The ferry crossing at the port of Galveston seems to somehow prepare you for your journey as the company of dolphins and seagulls along with the gulf breeze and its scent of salt water wash away the cares of the day. As you near the peninsula and its lighthouse that has observed more than 150 years of devastation and rebirth here, you come to understand that although we humans may have claimed this land, nature will not allow us to forget our place. If water sooths your soul, this is the place to be.
Lodging is easy enough to find here and there are plenty of options for however you travel. Whether you’re looking to pitch a tent on the beach, rent a motel room, hook up your RV, or stay in one of the many luxurious beach houses they’ve got you covered. My husband and I have tried all 4 options and each served its intended purpose well. Most times we come to Bolivar however, camping in our tiny trailer on the beach suits us just fine, despite the occasional battle with nature we may endure.
The beach is the primary reason to be here. Water meets earth for a 27 mile stretch of breathtaking views ripe for anything from a quiet walk alone to a full scale event. The awe inspiring scenery offers plenty of opportunity for both the observer and the artist as more than 150 species of bird and the occasional butterfly migration provide a flurry of willing subjects.
Insiders tip: Don’t miss the opportunity to visit during the cooler times of the year. There’s nothing better than sitting by a campfire, wrapped in a blanket, watching the surf with a mile or more of beach to yourself.
Each vehicle that visits the beach here is required to have a permit. They are only $10 and available at most of the local merchants. The purchase of these stickers helps support the local community of less than 2500 with their efforts to maintain this wondrous place for us all.
There are three restaurants we frequent here, Jose’s Cantina, Ocean Grill, and our favorite, hands down, G’s. You wouldn’t think much of the charming building in its unassuming location looking at it from the road. In fact we missed it completely the first few times we visited. But once you step inside the family owned eatery you know you are in for a delicious meal surrounded by good company, and they do not disappoint. I can’t stay on the beach here without ordering breakfast from G’s at least once. The plentiful bounty of carbs and proteins are just the thing to sustain me throughout the days activities.
No visit to Crystal Beach is complete without a trip to The Big Store. This small community depot lives up to its name stocking anything you may have forgotten from groceries to grooming including a miniature hardware store and all variety of tourist keepsake from keychain to clothing, complete with gas station and deli. We expect to pay a little more for some things here. But we also understand the effort it takes to transport goods to this part of the world and simply appreciate the convenience.
If you need a little more than the beach and the birds there are plenty of other things to occupy your day here. Fishing, Historical sites, quaint shops, water slides, live music, day trips to Galveston Island, and the occasional parade or festival keep things lively for the locals. But for me, the real charm in Bolivar is time. Time to slow down. Time for family and friends. Time to commune with nature and remember my place. The locals often refer to this part of the world as paradise. Maybe you should take the time to find out why and discover a bit of life beyond your boundaries.