Guest Author - Marilyn Crain

South Padre Island may be best known for spring break, but it’s also one of the top beaches for families. Just ask the locals. They’ll tell you that the best time to go is during the week, but any day is the perfect day to enjoy the island. You can’t beat late summer, early fall for great weather and smaller crowds.

If you want to act like a local, then you may want to stop on the way to the beach and begin the day with breakfast at Mi Rancho Steak House, 415 Paso Real, San Benito. You’ll find delicious authentic Mexican food here and the service is great. On Sunday mornings, starting at 9 a.m., you can enjoy live music with your breakfast at this small local place.

Don’t expect South Padre to be all great expanses of empty beach or wild natural coastline. When you first catch site of the island, as you start across the bridge from Port Isabel, you may be in for a shock. From this point of view, all you can see is the bay and an island topped with really tall buildings—hotels, condos and restaurants. But, once you are on the island, you’ll find adequate parking nestled in between those hotels and condominium complexes. Just follow the signs. After you park, it’s only a short walk to the beach. And what a great sight! The beach is amazing and the water is an ever-changing perfect photograph just waiting to be taken.

You may want to spend your time just hanging out and enjoying the sand and the water. Be sure to take a beach umbrella, lots of sun screen and plenty of water to drink. If you’re in the mood, you can go parasailing, fishing or boating.

However, the locals can tell you how much fun you can have taking sandcastle-building lessons. Yes, lessons and they’re very affordable. If your trip is scheduled in October, check to see when Sand Castle Days will be happening. During four days every year, there are free sand castle lessons, sand castle competitions, music, kite flying and more. Of course, if you don’t enjoy large crowds (as many as 25,000 people have attended) this may be something you want to avoid. If that’s the case, just go some other time and take sand castle lessons on your own. You have your choice of several sandcastle services with which you can make reservations ahead of time.

When you just can’t wait any longer for something to eat, drag yourself off the beach and head on over to the Palm Street Pier Bar & Grill, located at 204 W. Palm, overlooking Laguna Madre Bay. It’s right on the water and open to the soft breezes. To cool off, you can’t beat their iced tea, Texas style. The fish and chips are absolutely perfect. You’ll definitely want to sit awhile and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the view—the perfect way to end a visit to South Padre Island—like a local.