San Antonio feels unlike any other American city. A remarkable blend of Native American, German, Mexican, Spanish, and Deep South cultures has created something singular. More than half the population is of Hispanic heritage, and the influence of Spain and Mexico is woven into everyday life, from the architecture to the food to the sound of the streets.
Though officially the eighth-largest city in the United States, San Antonio has a distinctly small-town warmth. The San Antonio River Walk is the famous draw, a network of walkways along the San Antonio River lined with restaurants, bars, and shops one level below the street. But the city's real soul is in its missions, its neighborhood taquerias, and its deep sense of history going back to the battle of The Alamo. Five Spanish colonial missions — including the Alamo — form a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching south along the river; Mission San José is the grandest. The Pearl District and Southtown are the best neighbourhoods for food, art, and local life.
Sunshine is plentiful year-round. Summers are brutal, with July highs around 95 F, but winters are mild and pleasant with January highs near 61 F. Snow is almost unheard of.