Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(10040 Espada Rd; 9am-5pm)
Last but not least on the Mission Trail, Mission Espada is the
oldest mission in the east Texas chain, and the best place to check out the historic
acequia
(aqueduct) - the missions' irrigation system that's still in use today and has been desig-
nated a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
MISSION TRAIL
The San Antonio missions were constructed in the early 18th century as part of an effort to provide way-stations
and staging areas for Spanish colonial expansion to the north. The native Coahuiltecans, already under pressure
from other nomadic Native American tribes pushing down from the north, showed a willingness to convert to
Christianity, and labored for the colonial Spanish priests in order to receive food and protection at the missions.
Constructed in what is now downtown, the first and most impressive mission was what would come to be
known as the Alamo (
Click here
). With the destruction by war or disease of many east Texas missions, the Span-
ish quickly built four more missions south of the Alamo, which collectively are known as the 'Mission Trail.'
(Not to be confused with the 8-mile hike-and-bike trail that connects them.)
Activities
Apart from Brackenridge Park and the Mission Trail, San Antonio is short on places to en-
joy the great outdoors. You've usually got to head into the Hill Country or drive north on
I-35 to the aquatic wonderlands of New Braunfels, Gruene and San Marcos, where you
can go swimming and tubing to your heart's content on local rivers and at amusement
parks. Golfers are in luck, however.
Golf
San Antonio is a favorite golf destination, thanks to the region's mild year-round climate.
Rates vary from $35 to tote your own bag around a public course, to more than $150 to
play at a private resort.
GOLF
Brackenridge Golf Course
MAP
( 210-226-5612; 2315 Ave B)
A municipal golf course north of downtown in Brackenridge
Park.
Olmos Basin Golf Course
MAP
GOLF
