Boca Chica, Texas.

Boca Chica Village sits at the very southern tip of Texas, where the Rio Grande empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The area is remote and sparsely populated, surrounded by Boca Chica State Park and the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. In recent years, the area has drawn attention as the location of SpaceX's Starbase launch facility. The beach itself is wide and uncrowded, with some of the most isolated coastline in the state.

Boca Chica sits at the very southern tip of Texas, where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico. It's about 20 miles east of Brownsville and adjacent to SpaceX's Starbase facility.

For those willing to make the drive, Boca Chica offers an experience that is genuinely different from any other beach on the Texas coast. This is not a boardwalk-and-souvenir-shop destination. The beach stretches for miles with virtually no development, and the only sounds are the surf, the wind, and the occasional rocket test rumble from the SpaceX facility to the north. The water is the warmest on the Texas coast thanks to the southern latitude, and the sea turtle nesting season (April through July) brings Kemp's Ridley sea turtles ashore to lay their eggs — a conservation success story that volunteers and park staff work hard to protect.

The presence of SpaceX has added a layer of intrigue to the area. Starbase is not open for public tours, but the scale of the operation is visible from the highway, and the occasional test launch is visible from the beach. Boca Chica State Park remains open for day use, offering primitive camping, fishing, and beach access. The nearby town of Brownsville, about 25 minutes away, provides full services, hotels, dining, and the Gladys Porter Zoo. For the adventurous day-tripper or the curious visitor, Boca Chica is worth the haul.

Drive time from Boerne

Boca Chica is approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes from Boerne via I-37 South and US-77/US-83 South to Brownsville, then east on TX-4 to the coast. It is a full-day commitment, best planned as an overnight trip from the Hill Country.

What to know before you go

• Best time to visit: Winter and spring offer the most pleasant temperatures. Summer is very hot and humid, though the Gulf breeze provides some relief.
• Beach access: Boca Chica State Park charges a small day-use fee. The beach is driveable with a standard vehicle on packed sand, but check conditions before heading out.
• SpaceX: Road closures near the launch site occur during test flights and operations. Check the Cameron County and SpaceX closure schedules before heading down.
• Wildlife: Sea turtle nesting season runs April through July. Kemp's Ridley sea turtles are protected — keep your distance from marked nests.
• Services: Bring everything you need — food, water, fuel, and supplies. Brownsville is the nearest full-service town, about 25 minutes west.