7 Best Weekend Trips From San Antonio (Without the Coast Drive)
The drive to the Texas coast eats half a weekend. Corpus is 2.5 hours one-way, Port A is 3, South Padre is 4.5 — and that's before traffic on a Friday. The Hill Country has cooler water, shorter drives, and more variety. Here are the 7 best weekend trips from San Antonio that don't make you fight the I-37 weekend rush.
1. Son's Rio Cibolo — Marion, TX (20 minutes)
Why: closest real Hill Country creek getaway to San Antonio. Spring-fed Cibolo Creek, AC cabins, fire pits at every cabin, kayak & paddleboard wristbands ($19.99/person) with a cabana rental, no pets, no party scene. Drive: 20 min east via I-10. Stay: family cabins, waterfront cabins, or glamping. Best for: families, couples, anyone who wants the most water-time per minute of driving.
2. Boerne (45 minutes)
Why: Cibolo Nature Center, Boerne Lake, Hauptstrasse main street with great restaurants. Easy day trip or one-night B&B. Best for: couples, low-key weekend, antiquing.
3. New Braunfels (45 minutes)
Why: Comal & Guadalupe rivers, Schlitterbahn, Gruene Hall, Wurstfest in November. Bigger crowds — book early for summer weekends. Best for: tubing, big groups, summer weekends.
4. Wimberley (1h 30)
Why: Blue Hole, Jacob's Well, market days, B&Bs. Limestone bluffs and clear water. Best for: swimming, art-walk weekends, couples.
5. Fredericksburg (1h 30)
Why: German Hill Country town with 200+ Texas wineries on the Wine Road 290. Enchanted Rock 20 min out for hiking. Best for: wine weekends, couples, fall.
6. Garner State Park / Frio River (2 hours)
Why: the Texas classic. Frio River tubing, the famous summer river dance, big cypress trees. Park cabins book a year out — plan accordingly. Best for: nostalgia, big families, classic Texas summer.
7. Concan / Frio Country (2h 30)
Why: the deeper, quieter Frio. Spring-fed, cypress-lined, lots of small cabin rentals. The most remote-feeling pick on the list. Best for: a real disconnect, families with older kids.
How to Pick
Shortest drive: Son's Rio Cibolo. Big group: Son's Rio Cibolo or Garner cabins. Wine weekend: Fredericksburg. Tubing: New Braunfels or Garner. Quiet escape: Concan or Wimberley.
If short drive + creek + cabins is the brief, see the weekend getaways page for a full Friday-to-Sunday itinerary.
FAQs — Weekend Trips From San Antonio
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Keep Reading
Son's Rio Cibolo vs Son's Geronimo vs Son's River Ranch
The honest side-by-side comparison of three Son's properties — cabins, water, drive times, Kayak & Paddleboard Wristbands ($19.99/person), tubing, and which trip each one wins.
Glamping vs Camping: Which Is Right for You?
Real differences, costs, and which Son's property fits each — AC cabins, bell tents, and the best fit for every traveler.
Which Son's Property is Right for You and Your Family?
Every family getaway sounds great in theory—but not every getaway fits every family. Here's a breakdown to help you choose.
