Cinnamon Shore, Texas.

Cinnamon Shore is a master-planned coastal community on the north end of Mustang Island, just north of Port Aransas. It is designed to feel like a classic beach town, with walkable streets, a village center, pools, and direct beach access. Homes range from cozy cottages to larger coastal estates. It is popular with families looking for a resort-style experience without the spring-break crowds.

Cinnamon Shore is a master-planned community on the north end of Mustang Island, just north of Port Aransas. It's about 30 miles south of Aransas Pass across the ship channel.

What sets Cinnamon Shore apart from most Texas beach destinations is the intentional design. The community was planned from the ground up with pedestrian-friendly streets, pocket parks, and shared amenities that include multiple pools, a fitness center, a spa, and a town square with shops and restaurants. The houses follow a cohesive coastal architectural style — pastel colors, wraparound porches, metal roofs — that gives the neighborhood a consistent, curated feel. You can walk from your rental to the beach, the pool, or the coffee shop without getting in a car.

For Hill Country families considering a second home or vacation property, Cinnamon Shore represents one of the more polished options on the Texas coast. The community has its own rental management program, which makes it feasible to use the property part-time and generate rental income the rest of the year. The proximity to Port Aransas (about 5 minutes) means you have access to the full range of restaurants, fishing charters, and shops of a larger beach town while returning to the quiet of a gated community at night. It is not the most affordable coastal option, but the quality of the built environment and the amenities are hard to match anywhere else on Mustang Island.

Drive time from Boerne

Cinnamon Shore is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes from Boerne via I-37 South to US-77 South, then east on TX-44 to Port Aransas. The last stretch crosses the Corpus Christi Bay and then Mustang Island, with Gulf views appearing as you approach the coast.

What to know before you go

• Best time to visit: Spring and fall offer the best weather. Summer is the peak season with full amenities and programming but higher rates.
• Accommodations: Vacation rentals through the Cinnamon Shore rental program. Homes range from one-bedroom cottages to five-bedroom estates.
• Amenities: Multiple pools, a fitness center, a spa, the Town Center with restaurants and shops, and a private beach access boardwalk.
• Nearby attractions: Port Aransas (5 minutes) for fishing charters, dining, and the beach. The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is about 30 minutes north.
• Consideration: Cinnamon Shore is a curated community, not a traditional town. If you prefer spontaneous, unscripted coastal character, the older parts of Port Aransas may suit you better.