Besides the usual boating, cruising and fishing, where is there to go by boat around Clear Lake?
Sometimes you want to go to lunch or dinner or hear some live music. My family’s favorite place to have lunch was on the boat! Our boat had the best water view of any of the local restaurants along with the comfort and amenities we enjoyed. My wife and I along with our daughters loved a weekend getaway to a nice anchorage on Galveston Bay or even Galveston. The kids loved to swim and then have lunch and lounge under the shade of the bimini. Some of our best lunches as a family were at anchor. For an overnight we would enjoy dinner on the boat with the sunset. I look forward to sharing more about anchorages with you in a future article.
If you prefer dining out, there are many places on the water in our area. Let’s start at the far west and south side of Clear Lake. You can follow it on the map here. South Shore Harbor Marina has a fabulous restaurant called Opus Bistro and Steakhouse (1) You should call ahead and ask about dockage. They have a fuel dock at South Shore that might accommodate a boat for a few hours. Just north of South Shore Harbor Marina and easy to spot is the Hilton Hotel (2) that has a marina and inside the hotel is Luna Restaurant and Bar. We are told that the Hilton is undergoing a revamp and maybe now closed. It will reopen as a Margaritville!
Heading northeast on the north side of the lake by the Taylor Lake Bridge is Sammy G’s (3) with a dock just outside and just under the Taylor Lake bridge is Boondoggles, Chelsea Wine Bar and Valdo’s Seafood House. All are in one complex and have slips to tie up to. Note, you will have a height restriction to get under the Taylor Lake Bridge.
Further down the north side of Clear Lake you’ve got Sam’s Boat (4) that has dockage by the dry stack storage. Just east is Barge 295 and Cabo Clear (5) Lake both with dockage. Just opposite on the south side of the lake you can use the Watergate Channel and if you go all the way into Watergate nearly under the flagpole is Opus Ocean Grill (6). Again call ahead to see if they have a restaurant slip for you. If you continue up the left side of the Watergate side and into Jarboe Bayou and Clear Lake Shores, you have Schafer’s Coastal Bar and Grill (7). They have docks outside of Schafer’s and you will also find there are six other places to go within walking distance including Galveston Bay Brewery, Okie’s Yardhouse, Aspen’s, Outriggers, Joe Lee’s Seafood, and Jackie’s Brickhouse. There is also a stage and exterior pavilion outside Okie’s for live bands. If you’re headed back out of Watergate, halfway down by the intersecting channel to your left is the entrance to Waterford Harbor and on Pier 14 you have Sundance Grill II. There are two slips at the head of Pier 14 just for restaurant docking.
If you’re wanting to entertain the younger crowd, head over to the Kemah Boardwalk at the entrance to Galveston Bay. Kemah Boardwalk (8) has 8 restaurants as well as amusement rides and games. A lot of people don’t know but you can tie up on the channel that is the entrance to Kemah Boardwalk Marina and just walk all around the Boardwalk. Do fender well because that tie up on the channel has exposed pilings.
If you want to get out in the bay Pier 6 Seafood and Oyster House (9) is about 1/4 mile inside of Eagle Point in San Leon near Redfish Island. They also have docks. If you continue on around the point and head south past April Fool Point there is another great restaurant called Topwater Grill. Make reservations and get there early to beat the crowd on weekends.
Visiting all these place by boat should keep you busy for a few boating seasons to come.