SAN MARCOS TEXAS
ENJOY THIS ACCLAIMED AUSTIN-AREA SMALL TOWN LIKE A LOCAL
SAN MARCOS, Texas — I’m at an old, tin-roofed bar in Texas — its pockmarked, wood-planked floors and a bar well-polished by decades of beer mugs sliding across its surface are indicators of its age. There are men with beards and baseball caps playing pool. A lone guitar sits on the floor beside a man and a microphone. He hums on a harmonica, then picks up the guitar and the music begins. This is where George Strait got his start as a member of the Ace in the Hole Band. Stevie Ray Vaughan used to play here when he was in town.
This is Cheatham Street Warehouse. This is San Marcos, Texas, a college town — home to Texas State University — of many contrasts. Shop till you drop in the morning; when the weather’s right, jump into Jacob’s Well, a natural, seemingly bottomless pond minutes from town in the Hill Country village of Wimberley, or during the cold months of winter, hike around its borders and watch the wildlife that gathers in the 80-acre reserve. After all that, feed your hunger at a local barbecue joint or put on your best boots and enjoy gourmet-level fare at one of the town’s beautiful restaurants. At night, you have several places to lay your head — from familiar chains to charming inns.
San Marcos was recently included in Thrillists’s Top 10 Best Small Towns in America, and that’s turning heads, bringing new folks into town to discover its offerings, as well as making returning visitors take a second look. In fact, Thrillist calls San Marcos one of the best small towns to visit before it is gobbled up by San Antonio or Austin. It’s yet to be ruined by an onslaught of tourists. It retains its laid-back vibe, so for those of you looking for a fun getaway that’s still off the beaten track but close to big cities, San Marcos has what it takes to entertain you.
“The press of the recent rankings and notable status is appreciated,” says Rebecca Ybarra-Ramirez, executive director of the city’s Convention and Visitor Bureau. “The acknowledgement is reassurance of our successes.”
Here’s a look at what you might discover.
Contact Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress. com.