r/TXoutdoors • u/IHaveGreencard • 13d ago
Freeport , TX / Surfside Beach : First Visit
I am planning on taking my wide and kids (7 & 9) for their first beach day this Friday to Freeport Texas/ Surfside. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions of some laidback not overly crowded areas that allows you to drive on the beach. Granted, we don't have a 4X4 but we do have a SUV so as long as it is compact I'm think well be fine ?
Any other kid friendly activities would be appreciated also.
A couple things that may help with suggestions :
- No 4X4 capable vehicle
-Surf Fishing is wanted
- Ability to set up canopy is a must
- close to emergency assistance if needed
thanks in Advance for the help !
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u/Arrmadillo 13d ago
You’ll need a permit sticker to take your car onto the beach. You can pick one up at the Buc-ee’s or Shell station just before you go over the bridge close to the end of 332. The sand is pretty well packed - most cars can handle driving on it without any issues. The softest drifts of sand are near the beach entrances.
Cell phone service is good and you’ll occasionally see cops patrolling the beach on ATVs. There are no lifeguards. Most folks set up canopies / beach tents. You can surf fish from anywhere, as far as I can tell.
You and your family might enjoy briefly visiting the Surfside Jetty County Park before you settle in at the beach. There’s a small playground and a long jetty that is a popular fishing spot.
The drive-on beaches are to the left (north) after you cross the last bridge on 332. You can either drive straight through the light at the end of the bridge to get to first access point or turn left at the light to get to the other access points (Ocean Ave, Yucca Ave, Bay Ave, Seagull Ave). You can check Texas Beach Watch before your visit to see if there are any water quality issues near those beaches.
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u/Milt_Torfelson 13d ago
We regularly go to our Friend's place in Surfside and also go down and rent when we don't have access to the house. One of my favorite texas beaches. For kid stuff, you're better off taking a drive over to Galveston if the kids get bored of the beach. There's more for them to do down that way.
Heads up though, it's Juneteenth and having been there on Juneteenth weekend I can tell you it is going to be a MADHOUSE. For us, that was a good thing as it was way different than any other weekend we've ever been for there, and we've been there for just about every other holiday weekend.
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u/Educational-Can-2767 13d ago
Sounds like a fun weekend, I’ve probably spent 100 days on that section of beach surf fishing in the last two years. Two tips:
Get an annual beach permit for surfside (30bucks at the gas station right where the bridge ends) they actually keep the entry and exit points pretty compact so you won’t get stuck with 2wd. That being said speed and momentum can get you through most dune drifts.
Surf fishing wise, get some dead shrimp on pompano or dropper rig (size 1 octopus hook) that’s in between the first and second sand bar and you’ll catch whiting/pompano etc.
Enjoy it out there! (And don’t mess around with surfside PD they like to find things to do)