Heading to Galveston for a weekend trip with the fam and staying in an AirBNB on O St, so we'll be driving to the beach.

What's considered the best beach in Galveston? Our boys will want to do some swimming, skim boarding, boogie boarding, throw the football around and maybe cast a few lines into the surf (I haven't decided if I'm bringing fishing tackle or not yet).

Should we be looking at Pirate's Beach, East Beach?

I wouldn't mind taking the ferry over to Crystal Beach but I don't want to spend a bunch of time waiting in line.

Any help is appreciated, mostly just looking to avoid riff raff and find a chill spot to hang out.

there is public access points starting past tipsy turtle that you can drive on the beach at.

https://goo.gl/maps/a1TDs526mEMYYjWv7

If you want to rent a table or have access to a restaurant & nice bathrooms, then go to the Tipsy Turtle.

https://www.tipsyturtlegalveston.com/menu/

I would probably do Pirate's. And I would do Crystal Beach before East Beach. There is a nice free pocket Beach Park on your left before you get to Pirate's Beach though with food, drinks, bathrooms, changing room, outdoor showers for rinsing off etc.

Sea Isle - drive to a small pocket on the beach where vehicles are allowed outside of which the beaches are closed to vehicle access. West End Marina is across the road on the bay side with a nice little restaurant/bar and convenient store.

Don't go to East this Saturday. Summer fest is there. Unless of-course you want that. Lots of bands, etc.

Appreciate all the advice!

Pirates Beach hands down. Bring a canopy of some sort …

https://maps.app.goo.gl/GMXNvDo3ARP63GiD7?g_st=ic

My parents used to own a house here

Just west of Jamaica beach

Super low key except for major holidays

Use a public access point near the Galvestonian / Islander East / Palisade Palms. Low riff raff around those parts and it's not all the way out at the end of East beach.

Agree with Beachtown and the Galvestonian area. It's a hidden gem plus you can watch the ships traveling through the ship channel. Don't forget the WWII gun turrets and ShrimpNStuff. Enjoy!