For coffee, we recommend the Coffee Bar, Tantra, or Mochas and Javas. For breakfast, we recommend Dos Gatos (quick kolaches), Blue Dahlia (french inspired), Root Cellar (comfort cuisine), Babes (quick donuts, kolaches, sandwiches), Los Vega and Rogelios (mexican). For lunch/dinner, we recommend Pie Society (the best pizza), North Street (Indian fusion), Alvin Ords (Will's favorite quick sandwich), Italian Garden (local, BYOB), Jax Burgers, Jax Sandwiches, Fresco (healthy bowls), Casa Maria (mexican), San Marcos BBQ, Black's BBQ For dessert, Rhea's Ice Cream.
Patio Dolcetto (wine, cider, craft beer, small bites/pizza) Davenport (beer, strong cocktails) Showdown (our favorite dive bar, food menu as well) Zelicks (beer, cocktails, covered outdoors) Middleton Brewery & Roughhouse Brewing (both are near eachother on the edge of town, but a great vibe)
Whether you're looking to swim, kayak, walk the river path, or sit by the water's edge, we highly recommend visiting the River. Dog Beach and Rio Vista are the best entries for swimming and sitting. The riverfront trail also serves as a walking/running loop. We recommend that you park near the Chamber of Commerce or along CM Allen Parkway/Hutchison Street.
Purgatory Creek Natural Area is our favorite trail for running, mountain biking, and hiking and is close to where we live. It includes over 570 acres and 12 miles of trails. Recommend grabbing a coffee at Mochas and Javas across the street or a Kolache at Dos Gatos nearby. Download the trail map at the link below.
Another great hiking, running, and mountain biking spot and offers more elevation change. Hike a mile from the parking lot up to the "Sun Dial" to see a view of the hill country. This trail begins at our wedding reception location (The Meadows Center). Download the trail map at the link below.
Will's favorite celebration ever, well besides our wedding. Wurstfest is a unique annual celebration rich in German culture and full of Texas fun in New Braunfels, Texas. Enjoy good food, music, dancing, and lots of beer. This is a unique event to experience if you're getting into town early or leaving later on Sunday or Monday. Will and I plan go be there on Thursday. Check out the website below for details and band schedules.
The San Marcos Outlet Malls offers many name-brand stores. For local Downtown San Marcos shops, we recommend the San Market, Daughter of the Wild, Fen & Hallow, or any of the vintage shops along S LBJ Drive. New Braunfels, TX - in addition to Wurstfest, downtown new Braunfels offers downtown dining and shopping. (20 minutes from San Marcos) Wimberly TX - offers unique shopping and access to other river recreational areas. (20 minutes from San Marcos) Lockhart TX - the BBQ Capital of Texas and include unique small business shopping downtown. (27 minutes from San Marcos)