How to Visit Mcgee beach in Corpus Christi

Mcgee Beach is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches located in downtown Corpus Christi, along Shoreline Boulevard.

The beach is in the middle of the city, but there is still a lot of space to put on your towel.

The swimming areas are also great, and the water is crystal clear.

A lot of people come to this beach because it is so beautiful.

The area is very well maintained, so you won’t see any seaweed on the sand which is manicured regularly.

There are a lot of different water sports and outdoor activities that you can do in this area.

This makes it a great place to visit with your family or friends during the summer.

The bay has calm, shallow, and low currents, making it perfect for people of all ages and swimming abilities.

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The area around this strip of sand has all the necessary facilities and shops from where you can rent equipment for a long list of watersports activities.

Driving distance from the main Texas cities

You have the following driving time, depending on your location:

• 2 hours from San Antonio, Tx
• 3 hours from Houston, Tx
• 3 hours from Austin, Tx

The location is a short drive from San Antonio.

It is very easy to access and convenient with free parking nearby, so getting here by car is a good option.

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What I like at Mcgee

There are a few things that stand out when talking about this beautiful beach and these are:

• Clean and manicured sand
• Free parking nearby
• Calm waters perfect fo the whole family and for beginning swimmers
• Jetty fishing
• Facilities close by

Access to Mcgee Beach Corpus Christi Tx

The strip of sand is open 24 hours a day for the entire year, so you can go and visit it whenever you want.

You don’t have to pay to enter the sand, as there is no entrance fee here, unlike other beaches in the area, where you have to pay.

There is a designated place where you can park your car, and it is not on the sand; you cannot park on the sand nor enter with your car on the sand.

You don’t need a special permit to access this strip of sand and a parking permit to park your car in the parking area, so you can go whenever you want, respecting the rules of the place.

The parking lot is large, but during the summer weekends, it gets full quite quickly, so you’d better consider getting here earlier to secure a parking lot and a good place to put your towel.

You can also park along Shoreline Blvd but it is safer to put your car in the parking lot to avoid any parking fines or to find your car scratched.

There are plenty of options for your overnight stay, including vacation rentals and hotels, so you don’t have to drive from a distance to enjoy this beach.

Beach facilities

You can bring your own umbrella and towel or rent chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas from the rental shops on the beach.

Bicycles, pedal boats, and jet sks are also available for rent on the beach so that you won’t get bored at the beach.

Restrooms and showers are available on the areas, where you can change before leaving the beach or take a short shower after swimming in the ocean.

Families with kids simply enjoy this beach not only because of its clear waters but also because you have everything on hand.

There are also plenty of shaded areas with picnic tables where you can enjoy a meal or relax with friends and family.

The quality of the sand is very good, and if you come with kids, don’t forget home the sand toys as your little ones will love to build castles from the sand.

You can find many hotels near Mcgee beach Corpus Christi, but you have to book in advance, especially during summer weekends, to secure the best price.

Restaurants, shops, and stores are also extremely close to this strip of sand, so you can walk for lunch or buy a cold drink.

There is also a snack bar on the beach, so you might find what you need here and don’t have to walk to the nearest store.

A gift shop is located within a short walk from the sand, so don’t forget to buy a souvenir to remind you of the wonderful moments spent here.

Lifeguards are on duty here, so you don’t have to worry about entering the ocean but consider their advice before going to the sea.

You can even fish in the area, but you have to go to the Jetty as there are designated places for fishing.

Jetty fishing area

The area is specially designed for fishing and is the only place on the whole beach where fishing is allowed.

Prepare your fishing tools and be patient… you might catch the big one right away and take the shot of your life!

Sidewalk

There is a playground near the sidewalk for kids, while the wide sidewalk is perfect for skateboarding and biking or, why not, walking.

Swimming in the ocean

Located on Corpus Christi Bay, not on the gulf, the waters are calm and warm, perfect for swimming.

Even kids and beginners can enter the waters here as there are no big waves and strong currents to drag you to the bottom of the water.

This is the right place for the whole family if you plan a swimming and sunbathing getaway not far from home.

Pets access

Mcgee beach is a pet friendly beach, so you can bring your furry friends with you as long as you keep them on a leash.

Nearby attractions

While McGee Beach offers a lovely spot to soak up the sun and enjoy the Gulf waters, those looking for a more rugged and unspoiled beach experience may want to consider a visit to the nearby Padre Island National Seashore.

As the world’s longest undeveloped stretch of barrier island, this national park offers miles of pristine beaches, dunes, and coastal grasslands to explore.

Visitors can swim, fish, kayak, and camp within the park’s boundaries, and may even spot rare wildlife like Kemp’s ridley sea turtles or the threatened piping plover.

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Weather conditions 

The beach has warm weather all year round, but it might be a little cold in winter for taking a bath.

On the other hand, the ocean is perfect for watersports all year round as the wind blows almost daily.

The water is warm and the currents weak, although the wind blows almost daily.

The coldest months are January, February, March, and December, while June, July, August, and September are the hottest ones.

In terms of rain, unfortunately, some of the hottest months of the year are also the rainiest ones.

June, July, September, and October are considered the month with the highest quantity of rain that drops.

Best time to visit Mcgee strip of sand

Experts say that April, May, October, and November are the best months to visit the beaches of Corpus Christi.

During these months, the temperatures are high enough for a bath, but the crowds are not here yet, so you can enjoy more these beautiful places.

Rules and regulations on the beach

• The beach is open all year round, 24/7
• There is a parking lot near the beach
• You are not allowed to drive on the sand
• Pets are allowed but need to be leashed
• You don’t have to pay entrance fees
• Public restrooms and toilets are available
• Campfires are not allowed
• Glass is not allowed on the beach

Other beaches close to Mcgee

If you want to explore the whole Corpus Christi Beach area and enjoy the beaches from nearby, I drop below a list with 5 closest strips of sand near Mcgee Corpus Christi:

• South Packery Channel Beach – 17 miles
• North Packery Beach – 16 miles
• Newport Pass Beach – 16 miles
• Mustang Island State Park Beach – 16 miles
• North Beach from Corpus Christi – 2 miles

Things to do in Corpus Christi

• explore USS Lexington Museum
• Texas State Aquarium
• walk on the Harbor bridge
• play some golf on one of the very many golf courses near the city
• Explore American Bank Center, the largest of all Convention centers from the area
• visit the Art Museum of South Texas
• book a trip to Padre Island

Mcgee beach hotels

Plenty of options are available close to the beach if you plan to spend a few nights in the area.

The ones with the best price-quality ratio and wonderful locations are:

1. Residence Inn by Marriott Corpus Christi Downtown is just 350 meters from the beach and features an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a bar where you can have a drink after a long day on the beach.

2. Best Western Corpus Christi is about 800 meters from the beach and features an outdoor swimming pool and wonderful views of Corpus Christi Bay.

A hot breakfast is offered complimentary each morning in the buffet area, while a microwave and a minifridge can be found in every room.

3. Omni Corpus Christi Hotel is a wonderful 4 star hotel located close to Corpus Christi Marina and offers beautiful rooms with ocean views.

Each room has a balcony, a work desk, and a TV with cable channels. The on-site restaurant Republic of Texas Bar and Grill serves American dishes and steaks.

4. Emerald Beach Hotel located 100 meters from this fabulous strip of sand is a 3 star hotel with direct access Emerald Cove.

The hotel features an on-site restaurant and a heated indoor pool, a fitness center and children’s playground.

FAQ

Does McGee Beach have jellyfish?

No jellyfish were reported on Corpus Christi, McGee, and North Beach beaches, so you can swim without fear.

Is McGee Texas beach free?

McGee Texas beach is free. You don’t need to pay to get in and you don’t need a permit. There is a parking lot near the beach where you can leave your car. You can’t drive on the sand.

Is McGee a clean beach?

Yes, it is one of the cleanest beaches in the area; the sand is cleaned and manicured regularly, so you won’t find any seaweed on the beach.

The clean beach, calm waters, and free parking from the area make this strip of sand a very popular attraction.

Where is McGee Corpus Christi?

McGee is located right in the heart of the city on Shoreline Boulevard along the seawall on Corpus Christi Bay, Texas. It is located a walking distance of hotels, restaurants, museums, the marina and McCaughan Park.

Conclusion

Mcgee beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Corpus Christi.

The water is warm and calm, and there is no seaweed.

There are shops, restaurants, and hotels in proximity to the beach, so this is the best summer getaway from Texas.

You can park your car in the beach parking place, grab your towel and cooler and spend a memorable day at the beach.