We have a lead on a potential workamping position in San Antonio for Jan - April, 2011, which we are considering. We were just wondering if anybody out there is familiar with the area, and can provide any advice:
Is the weather decent for winter (averages on weather.com say highs in the 60s/lows in the 40s) -- anybody know what the last few winters have been like? I know last year was unusually cold everywhere . . .
Are there things to do and places to see in the area (biking, hiking, sight-seeing)?
We hear a lot about the issues close to the Mexican border -- is this far enough away to be safe?
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!
Denise said
11:40 AM Oct 4, 2010
I have not lived in San Antonio in the winter but, I have lived in Texas (DFW Area) my entire life. Our winters are pretty mild here and rarely get measurable snow.
San Antonio is a great place. Yes, there is a lot to do there. It is a real tourist area. The people we have encountered there were all very friendly.
Hope that helps a little
Ckerr said
09:24 PM Oct 4, 2010
I've lived in Austin for over 20 years now (not at all sure where all that time went.) I'm about 70 miles north of San Antonio.
Last winter was the chilliest I recall since moving here. We've had colder days in the past, but this was the longest cool spell. In general winters are pleasant. I golf all year round here and San Antonio is further south so I doubt you will be uncomfortable. Especially if you've recently come from the north. When I first moved from North Dakota I don't think I wore a coat warmer than a windbreaker for 5 years. Blood has thinned a bit since then...
San Antonio is a very large city and has a lot of the normal problems associated with a large city. Not that people aren't friendly, but traffic can be crazy and there is the normal big city crime issues. It really depends on where you are.
There's lots of history to explore in San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country isn't too far for day trips exploring.
It would be helpful to know where your workkamping assignment would be. If you Private Message me I will try to tell you a bit more about the specific area.
Camper_Boy said
07:22 AM Oct 5, 2010
Thanks for the info!
The campground is Stone Creek RV Park, and it's on the east side of San Antonio, far enough out to be out of any congestion, I think.
We are coming from Michigan, so yes . . . winter weather is all relative! I just want the kids (and us) to be able to be outside, and not have to run the furnace too much!
TXRVr said
09:34 AM Oct 5, 2010
When I advise out of staters about visiting TX, I always tell them to go to San Antonio and the hill country in and around Fredericksburg and Johnson City because in a normal vacation period it has the most varied stuff to do and see both for adults and kids.
Don’t bring any MI snow clothes. You won’t need them. In fact, it is usually possible to play golf in shorts in early December. Indeed it may get into the 40s during mid-Jan thru Feb (our winter), but remember that’s above freezing. Compared to MI, you’ll be sweating.
The border issue won’t be an issue in SA. April is the month for Texas wildflowers. The abundance and the beauty is powerful.
Here are a couple of websites where you can order free travel literature. Depending on your travel path to and from MI, you will find other interesting adventures in our state.
It’s an all day drive from northeast corner of TX to SA (big state). You might as well figure in two, stop somewhere along the way, and enjoy seeing something there.
Don’t miss an opportunity to get some Blue Bell ice cream. It’s made in Brenham, TX and is the worlds best, but then I’m prejudice. You can even tour the factory there.
-- Edited by TXRVr on Tuesday 5th of October 2010 09:35:08 AM
Melstar said
09:41 AM Oct 5, 2010
Ditto to TXRVr .....we used to live in Texas....been to San Antonio many times....great city and lots to do and the Hill Country of Texas is beautiful and people are friendly!
Bye Ya'll!
Melanie
-- Edited by Melstar on Tuesday 5th of October 2010 09:41:45 AM
Knowing a bit about SA myself, I think Schertz is a bit busier than you think. It is quite congested in the area, IH 35 right thru the middle. Not to say it is bad or anything like that. However, I think you should visit the website I sent. It might be just what you are looking for, just not my cup of tea.
If you decide to come on down, like some said, leave the Michigan winter wear in MI. The winters in the area generally see maybe a half dozen freezing nights a year, but that is just a SWAG.
I have a house in Canyon Lake near there and have found the winters to be benign.
-- Edited by 53 Merc on Tuesday 5th of October 2010 12:21:37 PM
Camper_Boy said
10:39 AM Oct 6, 2010
Thanks to everyone for your responses, and to TexasTom for his additional post!
I think we'd be pretty happy in the San Antonio area, from what everybody has said, and we're still looking at the campground itself, as well as some other possibilities.
Thanks for all your links and advice -- it's much appreciated!
Marci
P.S. Watch our blog to see where we end up!
jb said
04:50 PM Oct 6, 2010
Catherine's parents live in SA and it is one of our favorite cities. Lots to do. Great people, lots of history, close to the hill country. We love it.
We are planning to visit just after xmas. Let us know if you are already there. We would love to meet up and have some great mexican food. Jan -April is a great time of year. When the bluebonnets bloom in April, it is truly magical.
-- Edited by jb on Wednesday 6th of October 2010 04:54:10 PM
RodnReal said
05:38 AM Oct 7, 2010
San Antonio is my favorite city in Texas and we've lived in the State for over 30 years. I think you'll fall in love with the city and surrounding area. You'll never run out of things to do.
Connie
Texas TomT said
07:27 AM Oct 9, 2010
Yeh, leave it to an Injuneer to post in the wrong place. Oh well, that's why I use a Garmin to find my way to the bathroom.
huck said
08:07 AM Oct 9, 2010
We were stationed in SA, and loved it. The riverwalk the wildflowers and the temperatures are great. The people are nice and you get a good mix of Texans and others. And the food, if you like Tex-Mex, you'll be in heaven.
retread said
04:59 PM Oct 12, 2010
We lived in New Braunfels and San Antonio for years. January - April would be my favorite season to be in the area. That area will be very busy at peak hour traffic times with commuters headed to/from S.A. Non-peak times should be manageable. The spring, other than spring break, is a terrific time to visit New Braunfels and Gruene (pronounced 'green') with fewer tourists than the summer. Landa Park is a great place for walking/biking (in New Braunfels). That community can give you a taste of the German heritage and food, as well as Fredericksburg within an easy day trip. Drive over to some of the state parks in the area for good hiking/bike trails. We loved visiting the missions in San Antonio (there are several more than the Alamo!). Border issues should not affect the Schertz area, although it would be wise to take precautions in San Antonio proper- it is a big city with the 'normal' type of city crime (don't leave valuables in sight int he car, etc.) From that location, you head south to the Gulf in 2 or 3 hours, north to Austin in a couple of hours - plenty of sight seeing all around! Enjoy!
Is the weather decent for winter (averages on weather.com say highs in the 60s/lows in the 40s) -- anybody know what the last few winters have been like? I know last year was unusually cold everywhere . . .
Are there things to do and places to see in the area (biking, hiking, sight-seeing)?
We hear a lot about the issues close to the Mexican border -- is this far enough away to be safe?
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!
San Antonio is a great place. Yes, there is a lot to do there. It is a real tourist area. The people we have encountered there were all very friendly.
Hope that helps a little
The campground is Stone Creek RV Park, and it's on the east side of San Antonio, far enough out to be out of any congestion, I think.
We are coming from Michigan, so yes . . . winter weather is all relative! I just want the kids (and us) to be able to be outside, and not have to run the furnace too much!
When I advise out of staters about visiting TX, I always tell them to go to San Antonio and the hill country in and around Fredericksburg and Johnson City because in a normal vacation period it has the most varied stuff to do and see both for adults and kids.
Don’t bring any MI snow clothes. You won’t need them. In fact, it is usually possible to play golf in shorts in early December. Indeed it may get into the 40s during mid-Jan thru Feb (our winter), but remember that’s above freezing. Compared to MI, you’ll be sweating.
The border issue won’t be an issue in SA. April is the month for Texas wildflowers. The abundance and the beauty is powerful.
Here are a couple of websites where you can order free travel literature. Depending on your travel path to and from MI, you will find other interesting adventures in our state.
http://www.visitsanantonio.com/index.aspx
http://www.traveltex.com/downloads/travel-guide/order-travel-guide
It’s an all day drive from northeast corner of TX to SA (big state). You might as well figure in two, stop somewhere along the way, and enjoy seeing something there.
Don’t miss an opportunity to get some Blue Bell ice cream. It’s made in Brenham, TX and is the worlds best, but then I’m prejudice. You can even tour the factory there.
-- Edited by TXRVr on Tuesday 5th of October 2010 09:35:08 AM
Bye Ya'll!
Melanie
-- Edited by Melstar on Tuesday 5th of October 2010 09:41:45 AM
I looked up Stone Creek RV Park on RVPark Reviews at http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Texas/Schertz.html
Knowing a bit about SA myself, I think Schertz is a bit busier than you think. It is quite congested in the area, IH 35 right thru the middle. Not to say it is bad or anything like that. However, I think you should visit the website I sent. It might be just what you are looking for, just not my cup of tea.
If you decide to come on down, like some said, leave the Michigan winter wear in MI. The winters in the area generally see maybe a half dozen freezing nights a year, but that is just a SWAG.
I have a house in Canyon Lake near there and have found the winters to be benign.
-- Edited by 53 Merc on Tuesday 5th of October 2010 12:21:37 PM
Thanks to everyone for your responses, and to TexasTom for his additional post!
I think we'd be pretty happy in the San Antonio area, from what everybody has said, and we're still looking at the campground itself, as well as some other possibilities.
Thanks for all your links and advice -- it's much appreciated!
Marci
P.S. Watch our blog to see where we end up!
We are planning to visit just after xmas. Let us know if you are already there. We would love to meet up and have some great mexican food. Jan -April is a great time of year. When the bluebonnets bloom in April, it is truly magical.
-- Edited by jb on Wednesday 6th of October 2010 04:54:10 PM