Canyon Springs Golf Club: Perfect Your Swing in the Company of Longhorn Cattle

Enjoy a game of golf while Texas longhorn cattle look on from a close distance at the Canyon Springs Golf Club. This is the type of golf course that you’ll only find in Texas, from its Texas Hill Country terrain to its location amidst the original Claussen Homestead. Featuring 18 holes, the Canyon Springs Golf Club course is one of the most competitive in the area, but it is also accessible enough for players of any skill level to enjoy. You’ll enjoy a view of the beautiful scenery from every part of the course, including large waterfalls in the background of the final hole.

The state-of-the-art carts are equipped with GPS systems to keep you on track, and beer and other refreshments are available from the clubhouse. Knowledgeable staff will help you to choose the perfect clubs at Canyon Springs Golf Club’s well-stocked pro shop, and the course also provides instructional classes for players of all ages.

Canyon Springs Golf Club
24405 Wilderness Oak
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 497-1770
www.canyonspringsgc.com
www.yelp.com/biz/canyon-springs-golf-club-san-antonio

From Produce to Peanut Brittle: Pearl Farmers Market

Pearl isn't a single restaurant or institution, but rather a collection of them along the San Antonio Riverwalk. Though the businesses are independent, they all share one common goal: to teach San Antonians to love food. That typically involves partnering with local farmers and producers to gather fresh ingredients, a practice you can participate in yourself at the weekly Pearl Farmers Market.

Each Saturday and Sunday morning, you can get some face time with the same purveyors who supply the restaurants (and Pearl's Culinary Institute of America) at the farmers market. Grab some fresh produce from Braune Farms, a fourth-generation family-owned farm. Pick up veggies from Kitchen Pride Mushrooms, a farm that spends seven weeks cultivating each mushroom. You can even snack on some locally famous peanut brittle from Ms. Chocolatier. No matter which prepared foods or fresh ingredients you collect at Pearl Farmers Market, you can rest assured that it was produced within a 150-mile radius of the market—that's Pearl's commitment to you.

Pearl Farmers Market
200 E. Grayson Street
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260
atpearl.com/farmers_market
www.yelp.com/biz/pearl-farmers-market-san-antonio

Serenity Meets Serious Exercise at Yoga Shala in San Antonio

Did you know that the practice of yoga originated in ancient India as a way of attaining peace of mind and optimum health benefits? Yoga Shala continues in that tradition by offering a variety of yoga classes for beginning and advanced students, right here in San Antonio!

Step into Yoga Shala's serene, comfortable studio to calm, stretch, strengthen, tone, and energize with a class taught by a trained, helpful teacher who’s compassionate about guiding you through the poses. You don’t have to be able to turn yourself into a pretzel to find a class suited to your level of ability. Classes are taught in Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Hatha styles of yoga, and the studio intends to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

Yoga Shala of San Antonio is open 7:30 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. daily. See the Yoga Shala website for class schedules and pricing information.

Yoga Shala
18585 Sigma Road
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 496-9900
www.yogashalasa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/yoga-shala-san-antonio

Guadalupe River State Park: Hang Out While Hiking and Horseback Riding

For just $7 full-day admission, the Guadalupe River State Park — arguably the most beautiful outdoor area in all of northern San Antonio — is an affordable way to spend the day outdoors. This riverfront park is ideal for swimming, camping, hiking, and bird watching, but the Guadalupe River State Park is attraction is beloved by all types of outdoorsy locals due to its scenery and its wide variety of outdoor activities.

On warm days, visitors can cool off by tubing, swimming, or canoeing on the Guadalupe River, while avid fishers can cast off from the river’s banks. There are also 5.3 miles of equestrian trails perfect for horseback riders or adventurous mountain bikers.

Picnic tables and barbecue stations are scattered throughout the 4-mile expanse of trails, and there are different camping areas for both RVs and tents.

Guadalupe River State Park
3350 Park Road 31
Spring Branch, TX 78070
(830) 438-2656
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/guadalupe-river
www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g56702-d109498-Reviews-Guadalupe_River_State_Park-Spring_Branch_Texas.html

Get Up Close and Personal With Matisse and Picasso at McNay Art Museum

The first modern art museum in the state of Texas, the McNay has become an important element in the vibrant cultural scene of San Diego. Its doors opened in 1954 after the death of American painter and oil heiress Marion Koogler McNay, who left her art collection and her 24-room Spanish mansion to the cause.

The museum's collections now comprise 19th and 20th century American and European art, including works by Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, Diego Rivera, Pablo Picasso, and dozens of other important painters. It also hosts the Tobin Collection of Theater Arts, a pre-eminent resource for plays and other dramatic materials.

The grounds around the museum building are a work of art in themselves, carefully manicured and hosting a diverse selection of fascinating sculptures. This is certainly a museum worth visiting.

McNay Art Museum
6000 N. New Braunfels Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 824-5368
www.mcnayart.org
www.yelp.com/biz/mcnay-art-museum-san-antonio

Yoga Shala: Find Your Center in San Antonio

If you’re interested in learning more about the philosophy behind yoga, deepening your breath work, or enhancing your mental focus, San Antonio’s Yoga Shala may be the place for you. Yoga Shala has a reputation for being a great studio for serious students due to its dedicated instructors and the difficulty of its classes. Regulars confirm that the instructors at Yoga Shala are disciplined in their approach to yoga.

Yoga Shala offers classes for practitioners on all levels, from beginner to advanced. Classes move quickly at Yoga Shala, so it may be difficult to keep up, especially if you’re new to the practice of yoga. Yelp reviewers say that if you’re new to yoga, you should definitely start with a beginner’s class here, and expect to feel some muscle soreness the next day!

Yoga Shala holds classes seven days a week, from as early as 6 a.m. to as late as 7 p.m. Check their online class schedule to find one that fits your needs and schedule.

Yoga Shala
18585 Sigma Road
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 496-9900
www.yogashalasa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/yoga-shala-san-antonio

Choicolate Artisan Chocolates: Treat Yourself

Choicolate Artisan Chocolates is a real hit among San Antonio chocolate lovers thanks to its creative flavor combinations and high-quality European-style chocolates. Many regulars say they’d rather eat a few small pieces of Choicolate’s candies than an entire box of chocolates from more widely-distributed manufacturers. Popular chocolate flavors here include bananas foster, mango & habanero, pumpkin caramel, margarita, almond bee, raspberry bites and apple caramel. Regulars also recommend Choicolate’s other treats, especially the house-made toffee, available in almond or cacao nibs & coffee.

Choicolates chocolates and sweets are hand-made by the two chocolatiers behind the counter – in addition to their skills as chocolate makers, locals say the owners of Choicolate are some of the nicest people they’ve ever met. Choicolate also makes vegan versions of many of its treats. Don’t forget to have a smoothie!

Choicolate Artisan Chocolates is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Choicolate Artisan Chocolates
700 E. Sonterra Boulevard
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 495-2464
www.choicolate.com
www.yelp.com/biz/choicolate-artisan-chocolates-san-antonio-2

San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail: Explore the Hidden Parts of San Antonio

The eight-mile-long San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail is a great way to spend an afternoon, locals say. Even longtime San Antonio residents say the trail has given them access to some parts of the city they didn’t even know existed. The trail connects San Antonio’s four historic missions: Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. You can learn more about Texas history and take in the scenery along the San Antonio River.

The trail isn’t a loop, so a round trip along the length of the trail will consist of 16 miles. Many locals rent bikes for a trip along the San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail. Grab water at any of the missions or get something to eat near Missions Concepcion or San Jose.

The San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail is open from dawn to dusk every day.

San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail
Between 807 Mission Road & 10040 Espada Road
San Antonio, TX 78257
(210) 932-1001
www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/hikebike.htm
www.yelp.com/biz/san-antonio-missions-hike-and-bike-trail-san-antonio

The District: Challenge Yourself

The District in San Antonio teaches climbing, yoga, aerial silks, acrobatics, and other unique fitness disciplines such as circus arts. Learn the basics of rock climbing and route setting, or buff up with a Crossfit class. The District is home to the area’s most affordable rock climbing gym that’s open to the public, locals say, but it also offers access to other fitness equipment not found in most gyms, such as a run rocket and a slack line. Locals say the instructors and members here are friendly, warm-hearted, and encouraging, which gives The District a real community feel.

The rock-climbing wall at The District is open 24 hours a day, much to the delight of local climbing enthusiasts. Regulars love the way The District caters to function and eschews commercialism. The District holds classes Mondays through Saturdays, beginning as early as 5:30 a.m. and as late as 8 p.m.

The District
2424 Broadway Street
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 845-9855
www.thedistrictsa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-district-san-antonio

Farm to Juice: Drink to Your Health in San Antonio

Regular visitors appreciate Farm to Juice’s menu of fresh vegetable and fruit juices designed to support good health. Lisa Baughn, co-founder of Farm to Juice, draws on her training as a nurse and nutritionist to create healthy recipes for juices, yogurts, milks, energy shots, and snacks. Buy juices one at a time or sign up for a three- or five-day juice fast. You can choose from the menu or have your own custom juice recipes made to order. If you’re ordering from the menu, regulars like the Skinny Minny, the Butterfly Kiss, the Krazy Kale, the Beet the Blues, and the Refresh.

Farm to Juice uses a cold-press juicer to retain as many of the nutrients as possible in their juices. Juices are made with fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. There are no additives, added sugar, or pulp in Farm to Juice’s products.

Farm to Juice is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Farm to Juice
18730 Stone Oak Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 332-5853
farmtojuice.net
www.yelp.com/biz/farm-to-juice-san-antonio

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