I've Lived in Texas for 34 Years-and This Remote Beach Town Might Be the Most Peaceful Place in the State

"About two hours southwest of Houston lies Matagorda, a small beach town for travelers seeking solitude and a break from everyday life. Unlike other beach towns in Texas, Matagorda is sleepy. You won't find crowds, buzzing bars, and traffic here; instead, you'll encounter wide-open stretches of sand, tiny mom-and-pop eateries, and not a whole lot going on except fishing, shelling, birding, kayaking, and a few other outdoor pursuits."

"Matagorda Bay sits where the Colorado River spews into the Gulf. This brackish water teems with wildlife-particularly sought-after fish such as redfish, black drum, and flounder. You might see a dolphin zip by in the river, or a Kemp's ridley sea turtle feeding near the jetties. Matagorda's marshes are a haven for birds, too, which flock to the area year-round, but especially during winter migration. More than 200 species have been spotted here."

Matagorda is a small, sleepy beach town about two hours southwest of Houston that offers solitude and simple amenities. Wide-open sand, tiny mom-and-pop eateries, and minimal crowds define the town. Outdoor pursuits include fishing, shelling, birding, and kayaking. Matagorda Bay, at the Colorado River mouth, holds brackish waters rich in redfish, black drum, and flounder, and attracts dolphins and Kemp's ridley sea turtles. Marshes support over 200 bird species and draw heavy winter migration; Matagorda County has topped the North American Audubon Christmas Bird Count since 1997. Local wildlife includes pelicans, ospreys, warblers, terns, herons, egrets, stilts, and roseate spoonbills.

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