Tag Archives: riverwalk

What To Do in SA This Winter

San Antonio Riverwalk

Unlike most of the United States, which is already suffering from freezing temperatures, in San Antonio, it’s time to get out of the house and take advantage of this perfect time of year.

Holiday Delights

Enjoy the Holiday River Parade on November 24 in style this year. Many restaurants offer dinner packages, and there really is no better view of the parade. The best part is you don’t have to fight the crowds. Choose from restaurants such as Biga on the Banks, Boudro’s, Hotel Valencia and more. You can book your reservation here.

Although our riverwalk is a top tourist attraction, it’s easy to forget how beautiful it is, especially when they light it up during the holidays with over 100,000 lights. It’s truly a winter wonderland in Texas. You can also take a special river boat tour and see our amazing city from a whole new perspective!

Lost Maples

If you’ve never heard of Lost Maples, you’re missing out. This state park, just a few hours from San Antonio, is a gorgeous respite from city life. This hidden grove of Uvalde bigtooth maple trees is best during a two week time period in the fall when it turns bright red and gold, but it’s a fantastic place to visit all year round. Winter is a great time to go camping or explore their 10 miles of hiking trails. You can also fish the Sabinal River or Can Creek, but keep an eye out, you might see our Stone Creek Custom Homes’ guys hooking some bass.

December Permaculture Class

Learn all about natural gardening from a pro – Sylvain Clavieres of Talking Tree Farm. They offer free permaculture classes at the farm (located near Converse), typically every month. The next one will be on Sunday, December 3 from 4 to 6 pm. Find out  how to start your own garden or discover sustainable techniques that will help you replenish the one you already have. The best part is they bring in a chef to prepare lunch using all of the delicious produce grown at the farm. This one is a must for a fun afternoon with the family. For more information, go to talkingtreefarm.com.

Cheese Please

IF you love cheese, get up close and personal with it at River Whey Creamery’s “Hands On Cheesemaking Class,” on January 21st. Learn how to make a lemon juice coagulated cheese, whole milk ricotta and a cultured cheese from nationally award-winning cheesemaker, Susan Rigg. Sign up early at riverwheycreamery.com.

When you’re done adventuring, give us a call at 210-494-5400 and let’s discuss how you can love San Antonio even more in your new custom home. You can also fill out our online form to request more information.

 

Gems at the Pearl

Jackie Treehorn Burger at Boiler House

Jackie Treehorn Burger at Boiler House

The Pearl Brewery is THE place to visit in San Antonio whether you’re a resident or a visitor. With an endless list of fantastic restaurants, bars and shops, not to mention the farmers market on the weekends and access to the north extension of the Riverwalk, you could go here just about every day and never get bored. Here are some of our favorite things to do:

Boiler House

Boiler House is a cornerstone restaurant at the Pearl and one of the best places to go to dine on an array of yummy cuisine from fun appetizers like Texas Whiskey Bacon Caramel Kettle Corn and House Chicharrones to a juicy 32 oz. Tomahawk Ribeye with bone marrow butter. Our favorite may be the Jackie Treehorn Burger – this bad boy comes with foie gras peanut butter, bacon and melted cheese. So good you’ll be dreaming about it! They also have a terrific happy hour.

Melissa Guerra

Melissa Guerra is a culinary-centric shop that sells the most stunning wares from provincial Mexico and various regions of Latin America. Here you’ll find everything from tortilla presses to vibrantly-colored ceramic dishes.

Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery

Beer lovers will delight in the fact that you can get craft brews in this historic brewery. Southerleigh, along with Hotel Emma, and Supper have brilliantly repurposed the space, utilizing items from the original brewery in new and clever ways. We recommend trying a flight of beers. Right now they’re featuring a Gold Export Lager, Texas Uncommon Ale, Darwinian IPA and Godzilla Go Juice Sake Style Beer.

Ten Thousand Villages

If you’re looking for a unique gift for that picky friend, Ten Thousand Villages is a good bet. They sell a variety of handcrafted imported goods from around the world. You’ll find jewelry, wall decorations, scarves, ceramics and even toys for the kiddos. Expect to find delights your friends will treasure forever, that is, unless you decide to keep them for yourself!

Cured

Cured is easily a local’s favorite for their housemade charcuterie. When you walk into this historic building the curing meats are showcased right next to the front door. They source locally and feature a daily farmer’s market dish made with the freshest veggies procured from the market that takes place right outside the restaurant. They also offer brunch on Sundays so don’t miss out.

Riverwalk

The north extension of the Riverwalk that abuts the Pearl is beautifully-landscaped, and the ideal place to take a stroll morning, noon or night. Head south towards the San Antonio Museum of Art, where you can pop in for a beer at The Luxury before heading back. You can also hop on a riverboat or simply sit in the mini amphitheater outside of Hotel Emma and watch the tourists. They also hold concerts and events here.

Botika

Botika is the newest restaurant to make its debut at the Pearl and has already received a four-star review from the Express-News for their inventive Peruvian-Asian restaurant created by a former chef at the Culinary Institute of America.

After your excursion at the Pearl, call us at 210-494-5400 to discuss your new custom home ideas! If you wish to be added to our private email list for our newsletter, please sign up here.

 

Christmas in San Antonio

Riverwalk_Christmas_05-2

San Antonio is a magical city to live in during the Christmas holiday, especially once the lights are up on the river walk! Spending an evening downtown can actually make you feel like you’re on vacation somewhere exotic. Strolling along the river, stopping for dinner and drinks or simply some fudge and a caramel apple from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is a special winter treat, but there are plenty of other delights to be found this season:

Windcrest Light Up

If you’ve lived in San Antonio for long, then you have probably already had the pleasure of driving through the Windcrest neighborhood on the northeast side of town to see all the Christmas lights. If not, then make this a new tradition. They’ve been delighting families since the 1950’s. We recommend bringing some hot cocoa (in safe containers) and cookies for the slow drive through the twinkling lights! Windcrest is adjacent to the Interstate 35/Loop 410 interchange, just 15 minutes from downtown San Antonio.

Holiday Arts & Crafts Show

Besides enjoying the almost 2 million lights that illuminate the river walk each Christmas season, downtown is also a hub of Christmasy activity throughout the month of December. One of the more popular events is the Holiday Arts & Crafts show that takes place on December 11th from 11 am to 11 pm on the river walk (extension) near the Chamber of Commerce. You can shop for pottery, jewelry and other fine art made by local artisans.  http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/

Christmas Music & Other Fun

When it comes to live Christmas music, The Tobin has got San Antonio covered. This year, they will be showcasing a number of performances, including Conspirare Christmas with special guest Matt Alber on December 8, Robert Earl Keen’s ‘Merry Christmas from the Fam-O-Lee’ on December 15, the San Antonio Symphony’s ‘Holiday Pops,’ on Dec. 18-20, and everyone’s favorite, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (the musical) on Dec. 21-24. For more details on these and other events, visit their website. www.tobincenter.org

If all you really want for Christmas is a brand new house, then don’t send Santa a letter – just give us a call at 210-494-5400. To be added to our private email list to receive the newsletter, please sign up here.