Located across the Galveston Bay east of Houston and north of Galveston, Crystal Beach Texas is a seaside beach resort community on the Bolivar Peninsula. As with nearby Surfside Beach, Crystal Beach is a popular Houston-area Texas vacation spot offering plenty in the way of fun in the sun, relaxation and recreation. Summers at Crystal Beach Texas are ideal for fishing, shelling, crabbing and long, lazy days on the beach. Shelling is also popular in the spring, which is also the perfect season for birdwatching. Winter months see a significant price decrease in Crystal Beach Texas rentals, and while swimming in the Gulf may be out, strolls along the beach can be followed by nights exploring the local dining and nightlife options. Crystal Beach Texas is home to approximately 2,000 year round residents, and together with surrounding towns, visitors will find all the vacation amenities they need. Family-oriented, this unique beach resort community makes the perfect setting for your next Texas vacation.
Part of what makes Crystal Beach Galveston so unique is that visitors primarily arrive there by ferry and it is has one of the last beaches in the country where you are permitted to drive on the sand. To get to Crystal Beach driving from Houston, head southeast to Galveston along Interstate 45. Once in Galveston, pull your vehicle onto the free ferry for a 13-minute trip to Bolivar Peninsula. Once across, you follow along Highway 87 for the short drive to Crystal Beach. You can generally expect to find a Galveston-Bolivar Ferry departing every 10-20 minutes, weather permitting. The fleet of 5 boats can handle around 70 vehicles, including 18-wheel trucks.
The Bolivar Peninsula is named for the 19th century liberator of northern South America, Simón Bolivar. Among its most notable landmarks is the Bolivar Lighthouse, which was constructed in 1872 by the federal government. It is a picturesque structure that stands 117 feet above sea level and it is an easy find on the western perimeter of the peninsula. Found along Highway 87, are some of the fun water slide parks that provide plenty of refreshing thrills for families on warmer days. Of course, the beaches found at Crystal Beach Texas are the most popular place to seek the water when it is hot out. The Bolivar Peninsula features 27 miles of mostly undeveloped sandy beaches, of which you can drive on. The Gulf of Mexico waters are usually quite tame, with a soft surf that is ideal for surf fishing or playing with the kids. While generally not as wide as the beaches along Padre Island, the peninsula’s beaches are comfortably wider than those found in Galveston City. In the summer, the beaches are alive with vacationing families, while in the fall and winter you may find you have vast stretches to yourself. If you are a die-hard golfer and want to fit some Texas golf into your Crystal Beach vacation, you can find time to squeeze a round or more in at any number of nearby Houston area golf courses.
While Crystal Beach Texas features plenty of tasty dining options, you can cook up your catch of the day or your grocery store nabbings in your own kitchen while staying at one of the Crystal Beach Texas rentals. With both luxury and more affordable options, Crystal Beach Texas rentals offer retreats where you can enjoy the added space, privacy and flexibility that comes with staying in one of these homes. Crystal Beach Texas rentals offer the perfect alternative to the area hotels and motels, often for comparable prices. Many of the beachfront rental homes feature surrounding ocean views and are perfect for Texas romantic getaways or family holidays. These homes are fully equipped with entertainment options and comfortable furnishings that will make your stay in Crystal Beach Texas all the more enjoyable. You can find Crystal Beach Texas rentals online, where you can peruse the various amenities and rates to find the ideal home for your vacation. If camping is what you have in mind while visiting Crystal Beach, you will find RV hookups and campsites at both the Crystal Canal RV Resort and the Bolivar Peninsula RV Park.
