Arboretum - San Antonio, TX Area Guide

San Antonio's rich culture can be traced back to its early days, first as the home to Native Americans and later as the first Spanish colonial settlement in Texas. Father Antonio Olivares established the Mission San Antonio de Valero in 1718, the city's official founding date. It wasn't until the late 1970s that the Arboretum neighborhood began taking shape.

Arboretum residents don’t have to travel too far for major events and cultural attractions. The closest cultural attractions include the Texas Transportation Museum on the other side of McAllister Park and galleries such as Many Hands Gallery.

Come together with the larger San Antonio community during the city’s 10-day celebration of its diverse cultures and colorful history. Downtown hosts Fiesta Antonio every April. Additional events throughout the year include the Asian Festival, Contemporary Art Month in March, Fiesta San Antonio, and the Culinaria Wine and Culinary Arts Festival.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner -- the restaurants located near the Arboretum neighborhood have you covered.

Fluffy pancakes and other breakfast specialties, including Apfel pfannekuchen, crab cake Louie's Benedict, bacon waffles and corned beef hash keep the dining room at Magnolia Pancake Haus packed. To avoid having to wait for an hour or longer for a table, download the “No Wait” app available on the website, which allows you to get in line from home. For a tasty lunch, try Dresden Cafe on Thousand Oaks Drive. This family-run sausage joint specializes in handmade links and salads, an unlikely but fabulous combination. Try bangers and mash, currywurst with fries or spicy Czech sausage with a side of tangy German cucumber salad, fresh sauerkraut, German potato salad and zesty black-eyed pea salad. The snappy, flavorful sausages, fresh sides and friendly service will keep you dreaming about what you’ll try on your next visit.

When the dinner bell rings, visit nearby Alamo Cafe for zesty Tex-Mex fare, including homemade tortillas, spicy fried jalapeños and some of the best puffy tacos in town. Other specialties such as its brisket quesadillas and crisp chile rellenos help make this local joint a San Antonio staple.

Nightlife sizzles in the Arboretum area, with nearby nightclubs such as 502 Bar, which features a fun crowd, plenty of live music, open mic night on Sundays and affordable drink specials, including $5 beer and shot combinations.

With convenient access to major roadways and public transportation, people who live in Arboretum enjoy easy travel from the neighborhood to other areas in the city.

Via Metropolitan Transit provides bus service to the Arboretum area with numerous routes including the 3, 6, 502, 602 and 648. This makes it easy to travel to other locations in the city without having to depend on a car. Stops include downtown, North Star Mall, Morgan's Wonderland, Naco Pass, Castle Hills and the University of Texas San Antonio.

Even with the numerous public transportation options, most people drive or carpool to work. Access to major commuter roadways such as Wurzback Parkway and Interstates 10, 35 and 410 allows Arboretum residents to commute quickly and easily to downtown. Plenty of on- and off-street parking spots minimize parking hassles.

Arrange a cab or ride with Uber to cash in your frequent flier miles and book your next vacation out of San Antonio International Airport, located less than 5 miles away. Although most people depend on their cars to get around the area, you might also see your neighbors out walking or biking in the community. Cyclists can take advantage of the bike path in McAllister Park or nearby dedicated bike lanes, such as the one on portions of Wurzbach Parkway.

Spend an hour or spend the day when you visit nearby McAllister Park, a 984-acre free public park. Bring your pup with you to the dog park, which also has exercise equipment for fitness-minded visitors. The park also has play equipment and plenty of open space for the kids to run and play, in addition to 15 miles of trails used for walking, hiking, jogging and biking. The park offers a fitness station, sports fields, and picnic areas as well. Bring your kite with you, especially during the annual kite festival hosted by Friends of the Parks.

Life in Arboretum typically carries a higher price tag than the average for San Antonio. Higher housing prices account for some of that difference. Expect to pay approximately $748.11 to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood. Local bars generally charge an average of $4 to $5 for a pint of beer, although you can get a better deal during happy hour.

Commuters enjoy reasonable prices in the area. For example, gas prices hover 12 to 13 percent below the national average. One-way fare on Via Metropolitan Transit buses coasts $1.20 each way, or $4 for an unlimited day pass.

From big name chains at nearby North Star Mall to thrift stores and garden centers, the shopping scene in the Arboretum area has something for everyone. You only need to travel a short distance to find fabulous specialty shops that carry unique and hard-to-find items.

The Alley on Bitters houses a variety of small shops. Go antiquing at Back Alley Antiques, a 4,000-square foot store with vintage collectibles, quilts, estate jewelry, and furniture from the 19th and 20th centuries. Browse through custom home decor created by local artists at Iva Style. When you need a special gift, visit the Elegant Peacock, which carries unique paintings, jewelry, and gifts made by local artists. When it's time to refresh your style, check out the fashions and jewelry at Salado Creek Boutique, located at the city's second River Walk, Los Patios. In addition to women's clothing, this charming boutique carries leather handbags and shoes, as well as candles and locally-crafted gifts.

Residents can stock up on groceries at nearby markets, including Timewise Food Store and J.C. Food Mart. The best bet for a local farmers market, Legacy Farmers' Market, lies within a couple miles of the neighborhood.