The Essentials: 1) Beach walkovers are prominent in nearly every beachfront community on Mustang Island. This gives residents direct beach access for their own private enjoyment. Walk on over or drive that golf cart packed full of beach essentials so you don’t need to run back to the house for sunscreen. 2) Golf Carts are a Mustang Island resident’s best friend! These planned streetscapes were designed to be pedestrian and golf-cart friendly. 3) Pools are as big and family-friendly as they come in these communities. Many offer multiple pools – one that is more child friendly, one that’s more leisurely, but all are resort-style.
MUSTANG ISLAND PORT ARANSAS
T
here is one thing that cannot be imitated, and that is the beach; the sand, the surf, the salt, the smell. Mustang Island is an 18-mile long stretch of barrier island that connects Padre Island at its southern end and Port Aransas at its northern end. This unspoiled land sits between the gulf and the bay, surrounding you completely by water. Swen Nguyen and her husband are self proclaimed, “water people!” “Wherever we've lived, we've always been near the water. My husband lives and breathes fishing. We have three boys who are avid water kids who fish, surf, boogie board, you name it,” says Nguyen. What was once occupied by wild horses for hundreds of years, these sandy trails still feel pristine and untouched, where raw coastline living is at its finest. Long walks on the beach, seashell collecting, and crackling bonfires make living on the beach extra special. “We have a lot of fun on the bay,
42 The Bend
but I always wanted to live on the beach. Our beachfront home is in a very small neighborhood with only 5 homes, so aside from the proximity to the gulf, the seclusion was appealing. I am a morning person, so I get to enjoy the incredible sunrise over the Gulf and then set over the bay,” says Nguyen. “I can see both the sunrise and the sunset from our balcony and it's the best of both worlds, especially during an orange moon. There's something about the water and the constant movement of the beach that is very soothing and rejuvenating; the air is always fresh and we always have a wind - it's the best place to decompress. My dad and I would sit on the beach, and he would just doze off from the sound of waves. You lose all sense of the time of day until the sun goes down,” says Nguyen. Planned communities along the gulf side are colorful, uniform, and Pleasantville picture perfect. Oceanfront elegance brings visitors from all over the world, yet many are lucky enough to call Mustang Island home.
In The Neighborhood Lisabellas: Culinary inventive seaside restaurant where a mermaid always watches over you, this tasty gem is consistently serving the best meals around. Concocting new menu items and specials daily, it’s a remarkable gourmet twist on your favorite fare in casual coastal elegance. 5009 TX-361, Port Aransas, TX 78373, (361) 749-4222 Palmilla Beach Golf Course: This Arnold Palmer Signature Design course awaits you with 18 championship holes, the only links-style course in Texas. Aside from the incredible design, it is surrounded by high-end homes and, of course, the beach. Finish up and have a drink or nosh at Black Marlin restaurant right on site. 258 Snapdragon, Port Aransas, TX 78373, (361) 749-4653 State Park: Mustang Island State Park offers over five miles of coastline to swim, play, fish, camp, picnic, bike, or bird watch! With nearly 100 campsites, both primitive or water/electric sites, and a paddle trail extending the length of 20 miles, the park is full of surprises. 17047 TX-361, Port Aransas, TX 78373, (361) 749-5246
[the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]