When Texans want relaxing fun in the sun they head for the Coastal Bend of Aransas Pass, Mustang Island, North Padre Island, Port Aransas, and Rockport. Especially Port A and Rockport.

Just say the name "Port A" and watch their eyes light up. Everyone who's ever been there can't wait to tell you a story about the place. It's full of energy and fun and beaches. Just across the bay at Rockport are more beaches, museums, and a more laid-back way to enjoy it all.

Did I mention you'll find miles and miles of beaches? Oh, yeah. Mustang Island and North Padre seem like one giant beach with more pelicans than you can imagine just skimming along above the waves.

Port Aransas, a town of about 3,500, describes themselves as "A spunky little town with a sandy backyard," and once you're there, you'll know why and probably slide right into island time.

"Port Aransas is known for beaches, birding and fishing," says Sheri Henneberger, communications director for the Port A Chamber of Commerce. One look around the office and you'll understand why. With all the brochures and rack cards for guide services, deep sea and bay fishing boats, bait and tackle, dolphin watch tours, lodging on the beach, and a map with 14 bird watching sites, it's pretty easy to see why anglers, birders, water junkies and sun worshipers flock to the island.

The short ferry ride from Aransas Pass gives you your first look at the length of the island. Once you get off the ferry, it's all right there, 18 miles of beaches, shops, restaurants, real estate offices and services.

Most of the lodging is off the main drag within a block or two of the beach. With miles of beach allowing vehicles and camping, you can enjoy the water up close and personal.

A jewel on the island is the Port Aransas Art Center with more than 225 artists. They offer classes and workshops, and their annual Artfest/Songwriters Showcase is in May.

The University of Texas Marine Science Institute (361-749-6711, www.utmsi.utexas.edu) has self-guided tours, displays and films to get you familiar with all the aquatic life in the area.

Harbor Master Charlie Fisher maintains and rents the 275 slips in the harbor. The surrounding park includes everything you need for a family outing, including picnic tables, kids play area, plenty of restrooms, docks, fishing and an event pavilion. This harbor is one of the busiest in the state (361-749-5429, cityofportaransas.org).

In addition to the beaches, birds and fishing you'll find other fun attractions on the island such as the pirate ship, flyboarding, parasailing, and dolphin tours. Golf carts are available for driving on the beach.

In such a hurry to get here that you forgot your swimsuit, water shoes or surfboard? No problem. The main streets are lined with shops offering beachwear, souvenirs and shells.

If you're looking for a place to eat, just look to your left or to your right and you'll see just about anything you could possibly want from a nice sit down seafood restaurant to an island brewery to fast food.

If you're into birding check out the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, Port Aransas Wetlands Park, City Fishing Pier, J.P Luby Pier, Ancel Brundrett Pier, South Jetty/I.B McGee Beach Park, Horace Caldwell Pier, Roberts Point Park, San Jose Island, Mustang Island State Park, Joan & Scott Holt Paradise Pond, Port Aransas Nature Preserve and wetlands Education Center

Upcoming events include the Redfish Tournament, Texas Sandfest, Art Fiesta/Songwriters Weekend, Texas Women's Anglers Tournament, Adopt a Beach Cleanup, Old Town Festival, Carolers Afloat/Boat Lighting Parade, and more.

Seems like something is always going on over in Rockport, too, like OysterFest, AquaFest, the Babes on the Bay Fishing Tournament, the Hummingbird Festival, the Rockport Art Festival, and even a Shopping Tournament. It's a festival every month.

Coastal magazine named the Rockport/Fulton area a "Top 10 Coastal Art Colony" and Texas Highways magazine named Rockport number six in its Top 40 Travel Destinations.

Rockport is renowned for the arts as well as fishing, boating, birding, museums, educational facilities.

The Center for the Arts, for example, has been around for 40 years, display fine works of art and offering classes and workshops, and art and film festivals (361-729-5519, www.rockportartcenter.com)

Add in the city's Heritage District that is full of shops, galleries, boutiques, photography studios, antique shops, coffee shops, souvenir shops, bead and jewelry shops and more.

If you like birds, don't miss the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, a 119,000-acre park and wildlife refuge. Nature lovers and birders flock to the area in hopes of catching site of the endangered whooping cranes and other species of coastal birds (361-286-3559, www.fws.gov/refuge/aransas).

Other area parks include Zachery Taylor Park, Howard Murph Park, Compass Rose, and Memorial Park which has 1.65 miles of hike and bike trails, a 3/4 mile nature trail, baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, fitness stations and playscapes, as well as a two-acre dog park.

Don't forget the beach. Rockport Beach is the only Texas beach authorized to display the Blue Wave flag, an honor that indicates it is nationally certified by Clean Beaches Council as being a clean and healthy beach, managed responsibly and has focuses on the protection of human health and the environment.

If you like fishing, this is your place. The Copano Fishing Pier, the Fulton Fishing Pier, Rockport Beach and the many other local spots are popular for catching redfish, trout, drum and blue crab. Fishing in shallow, deep and fresh water, from boats, jetties, piers and along the coastline attracts anglers from across the country.

Explore the fascinating marine environment of Texas bays and estuaries at The Aquarium at Rockport Harbor and Aquarium Education Center with displays of gulf marine life, shells, and artifacts (361-813-9298, www.rockportaquarium.com).

The Texas Maritime Museum preserves the rich maritime history of Texas. Enjoy exhibits, artifacts and programs on boat and shipbuilding, offshore oil and gas exploration, the allure of fishing and settlement of the area (361-729-1271,www.texasmaritimemuseum.org).

All of this got you hungry? You'll find some excellent places to chow down in the area whether you prefer Asian, Italian, Mexican, or seafood. Check out the Boiling Pot where they plop down your shrimp and crabs right on your table—no plates needed.

And when it comes time to rest your weary head, you'll find bed and breakfast inns, condos, cottages, motels, resorts, and RV parks on both sides of the bay.

What are you waiting for? Get on down to the Coastal Bend and make your own stories.

Coastal Bend general area: 361-241-7324, www.txcoastalbend.org. Mustang Island State Park: 361-749-5246, tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mustang-island. Padre Island National Seashore: 361-949-8069, www.nps.gov/pais/. Port Aransas: 361-749-5919, www.portaransas.org. Rockport: 361-729-6445, www.rockport-fulton.org.