Go Gorda Beach House

What you should consider bringing

• Bottled water for drinking, coffee, etc.
• Mosquito spray (anything with Deet works best)
• Sun Screen
• Beach towels and toys (we provide a boogie board, sand toys and 4 folding chairs)
• Charcoal/lighter fluid if you want to grill. There is a Weber grill provided in the storage area—please only use the grill on the driveway away from the house and dunes.
• Any grocery, food items, Keurig coffee pods, etc. (we provide utensils, dishes, flatware, bakeware, paper towels, wine opener, can opener and appliances (microwave, blender, toaster, juicer, Keurig coffee maker)
• Any Toiletries (we supply toilet paper, bar soap and shampoo)

When it’s time to go

• leave the sheets and blankets on the bed unmade
• leave any used towels on the floor
• turn off any ceiling fans or lights
• set both thermostats at 78 degrees (assuming set to AC, 65 in Winter if set to Heat)
• please make sure all trash is collected deposited in the dumpsters located just past the pool area on your right when leaving the neighborhood.
• please wash the sand off any beach items used and place back inside the storage area—Do not lock the door to storage
• please make sure all dirty dishes are placed in the dishwasher
• please lock the door (or text me you have left and I will lock remotely) and latch the screen door when you leave (it keeps the wind from blowing it open)

Welcome to our Go Gorda Beach House

Welcome to our Matagorda Beach House! We are so glad you are here! We love Matagorda and the home we built here for our family, and we are excited to be able to share it with you and your family. Please make yourself at home-- we hope you’ll enjoy it and care for it as your own. To make sure your stay is as enjoyable as possible, please review these policies and information about our home, the neighborhood and community.

Please note that for your comfort, we maintain a maximum occupancy policy of no more 7 total guests at any time in the home. Parking is available for two vehicles but can accommodate a maximum of three upon request. Please only park on the driveway or directly behind the driveway, not on the sides. No smoking is allowed anywhere on the property and no pets are allowed. No parties or events are allowed, and please respect that this is a residential neighborhood with full-time residents as neighbors. You will find a separate document attached that outlines the neighborhood’s policies.

Go Gorda is a 3-bedroom house. The master has a king bed and ensuite. The guest has a queen bed and the other guest room has a twin bunk bed with a trundle twin bed pull out. The two guest rooms share a bathroom. There is a twin blow-up mattress in the guest (queen) bedroom closet. It should have sheets with it.

We built our home to ensure we would have some of the best views of the Gulf of Mexico anywhere on the Texas coast. To do that we designed it as two stories and reversed the plan with bedrooms down and kitchen/living up. Please be careful when using the stairs entering and exiting the home, especially at night. When you walk out on the upper deck, you are high enough for a panoramic, unobstructed view of the gulf, and can also see back across the bay to the town of Matagorda. It is a wonderful place to hang out anytime but especially for sunrise, sunsets and to see the stars at night. However, from the upper deck, it looks and is a long way down. Please make sure everyone in your party conducts themselves accordingly when on the deck. Never sit on the railing or stand on a chair near the railing. There are two large deck chairs on the upper deck as well as rocking chairs and a table. Please do not move these or place them or any chairs near the railing, especially if there are children in the home. We cannot stress this enough and please reinforce this with everyone in your group. We have young children in our family and are very mindful of this when we are here, so please do the same.

Trash

There is a trash can under the cabinet next to the sink. Extra trash bags should be behind the trash container or inside it. Please use trash bags (provided) in all trash cans.

There is a large trash container in the storage area on ground level that can hold a couple of full kitchen trash bags. Please make sure you do not leave any bags outside that are not secured in the trash can as they attract bugs and other critters. There are dumpsters for residents and guests located just past the pool area on your right.

Air Conditioning & Heating

There are two separate units for the home. One controls the downstairs sleeping area and the other controls the upstairs living and kitchen area. Please adjust for your comfort but we request that you do not turn the AC below 70.

Some windows are operable, but please do not open any windows or leave the door or sliders open unnecessarily. We do not have screens on the windows and although it may be nice to hear the ocean, it’s usually humid making it more difficult to cool the house. Plus, you will let in unwanted visitors into the home. The mosquitos are for real, and you don’t want them buzzing around inside.

Kitchen

We have a fully stocked kitchen with all utensils, dishes, flatware, bakeware, paper towels, wine opener, can opener and appliances (microwave, blender, toaster, juicer, Keurig coffee maker)

Just to the right of the fridge is a pantry. You’ll find a gallon of water for drinking or use in the coffee maker. There’s also a broom and dust buster in case they are needed.

There is a full-size fridge/freezer plus a smaller wine/beverage fridge.

Keurig Coffee Maker

We provide a Keurig coffee maker and a few pods for your enjoyment. Please only use bottled, purified water in the coffee maker. Please feel free to bring your own pods.

Operating Ceiling Fans

All ceiling fans in the bedrooms and on the screened deck are operated by a switch on the wall, and adjustable using the pull chains.

The living room ceiling fans are operated by remote, but the wall switch must be flipped on for the fans to work. We try and leave that switch on always and operate the fans from the remotes. However, if the remotes are not working, it is likely because the switch has been flipped down/off. The switch is located just to the left of the slider doors. You’ll see three wall switches and the one on the far right controls the fans. Just make sure it is flipped up. The middle switch operates the living room lights and the switch on the left operates the deck lights.

You’ll find the fan remotes in the last drawer to your left in the kitchen island. One is for the fan to the left and the other for the fan to the right. Simply push the power button or the number 1 and the fans should start. If they don’t, make sure the switch is flipped. You can use a higher speed, but we have found the fans move a lot of air and 1 is sufficient. You may need to pick up the remote and point it at the fan, but please be sure to return the remotes to the drawer so they do not get misplaced, as the fans will not operate without them.

Operating the TVs

There are TVs in the living room and bunk room. All are new with a number of streaming channels. For the living room, the TV remote is on top of or in the right drawer of the coffee table. The bunk room remote is in the bookcase on the wall. Please return them to these spots before your departure.

Wifi and Internet

We have wifi in the home for streaming and internet access. I often work remotely from here and the coverage is typically good. Please see the wifi and password below. It is also on a sticker in the drawer at left end of the kitchen island (same drawer as the fan remotes).

WiFi Network: GoGorda

Password: seashell24

Operating the Fireplace

Our home includes a built-in electric fireplace. There is a remote to operate the fireplace and it does include a heating element. The remote should be on top of the fireplace mantle. Please keep it there so it isn’t misplaced. The fireplace can also be operated manually if you touch the red “button” on the lower right part of the glass screen. This will show other options for color and heat. Please do not leave the fireplace, especially the heat, on overnight.

Ground Floor Area

The space on the ground level has an outdoor shower (hot & cold water), picnic table, swings and even a sand box. Not sure why we need a sand box at the beach but the kids seem to love it?! Feel free to use the outdoor shower, but please remember to turn the water off when finished. If you walk around to the other side of the shower you will find a faucet with hose in case needed. There is a door next to the shower that is open for you to access the ground floor toilet/sink, as well as storage for beach chairs and toys that you are welcome to use during your stay. Please brush or hose off the sand on any items that you use and return to the storage room.

You will also find a Weber grill in the storage area. If you grill, you must roll the grill to the driveway away from the house. Do not grill under the house or near the dunes. Please empty the ashes once you are certain they are completely cooled, ideally overnight, into the large trash can that is in the storage areas. Do not dump the ashes on the ground or into the dunes.

Mosquitos

They are a fact of life on the coast. We spray on a regular basis for mosquitos around our home and are not really bothered by them on our property. However, once you leave our property that can change quickly. Some days worse than others depending on wind and other factors. There has been a lot of rain this year, so the mosquitoes have been pretty bad overall. As a rule, I try and stay out of grassy areas and if using the dunes to access the beach, I suggest you move along at a steady pace if the mosquitos are out. Again, it just depends on the day. I would use or have mosquito spray handy if you are going to be out and about. Anything with Deet seems to be most effective. Dusk seems to be the worst time for mosquitoes. Our screened in lower deck is a great place to hang out bug-free and the open air second deck is typically too breezy for mosquitos to be any problem. It’s where you want to be at sunset anyway.

Matagorda Water - Yes, it has a yellow tint.

It’s natural and perfectly okay. The tannins in the ground cause the discoloration. It’s always been that way and, again, it’s perfectly fine. However, I’m not a fan of drinking yellow water, so we use bottled drinking water when there. We do supply a gallon of water (in pantry) for the coffee maker and few bottles of water for your stay (in the beverage fridge). We recommend you bring any other water for drinking that you think you may need. The refrigerator does have a filtered ice maker. The water dispenser on the fridge is not operable.

Things to do in Gorda

Matagorda is a hidden gem on the Texas coast. Situated at the junction of the intracoastal and the Colorado River as it flows into the Gulf of Mexico, Matagorda offers world class fishing, birding, bays and miles and miles of uncrowded beaches to explore. The bays, wetlands and beach area are part of Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) park system so it will remain protected and with limited growth. Stop by the LCRA Nature Center at the end of Beach Road. They have classes, camps, kayak rentals and other activities throughout the year. They also have a miniature golf course there.

Matagorda has only about 500 full time residents, but as the third oldest town in Texas, it is full of history and charm. Drive around town and check out the old homes. The Stanley house was built before Texas was a state and is still in use today. The cemetery is full of history dating back to the early 1800s. The third oldest Methodist Church and the oldest Episcopal Church in Texas are here and both still holding services.

Groceries and Misc. Items

There is a Dollar General for just about anything you might need and the local Stanley’s market. Stanley’s is a good place to grab ice before you come over the bridge as it’s only 5 miles to the house. However, I suggest you stock up on any groceries you need at HEB in Bay City (25 minutes away) or in Wharton (50 minutes) depending on which route you take to Matagorda.

You’ll find a number of local dining options and shopping for whatever you may need. Try one of the best burgers you can find at Stanley's Gorda Grill, breakfast or lunch at Cassady's, great breakfast tacos at the Matagorda Taco Co. food truck or try Waterfront in the harbor for seafood. In season (May 1 – October 30), line up early for the some of the best BBQ anywhere at Coastal Q-- it's worth the wait.

And don't miss Matagorda Outfitters for all your Gorda gear (or the Daq Shaq next door—you can get a gallon bag to go and keep it frozen in the freezer). You’ll also find clothing and coastal furniture at Bayside Chic, and beach shops all within walking distance of one another. If here on a weekend during the summer, all the local stores host a Sip & Stroll once a month.

Matagorda is a throwback. It’s what Texas beach towns used to be like. It’s friendly, laid-back, unpretentious, uncrowded and a little wild still—all how everyone loves it.

Matagorda Food Options

CASSADY’S COFFEE
BAR & CAFE
Full breakfast & lunch menu as well as full specialty coffee menu.
Peak Season - open 7 days/week, 7am to 3pm Off Peak - open everyday except Wednesdays

22996 TX-60 (979) 863-7737

MATAGORDA TACO COMPANY
Food truck serving up the best tacos in town. Open Friday - Sunday from 6am to 2pm.

522 Matagorda St (810) 844-3651

By Laney P's Purple Food Truck

GORDA GRILL

Serves breakfast & lunch - great burgers, fried oysters & fish!
Open 7 days a week - 5am to 3pm

752 Market Street (979) 863-7729

FISHERMAN GRILL & TACOS
Food truck serving up breakfast, lunch & dinner. Located at The Silver Tuna. Open 8-2pm & 5pm-8pm everyday but Monday.

244 Fisher St (979) 557-7933

WATERFRONT 

Located in Matagorda Harbor - serving fresh seafood for lunch & dinner.
Open Thursday - Monday from 11am to 9pm. Open until 10pm Fri & Sat.

190 CR 25 (979) 863-2520

SNAPPERS BAR & GRILL

Outdoor, open-air join serving fresh food & full bar. Great seafood spot!
Open Sunday to Thursday 11am - 9pm Open Friday to Saturday 11am - 10pm

1710 Farm to Market Rd 2031 (979) 479-3763

COASTAL QUE BBQ

Texas Monthly featured BBQ! Only open for the summer months, but a cannot miss. Lines start when the doors open. Our personal favorite!

333 Fisher Street (979) 318-2053

Directions to Go Gorda Beach House

309 PR 640

Matagorda, Texas 77457

Note: Apple or Google maps should take you to the home, but they may work best with the street address only-- It seems adding Matagorda as the city sometimes throws them off.

Directions to the house

In Matagorda, take the bridge over to Beach Road for about 5 miles. Look for the sign to turn left for the Public Beach entrance. Then take your first right into the entrance to the Bahia de Matagorda neighborhood. You'll need to enter the provided gate code and then once past the entrance stay left until you can take your first right to go past the lagoon/pool (you missed it if you go past the dumpsters). You’ll then turn left to our house at the end of the road. There is no address marker, but it is the newer, taller cedar-sided two-story home in the southeast corner of the neighborhood. All the other cedar-sided homes in the neighborhood are 30 years old, so should be easy to find.

We love our Matagorda beach house and hope you’ll love it, too! Thank you for staying with us! Please sign our guest book at the house and let us know on Airbnb or VRBO if you loved Go Gorda! If you need anything before, during or after your stay, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

Randy – 832.421.3150

Kaleigh – 281.352-8333

Kim – 281.352.9151

randy@relationshop.com