8 Unexpected Corpus Christi Travel Tips for First Timers

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Aside from being the hometown to the beloved singer Selena…I know I certainly didn’t know anything about the city before my first visit – and I still don’t know much after just one trip. Thankfully, the super informed Kayln from Girl Gone London volunteered to step in and grant us some clutch Corpus Christi travel tips!

Obviously visiting Corpus Christi is every young child’s dream, so regardless of when you make that dream a reality, these Corpus Christi travel tips are the perfect way to make sure that you’ve got the real scoop. At first glance, you might not be able to spot all the hidden gems this small city has to offer, so having a few Corpus Christi tips in your back pocket can give you a leg up on a successful trip.

From transportation, to attractions, to the best things to do in Corpus Christi, to even…how to get your car out of a sand pit…enjoy these Corpus Christi travel tips from someone who loves visiting this great city in Texas!

Bring a Car

Texas is a driving state in general, and Corpus Christi is no different. I mean, honestly, most of America is – that’s just a fact. So just a heads up for folks who are more used to using public transportation, the best and most convenient way to get around is by your own car, whether your own or rented.

Public transportation is slim to non-existent in most places, and you’ll be glad you have your own wheels – and that is your first of the Corpus Christi travel tips. The plus side is that you can find a lot of street parking, usually free, and the traffic isn’t as intimidating as in some of the larger Texas cities.

If you opt to go car free, then there are always rideshare apps (though those add up).

Be Cautious of Summer

Even if you’ve never been to Texas, from the images alone you may be able to guess that it can get pretty hot, especially in the summer. However, what pictures fail to convey is HUMIDITY, which often times has the sticky habit of making it feel 10 degrees hotter. In fact, in Corpus Christi, humidity in the summer easily reaches 80-85%.

So, fair warning, Texas gets humid, especially in the summer. Dry heat is one thing, but wet heat is a whole different ball game. Corpus Christi travel tips number two, if you are adverse to heat and traveling to hot humid destinations, perhaps take another thought about if you reallyyy want to visit during the summer.

That said, it is nicknamed “Sparkling City by the Sea,” so if heat isn’t a deal breaker, you can still have a great time. Prepare yourself for the scorching summers by applying (and re-applying!) plenty of sunscreen. If you’re sunscreen hesitant because you can’t find one that DOESN’T leave a grey residue, check out my post on sunscreens for darker skin tones (and paler ones too)!

Be sure to dress in cool, comfortable clothing that will help you wick sweat off your body rather than trap it in. Take plenty of breaks in buildings with air-conditioning and of course – hydrate hydrate hydrate!!

Try Out the Water Sports

Another great way to keep cool in Corpus Christi? Getting in the water! It is a coastal city after all.

Most of what there is to do in Corpus Christi revolves around the beach (it has some of the best beaches
in Texas) and the ocean, which means that you should be prepared to get your feet a bit wet, whether
through surfing, swimming, or even going out on a sunset cruise.

For surfing, one of the best local spots is “Fish Pass” on Padre Island. The windsurfing scene in Corpus Christi is also great – it’s actually ranked as one of the best windsurfing areas in the country! Either head to Corpus Christi Bay or pay $15 to launch at North Flats, an exclusive beach privately leased just for wind sports. Or, if you’re just getting into water sports, you can always take a lesson with Wind & Wave Watersports.

Be Careful Driving on Soft Sand

There are more than a few areas in Corpus Christi where you can drive straight onto the sand, which is SUPER COOL and all…but make sure that you know what you’re doing. I know I know, this might seem obvious, but driving on sand is not the same as driving on pavement. That’s why the next Corpus Christi travel tips we’re gonna focus on involves driving in sand!

First – STICK TO DESIGNATED DRIVING AREAS. There’s a lot of beaches, but some of them are actually very sensitive and/or may be protected wildlife habitats. So please, for the love of sea turtles (and not getting fined), make sure the beach allows driving. If you don’t see explicate signage saying driving is allowed, do a quick internet search.

That said, $12 permits are required on the majority of Gulf Coast beaches, which are valid for a year; the fees go to beach clean-ups and other maintenance activities.

In terms of driving, stick to hard packed and compacted sand, if you can, to minimize the chance of sinking and getting stuck. Soft sand is NO JOKE. It’s also highly recommended to use 4WD vehicles which also significantly reduces problems. You will probably need to lower your tire air pressure – 20 PSI is recommended for most beach conditions – but be sure to reinflate after!!

Howeverrrr, things happen. If you do get stuck, don’t panic. Take it easy on the gas so you don’t end up digging yourself into a deeper hole. Try wetting the sand under the tires and/or putting your floor mats (your rental company is gonna hate you lol) behind your wheels and backing up on them. If that doesn’t work, honestly there’s probably a friendly resident about who can give you hand with their own truck.

Last of these beach focused Corpus Christi travel tips, be sure to take your car to the wash after because sand is super corrosive. Or, if it’s a rental, just…dust it off a bit, they gotta wash it anyway.

Make time for Seafood

Corpus Christi is one of the best places to get seafood in all of Texas with its coastal location, and some
of the seafood joints around are absolutely legendary. So – arguably the most important of the Corpus Christi travel tips: LEAVE ROOM FOR NEMO.

First and foremost, the legendary and local favorite – Hornsby’s Seafood and Mo. Delicious, affordable, and most of all CONSISTENT. Just a heads up, they are a stall so there’s no seating. Hornsby’s has stood the test of time for a reason, and is the best spot to pick up a fish sandwich and keep on exploring the city. If you want to get a taste of their incredible stuffed shrimp and crab cakes, you’ll have to go early because they FLY (or swim?) off the shelves!

Oyster lovers, head IMMEDIATELY to the 4-generation deep Black Diamond Oyster Bar where you can eat a LOT of oysters. Freshly caught, you can have your choice of shucked or baked oysters. You can also add a side of them to any of their other fabulous seafood entrees.

Also, you’re in TEXAS, so you gotta hit up a Mexican seafood joint. There’s a lot of great ones, but if you can only choose one, Guajillos on the Island really serves up the best of what the region has to offer. If the weather is dreary, get theirs soups – it’ll change your life.

For dinner, one of the best views in Corpus Christi is from Doc’s Seafood and Steaks, on South Padre Island Drive. You’ll get an open-air atmosphere overlooking the water, as well as absolutely stunning sunsets and live music on selected nights. They don’t have reservations and the wait time, due to the popularity of the restaurant, can be lengthy, but it’s absolutely worth it.

Go to the Selena Museum

And of COURSE – you didn’t think Selena wouldn’t be on here did you??? After all, she was my whole reason for visiting. Though, if you are unfamiliar with the legendary Selena Quintanilla Pérez, then this is the most important of the Corpus Christi travel tips for you!

Selena was the “Queen of Tejano music”, her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century. Since she grew up in Corpus Christi, it’s only natural that the city have a museum dedicated to her – conveniently named the Selena Museum.

Operated by her family, this museum is dedicated to the memory of the young recording artist Selena, and offers an intimate look at her life and career. The museum is actually housed in her old recording studio, and you can see her outfits, awards, and more while browsing the museum and learning more about her and the immense impact she had on Latin and American music – and the world.

See the USS Lexington

Got a thing for WWII aircraft carrier? Well even if you don’t, after visiting the USS Lexington Museum, you definitely will!

The USS Lexington Museum is…literally a huge ship. This incredible former aircraft carrier shows off some of the incredible planes for WWII, as well as the crew quarters and flight deck used in this navy ship that aided in the protection of the US during wartime. Either with a guided tour ($50-$75) or on a self-guided tour, you’ll learn about the experiences of the sailors who served aboard the ship, as well as get your steps in as you climb and squeeze your way through the hallways and hidden nooks and crannies.

Plus, the museum also has a 3D theater, flight simulator, and virtual battle stations so you can get (virtual) hands-on experience and deeper insight on pilot training exercises. The most unique feature, however, are the escape rooms and after-hours paranormal tours – if you’re feeling courageous, make sure to book a few days in advance!

Don’t be Afraid to Ask Locals for Help

You may be a little intimidated by all the “DONT MESS WITH TEXAS” billboards, but Corpus Christi locals are typically very friendly and welcoming, and more than happy to help point you in the right direction.

In general, people in the South are pretty helpful. And chatty. But let’s get back to these Corpus Christi travel tips!

Aside from southerners being very approachable, Corpus Christi has exceptionally friendly residents, which also makes it a great destination for solo travelers. One of the best places to meet people while traveling is at the bars and by talking to the staff at restaurants and the gift shops to get their takes on the best things to do, places to eat, and where you should that’s a bit off the beaten track.

Conclusion: Corpus Christi Travel Tips

Wow, I wasn’t expecting to have so many great Corpus Christi travel tips! Is Corpus Christi worth visiting? Absolutely! Thanks again to Kayln for chiming in to help with this post!

All in all, Corpus Christi is a great little Texas coastal town with lots of things to do without the bustle of some of the state’s bigger cities. Hopefully, this post helps you navigate a little bit easier so that you can have the best experience as possible – but, it’s travel. Things always pop up, no matter how prepared you are! So the last and final of these Corpus Christi travel tips? Relax and have fun!

If you’ve been to Corpus Christi, what are some Corpus Christi travel tips that you’d add to the list? Let me know in the comments!

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