Explore, enjoy South Texas living
Welcome to what we plan to be the first of an annual Guide to South Texas Living. This publication is meant to be useful and entertaining for newcomers and visitors alike. FULL STORY »

City has 150 years of history
Karankawas, explorers, adventurers all played roles in its development. FULL STORY »

Texas weather gets tropical
Visitors to the Coastal Bend don't have to worry about packing scarves, gloves or hats - even in the winter. Instead, they can fill their suitcases with swimsuits, shorts and T-shirts, all typical South Texas attire. FULL STORY »

2002-03 calendar of events
FULL STORY »

Volunteers help dolphins heal
50-person group treats sick marine mammals around the clock. FULL STORY »

Area's culture is embedded in its art
Seagulls and crashing waves aren't the only visual stimulation available in the Coastal Bend. View art made by your neighbor at the local art centers. Get a sense of Texas and the region at the Art Museum of South Texas. See a preview of tomorrow's visual arts at local colleges today. FULL STORY »

Explore history of Asia, ranching
South Texas is rich with history and even richer with people willing to share it. From the dusty cattle country overflowing with old cowboy stories at the King Ranch Museum to the Pat McGee Surf Museum where visitors can ride the wave of surfing history and lore, there is plenty to see and much more to learn. FULL STORY »

King Ranch cashes in on Old West
At saddle shop, tourists can purchase furniture, cowboy apparel. FULL STORY »

Go from low-key to high energy
You love the nightlife, you got to boogie? Or is domestic beer with free peanuts more your style? From plush couches of Velvet to the teetering barstools of Vernon's, there are plenty of places to kick back with a drink in the Coastal Bend. FULL STORY »

Coastal tunes: Tejano, rock, jazz
The Coastal Bend's music is as diverse as its people. Homegrown talent of every variety can be found at local venues. So whether you want to go bluesy with Greg Gibbs, rock with X-Crete, get hayseed with Country Breeze or go Tejano with Jay Perez, somebody out there is playing your song. FULL STORY »

Enjoy the sand, surf, scenery
Beach goers can party at J.P. Luby Surf Park and meditate in utter solitude at the wide-open Padre Island National Seashore. Visit the wildlife sanctuary at Rockport Beach Park. Or walk to seafood restaurants bordering Corpus Christi Beach. FULL STORY »

Catch justifies cost for hunters
Though leases are costly, there are other ways to bag a trophy. FULL STORY »   

Area is fisherman’s paradise
Whether wading in seagrass flats for redfish, paddling a bait into the surf for sharks or motoring 50 miles into the Gulf for big game, the Coastal Bend delivers. FULL STORY »

Birders find an eyeful in area
Pelicans, ducks and hummingbirds are a few of the more than 490 species of birds that make their way to the Texas Gulf Coast throughout the year. FULL STORY »

Other oaks just can't match it
It's the great-great grandpa of coastal live oak trees. Known simply as the Big Tree, this tree at Goose Island State Park, near Rockport, is believed to be at least 1,000 years old - hundreds of years older than most live oak trees. FULL STORY »

Sports schedules
FULL STORY »

Kiteboarders catch the winds
Emily Witt and her fiancee, John Horne, loved to spend their free time wakeboarding, until they found themselves without access to a boat. So, on a whim, the couple drove from Houston to Corpus Christi to try a sport they had only heard about in passing. FULL STORY »

Lots to see, just a drive away
Alice's Tejano museum, trees near Rockport among attractions. FULL STORY »

Coastal fare turns down the heat
South Texas cuisine is a breed of its own, ranging from simple, hearty fare like chicken-fried steak and barbecued brisket to more spicy and elaborate dishes of the seafood and Mexican varieties. FULL STORY »

Corpus Christi restaurants
FULL STORY »

Corpus Christi area hotels, accomodations
FULL STORY »

Area officials
FULL STORY »

Be familiar with city laws
Police and city officials would like the Sparkling City by the Sea to remain that way. To accomplish that, the City Council over the years has approved ordinances on a variety of issues, such as littering, pet registration and designated areas for smoking. FULL STORY »

Tune in to cable, satellite plans
If Corpus Christi residents are looking for television beyond ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and PBS, they have several cable and digital options. FULL STORY »

Last hurricane hit 32 years ago
It's been a little more than 32 years since a major hurricane directly hit the city of Corpus Christi. FULL STORY »

Growth continues moving south
Spurred by low interest rates, strong schools and accessible retail, homebuyers are driving the city's southward growth. FULL STORY »

Electrifying options everywhere
Due to electric deregulation, Coastal Bend residents now have several options when selecting an electric provider. Retail Electric Providers often will compete to provide consumers electric service by offering lower prices, renewable energy options or other incentives. FULL STORY »

No dial tone? You pick provider
As a result of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, consumers have more options now when choosing a local or long-distance telephone service provider. FULL STORY »

Books meet art at local libraries
Literary classics satisfy local scholars; for fun, rent CDs, videos. FULL STORY »

Public schools have done very well
Newcomers to the Coastal Bend cannot go wrong with whatever school district they choose, according to one state school board representative. And for those who want to further their education, the area offers three accredited higher education campuses. FULL STORY »

Religion had a slow start here
When Zachary Taylor's army was camped in 1845 in the small outpost of Corpus Christi, preparing for war with Mexico, a Catholic priest, the Rev. Ubald Estany, arrived to spread the gospel. FULL STORY »

Run, lift and swim at the gym
Workout junkies can find just about any exercise trend at Corpus Christi's numerous fitness centers. Prices change often, so call for rates. FULL STORY »

Old remedies are now long forgotten
More than a century ago when doctors were scarce and people more self-sufficient, South Texans had their own remedies for home treatment. FULL STORY »

Crime not a major fear in city
Crime in Corpus Christi may have increased significantly from 2000 to 2001, but residents say they still consider the city safe. It may be because most perceive the crime here to be mostly lifestyle related and not random. FULL STORY »

Oil, air, sea provide diversity
Corpus Christi can be described as an oilman's mecca, a pilot's wide-open sky or a seaman's homeport. FULL STORY »

Area is home to Navy, Army
The Coastal Bend boasts three military bases that constitute 21 percent of the salaries in Nueces, Kleberg and San Patricio County. FULL STORY »

Get going, by land or by ferry
Corpus Christi has a population of about 300,000 people, and with a naval air station, refineries and the fifth largest port in the country, the roads in and around the city are busy. FULL STORY »