Beach towns offer options for visitors

February 6, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

By Ellen Creager

Detroit Free Press

From western Louisiana down to the Texas coastal bend, beaches are wider and browner than Florida’s.

The gulf can look brownish-green due to rivers emptying into it, but it gets bluer the farther south you go.

Here’s my assessment of 5 popular beach towns:

Holly Beach, La.

Once a hopping spot on the western corner of Louisiana, the so-called Cajun Riviera was wiped out by Hurricane Rita in 2005 and again by Hurricane Ike in 2008. It’s now just a few small streets with trailers and houses. The beach is wide and beautiful. You can rent one of eight trailers on the beach in the summer for $75 a day (www.cajunriviera.com, 337-569-2318).

Crystal Beach, Texas

Most beachfront property on the Bolivar Peninsula in East Texas was destroyed by Ike. But Crystal Beach is in vigorous rebuilding mode, with some nice beachfront homes ready to rent. Crystal Beach is a short, free ferry ride from busy Galveston (www.crystalbeach.com, 409-684-5940).

Galveston, Texas

In 2008, Ike flooded the town so badly even residents had to stay away. But it has made an amazing recovery. Residents may see what’s still undone, but tourists will notice only that hotels are open, and beaches, water parks, bars and restaurants are bustling. Tons of vacation rentals and hotels (www.galveston.com, 866-505-4456).

Port Aransas, Texas

Port A is an exuberant Spring Break spot, a slightly ramshackle beach town featuring huge souvenir shops. As on all Texas beaches, you can drive on the wide, tan sand. Drive south and encounter tamer areas of Mustang Island. Lots of vacation rentals (www.portaransas.org, 800-452-6278).

Padre Island National Seashore, Texas

Pristine Padre Island National Seashore runs for 110 miles. The seashore here is gorgeous, with blue, big waves crashing on beaches on the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. Find hotels, restaurants and other signs of civilization on the island’s far north end and in nearby Corpus Christi, but once in the park it’s just you and nature. (www.visitcorpuschristitx.org, 800-678-6232).