Water along the mid-to lower coast is a bit warmer in all seasons than the upper coast and much more comfortable than the chilly Pacific at California and Mexico beaches. The south coast has warmer, more tropical winters but sometimes gets sharp, cold winds. At Point Isabel, near South Padre Island beaches, the average July high temperature is 93 degrees, the average January low is 51. Freezing is uncommon, even along the upper coast, but fog and low cloudiness are more likely to obscure the sun in winter. Summer temperatures all along the coast are often milder than inland, with a refreshing sea breeze.
Humidity is normally very high.
Every day at the coast is a bad hair day. Signs listing prohibited activities may be posted at beach access points. State parks along the coast offer tent camping spots and RV hookups. The best primitive tent camping is on Matagorda Island and the Padre Island National Seashore. The waves can't match California or Hawaii, but Texas beaches draw thousands of surfers who know how to read the weather for the best surf.