Great Escapes Links:

Hawaii Snorkeling Tours
Hawaii Sunset Cruise

Observe Hawaiian Humpback whales while sailing the waters of the famous North Shore, the least crowded whale watching spot on Oahu. Our Small groups give you a personal and up-close experience

www.sailingcat.com

Embassy Suites Hotel - Mandalay Beach Resort - Oxnard

TO FLY L.A.
16303 Waterman Drive
Van Nuys, CA 91406
877.863.5952

South Padre
By Rita Cook

It’s summer and cabin fever has probably got you – and good. No worries, there’s a place down south in Texas that has just the cure for cabin fever – warm weather and good fun – it’s the perfect recipe. South Padre Island, you’ll know you have arrived when you cross the bridge and end up in paradise. Indeed, it’s a place where the weather will make you smile. After all, with breezy summers that average around 82 degrees and 253 days of sunshine who can argue with perfection? The South Padre Island area of Texas is the perfect place to enjoy activities such as bird watching, dolphin watching and an array of additional water activities from snorkeling to surfing to scuba diving to, even learning about the endangered sea turtle.

Located on the tropical tip of Texas, South Padre Island is a 34-mile long barrier reef about half-a-mile at its widest point and bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre Bay. It’s only connection to the mainland is a two-and-a-half mile bridge, nevertheless there are about 5,000 inhabitants and as many as one million visitors sweep down on the island every year. For the perfect weekend take a couple of good friends and plan on spas, food and beach time or outdoor activities with no interruption. As soon as my friends and I arrived we headed to lunch to start the trip off right, perhaps a local drink is in order - say a Pina Colada. Get to the beach as soon as you can and take your shoes off to get acclimated. There’s lot of stuff to do outdoors so don’t be shy, here’s the list of what I found to be just what the doctor ordered.

Outdoors

We didn’t waste any time taking our very first Sand Castle lesson at Café on the Beach ( HYPERLINK "http://www.amazinwalter.com" www.amazinwalter.com). Our teacher was from across the pond – Great Britain – we didn’t hold it against him though. His name was Walter and he gave us some great sand castle building pointers. It’s worth the lesson just to meet him and, as his website says, “OK... I'm famous in my neighborhood... it's enough for me... who would have ever thought it? Sandcastles have taken over a large part of my life. Since moving to South Padre Island in the early 80's (sittin' on the beach, staying outta reach) I have built sandcastles in six countries and 13 states. It's fun. It's exciting. Come on down. I can teach you how.”

The South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center is another experience that visitors will not want to miss. There is a brand new building and observatory tower with interactive exhibits as well. Outdoors there is 4800 linear feet of bay-view boardwalks and paths. In the end you can explore as much as 43 acres of freshwater ponds, island scrub brush and saltwater marshes. For the real birdie at heart, there are seven bird blinds to get up close and personal to one of the many species that come through this area throughout the year.

Home to many Sea Turtles in various phases of rehabilitation, Sea Turtles on South Padre located on Padre Boulevard is a non-profit sea turtle rescue center founded in 1977. There are a number of different species of sea turtles both endangered and threatened who call this place home, including the rarest, the Kemp’s Ridley. Offering educational presentations, these folks try to release the turtles back into the wild when they can, however, some turtles seem to want to stay at the rehab center forever and that’s okay too.

Eco Tours or a good dolphin watch experience is an option and you’re bound to see one of the cute little creatures. Find one of boats that leave from the pier and you’ll be fine for a day or half-day excursion.

Spa

Take a spa day at Unum Day Spa with facials, massages and mani/pedis - just the girls. Both Pevonia and M.D. Formulations skin care products are used and you can have lunch brought in as well. For a spa package opt for the Rejuvenation Package including a pedicure, European facial and either a therapeutic massage or salt glow aromatherapy steam. Four or five hours of being pampered does the soul good.

And Then Some

What else to do with your days on the coast? For sure some shopping is in order, there’s also a cool little bookstore on Padre Blvd. that is worth a stop. We had fun at the tattoo parlor getting henna tattoos; of course, there is the real thing too, if you must.
A few of our recommendations for places to eat:

Sea Ranch; 956-761-1314
Amberjack’s; 956-761-6500
Zeste Tapas (and wine); 956-761-5555

My recommendation for where to stay:

Padre Getaways offers apartment style suites with a kitchen so you can even cook your “catch of the day” if you must.
www.padregetaways.com

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