Fun day trips from Randolph AFB

by PCSgrades Staff - October 23rd, 2017

The year-round nice weather and relatively mild temperatures of San Antonio make it easy to get out and about to enjoy the local area. Here are some great ideas for things to do. All are within a day’s drive of Randolph AFB.

A day at the beach

Approximately 150 miles or a 2.5-hour ride from Alamo City is Corpus Christi, on the Gulf of Mexico, This outdoor oasis features boating, fishing, and beautiful beaches! There are over 100 miles of beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and the Corpus Christi Bay.

Padre Island National Seashore

The Padre Island National Seashore is the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world! More than 130,000 acres of dunes, grasslands, and natural, sandy beaches make for a nature lover’s delight!

Bob Hall Pier and Padre Balli Park

Bob Hall Pier, one of the area’s top fishing spots, has a paved parking area, car-free sand zone, and a convenient picnic area. Nearby Padre Balli Park offers campsites with all the amenities – cabanas and a bathhouse for visitor convenience.

Michael Ellis Beach

This family-friendly beach features a large paved parking lot, restrooms and rinse-off showers. Because of the one-mile long seawall which runs from South Packery Beach to Whitecap Beach, Michael Ellis Beach is often referred to as the Padre Island Seawall Beach.

North Beach

North Beach is a pedestrian access only beach. This family-friendly beach on the Corpus Christi Bay offers easy access to shopping, restaurants and visitor attractions. Set aside part of your day to visit the Texas State Aquarium.

McGee Beach

McGee Beach, on the Corpus Christi Bay, is within walking distance of beautiful downtown Corpus Christi. Beach rentals are available during the spring and summer months.

Enjoying the outdoors

Enchanted Rock

A list of Randolph AFB day trips wouldn’t be complete without the Enchanted Rock. The pink granite exfoliation dome is about an hour and a half north of San Antonio. The dome rises 425 foot above ground and covers 640 acres. Bring a kite and get ready for some great camping, picnicking and seven miles of hiking trails.

New Braunfels

San Marcos River

The San Marcos River is another outdoor wonderland. Opportunities abound for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, even snorkeling, scuba diving or riding on a glass-bottom boat. Hikers and bikers will enjoy more than 850 acres of outdoor fun.

Paradise Canyon Recreational Park

You can ramble around more than 12,000 acres of natural wonder at the Government Canyon State Natural Area to include Paradise Canyon, Recreational Park. Situated just 36 miles northwest of Alamo City, activities include camping, hiking, fishing, tubing, and camping.

Choke Canyon State Park

On the shores of a 26,000-acre reservoir about two hours south of Alamo City – boating, fishing, birding, hiking trails, camping, and breeding alligators!

The urban scene

Austin

The Texas State Capitol has a little something for everyone! For a unique shopping experience head to Uncommon Objects, an antique store like anything you’ve ever seen. Have a meal at one of the many outdoor cafes. And if music is your thing, the music scene in Austin can’t be beat!

Fredericksburg

Enjoy some German food in this quaint city, which is a little more than an hour away from Alamo City. In addition to its German heritage and the National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg has plenty of birding, fishing, bicycling and rock climbing opportunities. The Fredericksburg area also boasts the second most visited wine area in the US, second only to the Sonoma wine region in California. Visit some of the over 40 wineries in the Hill Country along the Highway 290 Wine Road outside of Fredericksburg.

Please add your favorite Randolph day trips below! And consider helping out your fellow military families by leaving a base housing, neighborhood, REALTOR®, or moving company review on PCSgrades.com.