Guidebook for San Marcos
Food Scene
3.3 miles / 10 minutes - Ask for the features. Go for brunch and ask to be sat next to the live band. In Spring / Fall ask for patio seating. In the Winter ask for a table next to the fireplace. Excellent bar atmosphere. Finally, tell the manger that Randall (former manager / employee of 14 years sent you) sent you. Be on your best behavior.
54 residents recomanen
Palmer's Restaurant Bar & Courtyard
218 Moore St3.3 miles / 10 minutes - Ask for the features. Go for brunch and ask to be sat next to the live band. In Spring / Fall ask for patio seating. In the Winter ask for a table next to the fireplace. Excellent bar atmosphere. Finally, tell the manger that Randall (former manager / employee of 14 years sent you) sent you. Be on your best behavior.
Jason's Deli
901 TX-801.5 miles / 4 minutes -
The best sald bar in town, period.
2.9 miles / 9 minutes -
Our favorite breakfast restuarant. Vegetarian options. Also offer micro brews later in the day. Privately owned and operated. Unique.
62 residents recomanen
The Root Cellar Cafe & Brewery
215 N LBJ Dr2.9 miles / 9 minutes -
Our favorite breakfast restuarant. Vegetarian options. Also offer micro brews later in the day. Privately owned and operated. Unique.
4 miles / 7 minutes -
If you are looking for a meal after shopping the Outlet Mall then go to Cody's Bistro. It is on our top 5 list.
17 residents recomanen
Cody's Restaurant Bar & Patio
690 Center Point Rd4 miles / 7 minutes -
If you are looking for a meal after shopping the Outlet Mall then go to Cody's Bistro. It is on our top 5 list.
2.9 miles / 9 minutes -
Enjoy fresh breads and pastries at this local bakery on the square in historic downtown San Marcos. Fair trade, french press coffee available for your enjoyment.
7 residents recomanen
The Barfish Lounge
142 N LBJ Dr2.9 miles / 9 minutes -
Enjoy fresh breads and pastries at this local bakery on the square in historic downtown San Marcos. Fair trade, french press coffee available for your enjoyment.
3.1 miles / 10 minutes -
Coffee / Breakfast spot. They have good coffee and great tacos in a cozy and vibrant cafe that use to be a home.
12 residents recomanen
Jo's Cafe
310 Mary St3.1 miles / 10 minutes -
Coffee / Breakfast spot. They have good coffee and great tacos in a cozy and vibrant cafe that use to be a home.
2.9 miles / 9 minutes -
A European Bistro - We serve fresh, beautifully simple and sincere food using local and organic ingredients when available. Enjoy a leisurely meal at a private or communal table. Relax and feel like you are in the European countryside.
Our Tip: There is additional outdoor seating at the back of the restuarant.
351 residents recomanen
Blue Dahlia Bistro
1115 E 11th St2.9 miles / 9 minutes -
A European Bistro - We serve fresh, beautifully simple and sincere food using local and organic ingredients when available. Enjoy a leisurely meal at a private or communal table. Relax and feel like you are in the European countryside.
Our Tip: There is additional outdoor seating at the back of the restuarant.
7.4 miles / 14 minutes - Now, with over 2,000 bakery-cafes in the U.S. and Canada, we still pay attention to the important things. Like serving food that does not contain artificial preservatives, flavors or sweeteners and colors from artificial sources and making sure you have a great experience.
Panera Bread
2315 IH 35 S7.4 miles / 14 minutes - Now, with over 2,000 bakery-cafes in the U.S. and Canada, we still pay attention to the important things. Like serving food that does not contain artificial preservatives, flavors or sweeteners and colors from artificial sources and making sure you have a great experience.
Parks & Nature
3.9 miles / 11 minutes - Spring Lake gives life to the San Marcos River, to San Marcos and downstream communities, and to The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. Two hundred springs bubble up to form one of the largest aquifer-driven spring systems in the world. Human history here stretches back 12,000 years - making his possibly the longest continually inhabited settlement in North America.
Activities include, glass bottom boats, kayak tours, nature trails and more.
Spring Lake
Spring Lake3.9 miles / 11 minutes - Spring Lake gives life to the San Marcos River, to San Marcos and downstream communities, and to The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. Two hundred springs bubble up to form one of the largest aquifer-driven spring systems in the world. Human history here stretches back 12,000 years - making his possibly the longest continually inhabited settlement in North America.
Activities include, glass bottom boats, kayak tours, nature trails and more.
3.9 miles / 10 minutes -
The Blanco Shoals is the closest park to the neighborhood. About 81 acres mostly west of the Blanco River, just below the bridge at IH35. Blanco Shoals is a unique area in
our park system, since it is a completely undeveloped riparian area and will remain that way except for a few trails to be built in the future. It contains high bank bluffs and shoals, tall cottonwoods and sycamores, gigantic pecans, and mesquite. Anaqua (a na’ kuh way) trees cling to the riverbanks.
Blanco Shoals Natural Area
3.9 miles / 10 minutes -
The Blanco Shoals is the closest park to the neighborhood. About 81 acres mostly west of the Blanco River, just below the bridge at IH35. Blanco Shoals is a unique area in
our park system, since it is a completely undeveloped riparian area and will remain that way except for a few trails to be built in the future. It contains high bank bluffs and shoals, tall cottonwoods and sycamores, gigantic pecans, and mesquite. Anaqua (a na’ kuh way) trees cling to the riverbanks.
4.5 miles / 14 minutes -
Be sure to visit San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance for more information. http://www.smgreenbelt.org/index.htm
Excellent for walking trekking, running or mountain biking. There are short and long trails, intermediate and difficult, out and backs and loops (long distance 8-12 miles).
Prospect Park
1414 Prospect St4.5 miles / 14 minutes -
Be sure to visit San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance for more information. http://www.smgreenbelt.org/index.htm
Excellent for walking trekking, running or mountain biking. There are short and long trails, intermediate and difficult, out and backs and loops (long distance 8-12 miles).
2.7 miles / 9 minutes - Sewell Park is one of the most inviting and relaxing spaces on the Texas State Campus. The spring fed crystal clear San Marcos River runs through the park and remains 72 degrees year round. You can relax outdoors while taking advantage of two sand volleyball courts, open spaces for frisbee, an outdoor basketball court, and and grills and picnic tables great for cookouts. The park also offers ample open space for sunbathing, and picnicking.
22 residents recomanen
Sewell Park
601 University Dr2.7 miles / 9 minutes - Sewell Park is one of the most inviting and relaxing spaces on the Texas State Campus. The spring fed crystal clear San Marcos River runs through the park and remains 72 degrees year round. You can relax outdoors while taking advantage of two sand volleyball courts, open spaces for frisbee, an outdoor basketball court, and and grills and picnic tables great for cookouts. The park also offers ample open space for sunbathing, and picnicking.
6.8 miles / 14 minutes - In upper Purgatory, visitors can hike mostly natural trails, including Dante's, Paraiso, and Malcoda. Malcoda is a branch from Dante's that leads visitors to the grotto, a limestone formation shaped in part by Purgatory Creek.
Parking and the entrance to upper Purgatory are accessed from Craddock Avenue, just past its intersection with Wonder World Drive
For more information visit the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance website...http://www.smgreenbelt.org/SMNaturalAreas.htm
Upper Purgatory Trailhead
1753 Valencia Way6.8 miles / 14 minutes - In upper Purgatory, visitors can hike mostly natural trails, including Dante's, Paraiso, and Malcoda. Malcoda is a branch from Dante's that leads visitors to the grotto, a limestone formation shaped in part by Purgatory Creek.
Parking and the entrance to upper Purgatory are accessed from Craddock Avenue, just past its intersection with Wonder World Drive
For more information visit the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance website...http://www.smgreenbelt.org/SMNaturalAreas.htm
Essentials
2 miles / 6 minutes - Where we go for holistic alternatives and organic foods.
8 residents recomanen
The Cornucopia
1104 Thorpe Ln2 miles / 6 minutes - Where we go for holistic alternatives and organic foods.
Walmart Supercenter
1015 TX-801.4 miles / 5 minutes
H-E-B
641 E Hopkins St 2 miles / 6 minutes
Entertainment & Activities
3.9 miles / 8 minutes - Don's Fish Camp offers tube rentals, kayak rentals, music coolers and anything you may need to float the river.
32 residents recomanen
Don's Fish Camp
105 Nelle Ln3.9 miles / 8 minutes - Don's Fish Camp offers tube rentals, kayak rentals, music coolers and anything you may need to float the river.
4.1 miles / 8 min - Texas State Tubes is the high service, low cost provider of tube rides on the San Marcos River. Park, Float, Ride, or Park, Ride, Float.
24 residents recomanen
Texas State Tubes
2024 North Old Bastrop Highway4.1 miles / 8 min - Texas State Tubes is the high service, low cost provider of tube rides on the San Marcos River. Park, Float, Ride, or Park, Ride, Float.
1.7 miles / 4 minutes - Bobcat Golf Range, formerly known as Southwest Golf Range, is a full-service driving range with in-house club repair, golf clubs, putting green, sand trap, and chipping area.
Bobcat Golf Range
1301 TX-801.7 miles / 4 minutes - Bobcat Golf Range, formerly known as Southwest Golf Range, is a full-service driving range with in-house club repair, golf clubs, putting green, sand trap, and chipping area.
2.3 miles / 6 minutes - Canoe and kayak rentals, San Marcos River shuttles, sales of equipment and accessories, and repairs.
6 residents recomanen
TG Canoes & Kayaks
376 Pecan Park Dr2.3 miles / 6 minutes - Canoe and kayak rentals, San Marcos River shuttles, sales of equipment and accessories, and repairs.
Spencer Canoes / 6.6 miles / 9 minutes - "We have a choice of trips ready to accommodate beginning or intermediate skill levels. This is a great river to learn on and pretty enough to keep the experts coming back.
All trip prices include the boat, life jackets, paddles, back supports for kayaks, your parking, shuttle, river access, and the use of Shady Grove's bathhouse."
Spencer Canoes & Shady Grove Campground
9515 FM1979Spencer Canoes / 6.6 miles / 9 minutes - "We have a choice of trips ready to accommodate beginning or intermediate skill levels. This is a great river to learn on and pretty enough to keep the experts coming back.
All trip prices include the boat, life jackets, paddles, back supports for kayaks, your parking, shuttle, river access, and the use of Shady Grove's bathhouse."
4.3 miles / 7 minutes - Harris Hill Raceway is a technical race track designed to be fun, safe and educational. Harris Hill Raceway (H2R), designed by track designer David Donovan, is located in the hills of northeastern San Marcos, Texas.
The track is a 1.82-mile, 11-turn asphalt road course. The course is 36-feet wide with over 150 feet of elevation changes and a challenging mix of on and off-camber turns, including the 80-foot rise and drop of Santa Rita, Turn 4, (named after the patron saint of the impossible task).
Harris Hill Raceway
2840 Harris Hill Rd4.3 miles / 7 minutes - Harris Hill Raceway is a technical race track designed to be fun, safe and educational. Harris Hill Raceway (H2R), designed by track designer David Donovan, is located in the hills of northeastern San Marcos, Texas.
The track is a 1.82-mile, 11-turn asphalt road course. The course is 36-feet wide with over 150 feet of elevation changes and a challenging mix of on and off-camber turns, including the 80-foot rise and drop of Santa Rita, Turn 4, (named after the patron saint of the impossible task).
12.7 miles / 15 minutes - Skydive San Marcos is the closest drop zone to Austin and San Antonio. We are NOT a virtual skydive center or booking agency looking to take your money and send you on a wild goose chase - Skydive San Marcos is a real Drop Zone with real people and and we are the ONLY skydiving facility within 150 miles of Austin and San Antonio that operates multiple fast turbine powered aircraft including a TWIN engine Super Twin Otter and a Super Cessna Cavaravan with a lift capacity of 138 jumpers per hour!
17 residents recomanen
Skydive Spaceland San Marcos
517 Airfield Rd12.7 miles / 15 minutes - Skydive San Marcos is the closest drop zone to Austin and San Antonio. We are NOT a virtual skydive center or booking agency looking to take your money and send you on a wild goose chase - Skydive San Marcos is a real Drop Zone with real people and and we are the ONLY skydiving facility within 150 miles of Austin and San Antonio that operates multiple fast turbine powered aircraft including a TWIN engine Super Twin Otter and a Super Cessna Cavaravan with a lift capacity of 138 jumpers per hour!
8 miles / 15 minutes - Cool River Amphitheater is home to “The Best Float in Texas”, Tubing San Marcos River at it’s finest. We have served floaters from all over Texas and beyond for the past 15 years.
We offer tube rentals, kayak rentals, and shuttle pickup from your home directly to Tubing San Marcos River. We also offer a variety of merchandise available on site.
Cool River Ranch Toob Rental And Amphitheater
601 Dupuy Ranch Rd8 miles / 15 minutes - Cool River Amphitheater is home to “The Best Float in Texas”, Tubing San Marcos River at it’s finest. We have served floaters from all over Texas and beyond for the past 15 years.
We offer tube rentals, kayak rentals, and shuttle pickup from your home directly to Tubing San Marcos River. We also offer a variety of merchandise available on site.
2.6 miles / 7 minutes - Here at The Olympic Outdoor Center we lead a variety of daily whitewater and flatwater paddling programs geared toward providing irresistible fun for everyone. No matter your age or abilities you will enjoy the personal attention from our skilled instructors.
Olympic Outdoor Center
602 IH 35 S2.6 miles / 7 minutes - Here at The Olympic Outdoor Center we lead a variety of daily whitewater and flatwater paddling programs geared toward providing irresistible fun for everyone. No matter your age or abilities you will enjoy the personal attention from our skilled instructors.
2.1 miles / 6 minutes - Theater has push-button dine-in service, luxury recliners, bowling, arcade games, CC devices, restaurant, craft cocktail bar, patio. Limited seating so we recommend purchasing tickets online.
21 residents recomanen
EVO Entertainment Springtown
1180 Thorpe Ln2.1 miles / 6 minutes - Theater has push-button dine-in service, luxury recliners, bowling, arcade games, CC devices, restaurant, craft cocktail bar, patio. Limited seating so we recommend purchasing tickets online.
Parc Rio Vista
555 Cheatham St1 mile / 6 minutes -
6 Tennis Courts
4 Pickleball Courts
Getting Around
1.8 miles / 3 minutes - The airport is popular among pilots, with its three asphalt runways, each more than a mile in length and aligned in a way that virtually eliminates crosswind operations.
San Marcos Regional Airport
1807 Airport Dr1.8 miles / 3 minutes - The airport is popular among pilots, with its three asphalt runways, each more than a mile in length and aligned in a way that virtually eliminates crosswind operations.
4 miles / 11 minutes - Never been on an Amtrak? Treat yourself to a one day round trip between San Marcos to Austin. Fares can be found for as little as $38 for two people during the week or weekend!
Departs at 8:30am
Returns at 7:15pm
Less than 1 hour each way.
6 residents recomanen
San Marcos Station
4 miles / 11 minutes - Never been on an Amtrak? Treat yourself to a one day round trip between San Marcos to Austin. Fares can be found for as little as $38 for two people during the week or weekend!
Departs at 8:30am
Returns at 7:15pm
Less than 1 hour each way.
Sightseeing
3.3 miles / 7 minutes -
The Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving a complete collection of combat aircrafts flown by Allies during World War II.
The Centex Wing, located in a 1943 vintage wooden hangar, offers visitors a WW II Artifacts Exhibit and a display dedicated to the Doolittle Raiders.
Aircrafts on site include a very rare flying P-39 Bell Airacobra, P-40 Warhawk, Lockheed T-33 jet trainer, PT-17 Stearman WWII trainer, two WW II Liaison spotter planes, and a T-34 Mentor trainer. Replicas include a CAF Japanese "Kate" torpedo bomber and a Japanese Zero, built for the movie Tora, Tora, Tora.
Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing
1841 Airport Drive3.3 miles / 7 minutes -
The Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving a complete collection of combat aircrafts flown by Allies during World War II.
The Centex Wing, located in a 1943 vintage wooden hangar, offers visitors a WW II Artifacts Exhibit and a display dedicated to the Doolittle Raiders.
Aircrafts on site include a very rare flying P-39 Bell Airacobra, P-40 Warhawk, Lockheed T-33 jet trainer, PT-17 Stearman WWII trainer, two WW II Liaison spotter planes, and a T-34 Mentor trainer. Replicas include a CAF Japanese "Kate" torpedo bomber and a Japanese Zero, built for the movie Tora, Tora, Tora.
Drinks & Nightlife
2.4 miles / 5 minutes -
TEXAS Wines - Three Dudes Winery overlooks the crystal clear waters of the San Marcos River and offers a place to experience Texas wines in a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere. Our tasting room and gift shop are open 7 days a week from noon to 6 PM.
9 residents recomanen
Three Dudes Winery
125 Old Martindale Rd2.4 miles / 5 minutes -
TEXAS Wines - Three Dudes Winery overlooks the crystal clear waters of the San Marcos River and offers a place to experience Texas wines in a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere. Our tasting room and gift shop are open 7 days a week from noon to 6 PM.
2.8 miles / 7 minutes -
This is the only dedicated wine bar in San Marcos.
23 residents recomanen
Patio Dolcetto
322 Cheatham St2.8 miles / 7 minutes -
This is the only dedicated wine bar in San Marcos.
2.4 miles / 6 minutes -
The list, is a sign-up sheet for the weekly Songwriters Circle - the heart and soul of Kent Finlay’s vision for the now legendary honky tonk that he opened in June, 1974. Writers and faithful members of the audience regard Wednesday nights at Cheatham Street Warehouse with reverential awe.
Music aficionados of all ages are welcome to step into the old warehouse. Live music is on tap every night. Listen to the stars of tomorrow. You will be able to say you heard them here first!
Open Daily 4:00 pm-2:00am
Cheatham Street
Cheatham Street2.4 miles / 6 minutes -
The list, is a sign-up sheet for the weekly Songwriters Circle - the heart and soul of Kent Finlay’s vision for the now legendary honky tonk that he opened in June, 1974. Writers and faithful members of the audience regard Wednesday nights at Cheatham Street Warehouse with reverential awe.
Music aficionados of all ages are welcome to step into the old warehouse. Live music is on tap every night. Listen to the stars of tomorrow. You will be able to say you heard them here first!
Open Daily 4:00 pm-2:00am
3.7 miles / 10 minutes - We’re passionate about beer – and you can taste it. Making craft beer is our specialty. We hope drinking it is yours. When you are in San Marcos, Texas come visit us!
Our original brewery is located one block south of the square and includes our Beer Garden and patio. With more than 10 different beers on tap and a full-service restaurant, guests can grab a brew, hop on a tour and then grab a seat.
24 residents recomanen
AquaBrew
110 E Martin Luther King Dr3.7 miles / 10 minutes - We’re passionate about beer – and you can taste it. Making craft beer is our specialty. We hope drinking it is yours. When you are in San Marcos, Texas come visit us!
Our original brewery is located one block south of the square and includes our Beer Garden and patio. With more than 10 different beers on tap and a full-service restaurant, guests can grab a brew, hop on a tour and then grab a seat.