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The Padre Island Destination is located in the southernmost part of Texas, with the most notable cities being its namesake, Padre Island, and Corpus Christi. Padre Island makes up 130,000 acres of beaches, sand dunes, and grassland. The land is classified as a barrier island, in the Gulf of Mexico. The island got its name from Padre Nicolas Balli, who was the first one to establish a settlement on the land.[1] Since first being established, the island has grown to a population of 2,733 people.[2] Wildlife on the island includes javelina and the white-tailed deer, as well as water creatures such as big blue, channel, yellow catfish, sunfish, bass, and crappie.[5] Padre Island is one of the main attractions in the destination; other notable attractions include The Blue Ghost: USS Lexington, Texas State Aquarium, South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, and The Art Museum of South Texas.[3] It is recommended to visit the destination between January 15th to April 15th and October 22nd to December 23rd.[4]
The Padre Island Destination is located in the south part of Texas in Cameron County, covering multiple cities such as Corpus Christi, McAllen, and Padre Island, which is located along the coast of the area. Padre Island is the longest barrier island in the world and resides in the Gulf of Mexico. The island got its name from one of the original founders, Padre Nicolas Balli, who was the first person to own the island. Padre Balli served as a missionary priest, and he was also the first person to found a mission in the Cameron County area.[1] Since the founding of Padre Island and other nearby cities, the population of the area has grown. Currently, South Padre Island has a population of 2,733 people. The biggest city in the area, Corpus Christi, has a current population of 327,423 people.[2]
The most popular attraction among visitors to the area is Padre Island National Seashore. Over 70 miles make up the barrier island, comprising 130,000 acres of beaches, sand dunes, and grassland. The gulf that the island is connected to is said to be a safe haven for sea creatures such as sea turtles. Common activities to take place on the island include bird watching, camping, and visiting the beach. Those who visit the Padre Island Destination also often visit attractions located in Corpus Christi. Specific attractions to this city include The Blue Ghost: USS Lexington, which was commissioned in 1943 to serve during WWll, Texas State Aquarium, South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, The Art Museum of South Texas, Bob Hall Pier, and the Corpus Christi Bay Trail.[3] Corpus Christi is also said to be "one of the best cities in North America for kiteboarding, wind surfing, kite flying, and sailing." This is due to the high wind speeds in the area.[6]
When visiting the various cities in the Padre Island Destination and their many attractions, it’s important to note the best time to visit the area. January 15th to April 15th and October 22nd to December 23rd are said to be the best times to visit the region based on the temperature and humidity.[4] Padre Island itself is a popular attraction among college students during spring break.[7]
People who live in the destination are often active in keeping Padre Island clean. Those affiliated with the Friends of Padre participate and help to organize the annual Big Shell Beach Clean-Up, which has been taking place since 1995. Since being established, there have been over 2,456,000 pounds of trash removed from the Padre Island National Seashore.[6]
The Padre Island Destination has multiple events and things that distinguish it from other areas. Such things include the founding of Whataburger in Corpus Christi, which quickly spread through Texas; the original location is still in operation today. The USS Lexington, which is permanently stationed in the region, was the setting for the movie Pearl Harbor, filmed in 2000. The area’s early history holds a relatively gruesome past, including the shipwreck of three Spanish ships along the shores of Padre Island. There were 300 passengers, those who made it to the shore were then greeted by Native Americans, and only one European survived that day.[6]
The Padre Island Destination is located in the southmost part of Texas, bordering Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico. The namesake of the destination, Padre Island, is located along the gulf and southeastern coast of Texas, extending from Corpus Christi to Port Isabel. Laguna Madre is the waterway that separates the island from the mainland. The island is 113 miles long and is most often three miles wide.[7] Padre Island is sparsely populated, with only 2,733 people living there.[2]
One of the neighboring towns to the island, Corpus Christi, is one of the largest cities in the area, with a population of 327,423 people.[8] Overall, Corpus Christi is the eighth-most populated city in Texas. Corpus Christi is the county seat of Nueces County and is also the largest city within the area. Drinking water for Corpus Christi and other surrounding cities in the destination is provided by three reservoirs, Lake Corpus Christi, Choke Canyon Reservoir, and Lake Texana.[9]
The climate of the destination is described as humid subtropical due to the hot and humid summers with winters that are short and mild. November through February is considered to be, on average, the coldest months. The area tends to warm up between March through April, and the hottest months are in the summer, between June through September. With climate and average temperatures, the region only has two seasons, a wet and dry season. The wet season is from April to October, with the dry season following from November to March.[9] Wind in the area has become a notable trait of the area, specifically in Corpus Christi. The average wind speed is around 11.3 knots, with April being the windiest month.[4] The windspeeds have made activities such as windsurfing, kiteboarding, kite flying, and sailing popular in the area. The Windsurfing World Championships are hosted in Corpus Christi for the relatively reliable wind.[6]
Common flora in the area, specifically Corpus Christi, includes a relatively high density of brushland. The landscape’s features of brushland and open waters provide ideal habitats for a variety of wildlife. Fauna that can be located in the destination includes javelina and the white-tailed deer and species of fish such as big blue, channel, bass, sunfish, yellow catfish, and crappie. The area also receives Neotropical migrants, with common birds in the area being black-bellied whistling-duck, purple gallinule, white-winged dove, pauraque, white-eyed vireo, and black-throated sparrow.[5] Animals specific to Padre Island include a wider variety. Such fauna includes coyotes, deer, songbirds, jellyfish, ghost crabs, sea turtles, and invertebrates. All of these creatures play a specific role in keeping Padre Island’s ecosystem balanced.[10]
Padre Island was first inhabited in 1804 when the first permanent settlement was established by Padre Nicolas Balli, for who the island is named after. However, it is assumed that Native Americans and Spanish troops inhabited or visited the island before then. Spain was the first to own Padre Island, although there have been a total of four nations that have owned the area, including Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the United States, which are the current owners. After the Mexican War, which ended in 1848, the United States acquired the land. It wasn’t until 1962 that the National Seashore opened. Initially, the island was only used for ranching, but this shifted as tourism became a relatively more popular activity in the destination. Other uses of the island in current times include the exploitation of oil and natural gas, which has been happening since the 1950s.[11]
In regards to the history of Padre Island Destination, it also encompasses the city of Corpus Christi. The town is said to have been discovered by Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda, a Spanish explorer, in 1519. He is said to have found the semi-tropical bay along the current-day coast of Texas. Pineda’s discovery occurred on the Roman Catholic Feast Day of Corpus Christi, which gave way to the naming of the city, Corpus Christi, meaning “Body of Christ.” Later the land gained a frontier trading post established by Colonel Henry Lawrence Kinney in 1838.[12]
Nowadays, Corpus Christi has a population of 327,423 people, making it the eight-most populated city in Texas. The destination’s namesake, Padre Island, has a smaller population of 2,733 people. White is the primary racial demographic, making up 89.59% of Corpus Christi’s population, with African Americans being the next most prominent race with a population proportion of 4.08%. The region comprises Nueces County, of which Corpus Christi is the county seat and also has a relatively large metropolitan area. Corpus Christi’s economy is driven by oil and tourism, with Padre Island being one of the attractions, as well as the USS Lexington Museum and the Texas State Aquarium. Other notable things that have taken place in the destination include the filming of several movies, such as Selena, The King, The Open Road, and Pearl Harbor.[8]
Casa Rosa Inn is a motel that can be found in Port Isabel, Texas, which is on the eastern coast, just a few miles away from the United States and Mexico border. Casa Rosa Inn has 44 rooms that guests are able to choose from during any time of the year. Visitors are able to stay for any varying amount of time, be that days, weeks, or months, which if they do plan on staying for a more extended period of time, it is asked that they make arrangements by calling the property. Casa Rosa Inn has a number of trinkets and souvenirs on display in their lobby that ranges from distant places like Asia and Africa. The location of the property is conveniently located close to the beach, which is roughly a five-minute drive away. One thing that the city is known for is its deep-sea fishing.
...Read MoreThe Knolle Farm and Ranch Bed, Barn & Breakfast is located in Sandia, Texas, about a 45-minute drive from Corpus Christi. Three buildings provide lodging accommodations to guests, The Barn, Chapel View Cottage, and Casita, with each offering a different amount of rooms and bathrooms. Amenities included in the units include bathrobes, coffee pots, refrigerators, cable TV, and microwaves, to name a few. Common areas on the premises include an event center where weddings, family reunions, and other events are hosted. The business is located on about 250 acres of land where various activities are available to each patron, such as swimming, hunting, and fishing. Fall and winter are the busiest seasons of operation for the year-round business due to the relatively ideal weather conditions.
...Read MoreLocated on South Padre Island in South Texas, Upper Deck Hotel & Bar has been under the ownership of Ginny Stapleton since 2021. The establishment currently has sixteen standard hotel rooms and three two-bedroom suites that are currently available year-round for patrons to reserve. The owner, Ginny, says that the building has a tropical theme with "retro touches" on both the interior and exterior. The owner also mentions that Upper Deck Hotel & Bar is often considered an attraction itself, in light of its adjoining restaurant and bar, swimming pool, and deck area where guests can lounge. Hotel Management and ownership intends for everyone to feel comfortable and to have a good time during their stay at Upper Deck Hotel & Bar.
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