A NOTE TO OUR READERS:
"Quick Trip to the Coast" is from the August 2007 issue of Southern Living. Because prices, dates, and other specifics are subject to change, please check all information to make sure it's still current before making your travel plans.

Palm trees. Warm sea breezes. Miles and miles of sandy beaches. You've been craving one last trip to the beach before Labor Day signals summer's end, and you'll find it here on South Padre Island. This 34-mile-long sliver of sand sits at the very tip of Texas, just northeast of Brownsville and 30 miles north of the Mexican border. You can while away the hours lying on the beach or indulge your more adventuresome side. All you have to decide is what to do first.

Checking In
Finding a place to lay your head may be your most difficult decision--and your biggest challenge. Summer rates soar in South Padre, and deals are scarce.

For a short stay, we prefer the convenience and amenities of a full-service hotel. Cushy beds and an inviting pool keep us coming back to the Sheraton Beach Hotel & Condominiums ($179-$560). The nearby Radisson Resort ($215-$415) offers both guest rooms and condos. On the island's less trafficked northern end, you will find newer properties, including LaQuinta Inn & Suites ($239-$400) and Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites ($99-$229).

If you're traveling with a crowd, shop around for a condo that offers daily rates. Contact the South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.sopadre.com or 1-800-767-2373) for a complete list of hotels, motels, and rental companies.

Fun in the Sun
If you're headed to the beach, plan to get there early. The best spots will be blanket-to-blanket well before noon. Don't bother lugging chairs and umbrellas from home either. You can rent them right on the beach. You'll pay around $25 for an umbrella and chairs. Your hotel staff should be able to direct you to the nearest vendor.

South Padre is a playground for adventure seekers too. Lope through the surf on a guided ride at Island Equestrian Center. Sign on with Sonny's Beach Service for catamaran cruises and fishing, or rent a kayak, personal watercraft, or banana boat. Kids love splashing through Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark ($32.99 adults, $26.99 ages 3-11).

In the spring and fall, South Padre ranks among the windiest spots in North America, but the breezes are a little gentler in the summer months. It's the perfect time to learn a new aquatic sport. Private windsurfing lessons from The Boatyard run about $40 per hour, including board and equipment. South Padre Island Kiteboarding also offers stand-up paddle boarding lessons and equipment too, though it takes a much larger investment to get started.

During the heat of the day, take a break and visit Sea Turtle, Inc. Through daily Meet the Turtle tours, you'll come nose-to-nose with these magnificent creatures. Your $3 donation goes toward rescue operations and conservation efforts.