Bryan+Quintana+Surfside Beaches in Freeport TX

On this Easter Sunday 2012, we made our way out to Freeport Texas to explore some beach options. We came upon BRYAN, QUINTANA, and SURFSIDE BEACHES. I remember growing up in Houston we would visit the typical Galveston Beaches but as the years passed I have grown dissapointed with my trips out there. I was very pleasantly surprised with my trip to the other coasts today and would like to share my findings. It was almost like a little flash back in time to my best childhood memories... (and FREE!)...

First, if you're coming from Houston Downtown, it will take you a little over 1 hour to get there. Take 288 South until it hits the water! Sound's too easy but it's true. The only tricky part is when it takes you a dead end at NOLAN RYAN EXPY or HWY 36.. make sure to take it UNDERNEATH the underpass and then take the road to the left towards Bryan Beach.

Once there, we had wonderful observations: Bryan Beach was very flexible. You can park on both the dunes side and the beach side. There was a good row of seaweed and some small branches that water has brought to shore. The beach sand was very clean and yellow. The ocean floor was free of crabs, trash, and shells.Then environment at Bryan Beach was family environment with LOTS of kids and little else going on except families bbqing, and listening to fairly loud music. There is a guy that sells some fresh, cool fruit that comes in handy, and the ice cream truck passed by a few times. When you exit the beach, you can take the first street to the right to get to Quintana Beach.

At Quintana Beach the water and sand was very similar. One difference is that they have a Bird Watching Reserve there where you can really appreciate the birds and the nature. Also they are at a location where they meet with the Brazos River so they give you small parks and areas where you can do some good fishing. Finally, they have a very good pier for fishing as well. When you exit the beach you will need to go back the brigde that got you to Bryan Beach and take that bridge until you see the signs that lead you to Surfside Beach or back to Lake Jackson if you would like to go back to Houston.

Surfside Beach turned out great for a Vacation location, where you can rent a  weekend house or camp out and have a lot of ammenities close by. There the public beach is much STRICTER, with similar water but filled with more seaweed. It is heavily patrolled, only allowing you to park on the dunes side, with more young people, and recreational activities. The beaches are deemed "one way" and they will not allow you to go in the opposite direction.

From there, if you would like, you can take the scenic Bluewater Highway to Galveston. Tune in next time for more adventures in Texas.

Bryan Beach Deep in the Waves

Bryan Beach Family Filled anc Clean

Expect this Sand and Seaweed at Bryan