Texas Hill Country · from San Antonio
SA's backyard is this good.
Rolling limestone hills, spring-fed rivers, wine country, wildflowers, caverns, and small towns that haven't changed in a hundred years — all within two hours of downtown.
Act I · The Region
What the Hill Country is.
It's a 25,000-square-mile spread of limestone hills, cedar and live oak, and spring-fed rivers west and north of San Antonio — one of the most distinctive landscapes in America. Most visitors from either coast have no frame of reference for how good it is.
Key facts
Act II · The Wine Trail
Hwy 290, the wine trail.
Highway 290 between Fredericksburg and Austin is the run — Becker Vineyards, William Chris, Grape Creek, Pedernales Cellars, and 50-plus more.
Two or three wineries is the right number for a day — any more and the day becomes a blur. My full Fredericksburg guide has the specific picks.
Full Fredericksburg guide →Act III · Swimming Holes
Spring-fed, ice cold, all summer.
Blue Hole Wimberley
Spring-fed swimming hole in a cypress grove. Reservation required — book ahead.
Jacob's Well
Natural wonder — artesian spring, clear water, cliff jumps. Reservation required.
Guadalupe River tubing
Outfitters at Gruene and New Braunfels. Best summer activity in Hill Country.
Canyon Lake
Hill Country's best lake — camping, kayaking, fishing.
Comal River
Shortest river in Texas. New Braunfels. Spring-fed and cold year-round.
Act IV · Small Towns
Towns worth stopping in.
Fredericksburg
1 hr 20 minMain Street wine town, German heritage — the best day trip from SA.
Boerne
35 minLimestone Main Street, antiques, Cibolo Nature Center.
Gruene
55 minOldest dance hall in Texas, Guadalupe River tubing.
Wimberley
1 hrBlue Hole, Jacob's Well, art galleries, Hill Country charm.
Bandera
50 minCowboy Capital of the World. Dude ranches, honky-tonks.
Kerrville
1 hrGuadalupe River, folk music scene, good base for Hill Country.
Comfort
50 minTiny antique town, limestone buildings, genuine Hill Country feel.
Act V · Plan the Trip
Day trips from SA.
Fredericksburg
1 hr 20 min
Boerne
35 min
Gruene & New Braunfels
55 min
Wimberley
1 hr
Bandera
50 min
Canyon Lake
45 min
Natural Bridge Caverns
25 min
Austin
1 hr 30 min
Act VI · When to Go
Best time for Hill Country.
Spring
Bluebonnets, perfect temps, harvest buildup. Best time to visit for first-timers.
Summer
Hot but the rivers save it. Swimming holes are in full swing.
Fall
Harvest season, wineries peak, ideal temps. Best time for wine country.
Winter
Quiet, cheaper, mild. Best hotel rates and no crowds.
Ready to plan a Hill Country trip?
Fredericksburg, wineries, swimming holes — all doable in a day. I can put a route together for you. Book Concierge.
Not sure what fits?
Ask me anything.
Tell me how much time you have, who's riding along, and what you're into — wine, water, or just a good drive — and I'll give you the pick.
Open Willie's Line →Staying in SA tonight
Build the whole night.
Save the Hill Country for daylight — dinner, the drink, the cap dealt for tonight, ending in a flat-rate ride.
Open the night-builder →