Great beach not too far of a drive from Austin TX almost 3 hrs drive, lot of picnic tables and grills, table has a cover, volleyball court was nice, good day trip read more

I love this man made beach, it's nice and clean with plenty to do. I take my daughter fishing here it's only $3 off the pier and the bait store will help you set your line of you do not know how. We rarely catch fish not because it's not any we just don't know how. But I was told by a wise man once it's not about the fish you catch but the company you keep, father daughter bonding makes it super fun for the both of us. read more

Sylvan Beach - Beaches Near Me - La Porte, Texas

Sylvan Beach is a great beach. However, maintenance needs to improve. There are showers for the public, but none of them work. They have been out of order since last year, and they don't care to fix them. If Sylvan Beach doesn't have enough funds to fix the showers, maybe Sylvan Beach should charge a few dollars for parking. read more

It's a very nice beach close by. Much quicker trip then trying to go to overcrowded Galveston. They have nice bathrooms at Sylvan and plenty picnic spaces it's very nice read more

I dont like this beach so much because its bacteria level is high and i didn't swim in the ocean but in here they have lovely walk sides

There perfect spot if you just wanna hang out with friends and family and don't wanna drive all the way out to Galveston and fight the traffic. Plenty of picnic areas and shade. Lots of play areas for the kiddos too and lots of free parking. My only complaint is the water. I'd never let anyone play or even step in that water. Not saying Galveston's brown water is any better but still.. The sand is also a little rough compared to the sand at Galveston but the kids will still have fun building sand castles and running around. It's a good compromise if you don't wanna spend the gas money or the frustration of driving out to Galveston. read more

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Nice location, plenty of parking, friendly people. The pier is well kept and looked after.

The beach is super cute and clean. There picnic tables, a pier and huge playground. I will be back again!

Love this little beach. It's perfect and always so clean. Plus it's close to home. Just a little getaway when feeling stressed out.

It's a small beach that will satisfy your need for some water time. The beach was full but not overly packed. Parking was easy. My family and I enjoyed it for it being our first time here. Will def be back. read more

When I first arrived here, I assumed based on the pictures and reviews that this would be like a traditional beach. It was in fact not. The "beach" seems more like a pool. There were barriers and blockades that would prevent you from going too far out the beach. When sitting on the sand area, you could feel like you are on an island because of the depth of the water. From reviews, it was said that Sylvan Beach would have "blue" waters. The water in my opinion was cloudy and murky. Worse than Galveston beach! A plus was that there were active lifeguards on site. There was spacious parking and a boat dock on the other side of the main entrance. There was also a shower located outside to wash off after you have finished swimming. There were also restrooms which was a plus for any beach. The park had an area which people can enjoy a picnic or played their favorite sport. Also, if you plan on fishing at Sylvan Beach, prepare to pay a small fee of $4 to go out on the pier and fish. Overall, if you plan on having a spacious beach and enjoy going far out, this is not the beach for you. Though this beach offers more than a traditional beach would with the outdoor showers and grass area, this is a beach I would not recommend for large families or people who plan on doing any aquatic games. I hope you found this review helpful for your next trip to the beach! read more

Love this beach! It's clean, there's restrooms close by, free parking, there's a playground for the kids. Very beautiful beach. read more

Sylvan Beach - Beaches Near Me - La Porte, Texas

Stay out of the water ! But great place for the family. People with sensitive skin stay out of the water

Awesome playground area and picnic area. Will not swim in this area. Being from out of state I had high hopes, no locals told me upon expressing my views to go here.You're kept from going far out I'd say 5' or so from remnants of hurricane katrina is what locals told me as things washed up and the beach isn't fully cleared. Along with that, it doesn't necessarily stink but doesn't have an ocean smell. If you want an industrial look be me guest and wade here while watching industrial ships go out. I'd rather make the extra drive to Galveston. read more

We live right by this beach, so I run by it several times a week (and take my kids here once or twice a week). Here are my recommendations as a local: 1) Avoid holidays at all costs. It gets really crowded. Memorial day, 4th of July & Labor day in particular. 2) Weekends can get crowded when schools out, I'd aim for a Friday afternoon or Sunday afternoon/evening if you MUST go on a weekend. 3) Come during the middle of the week. This beach is completely dead most weekdays during the school year. I'm often the only person on the beach at noon on some of the most beautiful days of the year. 4) Following my last rule. Make this a spontaneous adventure. If the weather is nice and it's not summertime, pack your kids in the car after school and come to Sylvan Beach! Watch the big boats go by and sunset at the beach, then have dinner in old town La Porte at Mainly Drinks. 5) It's not shaded, so bring an umbrella if it's a hot day. 6) The kids play area is great for all ages. 7) If you want to go on a pier for free, then head north to Seabreeze Park. It's about a half mile away and has a playground and free pier. 8) Do not come to this beach after a big storm. It's usually very nice and clean (and the sand is real sand too!), but trash washes ashore after a storm and it takes a week or so till the beach is all cleaned up again. 9) This beach is not good for boogie boarding or water sports like that. Best for kids to splash in at the shore. Waves are small and the swimming area is small. 10) If you are already in La Porte, you might as well drive through Morgans Point to see the old Sterling Governors Mansion and the old houses from the days when La Porte was a hopping tourist destination for Houston's rich people (including Howard Hughes). It's across from 514 Bayridge Rd La Porte, TX 77571. You can go all the way till the road dead ends at the ship channel and get an up close view of big boats coming in. 11) Remember that La Porte is eclectic. You will drive by some dumps, you will drive by mansions, you will have a mix of people in town, it's a small town vibe, but it's safe, it's friendly and it's got a lot of charm if you look past some of the rundown areas. If you are coming from a planned suburban community, it will not look "normal" to you. If you are coming from anywhere inside the city, you'll probably feel right at home with the eclectic nature of La Porte. 12) Pack your own snacks, they do have a snack bar, but it's not always open. 13) Drive down main street if you get a chance, and if you like antiquing, then make time for it! There are 4-5 antique shops. 14) Have a fun beach day! read more

This is a great place to come with family. There are a couple playgrounds for the kids and a little park for skate boarding. The beach is kept clean and they have trash cans through out the area. There's plenty of parking and also a bridge where you can fish. We've been here 3 times and we always have a good time. read more

Very nice beach. I think it's man made, but the sand is very fine and the waves are much smaller than down by the gulf. We didn't see any seaweed either. In other words it's pretty kid friendly, which suits us fine. Parking is free too, so I think we'll go here more often than to Galveston. We were here on a very nice Sunday and although it was quite a few people in the park and on the beach, it was not crowded. There is a long pier there where you can go fishing ($4 fee). You can buy live bait in the shop right next to the pier. Only bad thing is that their showers were out of order. read more

I have lived in Baytown for almost 11 years and have never thought about going to Sylvan Beach in La Porte. We finally went on a weekend and it was better than Galveston! There is no fee to park or enter beach area. There are two beaches with a pier in between the two. There are outdoor showers to clean off as well. Behind the beach are covered picnic tables which is a big plus. These are perfect for bringing your own portable pit or grill. It seemed like a nice family atmosphere. We will opt for here instead of driving all the way to Galveston and paying for a bunch of stuff that should be free in a park or rec area. read more

What a neat place! We started the La Porte By The Bay Half Marathon here and it was an awesome place to start! Lots of room for runner, and the porta potties, PLUS public restrooms....that's just kinda heaven! There's not much parking for the race, but for everything else I bet it would be just fine. There are restrooms, a playground, and the water area is really nice. I had no clue this neat little place was here, and I sure will come back to visit on a warmer, less stressful day. Definitely a little hidden gem that I will return to explore! read more

Let's face it.. people have nothing good to say about Galveston Beach. They make the water sound downright repulsive. Now, I've never been.. so I have no opinion, but after what people say.. I may never go. On our recent trip to Houston, my husband somehow found out about Sylvan Beach, which is about 30-35 miles north of Galveston Beach. I was a little hesitant, but figured it wouldn't hurt to check it out anyway. I was pleasantly surprised! It looked pretty! Of course, the water isn't blue.. but hey, it's not bad. It's nestled at the end of the city of La Porte, looks like a residential area around. They had a large grassy area, play area for the kids, a nice looking dock, it all makes for a nice day. The crowd looked like it was just families there to spend time together and have some fun. Exactly our intent as well. No ruckus or drunkards. There is tons of free parking. They also allow pets, yay! I took my pup swimming and she loved it. The only con.. the bathrooms are disgusting. But I can't say I've ever been to a squeaky clean bathroom at a park or beach park. Other than that, it's a great place to visit and I'm sure a much better choice than Galveston. read more

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After being disappointed by the (stinky seaweed covered) beach in Galveston, my boyfriend's parents, who we'd gone to Houston to visit, took us here. Sylvan is a beautiful man-made beach that has actual sand instead of mud. It's well maintained, with seating and restrooms. We plan on returning every time we visit Houston! read more

Brace yourselves, August is coming. For Houston, this means two very important things: 1. Prepare for imminent face-melting. 2. Prepare as everyone and they mamas flock to Galveston's crowded, dirty beaches. However, while the road to Galveston is long, tortuous, and plagued with searing hot pavement (only adding to the summer's unforgiving heat), the road to La Porte is much more bearable... and shorter! La Porte's Sylvan Beach Park consists of a playground, fishing pier, bait shop, restrooms, two large parking lots' worth of *free* parking, a few picnic tables, really crappy Wi-Fi, and of course, the beach! The beach itself is small in comparison to Galveston and, like others have mentioned, I'm thinking it was man-made: first off, there's no seaweed, and second, the sand here is different -- the grains are bigger, almost like really fine gravel. Obviously, this being Gulf water, the water isn't exactly a clear blue beauty, but it isn't clogged with debris either so it'll do. They have the water roped off at a certain point (around 6ft deep), so it's an ideal beach for families... and yes, be warned, there were TONS of kids at this beach. Nevertheless, my man and I managed to secure our own little corner, so we were able to enjoy wading in the water and picnicking in peace. Around 10am on a Thursday, when we arrived, there were only a few families present, and we packed up and left around 12:30pm, when the beach started getting crowded and too loud for our liking. Aside from the lack of shade and lame Wi-Fi (what?? A girl's gotta "check-in" on Facebook and Yelp, right?!), Sylvan Beach is a great alternative to Galveston's crowded beaches. Although, if you're looking for peace and tranquility, I'd suggest the earlier the better. read more

Sylvan Beach - Right-most side of Sylvan Beach. - Beaches Near Me - La Porte, Texas

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The last time I ever visited this place was when I was a child. I'm so glad my friend reminded me of this place because I had realized just how long it had been since I last came here. This place is super nice, the park is big and the little beach is lovely. During weekdays it's pretty empty but during weekends I remember it getting super busy. I brought my little puppy to socialize and she did that well but she kept finding rotting pieces of food that people have dropped in the grass around the park so be aware of that. It was pretty perfect overall. I think I just found my weekday place to relax. read more

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Four stars because I caught my first redfish here . Seen flounder caught too. That is all. Fish on

This is a good place to go if you have a couple of hours to spare, it is a smaller beach. We went here after work and it was perfect. It was free parking too which was nice. Not somewhere I'd want to spend an entire day, but not bad for an evening. read more

It is a small beach. But close to the city and not much traffic in the evening. Perfect place to go on a week day when one can't afford to drive to Galveston. read more

Sylvan Beach - Beaches Near Me - La Porte, Texas

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Really nice park located on upper Galveston Bay in LaPorte, Texas. They have done a lot to rebuild the park since hurricane Ike devastated the area 8 years ago. They have rebuilt the fishing pier. Totally redone the waterfront and added beach areas! There is a really nice playground for kids with slides, and swings. There is a little store for buying bait and supplies, and your passes to get on the pier. Yes, they do charge to access the pier. There are picnic benches around the park. There is also a pavillion that can be rented for special functions. There is also an area for launching your boat on the south end of the park. The wife and I took the grandbaby down to the park to swing and kill some time. He really loved the swings, they have small basket type swings for really little ones like my Grandbaby but, they also have regular swings for the bigger kids. We took him down to the water and he was just fascinated with the waves breaking over the rock barrier! I have attended functions at the pavilion for the LaPorte Go Texan Committee and it was a really nice place. I used to launch my boat here when I was still a boat owner. It was my homeport when I lived in Deer Park. Another nice thing was while we were there, there was always either a Harris County Sheriff on patrol as well as the local LaPorte Police department. I'm sure this really helps keep the unwanteds from causing trouble. It gives you a good sense of security anyway. read more

Sylvan Beach - Sylvan Beach Pier - Beaches Near Me - La Porte, Texas

The beach was great for family activities and also the fishing was good the only problem we had was that the local police not the Harris County Sheriff but the local La Porte constables were not very friendly and being very rude to the people out there read more

The park area is very large and great for birthdays or gatherings of any kind. The beach is small but nice... I'm curious if anyone knows of any beach clean up crew and if so how do you sign up? I have come here many times before today and there is trash all over no matter what way you look. It really makes me worry for what's actually made it in the water and is affecting the wildlife. read more

Sylvan Beach - Beaches Near Me - La Porte, Texas

This is a very nice beach. We went on a Tuesday evening and the only reason I did the give it more stars is because the place is soo busy. There was really anywhere out there we could go. We did bring our Australian Shepherd so we wanted a little seclusion. The facility was nice and the beach was clean. The neighborhood was also nice. Much better than galveston if you are just trying to get away for a few hours. read more

We were in town from Austin and were super excited to visit this beach in LaPorte and take pictures of my disabled cousin on the water. We were about 10 yards from the front of a pier when a lady loudly and rudely said "Get off the pier now!" We walked off of the pier in shock only to be met by a sheriff deputy who not only yelled at us but told us he would write a citation if he wasn't out of paper and when we wished him a merry Christmas, said "THANK YOU FOR NOT READING THE SIGN!" Even if I lived in the area I would NEVER go back. He treated us like we were murderers. I understand we did something wrong as we didn't realize we needed a permit, but the overreaction from the pier attendant over the pier intercom as well as the treatment we received from the deputy was incredibly uncalled for. In hind sight I should have videotaped it as it would have surely gone viral. You see stories about aggressive, arrogant, power abusing officers but in my 41 years I've never personally experienced it before. I'm going to pray it never does again. My only hope is that he is some day reprimanded for his demeanor. I'm actually considering calling his superior to make him aware of his unwelcoming officer and terrible unprofessional manners. read more

The beach isn't ever too over crowded, the park is super nice and they have a lot of parking! Also a nice skatepark!

A nice beach for kids with a playground area. The parking is free and there's a restroom. No drinking alcohol and there's a Constable so it felt super safe for us. The only downside is there's hardly any shells but rocks, I've read it was so the beach doesn't wash away. read more

If you just need a quick beach fix this will work but the water is so filthy I wouldn't want a dog in it. My 5 year old came out covered in disgusting film from the water. The people at the beach leave trash and junk laying around in the sand. I'd rather drive to Galveston. read more

Drove in and drove right back out. If you are looking for a quiet beach weekend this would not be the place. Lots of parties, family gatherings. read more

Sylvan Beach pier is a great place to fish. The park has it all: Bait & Tackle store with other sundries, picnic tables, beach with benches (in case, you just want to stop by and take a break), and restrooms. It does get crowded as the day moves on, but I mostly enjoy being out on the pier catching a few fish, sun rays, and gentle breezes. read more

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Very small beach in Houston. If you are wanting to have a beach experience, I wouldn't recommend visiting this beach. The sand is filled with rocks until you are a few feet from the water. You can only go out in the water maybe 20ish feet from the sand. But I loved my time here. I was able to hang out on the beach for a bit and get my beach experience. They had a huge grassy area for picnics which I was able to play some frisbee on. Parking and entrance is free for the beach but you will have to pay if you plan to fish off of their docks. I enjoyed visiting here because it was quieter than most beaches and I was still able to get the beach experience. Great for families so that parents can easily keep track of kids. read more

I live off of Park St, which is a 3 minute drive to the beach; I love taking my daughter here to play and enjoy the day! People come here to fish on the pier also, which you have to pay to get on. On the weekends, it gets crazy packed really fast so make sure you've got your coolers stocked and you're here bright and early when the park opens! (7 am) also make sure to pick up after yourselves. Our beach isn't all that glamorous when you leave chip bags, water bottles, and beer cans everywhere. read more

I went here with a friend on Memorial day weekend. It was our first time to this beach. We arrived at Sylvan there are two nice sized parking lots so parking was a breeze. There was a huge playground for the kiddos. They also have a bait and tackle shop that has a few odds and ends like suntan lotion, mosquito spray, gum, candy, fishing lures, and they also have snowcones. We bought all dead bait seeing how last time we went fishing somewhere else the bait died anyway. It was a couple of bucks for each person to fish off of the pier. They give you a wrist band that is good until 5 am the following day. They need switch to an all PLASTIC wristband because if you get into the water they WILL fall off. They are the paper ones that are kinda plastic coated, the ones that a club normally puts on you and you stretch out or break off. They are no match for salt water apparently. The nice thing about this beach is that they have a concrete side walk down the stretch of the beach which makes it easier to walk on when you are carrying all of your beach gear. They also have concrete benches along the walk way which came in handy when we were eating our lunch later that day. We set up our chairs and took our swimsuits to the restroom to change. This I do not recommend because it was awfully humid and there were no hooks for a bag. Make sure you are dressed before hand. My poor planning. Normally I'd already be changed before I arrived at a beach for this reason. When we went back to our little area we noticed that after several feet in the water it was roped off. this was awesome because we could tell the kids not to pass the rope without having to keep going out to tell them they are going too far out. I noticed a very pissed off look of my friends face while we were getting ourselves situated I heard a woman's voice say "OOH I know!" I turned around to see a woman............and her two huge Labs each taking a GIANT shit on the sand. (mind you there was a huge field with in steps that no one was even using and she took her dogs to crap literally 10 feet away from where we had our stuff.. She had unleashed them as well. I'm sure dogs are supposed to be on a leash...they are supposed to be most places. This wasn't a dog park after all! I walked over to her and asked if she was going to pick it up. she told me she would. So I waited. And I waited. And waited. You could tell by her body language that this lady was so uncomfortable. She put her dogs back on leashed and walked back to where the poop was. I turned around to see this woman is now acting like a friggin' cat and is using her foot to throw sand over the mounds. "EXCUSE ME?!" I was pissed. I walked over and told her that she needed to PICK it UP because children are going to be building sandcastles and running around and no one should have to have the experience of having shit all over her hands because of her laziness. She then had the nerve to ask me if I had anything to pick it up. I gave her a schooling what a proper dog owner does.... which is to carry their own baggies. I am a dog owner and I would NEVER DO THAT! I told her to enjoy being on facebook.... walked 5 feet, turned around and took a picture of her covering up her turds. I tagged her in it because she didn't ever return to pick it up. I also contacted two maintenance people that actually had shovels and were also too lazy to go and scoop it up to throw it away. I showed them the picture and they said that the lady had just given them issues and that they would "take care of her." I'm sure they didn't perform a hit on her as mafia as it sounded. I'm sure they didn't kick her out, or correct her. I'm sure they just drive away. This is the only bad issue I had all day here. I suggest that the beach put up a doggie park like area with a pole that has a trash can and baggies. This way idiotic people have no excuse. read more

Terrible beach. Extremely small couldn't get in the water. I did go to this beach on the 4th of July, but there was no space for me and my family to enjoy the sand. This beach has almost no sand and charges $20 for parking. When we went there were rocks blocking us from getting in the water. read more