San Antonio Overview

San Antonio is the hotbed of history and tourism in Texas. Home to the Alamo, the River Walk, the Mission Trail, the NBA Spurs and scores of other attractions, San Antonio welcomes thousands of fun-seeking visitors every year.

Districts

What began as a small settlement of missionaries, priests and local Native Americans has swelled into a metropolis of nearly one million citizens of varying ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds.

Progress ensued, the population grew, and the city prospered. Over time the city has witnessed the confluence of wealth in neighborhoods like King William, Monte Vista and Alamo Heights. Downtown developed into the city’s business center with the construction of the Tower Life building and Joske’s department store. And, thanks to the brilliance of a local architect and the support of business leaders, the River Walk and all its beauty was created out of a seedy, run-down flood zone running through downtown.

As the city grew, several industries became quite dominant in the economy. In Sant Antonio you will find five U.S. military bases, including one of the Air Force’s largest training academies; for years they have influenced the cultural climate and have contributed to the city’s growth. The University of Texas Health Science Center, along with several other top medical entities, has made the city a leader in that industry.

San Antonio’s designation as one of the top tourist destinations has sparked phenomenal growth in the city’s tourism and convention business, and has led to the expansion of the convention center downtown. The heart of the city's tourism business beats along the River Walk and in the downtown area. Densely packed with hotels of varying price ranges, attractions, restaurants and bars, a visitor could conceivably spend his entire trip in one area of town. The area bustles with activity nearly every night of the week and almost all year long, with locals and tourists alike enjoying mouth-watering cuisine or dancing the night away. Not your average tourist trap, the River Walk entices many locals to brave the crowds and enjoy their own city.

Culturally, San Antonio continues to be a fascinating blend of many ethnicities. Festivals, art openings, theater, music, fine dining and dancing reflect the city’s influences from Central and South America, Europe, Asia, the Pacific Islands and Africa—San Antonio offers locals and visitors alike magnificent opportunities for discovery.

Entertainment

San Antonio is a niche marketer’s playground. The citizenry boasts a broad range of interests, and there never seems to be an overwhelming crowd at anything except perhaps the most popular Fiesta events. Whether your tastes are sophisticated and refined or run more toward the casual and relaxed, you’re liable to have a great time in this city.

San Antonio’s biggest party, Fiesta, is a 10-day long celebration of the city’s history and culture; it is held every year in April. Comprised of parades, debutante balls, street parties, concerts, sporting events and more, you are guaranteed to find something for everybody. So significant is this festival that the city practically shuts down on the last Friday afternoon so that everyone can attend the Battle of Flowers parade that winds through downtown.

Dining and Drinking

San Antonians love to eat, and it shows in both its fine restaurants and its casual cafes. Whether you enjoy perfectly grilled steaks, tender barbecue, tasteful vegetarian fare or perfectly prepared sushi, you will find whatever your tastebuds crave. Of course, San Antonio is most famous for its Tex-Mex cuisine; no visit to the city could be considered complete without at least one dinner involving enchiladas or tamales, and one breakfast of chorizo and egg tacos.

Where To Stay

The River Walk is so popular with tourists, conventioneers and celebratory locals that rooms book far in advance. While there are many hotel properties downtown, there are a limited few with actual river frontage. All are by far luxury properties, with prices to match, but the novelty of having the River Walk outside your door and the proximity to the plethora of shops, restaurants and entertainment along the river are well worth the expense.

A few steps off the river, you will find many downtown hotels, both luxury and moderate. All keep you within the River Walk area; they are only a short walk from the river, shopping, dining and entertainment yet are far enough removed to provide a welcome respite from the noise.

Interstate Highway Loop 410 is dotted with numerous moderate and inexpensive hotel options. Expect the usual clean rooms and limited amenities here but marvel at the accommodating price structure—you can usually snag a good deal since the area hotels rely on luring guests away from River Walk properties with their cheaper prices. If the Loop properties are full, simply travel up Highway 281 or Interstate 10 to find more locations.

Further out from the city’s center are two of the most acclaimed resorts in the state. The Hyatt Hill Country Resort, nestled in the hills near Sea World, offers guests a luxurious stay with thoughtful amenities, exquisite dining and a challenging golf course. Further north, near Six Flags Fiesta Texas, The Westin La Cantera Resort likewise offers a luxurious escape from the city and a challenging golf course that also happens to be home of the Texas Open, a stop on the Professional Golf Association tour. For the budget-conscious traveler, there are several moderately-priced hotels near Six Flags.

San Antonio by the Numbers

Elevation: 710 feet
Average January Temperature: 62 degrees F
Average July Temperature: 95 degrees F
Average Annual Rainfall: 27 inches

Time Zone: GMT-6
Area Code: 210

Population: 1,144,646
Major Industries: Tourism, Military, Agriculture, Manufacturing

Did You Know?

The famed River Walk is a manmade canal originally designed to become an underground storm drain.

Orientation/Geography

San Antonio is located in south-central Texas, only 150 miles from the Mexican border. Dallas lies 277 miles to the north, Houston 199 miles to the east, and El Paso, on the New Mexico state line, 558 miles to the west.


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