Thousand Oaks - San Antonio, TX

The Thousand Oaks neighborhood history stands as part of the history of the larger region of far north-central San Antonio. In its earliest incarnation, San Antonio was originally inhabited by Payaya Indians but eventually underwent Spanish colonization. The Texas Revolution, including the famous Battle of the Alamo held in San Antonio, soon led to the state being annexed to the United States in 1845.

The area of far north-central San Antonio has today gained a reputation for housing some of San Antonio’s most luxurious homes and celebrity residents, such as Eva Longoria, Tim Duncan and Joe Horn.

Thousand Oaks doesn't have a museum or a significant arts scene of its own, but does provide its residents with a community library. Nearby options like the Texas Transportation Museum, a collection of historical transportation equipment and related pieces, give residents and visitors excellent insight into the area's history.

For traditional Mexican cuisine, check out Camila's Mexican Restaurant. This eatery is modest in appearance, but it features bold flavor within classic Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, chicken caldo con arroz, and fajitas. Patrons love this restaurant for its authentic taste and affordable prices.

Sideliners Grill serves as the neighborhood favorite sports bar and restaurant. This indoor/outdoor venue takes sports bar to a new level by actually hosting volleyball leagues on its sand volleyball courts. This establishment also has several televisions, so you won't miss out on major sports games and events when you come in for a beer and hot wings.

Pinas Locas provides fun and tasty dessert options in Thousand Oaks. It offers a variety of cold and frozen goodies, such as ice cream, shaved ice and milkshakes. One menu item to try is the bionicos, or fruit served with sweet cream, granola, coconut and raisins. You can also munch on Mexican-inspired creations such as chicharron preparado, fritos chili pie and conchitas preparadas if your tastes run toward more hearty treats.

Although Thousand Oaks doesn't have a large selection of nightclubs and bars, many nearby venues provide ample nightlife for area residents. Fiasco Lounge is a popular neighborhood hangout on Thousand Oaks Drive. The establishment keeps up a varied schedule of events, such as an unpredictably scheduled karaoke night, and always has people ready to play tabletop shuffleboard with new patrons. Larger nightclubs options closer to the neighborhood include Club Rio.

The Thousand Oaks neighborhood features many methods of transportation. Many people travel via automobile, but public transportation is also a popular option. VIA Metropolitan Transit buses service this neighborhood. North Loop 1604 is just north of Thousand Oaks, while US Route 281 lies west of the neighborhood.

Most residences have carports and driveways, but street parking is another option. Unfortunately, only one bicycle lane exists within Thousand Oaks, running along Henderson Pass. The community is equipped with sidewalks, making it somewhat pedestrian-friendly. Call ahead to arrange for a taxi as hailing one from the street isn't really an option, or arrange for a ride share with Uber using your computer or smartphone. The wait time for Uber, excluding peak times, ranges between about 5 to 10 minutes.

Explore Mud Creek Park, a small natural park located on the top border of Thousand Oaks. This 65-acre park features 1.4 miles of natural trails and a restroom for extra convenience. Park goers venture here for activities like hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, photography and more, and the park also welcomes dogs. No annual events are held here, but the "Friends of Mud Creek Park" organize park cleanups using a group of volunteers.

Visit Blossom Park, another recreational facility close to Thousand Oaks. It features free amenities such as a softball field, basketball court, picnic areas and tennis court. This kid-friendly park also comes equipped with a playground suitable for several ages. All amenities are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The cost of living in Thousand Oaks tends to be 8.3 percent higher than the rest of the city of San Antonio, though still 3.6 percent less than the national average. However, renting a one-bedroom apartment costs a little less in this community, with the average asking price being $708 compared to $820 for the rest of the city. The average listing price of homes in this community is higher than the city.

If you like to have an occasional drink, the cost to grab a beer at a local bar like Fiasco Lounge sets you back around $2 to $3 bucks. If you frequent the downtown San Antonio area, you can catch a bus from the neighborhood for $4 on a day pass. Gas in this neighborhood is generally lower than the national average by about 5 percent.

There are no malls or boutiques in the neighborhood, but the Thousand Oaks Shopping Center meets a variety of shopping needs. This shopping center features stores like Bealls, The UPS Store, Tuesday Morning and Fantastic Sams. You'll also find a few dining options such as Bill Miller BBQ, Taco Cabana and Capparelli's.

For a larger assortment of shopping, head to the North Star Mall, a premier shopping facility located less than 7 miles away. A giant pair of boots that have now made it a city landmark characterizes this mall. It has over 300 stores and services including Macy’s, Forever 21, Apple and Saks Fifth Avenue. A kids' play area gives you a space to help calm energetic children before heading into the Cheesecake Factory or grabbing a bite from a food court eatery.

Other nearby shopping options are the Rolling Oaks mall and the Arbor Park Shopping Center.

Handle your afternoon grocery shopping at stores in the neighborhood like H.E.B. and Sprouts Farmers Market. The weekend Legacy Farmers’ Market and a Walmart Supercenter are less than 3 miles away in the far north-central region.