Region: Gulf Coast
City is a major deep-water port and one of Texas' most popular seacoast
playgrounds. The first European to have visited the area is believed to have
been Spanish explorer Alonzo de Pineda in 1519. The first settlement was a
frontier trading post founded in 1839 by impresario-colonizer Col. Henry
Lawrence Kinney. It was an obscure settlement until about 1845 when accelerated
growth began. Institutions of higher learning are Del Mar College and Texas
A&M University—Corpus Christi.
The Corpus Christi Seawall, with steps to the water, was built in the late
1930s as part of a major landfill that created Shoreline Boulevard and the
popular "T" head docks for pleasure boats. Corpus Christi Beach, north of
downtown over the bridge, is the site of the USS Lexington and Texas State
Aquarium. It offers park areas, picnic tables, showers and rest rooms. From the
Corpus Christi Marina, watch the colorful sailboat regatta every Wednesday
evening.
The Harbor Bridge (U.S. 181) arches 235 feet above the water. A pedestrian
walkway has spectacular views of the harbor and city. Beneath the bridge, an
observation platform offers close-up views of ships entering and leaving the
port.
In keeping with the city's image of glistening waterways, Corpus Christi's
Water Garden at Bayfront Arts and Science Park sparkles for visitors to see,
hear and touch.
Enjoy free fishing from numerous municipal piers, jetties, miles of beach and
seawall. Bait and tackle shops (tackle can be rented by the day) are abundant.
Arrangements and reservations for group-boat fishing may be made at Corpus
Christi Marina or through private operators.