San Antonio Texas - what's all the buzz about?
A city rich in history and culture, San Antonio is located at the head of the San Antonio River. Its location is unique in Texas; it combines the arid grassland characteristic of the longhorn state with cool lakes and rugged hills. San Antonio has stood the test of time, weathering wars and revolutions to become one of the largest cities in the United States. Because of its unique history, warm climate and special hospitality, San Antonio is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the United States.Much of Texas' landscape is dusty grassland; great for cattle and oil, but not the most hospitable in the world for humans. But when Spanish explorers discovered the San Antonio River in 1691, they discovered an oasis on the Texas plain. The river was known to the Native Americans in the area as "Yanaguana" which means "refreshing waters" or "clear waters." The river quickly became the heart of the city that missionaries founded in 1718. Today, the river remains a source of inspiration in the city. San Antonio's Riverwalk district is one of the most beautiful spots in Texas. This stretch of the river slightly below street level in the heart of San Antonio has been sculpted with cobblestone paths and many shopping, eating and entertainment venues.
The landscape around San Antonio is also uncharacteristic of Texas. To the northwest, the Hill Country features rolling terrain and a bevy of lakes and streams. The area is home to many state parks, with loads of places for fishing, hiking and camping. You can also enjoy kayaking and whitewater rafting in the vigorous waters. The lush countryside also offers perfect locations for golfing; more than 40 golf courses are located in and around the city, and many visitors spend their whole trip on the links.San Antonio is a city that combines many different attractions to become a tourist's paradise. It has a moderate climate, ensuring that visitors can enjoy a visit almost any time. The San Antonio River gives the city an old world charm, and provides the downtown with a gathering place of unsurpassed beauty. Small wonder, then, that visitors from all over the world come to San Antonio each year.
About the Alamo
San Antonio is famous as the site of the battle of the Alamo, where 189 brave defenders held out for 10 days against a vastly superior Mexican army. While there is no doubt San Antonio played an important role in several different battles of both the Texas and Mexican Revolutions, the city is more than just a historical curiosity. Visitors to San Antonio find many different things to explore and enjoy, including the well-developed Riverwalk area which combines beautiful views of the San Antonio River with some of the best shopping and restaurants in town. The city is growing fast, with many different industries leading the way. Once simply the "Heart of Texas," San Antonio is growing to become one of America's largest and most unique cities.The city of San Antonio is located just south of Hill Country at the head of the San Antonio River. The climate in San Antonio is much milder than other areas of Texas. The city experiences about 300 days of sunshine each year. The temperature rarely reaches freezing and is also much cooler than cities like Houston which regularly tops 100 degrees in the height of summer. The city gets about 30 inches of rain each year, but residents enjoy year-round outdoor activities nonetheless. There are more than 40 golf courses in the city, and there are also many picturesque areas for hiking, walking and jogging in and around the city.
San Antonio is an affordable place to live, too. More than 50 percent of families in the city can afford to purchase their own home, and there are new developments and subdivisions being built each year. Unemployment in the city is generally low, and there are many different employers in the region that give the city a very diverse economy. Medical research, tourism, the military, manufacturing and engineering are the biggest industries in San Antonio. There are many fine public schools in the city, as well as more than 10 colleges and universities.
San Antonio is a great place to visit or live. While the Alamo city has played an important role in Texas and American history, it is also a vibrant city that is growing to become one of Texas' and America's largest.
While most tourists travel to San Antonio to catch all the cultural and historic attractions downtown, many do not realize that only 20 minutes away, there is a whole world of natural splendor. With endless rolling fields of green pastures dotted with blue bonnets, towering Silos, the winding River and breathtaking wildlife, if you are a nature-lover, a trip to Hill Country should not be missed. Here are a few suggestions on what to do and see in this stunning, unpopulated region.If you are a golf enthusiast, a trip to Hill Country will feel like the answer to your dreams. With the first San Antonio public golf course dating back to 1916, this is a city that understands and appreciates the importance of the game. Considered by many to be the most challenging course in the area, the La Cantera Golf Club, which sits on the The Westin la Cantera Resort, was named the best new public course in the country by Golf digest in 1995 and has continued to attract PGA-rated players ever since. If you are planning an overnight excursion or longer, this hotel also features a top-rated spa, a state-of-the-art health club, magnificent pools and world-class dining all overlooking the expansive vistas of Hill Country.
After a day on the fairway, nothing satisfies like a good old-fashioned Texas barbeque. For a taste of true San Antonio, no trip is complete with a stop at Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q. Here you can get some of the finest cuts of dry-spiced meats char-grilled over a pit of slow-burning oak smothered in their famous freshly-prepared "Sause," now sold in supermarkets throughout the country. Featuring a large selection of traditional accompaniments like homemade cole slaw, chili and warm white bread, the food and prices are so good that many locals make the round trip from the city on a daily basis. Be forewarned, this is a down home cowboy kind of place where you serve yourself and sit outdoors at plastic tables. But with food this good, you won't even notice the paper plates. And remember that if you're planning to go exploring, this is the ideal spot to pick up some great take-out.
If you've ever fantasized about taking off on an African Safari, the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is definitely worth a visit. Featuring hundreds of animals from all over the world roaming the open fields freely, animals are tame enough to chance nose to nose encounters, with complimentary feed bags supplied at the entrance. There is also a Petting Zoo and walking trails making this a wonderful place to spend the day, provided you pack a picnic lunch.Set on over 200 acres of unspoiled Hill Country, The Freidrich Wilderness Park is a city-operated nature preserve that offers wonderful walking and hiking trails as well as secluded picnic areas surrounded by unparalleled scenic beauty. Featuring a number of well-marked hiking trails including one that scales all the way up to a dramatic peak, be sure to pack a lunch and your camera and be ready to be dazzled by spectacular views that sweep all the way down to the Alamo.