Aspiring beach bums can't do better than South Padre Island, where the state's vast and varied coast slips toward Mexico in a long, lovely wisp of golden sand. Padre Island National Seashore protects 80 miles of this barrier island, one of the finest stretches of natural beach anywhere. At the island's southern tip, the restaurants, shops and lodgings of South Padre provide the perfect base. This beach town of more than 5,000 welcomes thousands more in winter months as snowbirds trade cold winters for the pleasures of beach time in the sun. Plenty of waterfront accommodations let visitors tumble out of their rooms onto the beach. Along the sand, all manner of water activities—from jetboating to kiteboarding, deep sea fishing to dolphin-watching—await. On the sand, bicyclists dart through waves, while horseback riders trot in the surf. No worries, you can find solitary stretches of sand along 29 miles of this 34-mile-long island.

For golfers, keeping an eye on the ball can be quite a challenge at courses such as the South Padre Island Golf Club. Almost every shot provides a dramatic view of the rolling championship layout. Five holes overlook glistening Laguna Madre Bay. Rugged roughs on the back nine, water hazards, sculpted bunkers and mounds challenge your game. South Padre's renowned concentration of bird life provides entertainment, too, including chances to spot the rare whooping crane and watch the perennial crowd pleasers, brown pelicans. Make the most of all South Padre has to offer—or just dig your toes a little deeper into the sand and slow your pace to the roll of the waves.