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South Texas beaches stand tall on USA Today readers' list

Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island, in Cameron County, ranked at the top of USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.
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Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island, in Cameron County, ranked at the top of USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.

South Texas beaches were well-represented among the top in the state by voters in the 2026 USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.

South Texas beaches making the list include:
I.B. Magee Beach at Port Aransas at No. 10.
Padre Island National Seashore's South Beach ranked at No. 7.
Whitecap Beach was No. 5 on the list.
Mustang Island State Park ranked fourth.
Malaquite Beach at Padre Island National Seashore was third.
Aransas County's Rockport Beach ranked second on the list.
And, at the top: Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island.

Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo said in a social media post that the beaches are the top reason people visit the city and a place both residents and visitors enjoy year-round. She also mentioned that visitor spending reached an estimated $1.2 billion last year.

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