Hotels in Corpus Christi

Among the numerous national chain motels in Corpus Christi are Best Western Garden Inn, 11217 I-37, exit 11B (tel. 800/937-8376 or 361/241-6675); Comfort Suites, 3925 S.P.I.D. (tel. 800/228-5150 or 361/225-2500); Embassy Suites Hotel, 4337 S.P.I.D. (tel. 800/362-2779 or 361/853-7899); and La Quinta, 5155 I-37, exit 3A (tel. 800/687-6667 or 361/888-5721). A reasonably priced independent motel is the Sea Shell Inn, 202 Kleberg Place (tel. 361/888-5291), with rates for two of $50 to $125. Room tax adds 15% to rates, and the highest rates in the Corpus Christi area are in the summer.

Camping -- RVers have plenty of camping choices in the Corpus Christi area, and although many of the RV parks will accept tenters, the rates are often the same as for sites with RV hookups; those in tents will be surrounded by RVs. Tenters should camp at nearby Padre Island National Seashore or one of the other public parks in the area.

Among RV parks here, the best is Colonia del Rey, 1717 Waldron Rd., near the entrance to Padre Island (tel. 800/580-2435 for reservations, or 361/937-2435; www.campingfriend.com/coloniadelrey), which has a swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, and all the other usual amenities, and can accommodate rigs up to 85 feet long. Some sites have telephones, and rates are $21 to $23 for full hookups, including cable TV.