The Best Beaches in the US, According to the 'Readers' Choice Awards' | Condé Nast Traveler

"Spring break may bring the revelry, but most of the year a mellow vibe prevails. I drive north of town for the quietest stretches, head to the jetties for a surf when conditions line up, and from April to August keep watch for nesting sea turtles as Sea Turtle Inc. relocates eggs to protected corrals and releases the hatchlings. At the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary, a boardwalk elevated over 43 acres of marsh and ponds showcases stilt-legged birds, colorful butterflies, and about 50 rescued gators. Anglers chase redfish in the shallows at the island’s south end to turn the day into dinner." - Kat Chen