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About San Antonio

History

A presidio and mission were founded May 1718 by a Spanish military expedition from Mexico. In 1731 Canary Island settlers created a town near the presidio and mission and together they became known as San Antonio de Bejar. San Antonio, once a stopping place on the trail to the French trading posts in Louisiana, is now a city covering over 400 square miles with a population over 1 million.

San Antonio is famous for the Alamo, which changed from a mission to a military post in 1794. On February 23, 1836, a Mexican Army laid siege to the Alamo. For 13 days the 189 defenders held their posts against the Mexican Army. The Alamo has since become a symbol of heroic resistance.

After the Civil War, when railroads connected San Antonio to the eastern United States, the city became ethnically diverse. Many Germans settled in the city and the surrounding area. Many buildings and residential areas, such as King William, were built by German businessmen. The city combines the sounds and flavors of Native Americans, Old Mexico, Germans, the Wild West, African-Americans and the Deep South to create a modern, vibrant place to live and visit.

Visit historical sites, such as the Alamo, the Spanish Governor's Palace, the Missions and Market Square. San Antonio is also know as a military town with Fort Sam Houston, Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, and Brooks-City Base. Have fun at Fiesta Texas, Sea World, Brackenridge Park and Zoo. San Antonio is also home to many museums and theaters.

Weather

San Antonio has about a 50% chance of the sunshine during the winter months and more than a 70% chance during the summer months. Skies are clear to partly cloudy more than 60% of the time and cloudy less than 40% of the time. Average temperatures range from 50o in January to the mid 90s in July and August. While the summer is hot, with daily temperatures above 90o over 80% of the time, extremely high temperatures (100o and over) and rare. Mild weather prevails during the winter months, with temperatures below freezing occurring on an average of about 20 days per year.

Relative humidity is above 80% during the early morning hours most of the year, dropping to near 50% in the late afternoon. The normal annual rainfall is about 28 inches, with the heaviest amounts occurring during May and September. Measurable snow falls only once every three or four years.

Transportation

San Antonio has had the good fortune to have civic and government leaders who have planned for future needs. It has an excellent system of air, rail, bus, mass transit and surface transportation networks. Our city bus company is: VIA Metropolitan Transit - (210) 362-2020.

A taxi ride from San Antonio International Airport to any downtown hotel takes around 15 minutes and costs around $18. There are no extra charges for additional passengers or luggage. Up to four passengers can "Share-a-Cab" and divide the fare by the number of passengers. There are also minivan taxis with a 6-passenger capacity.