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Gulf Coast vs Hill Country: where to stay in Texas
| Region | Best for | Towns to look at |
| Upper Gulf Coast | Beach weekends from Houston | Galveston, Jamaica Beach, Bolivar Peninsula / Crystal Beach |
| Coastal Bend | Fishing, quieter beaches | Port Aransas, Mustang Island, Rockport, Corpus Christi |
| Lower Gulf Coast | Spring break, warm winters | South Padre Island |
| Hill Country | Rivers, wineries, cabins | Wimberley, Fredericksburg, New Braunfels, Dripping Springs |
| Highland Lakes | Lake houses and boating | Lake Travis, Lake LBJ, Lake Buchanan |
Texas beach towns for vacation rentals
- Galveston — Seawall Boulevard beaches, the Strand and the West End; the closest beach to Houston.
- Port Aransas and Mustang Island — a laid-back island town with beach driving and fishing.
- South Padre Island — the southern tip of Texas, busiest at spring break.
- Rockport and Corpus Christi — the Coastal Bend, with bays, birding and calmer water.
Texas Hill Country cabins and lake homes
- Wimberley — cabins on the Blanco River and Cypress Creek, close to Austin and San Antonio.
- Fredericksburg — wineries, Main Street and German heritage.
- New Braunfels and Canyon Lake — tubing on the Guadalupe and Comal rivers.
- Lake Travis and Lake LBJ — lake houses with boat access west of Austin.
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Texas vacation rentals FAQ
What is the best Texas beach town for a vacation rental?
Galveston is the easiest from Houston; Port Aransas suits families and anglers; South Padre Island has the warmest winters and the biggest spring-break crowds.
Where are the best Texas Hill Country cabins?
Wimberley and New Braunfels for rivers, Fredericksburg for wineries, and Lake Travis for lake houses — all within about an hour or two of Austin or San Antonio.
Are there Texas vacation rentals on USVacaRentals now?
Texas homes appear at the top of this page as local hosts go live. Until then, use this guide to plan, or list your own Texas home free.
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