A Weekend In {Boca Chica}

A Hidden Texas Treasure

Words by Alison Bryce Photos by Sarah Pressler

While many visitors and residents debate between Galveston, Corpus Christi, and Padre Island National Seashore for Texas beach destinations, the valley has some of the most overlooked, yet pristine, shores and crystal waters known to Texas.

Day One

Plan on departing Austin early morning for the six hour drive. You’ll know you’re getting close when Route 4 ends, roughly 25 miles east of Brownsville, past the ghost town of Boca Chica Village and the new SpaceX Launch Facility. While the beach is technically in Boca Chica State Park and part of the Boca Chica Loop, the area does not have a check-in station or facilities like other Texas parks and boasts an added bonus: free admission. Once at the beach, feel free to park on the sand. Find an open spot on the shoreline, then choose from a variety of beach activities to enjoy such as sunbathing, swimming, surfing, or fishing. Stretch your legs after the journey with a walk around the shallow bays and unique dunes of wind-blown clay. For dinner, plan ahead for cooking over a crackling open fire for a true Texas summer experience.

Day Two

Wake up early to enjoy the sunrise. With little to no buildings in sight, the view is uninterrupted looking across the water or gazing down the saline flats. Bird watching can easily fill the first half of the day. With the impressive list of species traveling to the area, sightings of peregrine falcons, piping plovers, and American oystercatchers are bound to happen, especially when exploring the mouth of the Rio Grande. Be prepared to see more wildlife than birds though. The Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle is the most critically endangered sea turtle in the world and makes its journey ashore during the spring and summer months. 

For dinner, head back to Brownsville to indulge in local fare at The Vermillion Restaurant and Watering Hole. This local establishment has been serving up a variety of dishes from the Fantastico Fajita Plate to the Shrimp Cocktail since 1934. While the exterior may not look like something to write home about, this eatery lives up to its slogan, “not fancy, just good.”

Day Three

Enjoy a filling breakfast at Toddle Inn Restaurant, then head to Historic Battlefield Trail. This path runs from the heart of Brownsville to the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and offers a variety of sights including downtown Brownsville and the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art. And if that’s not enough, explore natural, cultural, and historical places along the Caracara Trails. Before heading home, stop by Gladys Porter Zoo. With 28 acres of tropical plants and roughly 1,600 animals, this zoo, known for its success in helping endangered species of wildlife, will not disappoint.