San Antonio, TX

Home to the River Walk and The Alamo, San Antonio is located in the south central region of the state of Texas and is known for its diverse ethnicity, commercial opportunities, and rich cultural life. Situated in Bexar County, San Antonio is the county seat and is located near San Pedro Creek, on the hilly shores of the San Antonio River. As of 2006, the metropolitan area of the city had a combined population of 1,942,217.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

San Antonio is a regional center and the hub for nearby agricultural areas. Fort Sam Houston and Brooks Air Force Base provide jobs and opportunities for residents. Manufacturing of technology, refined petroleum, agricultural and aerospace equipment, and other products also create many jobs in the area.

San Antonio is also a major conference, convention and business meeting destination. The city has several venues available for such events including the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. This center includes three large ballrooms, as well as 600,000 square feet of meeting space and exhibit space. The city's Lila Cockrell Theatre for the Performing Arts and the Alamodome are two other multi-purpose venues often used by professionals visiting the city. San Antonio now offers more than 35,000 hotel rooms and has been the recipient of the Pinnacle Award for hospitality, service, customer service and amenities. In 2008, San Antonio saw more than half a million convention attendees arrive from all over the world.

NEIGHBORHOODS

Notable neighborhoods and districts in San Antonio are:

• Dignowity Hill: An upcoming neighborhood known for the annual pushcart race.
• Helotes: A suburb of San Antonio located in the northwest section of the city, Helotes is known for its CORNYval festival.
• Windcrest: Located in the northeastern section of the city, Windcrest is a very good residential neighborhood that is improving very fast.
• Alta Vista: Alta Vista is a historical district in San Antonio. It accommodates some of the most interesting architecture and oldest homes in the city.
• Pecan Valley: A neighborhood located in the southeast section of San Antonio. Castle Hills: Castle Hills is a neighborhood located in the northeastern area of San Antonio.

There are many other neighborhoods in San Antonio including Chester, Condos, Del Donore, Adams Hill, Arrowhead, Braun Oaks, Camelot, Fossil Creek, Los Encinos, Government Hill, Salado Bluffs and Woodlawn Hills.

San Antonio is an extremely walkable city. A lot of places, such as grocery shops, movie theaters, drug stores, schools, restaurants and fitness centers are at a distance of less than 1 mile from the center of the city.

EDUCATION

San Antonio boasts six large universities, four colleges, hundreds of public schools, and more than private schools. The city's universities and colleges include St. Mary's University of San Antonio, Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio, the University of Texas, the University of Texas Health Service Center at San Antonio, University of the Incarnate Word, and Trinity University.

EVENTS

San Antonio has a number of special events and festivals to enjoy:

• The First Friday Art Walk is a large festival held on the first Friday of each month and features dance, food, live shows, art, music, and other entertainment showcased in venues and on city streets.
• Held on the final Saturday of each month, the Houston Street Fair and Market is a street festival that features local entertainments, crafts, arts, and elaborate chalk art.
• The Asian Festival, held in January, celebrates the foods, art, performances, dances and other cultural attractions of Asian cultures.
• Usually held in February, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo presents musical acts, a carnival, livestock shows, and rodeo events.
• Remember the Alamo Weekend, which takes place in March, kicks off with a two-day event involving the dramatization of the Alamo siege.
• Luminaria is an arts festival held in San Antonio in March and features literature, light shows, music, and art.
• Held every April, the Poteet Strawberry Festival celebrates the strawberry with foods, rodeo events, music, rides, and other entertainments. Many consider this to be the largest agricultural festival in the state and one of the oldest and most-attended festivals in the region.
• Fiesta San Antonio is one of the largest and most popular events in the spring. The Fiesta draws visitors from around the world as residents celebrate the history and culture of the city.
• The Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio spans three days and features plenty of music and live acts.
• Held every May, the Annual Soul Food Festival celebrates soul music, food, events, and arts.
• Fiesta Noche Del Rio runs between May and August on weekend evenings. Music and performances celebrate Texas, Spain, Mexico, and Argentina.
• TeatroFest celebrates local theater and performing arts.
• The Texas Folklife Festival celebrates the food, music, and crafts of the many ethnic groups that call San Antonio home.
• Jazz'SAlive is a two-day event, featuring jazz music from the region and the nation.

FOR VISITORS

San Antonio has a rich history and a thriving tourism industry. As a result, there are many things to see and do:

• San Antonio has a number of theme parks that are fun for the whole family. SeaWorld San Antonio is considered the largest marine life park in the world. It is home of the famous Shamu whale, sea lions, sharks, dolphins, seals, and other marine life. Six Flags Fiesta Texas is another popular theme park in the city. Here visitors can enjoy shows, rides, and exhibits devoted to the region's history. Six Flags Fiesta Texas is unique in the Six Flags franchise because it is situated in 100-foot quarry walls, distinct to the region. Another family-friendly park in the city is Splashtown. This water park has rides, water slides, and other amusements.
• A famous 300-year-old landmark of American history, The Alamo is located in San Antonio. Officially known as the Mission San Antonio de Valero, during the Texas Revolution in March 1836, this is the site in which defenders resisted General Santa Anna's army for 13 days. The Alamo is now one of the most popular historic sites and attractions in the city.
• The Riverwalk consists of cafes, bridges, boutiques, and cobbled walkways. Visitors can walk along the river or along the secluded pathways located below city streets.
• San Antonio Missions National Historic Park is a hike and bike trail that connects the four missions of San Antonio.
• Built in the 1700s, the Mission San José San José y San Miguel de Aguayo is the largest in the city and has been carefully restored.
• La Villita is the first neighborhood to be established in the city and is now an arts and historic village, with restaurants, stores, and galleries.
• Tower of the Americas is a 750-foot tower that was built for the World's Fair in 1968 and still offers unparalleled views of the city. Its many rides and its glass elevator, restaurant, and observation deck make this tower a major city attraction.
• The San Antonio Zoo is one of the oldest zoos and the third largest zoo in the country. The zoo is home to more than 3,500 animals.
• King William Historic District is home to stunning mansions, art galleries, fine restaurants, and other interesting things to see and do.
• Witte Museum features exhibits about the history, technology, and natural science of the South Texas region.