San Antonio in Your RV Travel Plans?

In June, July and August, we are a sun worshipers paradise and the ideal spot for those who thrive on sweltering temps.  But what is Texas like the rest of the year?  And what are some reasons to put Texas in your winter travel plans?

1.  The Weather

Generally, we are blessed with beautiful warm and sometimes tropical type climate. The accompanying chart shows our wettest months as being July and October and for the most part that plays out as true.  This is the state famous for it's 500 year floods every couple of years.  If you've spent any time in our city you're probably familiar with the saying: "Don't like the weather...wait five minutes."  I hail from a northeastern state and this adage became evident to me early on in my residency here.  The past few years have been marked by extreme drought but even so, occasional flash floods abound.  No where else I've lived can produce a flash flood right before your eyes in a matter of moments or go from overnight temps of 35 degrees (on a rare February night)  to a tropical 85 degrees in the same 24 hour period.  Not that it stays on the ground for very long, but we've even experienced some white stuff blanketing the ground a few times, to our great joy, since it occurs so seldom.

Hidden Valley's Nature Trail with Snow

 San Antonians all turn into kids, attempting snowmen, angels in the snow and snowball fights as soon as the first flurry falls so as not to miss the short time we have it around.

Suffice it to say, we've got all kinds of weather in San Antonio but our winters are a welcome escape from the icy cold northern states and Canada.  Combine that with our exciting city, the River Walk, the Alamo, the historical missions, el Mercado (the Mexican Marketplace) and so much more...well, you've just got to get away to San Antonio at least once.  So even though the temps may be warm where you are today, why not start making plans for this winter season? 

 

 

2.  The RV Park

If you're looking for a heated pool, exercise room, quilting bees, computer clinics and weekly dances with live music, you sound like an energetic traveler and lots of fun to be with.  BUT, Hidden Valley is not in this "resort" class of parks, although we do have an occasional event or pot luck, sit around the bonfire with our guests and share a cup of coffee or two in the mornings.  We guarantee warm hospitality and specialize in guiding you to San Antonio's favorite and even her less known points of interest.  From the time you get your reservation confirmation email to your registration at the park and throughout your stay,

Campfire With Friends at the Bonfire Cove at Hidden Valley RV

Get Togethers on the Clubhouse Patio at Hidden Valley RV

we can suggest  tours, bike riding trails, nearby day trip opportunities, local favorite restaurants and current happenings around the city.  If you're like me when you travel, you may just want to relax at camp.  The quiet, country atmosphere makes Hidden Valley a great place for that too.  You can spend a day fishing in our private Medio Creek, sit in the warm sun at in the bonfire cove or play a game of cards with some friends at the Clubhouse.  Check out our Free RV COUNTRY Magazine to access our website, blog and social sites (facebook, etc..) From there you can coordinate your visit with one of our cities

festivals or Rodeos or a Hidden Valley event like our Oktoberfest or the Gobbler Get Together (this year - Saturday, November 30, 2013.)   We're open year round at Hidden Valley and you can make your reservations by phone (Reservation Hotline 210-623-6737) or online and we'll help you plan your itinerary for a stay of a few nights, a week, a holiday weekend, a month or a whole season.  We look forward to helping you make some great San Antonio memories.
This brings us to another reason to put San Antonio on your winter travel map:

 

 

3.  Unique Attractions

The San Antonio Riverwalk

Fiesta Noche Del Rio

                                                                      

The Riverwalk at Christmas

February's Rodeo Longhorns

The San Antonio Missions

Day Trip Opportunities to nearby Fredericksburg, Gruene, Austin and more

Those are just a few ideas for a trip to Texas and Hidden Valley RV Park.  A visit to our San Antonio RV Park website or the Official San Antonio website  has lots more details.  Remember, Texas is a winter wonderland especially for RVers so...Y'all come see us!
 

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

How to See San Antonio in One Day Without a Car

They call it the Grand Tour, and it truly is.  A full day of San Antonio attractions with out the bother of driving, parking fees or paying admission to the sights - makes this tour the best deal in town.

THE ALAMO
First, you'll be taken to the Alamo, the cradle of Texas liberty, established in 1718.  Full of history, these grounds are a memorial to the men who sacrificed their lives fighting for Texas independence. 

RIVERBOAT CRUISE
Cruise down the romantic San Antonio River and discover a world of sidewalk cafes, lush tropical foliage and charming boutiques.  Take note of the places you may want to return to on another day to explore further.

MISSION CONCEPCION
You'll stop for a visit at Mission Concepcion and view the original frescos still visible within the rooms of the mission.  This is the oldest unrestored stone church in the nation today.

MISSION SAN JOSE
Experience the finest example of a completely restored mission in the United States, renowned for exquisite stone carvings including the famous Rose Window.  If you enjoyed the two mission, there are two more: Mission Espada and Mission San Juan, that you can check out on another day, once the tour has familiarized you with the locations.

JAPANESE SUNKEN GARDENS
This beautiful and architecturally unique old stone quarry is  famous for its beautiful foliage.  Note the close by San Antonio Zoo and Brackenridge Park so that you can plan a later trip there.  The Park has free entry and is a great place to have a picnic lunch after a few hours at the zoo.

BUCKHORN SALOON & TEXAS RANGER MUSEUM
Next the tour will stop at the Buckhorn (admission included with tour) for a taste of the old west and wildlife exhibits from all over the world.  You can sip a cool drink from the 1881 classic saloon as you stroll through the 33,000 square feet of artifacts and oddities from Texas history.  The Ranger Museum admission is not included in the tour but discount tickets are available.

EL MERCADO
Visit the bakery at MiTierra and indulge in tasty pan dulce (Mexican Pastries.)  Tour the Marketplace filled with vendors with colorful Mexican imports.  Bargain for gifts from South of the border and enjoy the many Mexican food restaurants.

And best of all, the tour package includes being picked up AT YOUR Hidden Valley RV SITE at 8am, taken downtown in an air conditioned bus or trolley where you'll stop at the 7 famous attractions, admission fees are included as well as the price of a charming Riverboat Ride on the San Antonio River.  Half way through there's a stop for lunch at Alamo Plaza.  Then around 5 pm you are chauffeured home to your RV site.  No gas, no parking, no entrance fees to the attractions.  All this for right around $50 plus tip if you feel it's deserved.  A $5 per person ticket is always available at the Visit San Antonio Site.  The tour runs all year and on most holidays and usually one day advance notice by phone is sufficient.  You can check out the AlamoSightseeingTours website to get tickets or call them direct at 210-492-4144. 

All our guests who've taken the tour have raved about it.  Let us know if you're interested and we'll make the reservation for you on the day of your choice.  No credit card is required to make the reservation if you make reservations through the RV Park in advance or during your stay.

Call today to reserve your seat!  
210-623-6737 (Hidden Valley) or 210-492-4144 (AlamoSightseeingTours.)

  Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV and our RV Country Daily Magazine and don't forget to Say hello to the voice of Hidden Valley 

Holidays on Paseo del Rio in San Antonio

    Many choose to spend holidays at home with their families but a trend towards holiday travel and bringing the family along is becoming more and more ubiquitous.  (Word of the day...like to use a new word once in a while.  Hehe.)

    Then, of course, there are also those of us who RV full-time and can decide to stay where ever our whims lead us.  

    For either the traveling couple or family looking for something different during the holidays or the full-timer who has a desire for bright lights and beauty in a hospitable, old-fashioned, country atmosphere...'Welcome to San Antonio.'  

    Staying at Hidden Valley  RV Park will afford you the advantage of a virtual tour of the city when you arrive.  The Hidden Valley Team is dedicated to making your visit memorable and will show you available attractions and sites, let you know of special events during your stay and direct you to the best parking, restaurants and exciting day trips nearby.   Make sure to secure your reservations early at the park.  While there is some availability for late comers,  to assure that your exact desired dates are open, we suggest you make your plans by late November for the Christmas attractions and mid-November for the River Walk lighting ceremony and parade.  You may reserve online or by phone on our reservation hotline: 210-623-6737

These are just a few of the holiday activities in the San Antonio area:

Holiday Lighting Ceremony

November 23, 2012, 7 pm
Over 100,000 twinkling lights, draped through and from Cypress trees, bridges and stairways, illuminate a mystical world below street level on the San Antonio River Walk. The lights are lit on November 23, 2012. The lights are lit each evening through January 2, 2013.

Ford River Parade

November 23, 2012, 7pm to 10pm
The lighting ceremony is the official kickoff to the Paseo Del Rio Holiday Festivities. Reserved seating is available along the parade route and tickets are sold through the Paseo Del Rio Association (210 227-4262). The parade along San Antonio’s River Walk features illuminated floats filled with costumed celebrants and celebrities.  Feel free to call us about tips regarding ticket sales if you have questions and want some inside tips.

Tamales at the Pearl

December 1, 2012 Begins at noon.
This event is in it's third year and has become wildly popular.  Anyone from Chefs to Mommas can compete in several areas for making the best tamales, tamales for breakfast, for lunch, for dinner AND for dessert. Yum. The event link above has a short video which heralds the great fun and diverse activities you can participate in during this event.  The Pearl Brewery contact is at 210-212-7260.  Maybe you want to compete.  Their site at the above link has the details and a registration form. 

Blessing of the Animals

December 8, 2012, noon to 6 pm
Market Square

Bring your animals on a leash. The blessing begins at 1 pm. Stay for the many activities for families with children, like petting zoo, face painting, Pancho Claus, strolling mariachis and more.  This is also Primer Sabado (First Saturday - of December) another monthly event at the Market Square from noon to 6pm and full of local entertainment, arts & crafts, children's activities, food and much more! Don't forget to visit the shops, restaurants and the Museo Alameda while you're here! The shops in Market Square are open seven days a week from 10 am - 6 pm during the holiday season.  

Holiday Boat Caroling

November 29-December 23, 2012, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
River level by Chamber of Commerce
The sounds of Christmas fill the air as over 180 choral groups serenade the River Walk. You hear all types of music as these members of school, civic, business and church organizations sing their songs to Heaven from boats cruising the San Antonio River.  Sure you may sing along!

La Gran Posada

Posada means “inn” in Spanish
December 20, 2012, beginning at 6 pm
Milam Park to San Fernando Cathedral
La Gran Posada is an reenactment of the search by Mary and Joseph for a birthplace for Jesus. Marchers holding candles follow Mary and Joseph as they search for shelter, singing traditional Christmas songs and carols. The procession begins in Milam Park and ends at the San Fernando Cathedral. After the procession and prayer, local musicians play in the cathedral.

Fiesta de las Luminarias

November 30 - December 16, 2012, begins at dusk on Friday, Saturday and Sundays only
Experience the Holiday serenity of the River Walk as you
stroll along the lush banks of the San Antonio River guided by more than 6,000 luminarias. Warmly glowing candles in sand filled bags line the walkways to symbolically mark the "lighting of the way" for Holy Family. This centuries old tradition begins at dusk Friday, Saturday & Sunday only. This is an uplifting way to experience the Christmas season on the San Antonio River Walk without breaking the bank. FREE to the public

51st Annual Windcrest Light Up

The city of Windcrest located just East of Loop 410 and IH-35 on San Antonio's north east side, is famous for their yearly display of Christmas lights.

Individual homeowners really get into the Christmas spirit and just imagine their electric bills. The result is long streams of cars traveling in and around the streets looking at the spectacular displays. FREE family fun.  It's actually a local contest and once the winners are chosen in late November a map of the area is released on their website.

Pancho Claus

In addition you can experience a night at the unique Majestic Theater to see The Nutcracker, and evening of jazz and soul music Christmas style, a cultural shopping spree at the quaint German town of nearby Fredericksburg and so much more.  Hope we get to see you this holiday season but when ever you travel our way, stop by and stay a while and make Hidden Valley RV Park your base camp for all San Antonio has to offer.

San Antonio River Walk | Historic Market Square| San Fernando Cathedral | San Antonio CVB | Windcrest Light Up

Winter???in Texas

Hello Rvers
Yes, winter is beginning to set in. Our cold, daytime 70 degree temps and nights at 60 degrees are cold for many south Texans but just perfect for travelers from the North. Many are enjoying our country setting only a few miles from the beautiful city of San Antonio. One of my favorite spots in SA is "The Marketplace" or "El Mercado," in Spanish (outdoor portion is pictured above.)This spot offers an outdoor walk through an exciting row of local shops, a farmers market and a unique attraction featuring a reproduction of the streets of Old Mexico where the vendors share their wares - from Mexican hats and ponchos to wrought iron and ceramics. Many San Antonio specialties and foods are also featured. This "street" is actually indoors and includes a casual dining plaza where you can enjoy a health food shake, a Mexican taco, a latte or a margarita, your choice--while you browse. Best of all, just in case the weather is too hot or a little damp, the whole plaza is disguised with a cover from the outdoors, to exclude the extremes of heat and humidity that Southern climates can afford.
Please call to check availability at our location. If we're full we'll try to locate a spot for you nearby.
Looking forward to sharing some "Southern Hospitality."
"Happy Camping"
Mark and Teri