As a member of the Texas House and Senate from 1955 to 1980, A.R. “Babe” Schwartz helped create the Texas Open Beaches Act, which ensures free public access to all Gulf of Mexico beaches. Babe worked as a lifeguard during the summers while he was in high school, and he quickly fell in love with the island and its beaches. Because of this admiration and unwavering commitment to protecting the beaches and their visitors, city of Galveston officials named this 15-block stretch of beach after him. At Babe’s Beach you will discover historical markers along the path that present information about Galveston’s part in the foundation of the state of Texas. Set to a backdrop of the Seawall, this pristine beach is located west of 61st Street close to a variety of gift shops, tattoo parlors, restaurants, and bars. It is also the only Galveston Island beach that still offers free parking. View a live camera of Babe’s Beach here.