt a few sundries and essentials. 1306 Bluewater Hwy.
14 locals recommend
Surfside Loco
1306 Bluewater HwyQuaint beach clothing store in Surfside Beach, Texas. Souvenirs, T-shirt a few sundries and essentials. 1306 Bluewater Hwy.
Did you forget ice or batteries? Perrys is one of the closest markets offering a small variety of household needs. They usually carry some essential grocery items as well. The prices are a bit like a convenience store but can really help you out in a pinch!
8 locals recommend
Perrys Food Store
Bluewater HighwayDid you forget ice or batteries? Perrys is one of the closest markets offering a small variety of household needs. They usually carry some essential grocery items as well. The prices are a bit like a convenience store but can really help you out in a pinch!
Surfside Food Mart
111 Fort Velasco DrBest place to stock up on your groceries on your way to the beach house. Situated on your route from Highway 288 before you reach the 332 exit towards Freeport. Add this address as a stop on your GPS: H-E-B 97 Oyster Creek Dr, Lake Jackson, TX 77566. Other options such as Wal Mart etc can be googled.
21 locals recommend
H-E-B
97 Oyster Creek DrBest place to stock up on your groceries on your way to the beach house. Situated on your route from Highway 288 before you reach the 332 exit towards Freeport. Add this address as a stop on your GPS: H-E-B 97 Oyster Creek Dr, Lake Jackson, TX 77566. Other options such as Wal Mart etc can be googled.
Traveler advice
Getting around
San Luis Pass Toll Bridge
Don't forget to bring cash for the toll if you will be taking a day trip to Galveston. The "San Luis Pass-Vacek Toll Bridge" can be seen in the distance from the balcony of the beach house and is operated by Galveston County. It is $2 (cash only) both ways.
Book before you go
Beach Rentals
Brazosport Golf Carts serving Treasure Island. Delivers and picks up after your check out. contact jack@brazosportgolfcarts.com 979-299-8422
Customs and culture
Rescue numbers for Injured or sick wildlife on the beach
Sea Turtles-Call 1-866-TURTLE-5
Dolphins-Call 1-800-9-Mammal
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and its implementing regulations at
50 CFR 216 prohibits harassing, feeding and attempting to feed marine mammals
in the wild.
• Violations can be prosecuted either civilly or criminally and are punishable by up
to $100,000 in fines and up to one year in jail per violation.
Don't miss
Add a stop on your way to the beach house for grocery stock
Best place to stock up on your groceries on your way to the beach house. Situated on your route from Highway 288 before you reach the 332 exit towards Freeport. Add this address as a stop on your GPS: H-E-B 97 Oyster Creek Dr, Lake Jackson, TX 77566. Other options such as Wal Mart etc can be googled.
Getting around
How to get to Coastal Encounter Beach house from Houston
Take Highway 288 South (toward Freeport and Lake Jackson) from either downtown Houston, 610 South, or Beltway 8. Stay on 288 all the way through Lake Jackson. On the south edge of Lake Jackson you will see signs announcing the Angleton and Surfside exit. Take 332 East for 36 miles to exit 257 Blue Water Hwy.
Getting around
How to get to Coastal Encounter from Austin or San Antonio
From Austin, take either 71 South (to Interstate 10), or 290 East to Houston. From San Antonio, take Interstate 10 East to Houston. On the west side of Houston you will see signs announcing the Sam Houston Toll Road (known also as Beltway 8). Take Beltway 8 to the south. Stay on the Beltway until the 2nd tollbooth if you came in on I-10, or until the 3rd tollbooth if you came in on 290. One half mile past this tollbooth, turn right on 288 South and follow 13 miles to exit 332 East 36 miles to exit 257 Blue Water Hwy
Getting around
How to get to Coastal Encounter from Dallas
Interstate 45 South to Houston.
1. normal traffic times Stay on 45 over downtown Houston. As you approach the south edge of downtown Houston take Highway 288 South exit. Once on 288, follow directions to exit 332 (36 miles) and then exit 257 Blue Water Hwy.
2. Heavy morning/evening traffic North of Houston (near Intercontinental Airport) take Beltway 8 West (Sam Houston Toll Road). Stay on it until the 4th toll booth. Take the 288 South exit that is one half mile past this 4th toll booth. Once on 288, follow directions to exit 332 (36 miles) and then exit 257 Blue Water Hwy