We finally managed to carve out some time for a family vacation this summer and we would love to take our boys to the beach for the first time. We're driving from Dallas and would like to stay within a day's drive (less is good too!). We would also like to keep the cost at or below $200 a night and we really want something ON the beach with a full kitchen so we can eat in some.
Our time period is anytime between 7/13 and 7/20. We could do 3 - 6 nights depending on the cost. I know we're pushing it on advance notice and budget, but if you have a suggestion we would love to know about it.
If the beach just turns out to be impossible this year, we would also consider lake rentals (preferably somewhere a little cooler than here with clean clear water).
Thanks for your help!
I asked for affordable and available beach rentals and as always, the Mamas came through!! We leave a week from today for Surfside Beach (300 miles away) and we have booked a two bedroom house one block off the beach for an incredible $650 for the week! The referrals to VRBO.com and suggestions for specific destinations were invaluable. Thank you all! I have referred so many friends and clients to this website - what a knowledgeable networking group.
I can't speak for the beach option but I will tell you that Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas is considered (awarded) the cleanest, clearest lake in the United States. Here is the official website. Good luck and have a great vacation!!! http://www.lakeouachita.org/
When we were looking into this a few years ago we had a lot of the same needs. If you are willing to go away from the big areas like Galveston and Corpus you can go places like Crystal Beach, Rockport, Mustang Island. They don't as much touristy stuff. We were ok with that because we waned to cook our own meals and just play on the beach.
Hi K.,
I have an aunt who owns a beach house in Galveston. It is actually about 25 miles outside of Galveston over the San Luis Pass bridge. Her house is right on the beach. You can fish from the deck of her house. The house will sleep about 12 people if not more. I'm not sure what her pricing is for rentals or when she is booked. For more information, you can email her at ____@____.com can give you a website with more information and pictures of her place. Good Luck in finding a nice place!!!!
Try www.vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals By Owner). It is a good site to find rentals anywhere. You might also try www.homeaway.com. You might be able to find something in Galveston, South Padre Island, Gulf Shores, Alabama or in the Florida Panhandle. Start looking soon, though, because some of these places book up far in advance. Good luck!
2 years ago we were looking for the same thing. If you want to go somewhere that is not crazy with tourists and mainly wanting to RELAX and spend family time then I would totally recommend Surfside Beach, TX. Its about an hour or two away from Galveston. I put the link below that will direct you to the town's webpage, and then it has a link for lodgings so you can see all of them. We stayed in a beach house right on the ocean and it was awesome. Also the price for the house, was cheaper than the hotels in Galveston. Most of them have weekly rates that are quite reasonable and if you wanted to make a day trip to galveston you could do that for the touristy stuff. They have an aquarium thats cheap and a couple of cute little souvenir shops and thats about it in Surfside Beach. I personally preferred it because we didn't spend those outrageous prices for activities that are overpriced for what you get. I can't wait to go back. (I even noticed on one of the home rental links they were offering some sort of gas rebate!) Let me know what you think!
http://www.surfsidetx.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&...
Try Port Aransas- TX- its about 7 hour drive but beach access is great -We like to stay at LaMirage a condo apt complex with all necessary item included - a bit close to your cost but well worth it! They also have a pool in the courtyard and play room for kids/sauna for mom and dad.
Like your own apartment at the beach - walk out of your door down to the the beach.
try www.lamirageportaransas.com - you pick the size of condo you need. 1,2,3 bedroom.....
