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===Performing arts===
===Performing arts===
*The '''Majestic Theater''' [http://www.majesticempire.com| web site] is home to the '''San Antonio Symphony''', individual concerts and touring Broadway shows. The theater, which opened in 1929 as a grand movie palace, is well known for its Mediterranean Style architecture and twinkling starlit sky (complete with projected clouds that creep across the ceiling) is as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and was listed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1975.
*The '''Majestic Theater''' [http://www.majesticempire.com| (Web site)] is home to the '''San Antonio Symphony''', individual concerts and touring Broadway shows. The theater, which opened in 1929 as a grand movie palace, is well known for its Mediterranean-style architecture and twinkling starlit sky (complete with projected clouds that creep across the ceiling). It is as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and was listed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1975.
*The '''Charline McCombs Empire Theater''' [http://www.majesticempire.com| web site] which opened in 1913 is the sister theater to the Majestic and plays host to smaller productions, banquets, cabaret, chamber orchestras and touring plays. An extensive renovation of the Empire was completed in 1989 and combined backstage areas with the adjacent Majestic allowing for more flexibility between the two venues. The Empire was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
*The '''Charline McCombs Empire Theater''' [http://www.majesticempire.com| (Web site)], which opened in 1913, is the sister theater to the Majestic and plays host to smaller productions, banquets, cabaret, chamber orchestras and touring plays. An extensive renovation of the Empire was completed in 1989 and combined backstage areas with the adjacent Majestic allowing for more flexibility between the two venues. The Empire was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
*The '''Alameda Theater''' [http://www.thealameda.org| web site] is one of the last grand movie palaces built in the US (opening in 1949) and was the largest theater in the US dedicated to Spanish-language entertainment. The theater is often referred to as the "Apollo Theater for Latinos" and is known for the house's extensive black lighted murals. Today the theater, in association with the [[Smithsonian Institution]] and the [[John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts]], is the performing arts component of the [[National Center for Latino Arts and Culture]] which was formally organized in 2001. Upon completion of the theaters renovation it will be a state of the art facility capable of housing performing arts mediums such as television and full Broadway productions, theater, opera, dance, concerts and film.
*The '''Alameda Theater''' [http://www.thealameda.org| (Web site)] is one of the last grand movie palaces built in the U.S. (opening in 1949) and was the largest theater in the U.S. dedicated to Spanish-language entertainment. The theater is often referred to as the "Apollo Theater for Latinos" and is known for the house's extensive black lighted murals. Today the theater, in association with the [[Smithsonian Institution]] and the [[John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts]], is the performing arts component of the [[National Center for Latino Arts and Culture]], which was formally organized in 2001. Upon completion of the theater's renovation, it will be a state-of-the-art facility capable of housing performing arts mediums such as television and full Broadway productions, theater, opera, dance, concerts and film.
*The '''Lila Cockrell Theatre''', opened in 1968, is a performing arts venue that hosts ballet, opera, theater and individual concert events. The building is on the banks of the Riverwalk and being a part of the adjacent convention center it also hosts general assembly and multi-media presentation events. A unique feature of the building is the [[Juan O'Gorman]] mosaic mural located on the exterior facade entitled "Confluence of Civilizations in the Americas." The mural symbolizes the progress made by the confluence of civilizations in the Western Hemisphere starting with Adam and Eve in the center with European civilization depicted to the right and indigenous meso-American civilization to the left.
*The '''Lila Cockrell Theatre''', opened in 1968, is a performing arts venue that hosts ballet, opera, theater and individual concert events. The building is on the banks of the Riverwalk, and being a part of the adjacent convention center it also hosts general assembly and multi-media presentation events. A unique feature of the building is the [[Juan O'Gorman]] mosaic mural located on the exterior facade entitled "Confluence of Civilizations in the Americas." The mural symbolizes the progress made by the confluence of civilizations in the Western Hemisphere starting with Adam and Eve in the center, with European civilization depicted to the right, and indigenous meso-American civilization to the left.


===Museums===
===Museums===

Revision as of 15:53, 2 April 2006

"San Antonio" redirects here. For other uses, see San Antonio (disambiguation).
San Antonio, Texas
Flag of San Antonio, Texas
Flag
Official seal of San Antonio, Texas
Seal
Nickname: 
Alamo City
Location in the state of Texas
Location in the state of Texas
CountiesBexar County
Government
 • MayorPhil Hardberger
Population
 (2004)
 • City1,236,249
 • Metro
1,889,797
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (Central)
Websitewww.sanantonio.gov

San Antonio is the county seat of Bexar County located in the U.S. state of Texas within the northern South Texas region. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 1.1 million (though a July 1, 2004, estimate by the U.S. Census placed the population over 1.2 million making it the second-largest city within Texas and eighth-largest in the country). The San Antonio metropolitan area, however, is the third-largest in the state. The new 2005 U.S. census estimate [1] for the eight county San Antonio MSA placed the metro population at just under 1.9 million (1,889,797).


San Antonio was named for the Portuguese saint Anthony of Padua, whose feast day it was when a Spanish expedition stopped in the area in 1691. Famous for its Riverwalk and the Alamo, the Tejano culture, and being home to SeaWorld and Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme parks, the city is visited by 20 million tourists per year.

San Antonio has the South Texas Medical Center, the largest and only medical research and care provider in the South Texas region. The city is home to the first museum of Modern Art in Texas, the Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum[2].

San Antonio has a strong military presence: it is home to Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base, and Brooks City Base.

History

Aerial view of the city, circa 1939

Native American Indians originally lived along the San Antonio River in the San Pedro Springs area, calling the vicinity Yanaguana, meaning "refreshing waters".

In 1691, a group of Spanish explorers and missionaries came upon the river on the feast day of St. Anthony, hence naming the river after "San Antonio."

The actual founding of the city took place in 1718 by Father Antonio Olivares, upon establishing Mission San Antonio de Valero. Hence via the efforts of the Canary Islanders, San Antonio de Béxar soon transformed into an early Spanish settlement in the Americas.

The Battle of the Alamo took place nearby in 1836, and eventually the town would grow to encompass the embattled mission. This was where 189 defenders held the old mission against some 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days. The cry "Remember the Alamo" became the rallying point of the Texan revolution against Mexico.

Today, the Alamo is a shrine and museum located in the heart of downtown, and is surrounded by many hotels and tourist attractions.

Geography and climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1,067.3 km² (412.07 mi²). 1,055.6 km² (407.56 mi²) of it is land and 11.7 km² (4.51 mi²) of it is water. The city sits on the Balcones Escarpment.

San Antonio's weather is alternately dry or humid depending on prevailing winds, turning hot in the summer, mild to cool winters subject to descending northern cold fronts in the winter with cool nights, and comfortably warm and rainy in the spring and fall. Only a few freezes occur each year and snow is rare.

Downtown San Antonio on Christmas.

In San Antonio, July and August tie for the average warmest months with an average high of 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The highest temperature ever to be recorded was 111°F/43.8ºC on September 5, 2000. The average coolest month is January. The lowest recorded temperature ever was 0°F/-17.7ºC on January 31, 1949. May, June, and October have quite a bit of precipitation. For the last 135 years, the average annual precipitation has been 29.05 inches (73.79 cm), with a maximum of 52.28 inches (132.79 cm) and a minimum of 10.11 inches (25.68) in one year.[3]

Demographics

There are 1,144,646 people, 405,474 households, and 280,993 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,084.4/km² (2,808.5/mi²).

There are 433,122 housing units at an average density of 410.3/km² (1,062.7/mi²). According to Texas.com, the current racial make up of San Antonio is: 32% non-Hispanic White, 7% African-American, 2% Asian, 1% Native American; 58% of the population is Hispanic.

In the city the population is spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. In San Antonio, 48% of the population are Males, and 52% of the population are Females. For every 100 females there are 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $36,214, and the median income for a family is $41,331. Males have a median income of $30,061 versus $24,444 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,487. 17.3% of the population and 14.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.3% of those under the age of 18 and 13.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. Average rents in San Antonio in 2005 were $583 for a one bedroom apartment, and $817 for a two bedroom apartment. From 2000 to 2005, home prices have steadily risen in San Antonio. In 2005, the median home price rose over 9% to $75,000.

Economy

File:STMC SA.jpg
South Texas Medical Center

Twenty million tourists visit the city and its attractions every year, contributing substantially to the city's economy.[4] The San Antonio Convention Center alone hosts more than 300 events each year with over 750,000 convention delegates from around the world.

San Antonio's corporate profile includes AT&T (formerly SBC), Valero Energy Corp, USAA, Tesoro Petroleum Corp, Southwest Research Institute, H-E-B, and Clear Channel Communications, which are all headquartered in the city.

Located northwest of the city center is the South Texas Medical Center, the largest medical research and care provider in South Texas, which is a conglomerate of numerous major hospitals, clinics, and research and higher educational institutions. The center is responsible for a $12 billion biomedical industry.[5][6] It employs some 27,000 persons with a combined total budget of $2.5 billion.

Other industries such as Toyota Motor Corporation are establishing plants in the area, as the city's economy continues to grow.

Companies not HQ'd in San Antonio but which have a strong presence in the Alamo City include Washington Mutual, Citibank, QVC, NSA, Bank of America, InfoNxx, and West Corporation.

People and culture

The Alamo is one of the most popular cultural attractions in Texas

San Antonio has a vibrant art community that reflects the rich history and culture of the area. This unique city offers some of the best cultural institutions, events, restaurants and nightlife in South Texas that both natives and visitors enjoy.

Performing arts

  • The Majestic Theater (Web site) is home to the San Antonio Symphony, individual concerts and touring Broadway shows. The theater, which opened in 1929 as a grand movie palace, is well known for its Mediterranean-style architecture and twinkling starlit sky (complete with projected clouds that creep across the ceiling). It is as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and was listed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1975.
  • The Charline McCombs Empire Theater (Web site), which opened in 1913, is the sister theater to the Majestic and plays host to smaller productions, banquets, cabaret, chamber orchestras and touring plays. An extensive renovation of the Empire was completed in 1989 and combined backstage areas with the adjacent Majestic allowing for more flexibility between the two venues. The Empire was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
  • The Alameda Theater (Web site) is one of the last grand movie palaces built in the U.S. (opening in 1949) and was the largest theater in the U.S. dedicated to Spanish-language entertainment. The theater is often referred to as the "Apollo Theater for Latinos" and is known for the house's extensive black lighted murals. Today the theater, in association with the Smithsonian Institution and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is the performing arts component of the National Center for Latino Arts and Culture, which was formally organized in 2001. Upon completion of the theater's renovation, it will be a state-of-the-art facility capable of housing performing arts mediums such as television and full Broadway productions, theater, opera, dance, concerts and film.
  • The Lila Cockrell Theatre, opened in 1968, is a performing arts venue that hosts ballet, opera, theater and individual concert events. The building is on the banks of the Riverwalk, and being a part of the adjacent convention center it also hosts general assembly and multi-media presentation events. A unique feature of the building is the Juan O'Gorman mosaic mural located on the exterior facade entitled "Confluence of Civilizations in the Americas." The mural symbolizes the progress made by the confluence of civilizations in the Western Hemisphere starting with Adam and Eve in the center, with European civilization depicted to the right, and indigenous meso-American civilization to the left.

Museums

  • The Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum web site, founded in 1950, is the first modern art museum in the State of Texas. The museum created by Mrs. McNay's original bequest of most of her fortune, her important art collection and her 24-room Spanish Colonial Revival-style mansion that sits on 23 acres that are landscaped with fountains, broad lawns and a Japanese-inspired gardens and a fishpond. The museum focuses primarily on 19th- and 20th-century European and American art by such artists as Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin, Henri Matisse, Georgia O’Keeffe, Diego Rivera, Mary Cassatt, and Edward Hopper. The collection today consists of over 14,000 object and is one of the finest collections of Contemporary Art and Sculpture in the Southwestern United States. The museum also is home to the Tobin Collection of Theater Arts, which is one of the premiere collections of its kind in the US and a research library with over 30,000 volumes.
  • The San Antonio Museum of Art web site, which is rooted to the San Antonio Museum Association (dissolved in 1994), is housed in the historic 1884 Lone Star Brewery and was opened in 1981. The building's renovation and adaptive reuse, designed by the Cambridge Seven won several architectural awards and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. SAMA is the only comprehensive art museum in South Texas with over 20,000 objects in its permanent collection. The museum's maintains extensive collections of Asian, Latino and Ancient art. Since opening in 1981 the museum has had three major expansions in order to house these important collections. In 1989 the Halsell Wing for Ancient Art was completed, the 30,000sf Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art opened in 1989 and Lenora and Walter F. Brown Asian Art Wing opened in 2005. The museum's permanent collection also contains significant collections of American, European, Oceanic and Contemporary art. Artists included in the museum's collection are Andy Warhol, John Singleton Copley, Diego Rivera, Wayne Thiebaud, Frank Stella, and Philip Guston.
  • The Blue Star Contemporary Art Center web site was established as a grassroots response to the cancellation of a contemporary arts exhibit at the San Antonio Museum of Art in 1985. The effort established a vibrant venue for the incubation of and exhibition of contemporary and new art in San Antonio. The center is housed in an adapted 1920's era warehouse facility located on the banks of the San Antonio River. The organization, which was originally operated by artists and volunteers, was formally organized with a professional director and staff in 1988. Today the center a primary destination for new art in South Texas and the center has over twenty exhibitions each year that showcase local, regional, national and international artists from the emerging to internationally renown. The facility in which the center is housed is now referred to as the Blue Star Complex and has been redeveloped as an arts-oriented mixed use development that includes loft/studio apartments, galleries, retail, performance spaces, artists' work spaces, and design offices. The BSCAC is widely recognized as the catalyst for the gentrification of the South Alamo neighborhoods that surround the facility. In addition BSCAC is credited with the City of San Antonio's establishment of Contemporary Arts Month web site held annually in July at over 70 venues throughout the city.
  • The Witte Museum web site, established in 1926 under the charter of the San Antonio Museum Association, is located adjacent to Brackenridge Park on the banks of the San Antonio River and is dedicated to the history, science, and culture of the region. The permanent collection represents ethnography (study of social and cultural change), decorative arts and textiles and science. The primary focus of the museum is natural sciences with emphasis on South Texas and the history of Texas and the Southwest.
  • Art Pace San Antonio web site is a residency, educational and exhibition program that was opened in 1995. The foundation is housed in the renovated 1920's era Hudson Dealership building in downtown San Antonio. The organization promotes itself as a laboratory for the creation and advancement of international contemporary art. Its primary focus is its International Artist-in-Residence program which annually invites nine artists to live and work in San Antonio to conceive and create pivotal art projects that are exhibited three times a year. A guest curator will select three artists, one a Texan, one from elsewhere in the US and one international to create new work while living at Art Pace. In addition to these nine artist exhibits, Art Pace has an additional four exhibitions a year.
  • The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center web site, founded in 1980, is a nonprofit organization established for the promotion of the art and culture of Chicano, Latino and Indigenous peoples. The GCAC is located in the heart of San Antonio's Latino West Side and is currently the largest community-based, multidisciplinary organization in the United States. The center's public and educational programming consists of varied programs in six disciplines: Dance, Literature, Media Arts, Theater Arts, Visual Arts and Xicano Music. Annual events include the San Antonio CineFestival and the Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio.
  • Museo Americano is the visual arts and educational component of the National Center for Latino Arts and Culture and is an affiliate museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Located in the historic Market Square (or El Mercado) in downtown San Antonio this new museum is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2006. The institutions mission is to tell the story of the Latino experience in America through visual arts exhibitions, education initiatives, performances and public programming. As an affiliate of the Smithsonian the museum will have access to the world's leading cultural experts and the Institution's collection of over 142 million objects.
  • The University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures web site opened as the Texas Pavilion at HemisFair '68, The 1968 World's Fair. The exhibit was well received and remained after the fair closed. Now a museum run by the University of Texas System, its mission is dedicated to enhancing the understanding of cultural history, science, and technology and their influence upon the people of Texas. The museum achieves is goal through permanent exhibits on 26 ethnic and cultural groups, touring exhibits, publications, a library focusing on ethnic and cultural history, a historical photo collection of over three million images, outreach and education programs, and the annual Texas Folklife Festival.

Annual festivals

  • Fiesta web site is an annual 10-day city wide festival held in April to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. Over 100 events take place during the anniversary of Texas' independence from Mexico. The festival's beginnings date back to 1891 when a group of ladies decorated horse-drawn carriages, paraded in front of the Alamo, and pelted each other with flower blossoms. By 1895 the parade had developed into a week long celebration and today this event, now referred to as the Battle of Flowers Parade, is the centerpiece of the annual celebration. Other major events that take place during Fiesta are Texas Cavaliers River Parade (the parade literally floats down the Riverwalk rather than city streets), Fiesta Flambeau Night Parade, Night in Old San Antonio (foods from around the world in historic La Villita), the King William Street Fair, the St. Mary's University's Fiesta Oyster Bake and Cornyation.
  • The Michelob ULTRA Riverwalk Mud Festival is a festival to commemorate the yearly maintenance and draining of the channeled portion of the Riverwalk. Held in January since 1986 the festival coronates a Mud King and Queen, holds an art festival, Mud Parade and Pub Crawl.
  • The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, established in 1950, is a 16 day event held in the AT&T Center. There are 20 PRCA rodeo performances held in conjunction with musical entertainment from country, rock ’n’ roll and Latin artists, livestock auctions, carnival rides and retail outlets at the event. The volunteer organization raises funds for its scholarship program with proceeds from this event.
  • The Passion Play held at San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest Catholic Cathedral in the US, portrays the story of Jesus Christ's crucifixion every Good Friday. The play has been held here for over 250 years.
  • Cinco de Mayo is a celebration held in commemoration of Mexico's independence from France on May 5, 1862. The festivities take place in El Mercado or Market Square.
  • The Texas Folklife Festival held in June is a four-day cultural festival that brings more than 40 of Texas' ethnic groups together in one place to showcase their authentic food, music, folk dancing and authentic crafts. The first TFF was held in 1972 and was modeled after the Smithsonian Institution's Folklife Festival held in 1968 in Washington, DC.
  • In June Shakespeare in the Park produces a Shakespeare play that is free to the public. The play is held in the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
  • The Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony is Presented by the Paseo del Rio Association and the City of San Antonio the day after Thanksgiving when the switch is pulled to turn on over 122,000 lights illuminating the Riverwalk for the holiday season. To cap off the celebration decorated floats wind down the river ending with a float featuring Santa Claus and his Latin counterpart, 'Pancho Claus.'
  • Fiesta de las Luminarias takes place on the Riverwalk where the river is lined with 7,000 luminarias (candle lit, sand filled bags) to light Mary and Joseph's path as they search for shelter on the night before Jesus' birth. The procession is a Mexican-American tradition and takes place on nine nights in December. The festival procession has been held on the Riverwalk for over fourty years.
  • Celebrate San Antonio is the city's New Year's Eve celebration held on South Alamo Street adjacent to HemisFair Park. The festival has several stages with musical entertainment, food, family activities and more. The evening culminates at midnight with a spectacular fireworks show that welcomes in the new year. The fireworks are shot from the top house of the Tower of the Americas as well as from other locations on the ground.

Nightlife

  • The Riverwalk is the city's central entertainment district. It is home to several nightclubs, pubs, bars and restaurants. Among them are Hard Rock Cafe, Biga on the Banks, Jim Cullum's Landing, Dirty Nelly's, Mad Dogs on the Riverwalk, Casa Rio, County Line BBQ, Howl at the Moon, and Dick's Last Resort.
  • Also in Downtown, the street scene includes several lounges, restaurants and bars. Among them The Palm, Mi Tierra Cafe Y Panaderia, Coyote Ugly, The Bonham Exchange (the city's most popular gay bar), Rivercenter Comedy Club, Schilo's Deli, Zinc Wine and Champagne Bar, Steers and Beers Saloon, Morton's The Steakhouse, Swig Martini Bar, Zen Bar, Suede Lounge and Davenport.
  • In mid-town (north of downtown) houses a concentration of bars catering to the gay and lesbian community. Located on Main Street near San Antonio College bars in the area include The Electric Company, The Saint, The Silver Dollar Saloon and Heat.
  • Another area, popular with college students is the Saint Mary's Strip. On this strip, several bars and restaurants can be found such as Paparay's, Joey's, the Mix, Arriba nightclub, Tycoon Flats (a local favorite) and The Candlelight Cafe. The area is also home to the Josephine Theater, which since 1995 has been home to a non-profit resident theater group, the Josephine Theatrical Company, Inc. The theater originally opened in 1947 as an art-deco style neighborhood movie house.

San Antonio notables

Further information: [[:Notables of San Antonio, Texas]]

Attractions

San Antonio is a popular tourist destination. The jewel of the city is the Paseo del Rio, or River Walk, which meanders through the downtown area. Lined with numerous shops, bars, restaurants, as well as the Arneson River Theater, this attraction is transformed into an impressive festival of lights during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

The downtown area also features HemisFair Park (home of the Tower of the Americas and the Institute of Texan Cultures), La Villita, El Mercado, the city's most widely recognized landmark, the Alamo, and the historic Menger Hotel.

Other places of interest include Brackenridge Park (home of the San Antonio Zoo), the missions of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, the Witte Museum, the McNay Art Museum, SeaWorld San Antonio, and the Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park.

Every April, San Antonio hosts Fiesta San Antonio, a 10-day celebration of the city's diverse cultures and of the heroes of the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, featuring over one hundred events held throughout the city. Visitors can also experience something of the cowboy culture every February at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo; year round, they can also see the 40 ft./12 m. tall cowboy boots at North Star Mall.

Beyond taking in the sights and sounds of San Antonio, tourists can sample some of its world famous Tex-Mex cuisine at the many fine restaurants located throughout the city. San Antonio has establishments offering Texas style barbecue, and for the truly intrepid barbecue aficionado, a day trip to some of the more renowned barbecue pits and smokehouses of South Texas is both necessary and easily manageable.

The Fairmont Hotel, built in 1906, is in the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the heaviest buildings ever moved intact. It was placed in its new location, three blocks south of the Alamo, over four days in 1985, and cost $650,000 to move.

Zones - Districts - Communities

  • The Riverwalk as seen from North St. Mary's Street.
    The Riverwalk as seen from North St. Mary's Street.
  • The Emily Morgan building, one of the city's earliest highrises.
    The Emily Morgan building, one of the city's earliest highrises.
  • Houston Street, once a major city hub and home to a vibrant nightlife is seeing a revitalization.
    Houston Street, once a major city hub and home to a vibrant nightlife is seeing a revitalization.
  • The San Fernando Cathedral, the Tower Life Building and the Tower of the Americas.
    The San Fernando Cathedral, the Tower Life Building and the Tower of the Americas.
  • Central Loop

The Central Loop consists of three numerical freeways, Interstates 35, 37, and U.S. highway 90. Together the three highways create a rectangular loop around the downtown area of San Antonio. 35 to the north and west. 37 to the east. 90 to the south.

The Central Loop is home to many districts. Including the Alamo District, Alamodome District, Convention Center District, Historic Civic District, Houston Street District, La Villita District, Market Square District, North River District, River Bend District, University District.

As well as the Central Business District, North Downtown, Southtown, King Williams District, SoSo (South of Southtown).

  • Midtown

Midtown is bordered by Hildebrand Avenue to the north, New Braunfels Avenue to the east, 35 to the south, and 10 to the west.

Midtown is one of the most historic areas of metro San Antonio home to the Monte Vista Historical District as well as Trinity University, University Hill, and Temple Beth-El.

  • Uptown Central

Uptown Central is bordered to the south by Hildebrand Avenue, to the north by Loop 410, to the east by New Braunfels Avenue, and to the west by West Avenue.

Uptown Central consists of a very large area separated by two segments.

Uptown Broadway - Uptown Loop

Uptown Broadway is home to a concentrated area of "old money" bedroom communities. These communities are Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, and Olmos Park. Combined the total population of these three communities is almost 16,000 people on 4.2 sq. miles. That is a density of nearly 4,000 people per sq. mile.

Famous people that reside in Uptown Broadway include Tommy Lee Jones (Alamo Heights), Thomas Gibson (Terrell Hills) and many others. This area is home to quite a few high-rise residential buildings, with more planned. Uptown Broadway is also home to many trendy boutiques as well as the University of the Incarnate Word and two very prominent museums, the Witte Museum and McNay Museum.

Uptown Loop is what one might call a retail and office Mecca. With nearly five million sq. feet of retail and nearly 20 million sq. feet of office space.

Retail in Uptown Loop consists of North Star Mall, San Pedro Trails, and the soon to be Park North Plaza at site of what was once Central Park Mall.

North Star Mall is anchored by a Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy's.

  • North Central

North Central is home to many suburban-ish small cities landlocked within the city of San Antonio.

Some of these cities are Castle Hills, Shavano Park, Hill Country Village, and Hollywood Park.

  • Far North Central

Far North Central is home to many of San Antonio's most luxurious homes and one could call this area the "new money" of San Antonio.

Such upscale master planned communities in this area include Stone Oak, Scenic Oaks, Sonterra, The Dominion, and the currently under construction 3 million sq. foot project The Rim.

Celebrities that live in this area include David Robinson, George Strait, Max Lucado, Gregg Popovich, Bruce Bowen, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Jim Carrey, Malik Rose, WWE wrestler Stone Cold, Shawn Michaels, Joe Horn, and many others.

  • Northwest

The northwest side of San Antonio is home to the South Texas Medical Center and the campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio as well as Six Flags Fiesta Texas and the upscale open air shopping center The Shops at La Cantera anchored by a Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.

Full view of the South Texas Medical Center skyline some 11 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio

Home to the Great Northwest Interchange, Interstate 10 and Loop 1604, one of the largest freeway interchanges in Texas.

  • Other northern cities include Windcrest, a northeastern suburb known for its extravagant Christmas light displays.
  • The southeastern suburb of China Grove is located along U.S. 87 and really is of little note except for the fact that the Doobie Brothers wrote a song about it entitled "China Grove."
  • The West Side is known for its wonderful Spanish culture, which is showcased in places like the Guadalupe Street commercial and entertainment district and the Shrine of the Little Flower Catholic church.

Government and politics

San Antonio operates on the council-manager form of government. Voters elect 11 representatives. This includes 10 district representatives and 1 mayor to pass laws and establish policies for the city. San Antonio politics is non-partisan. Representatives are paid $20 a meeting, while the Mayor earns $4,000 a year. The council hires a City Manager to serve as the City's chief administrator.

The current mayor is Phil Hardberger, a Democrat.

San Antonio is on the list of possible host cities for both the 2008 Republican National Convention and 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Transportation

A VIA bus stopped at a downtown intersection

The San Antonio International Airport is located in north central San Antonio, approximately eight miles from downtown. It has two terminals and is served by 11 airlines serving 34 destinations including two in Mexico. An extensive bus and trolley system is provided by the city's metropolitan transit system, VIA. VIA offers 78 regular bus routes and four trolley routes, including express routes from downtown to the theme parks. VIA also offers a special service to city events, including Spurs games and city parades, from its Park and Ride locations.

San Antonio serves as the southern terminus for Amtrak's Texas Eagle train service, originating in Chicago. From there, the Sunset Limited travels west to Los Angeles and east to Orlando three times per week. The old Sunset Station is now an entertainment venue owned by VIA and neighbored by the current station and the Alamodome.

San Antonio is served by these major freeways:

Education and scientific research

Colleges, universities, and research institutes

San Antonio hosts several institutions of higher education offering associate's degrees or higher, including:

Public schools and libraries

San Antonio and Bexar County are served by 15 separate independent school districts, largest among these are Northside Independent School District with an estimated total enrollment of 78,104 (6th largest in Texas), San Antonio Independent School District with an estimated enrollment of 57,500 and North East Independent School District with an enrollment of 59,101. Other districts that serve portions of the city of San Antonio include Alamo Heights, East Central, Edgewood, Fort Sam Houston, Harlandale, Judson, Lackland, Randolph Field, South San Antonio, and Southwest.

The city is served by the San Antonio Public Library.

Private schools

San Antonio has many private schools, notably Antonian College Preparatory High School—the largest Catholic high school in San Antonio—Central Catholic Marianist High School, T.M.I.: The Episcopal School of Texas, Saint Mary's Hall, Holy Cross High School, Keystone School, San Antonio Christian Schools, Lutheran High School of San Antonio, Incarnate Word High School ,and St. Anthony Catholic School

Sports

The AT&T Center is home to the 2005 NBA champions, The San Antonio Spurs.

The city's only top-level professional sports team, and consequently the team most San Antonians follow, is the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. The Spurs have been playing in San Antonio since 1973 and have won three NBA Championships (1999, 2003, 2005). Previously, the Spurs played at the Alamodome, which was built for football, and before that the HemisFair Arena, but the Spurs built and moved into the SBC Center in 2002, since renamed the AT&T Center, following the merge of giants SBC and AT&T. The AT&T Center is also home to the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League and the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA, both owned by the Spurs. San Antonio is also home to the Double-A Minor League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, the San Antonio Missions who play at Nelson Wolff Stadium on the west side of the city.

The city was also a temporary home for the New Orleans Saints for the 2005 NFL season due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. The Saints set up practice facilities in San Antonio for the season, and played a split home schedule between the Alamodome and Baton Rouge, Louisiana's Tiger Stadium during the 2005 season. After the final game in San Antonio, the Saints committed to moving back to New Orleans for the 2006 season. City officials are said to be attempting to lure the NFL permanently to San Antonio, and have said that a strong showing at the Alamodome for the three local Saints games was vital to showing that San Antonio can support an NFL franchise. NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue stated San Antonio was successful in hosting the team, and that the city would be on the short list for any future NFL expansions. The city has also hosted the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Oilers preseason camps in the past, and they are currently in the process of signing a contract with the Cowboys, in which the Cowboys will practice in San Antonio, at no cost to the city, until 2011. [22]

San Antonio hosts the NCAA football Alamo Bowl each December.

Possible Major League Baseball relocation

City leaders have also met with Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins executives concerning the relocation of the franchise to San Antonio. Marlins officials have stated a new stadium is imperative, and if one is not built in Florida, San Antonio would be considered for relocation. News reports in the Miami Herald and San Antonio Express-News[23] indicate that the city and Florida Marlins are in serious negotiations concerning relocating the Major League Baseball team to San Antonio. The plan being discussed by City Officials to be presented to the Marlins, involves building a new baseball only stadium using hotel/motel and rental car tax funding as was used to fund and build the AT&T center. No additional tax monies would be used. The funding mechanism would basically be the same as that which voters approved in 1999 to build the AT&T Center. County Judge Nelson Wolff has headed negotiations with the Marlins and has proposed placing the new stadium on the I-35 corridor to attract fans from the Austin market. He may also push to have the issue placed on the November 2006 ballot, if negotiations with the Marlins continue to progress. The stadium location, however, would be up to the Marlins.

According to a March 9, 2006, San Antonio Express-News report, Bexar County (the county San Antonio is in) presented the Marlins with a stadium financing plan which would finance $200 million of a proposed $300 million stadium. The proposal would extend the financing plan using hotel/motel taxes, which was used to build the AT&T Center. This issue would be put to voters on the November ballot, if approved by the Marlins. [24]

According to news reports, the Marlins and Major League Baseball are analyzing not only the stadium proposal from San Antonio, but the San Antonio market viability to host a MLB franchise before continuing negotiations with San Antonio officials. If negotiations continue to progress, Marlins officials are set to make a second trip to San Antonio to discuss stadium locations and specifics of the stadium proposal. [25] In addition, a recent economic study and report completed by Austin economist John Hockenyos showed that the San Antonio area could support not only a Major League Baseball franchise, but an NFL franchise as well, in addition to the NBA San Antonio Spurs. [26]

San Antonio officials have also received and accepted an invitation to join Marlins owner Jeffrey Luria in the owners suite at the season opener against the Houston Astros to meet and discuss the relocation option to San Antonio. [27]





Media and entertainment

San Antonio has one major newspaper, the San Antonio Express-News [28], which has been in service since 1865. The Express-News currently circulates as the largest newspaper service in South Texas. The Hearst Corporation, which owned a second newspaper, the San Antonio Light, purchased the original Express-News from News Corp. and abandoned the Light name, thereby creating the "new" Express-News. The San Antonio Current is the "alternative" paper with weekly listings of events and nightlife around town.

While the city may be one of the largest in the country, San Antonio is only the 37th largest television market in the United States, according to Nielsen (this is primarily due to the lack of suburbs--most of the San Antonio area has been annexed by San Antonio). The following list are the major affiliate television stations in the city.

FM: 28 - AM: 20

About 50 radio stations can be heard in the San Antonio area—30 of them are actually located in San Antonio. The first radio station to broadcast in South Texas was KTSA AM-550 in 1922. Another significant station is WOAI AM-1200 (the flagship of Clear Channel Worldwide), which is the radio home of the San Antonio Spurs, and one of the country's leading radio news/talk stations. The National Public Radio station is KSTX 89.1 which broadcasts "Riverwalk Jazz", featuring Jim Cullum Jazz Band at The Landing, a fixture on the Riverwalk since 1963.

Two significant changes in the Latin radio market (as of June 27, 2005): Univision Radio's Amor 95.1 (KCOR) FM flipped formats from Spanish Contemporary to Reggaeton, now named "La Kalle 95.1". (http://www.univision.com) "La Kalle 95.1 FM," is a new youth-targeted Spanish-language radio station that will cater to San Antonio Hispanics in the highly sought-after 18-34 demographic, reflecting changes also seen in similar stations in New York and San Francisco.

La Kalle’s high-energy format will primarily feature Reggaeton and Latin Hip-Hop music. Reggaeton, a relatively new genre of dance music that originated in Puerto Rico and derives from a blend of Latin tropical sounds, Jamaican reggae music and urban hip-hop, has taken the US Hispanic market by storm.

This format change adds some needed diversity to the radio landscape, with a playlist that is more inclusive of the tastes of all Latinos in the San Antonio area, including those of non-Tejano descent. Most Latin stations in the area play Regional Mexican, Tejano or Contemporary Pop. Another station, which just started broadcasting in 2004 is Digital 104.1 (SKRIO) FM, which bills itself as Pop en Español, but mostly mimics the format of the former Amor.

Note: On January 12, 2006 KCOR-FM "La Kalle 95.1" has changed its format from Reggaeton/Hispanic-Rhythmic Contemporary Hits to Spanish Oldies as Recuerdo.

See also: Broadcast media in San Antonio

Sister cities

External links

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