Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Calaveras Lake

"By Liveon001 ©Travis Witt [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and a National Historical Park, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is home to four of San Antonio's five missions: Mission San Jose, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada (the fifth one located at The Alamo which is not part of the park) that served as part of the Spanish colonization of Texas and efforts to spread Christianity nearly 300 years ago. All four of the missions are still active Catholic churches today, so be sure to check the schedule in advance to plan your visit and keep in mind they may be closed to the public for special services, such as weddings and funerals."

"San Antonio Missions National Historical Park preserves the sites of four former Spanish Catholic frontier missions constructed between the 15th and 18th centuries by Spanish colonial settlers. The park was established in 1983 and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. Visitors can explore the park's Missions Concepción, Espada, San Jose, and San Juan for free daily, which are all located approximately two to three miles apart along the San Antonio River just past the city's downtown district."

"There are a total of 16 national parks in Texas, but this is the state’s only UNESCO World Heritage site (and a national park to boot!). Of course, that means it’s not your typical green space but rather a dedicated historical site and one of the city’s biggest tourist draws. The park covers quite a large area, so it’s best to make it a full-day or at least a half-day trip so you can be sure to cover everything."

"With a 60-foot waterfall, gleaming ponds filled with koi, stone bridges, lovely shaded walkways, a Japanese pagoda, and a verdant garden and floral display, the Japanese Tea Garden offers a slice of peace that feels far away from the commotion of the city. It’s a romantic dreamscape (and a great location for a first date, might we add)."

"Gardens3800 N. Saint Mary's St, San Antonio, TX MoreLess Info. Visitors to San Antonio can walk on the shaded paths of the Japanese Tea Garden and feed the Koi fish. The garden also has a 60-foot waterfall, stone bridges, and a Jingu House Cafe."

"What used to be an abandoned limestone rock quarry donated by the 1899 president of the San Antonio Water Works Company was transformed into a charming Oriental garden in 1918."

"Built to host the 1968 World's Fair, which aimed to celebrate the civilizations in the Americas and the cultural diversity of San Antonio, Hemisfair Park is a local historic district of the city of San Antonio. Built on the site of a historic neighborhood, Hemisfair Park features numerous beautifully preserved and renovated buildings and structures in various architectural styles, from simple adobe homes of the Mexican era and exquisite haciendas from the Spanish Colonial Era to elegant mansions from the late nineteenth century. Many of the charming buildings have been designated as State Archeological Landmarks, and visitors to the district can also see structures that were built specifically for the World’s Fair, including the Tower of the Americas, an iconic feature of the San Antonio skyline."

"Nestled in the heart of downtown, Hemisfair Park is the home of Tower of the Americas, cultural centers and several fountains. Hemisfair Park is an especially great park for families with young kids—the park’s 4-acre Yanaguana Garden is unlike any other playground in the city, with its huge splash pad, a slide made from trampoline-like material, climbing structures, and massive sandbox, plus a gaming area with a bocce court, ping-pong tables, and foosball."

"The Hemisfair area is pretty much where most of the action happens during festival times in San Antonio. It is fairly close to the midpoint of the city and gets packed with people who come to see the Tower of Americas. Near that area, there is a manmade San Antonio waterfall that is similar to the famous Fort Worth Water Gardens in that it has a similar tiered structure with water flowing down the sides."

"Landa Library and Park is a branch of the San Antonio Public Library system, located within the city's Monte Vista Historical Neighborhood within the former personal residence of Hannah and Harry Landa. The ornate home was constructed in 1928 by architect Robert B. Kelly and showcases beautiful design elements such as ornamental ironwork, a carved marble mantle, and a Venetian crystal chandelier. Since 1947, it has been operated as a free-admission public library and children's playground, circulating more than 45,000 volumes, including reference materials and audiovisual collections."

"This is one of my favorite photoshoots in the city and chances are you’ve seen many a shot taken here. You’re able to play a lot with lighting here and the golden hour is a must.The Landa Library Gardens loves photographers but encourages you to reach out to find out if any other photogs are gonna be around so you’re not photobombed. Keep in mind they have specific daily hours when they are open so check the website to find out more information."

"Once upon a time this sweet couple donated their beautiful family estate that to the city on the condition that they’d turn the estate and its grounds into a public library. Welcome to Landa Library!. It’s got gorgeous architecture, a bunch of small intricate details, greenery and trees, and even a butterfly garden!"

"A relatively unknown natural oasis on San Antonio’s South Side, the 511-acre Medina River Natural Area offers a truly stunning diversity of plants and animals. There are birds like the green kingfisher and painted bunting, along with pecan and bald cypress trees, and cactus and honey mesquite shrubs. Combine the 2.2-mile Rio Medina Trail with the 6.5-mile Chaparral Trail to get good look into what the area has to offer."

"When visitors come to San Antonio, the first thing many think about is the RiverWalk. This natural area is a different type of riverwalk–while the one downtown is partially man-made, this one is nature made!. This area has 7 miles worth of hiking trails in San Antonio, including some interactive features."

"The McNay Art Museum is San Antonio’s best art museum, and it was the first modern art museum in Texas. It began as the personal collection of Marion Koogler McNay, and we must say, Lady McNay had some good taste. The collection is full of 19th and 20th-century American and European paintings, and all the big hitters are represented."

"The McNay is probably the most popular museum in San Antonio. On the 25 acres of land, there are permanent works as well as rotating exhibits. Some are interactive and feature local artists."

"The first “brewstillery” in Texas, Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling creates both beer and whiskey. Though it may be better known for its whiskey distillery operation, many of Ranger Creek’s boozy offerings take significant skill to brew; for instance, Small Batch #13 is a Belgian ale that’s been aged for 24 months with Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Brettanomyces, and a house strain of wild yeast. True beer nerds, you’ve found your new home-away-from-home."

"Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling is a combined brewery/distillery proudly situated in San Antonio, Texas. It was started in 2010, and create whiskey and beer in their brewstillery, and produce it by hand one batch at a time with lots of passion and care. Its famous brewstillery tour is two tours in one."

"4834 Whirlwind Dr, San Antonio, TX 78217Phone: (210) 339-2282. San Antonio’s award-winning brewstillery. Handcrafted beer and whiskey made with lots of love, attention, and Texas attitude."