What's the closest beach (ocean) from Austin?
 

Visiting Austin for 3 days and wanted to go one day to see a beach, any suggestions less than 3-4 hours?

Galveston is probably the closest beach area...205 miles to the southeast, located on the Gulf of Mexico.

Remember, this is the start of the hurricane season. Constantly check with the Weather Channel.

There is also Corpus Christi/South Padre Island. Just don't expect too much. Unfortunately the water is not too pretty. I have never been to S.Padre but I know it's big for spring break -- lots of students from all over go there.

Austin has some very nice lakes and it seems that every other person owns a boat (or did when the tech industry was in better shape). You may find that you'd rather skip the beach and opt to stay in town. Whichever you choose WEAR SUNBLOCK!

Be sure to go to Congress Bridge right before dark to see the bats make their nightly flight. Have fun and avoid the chain restaurants. Austin is considered so cool because of the live music and artsy places, eclectic shops & restaurants, etc. Enjoy! :-D

Hippie Hollow on Lake Travis is your best bet. And you don't even have to pack a bathing suit!

My brother lives in Austin and i live oon the gulf coast-you would be very disappointed in the beaches along the Texas gulf coast-you can not see in the water, it's brown, i've grown up here and lived with it then last year i saw another beach for the first time in Monterey......wow, they are so fortunate and so are the people in Florida. I wouldn't waste my time going to the beach here....it's not a pretty sight. Beings that i know the hill country your best bet would be to go to New Braunfels (close by) and they have the comal river right next to Schlitterbahn. The comal is slow moving, shallow and pretty water and you can tube that...alot of fun...i try to do that every year if i can. Hurricanes are very few so don't really give that any thought. You would love New Braunfels though. If you insist on beaches you are looking at 3 1/2 hour drive and only to be let down. Have a super time and feel free to email me about anything.

I used to live in Galveston and I truthfully prefer the beach at Lake Travis/Hippie Hollow over that of Galveston's section of the Gulf of Mexico. Just MHO.

The only beach we go to is at Port Aransas. But not necessarily for the "Beach" alone, but the charming fishing village, local flavor, and we save up to stay at a pricey condo... It's lots of fun. Port A is just under 4 hours away.

Like others said, the beaches in TX are nothing to write home about. Never been, but I'm told South Padre is the nicest, but easily 6 hours away.

Hippie Hollow on Lake Travis is cool - clothing optional. There are several areas around Lake Travis as well.

Hamilton's Pool in Austin is also nice. If it's still open, that is. Very natural spring fed lagoon, from what I remember. We really enjoyed lolling for an afternoon there.

And, yes, I agree with Hippie Hollow / Pace Bend Park on Lake Travis, as well as tubing in New Braunfels. Both are much closer and enjoyable than the beaches of Texas.