7 Easy Beach Escapes Near Houston—All Under a 2-Hour Drive

As Texas’s largest city, Houston is a multicultural melting pot known for its iconic rap scene, big-boy oil companies, and as the hub for space exploration. Its location near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico also makes it an easy launchpad for beach days, as numerous beaches and small beach towns are within a one to two-hour drive from H-Town. Whether you’re looking for a quick after-work escape or a long weekend, there are plenty of beaches near Houston that are great for families, solo travelers looking to get away, or couples wanting great restaurants and amenities nearby. Here are my favorite beaches near Houston for your next day in the sand.

About 25 miles from downtown Houston, Sylvan Beach Park is the closest beach to the city, giving city dwellers an easy escape away from skyscrapers and the daily grind. Technically in La Porte, Texas, Sylvan Beach Park consists of 32 acres with white sand beaches, no seaweed, and smaller waves meant for swimming. Families love Sylvan Beach for its playground, skate park, tennis courts, and picnic tables, and the air-conditioned pavilion is a perk in sweltering summer months. Fish for trout, flounder, and drum from the fishing pier on site, or launch your boat from the boat ramp for access into Galveston Bay.

For those looking for an active escape, Galveston Island State Park is the ticket. Its location between West Bay and the Gulf of Mexico means you’re surrounded by water from both sides, giving you plenty of beach access for swimming, fishing, and paddling. Birding is big here, as more than 300 bird species have been seen in the park during spring and fall migrations.

Mountain bike or hike through four miles of varied trails throughout the park and stop at boardwalks and bird blinds for optimal photo ops. Paddlers can launch their canoes and kayaks here and explore the paddling trails, and campers can stay on the beach or bay side of the park or rent one of the two lodges. A fish cleaning station is available for your catch, and beach wheelchairs are available upon request.

In Seabrook, about an hour and 15 minutes away on Galveston Bay is El Jardín Beach, a small beach with swimming, fishing, and picnic tables. Many come here to escape the hustle of the nearby city, taking to the shores for beachcombing or launching a kayak in the surf. It’s worth noting that there is an admission fee ($10 for adults and $5 for kids) for non-residents, which helps keep the beach clean, and the small parking lots can get full quickly on busy weekends. However, it’s still a great escape from Houston, and oftentimes provides solitude and a clean, swimmable beach.

About an hour south of downtown Houston is Surfside Beach, a beloved Texas beach town that’s a quieter alternative to nearby Galveston. A big perk of Surfside Beach? You can get there from Houston by driving down State Highway 288 rather than I-45—arguably one of the most stressful highways in the state. Of course, surfing is great in Surfside, as the four miles of shoreline produce some of the best surf on the upper Texas coast. Deep water allows swells to pass without losing wave size from the drag of shallow water, and the best surfing is usually found a half mile or so north of the jetty, near Texas Street.

You can also kayak, jet ski, or visit the Bird and Butterfly Trail next to the jetty, as Surfside Beach is along the migratory path for hundreds of bird species. The surf’s deep waters are also great for fishing, where trophy trout and redfish are often caught.

Across from the jetty in Surfside Beach is Quintana Beach in Quintana, Texas. Here, 6 miles of sandy beach have vehicle access and parking, giving beach lovers a quieter place to read a book or soak in the sun. Quintana Beach County Park has cabins, restrooms, showers, RV sites, a playground, and a boardwalk that leads to the beach, plus shade palapas that are first-come, first-served.

There’s also hiking trails and a lighted fishing pier for those who want to cast a line in the dark. It’s worth noting that you might find seaweed and driftwood on this beach, but if excess is built up, it will be raked away. Nearby find the Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary, a protected paradise for colorful birds that stop by Quintana during migration, including indigo buntings, hooded warblers, and more.

Thrill seekers head to Pleasure Pier in Galveston for plenty of fun after a day at Galveston Beach. Here, the beach along the Seawall offers plenty of sand and surf for families wanting to build sandcastles and spend some time in the waves. Afterwards, head to the Pier for numerous amusement rides over the water. Big kids can enjoy rollercoasters and high-flying swings, while younger kids love carousels, bumper cars, and spinning teacups. There’s also midway games and a 5D theater. Numerous waterfront restaurants are open all day long, and there’s plenty of shopping for souvenirs, candy, and tchotchkes.

Although it’s the farthest away beach on this list, we’re including Matagorda Beach for numerous reasons. It’s about two hours southwest of Houston, but if you’re flying into Houston, we think it’s one of the top beaches in the area, and it’s away from the crowds of Galveston. Here, on Matagorda Beach in Matagorda, Texas, life slows down as locals watch the waves roll in from Matagorda Bay. You’ll find Matagorda Beach where the Colorado River pours into the Gulf of Mexico, and here, there’s wide-open spaces for 58 miles.

Set up a lounge chair and roam the shores for seashells, as Matagorda is one of the best spots in the state for beachcombing. Or take a kayak down the Colorado River and watch for dolphins, as they swim in these brackish waters near the Gulf. Matagorda Bay Nature Park offers guests RV sites and beach bungalows, plus access to almost 1,500 acres or protected land and the park’s wetlands for birding, kayaking, hiking, and more. Fishing is popular here too, and you’ll see anglers daily casting a line from the shore or heading out into the Gulf to catch shrimp, blue marlin, tuna, and more.