My great, great.......grandfather Juan Curbelo is also buried in San Fernando Cathedral. He, his wife and children with several other families came from the Canary Islands to settle the area on behalf of the Spanish government. They founded the city Villa de San Fernando de Bejar, later to be renamed San Antonio. I've been here all my life, 50+ years, and am always finding some new here. I've worked as a seasonal park ranger for the San Antonio Missions NHP and at the San Antonio tourist center across the street form the Alamo. Alamo Plaza is now going through some major changes as the city is turning the area nearby into a more historical Alamo-era setting. The growth that San Antonio has seen in the last decade is amazing. The joke is that the official bird of San Antonio is the construction crane. I expect in another couple of decades San Antonio and Austin will connect. The Statue you saw at the riverwalk is St Anthony de Padua. The area was named after him due to the fact it was his feast day when a group of Spanish explorers camped for the night. Anyway, great job showcasing the city. Come again in a few years and check out the changes. :)
I am amazed at how clean San Antonio is. It shows the pride and appreciation the people of this city have. Absolutely a beautiful place to live or visit. Thanks for tour, very well done.
@@markdavila5297 You hit that one spot on. So many murderers coming out of the west side this year, and the sheriff's dept allows them to run rampantly around. The DA doesn't help matters either they are so far behind at the prosecutors office.
I found San Antonio to be the most "Texan" major city in Texas. And I found it a very refreshing change from the 3 ring circus that is Austin just 50 miles away.
By all many eye witnesses accounts & independent documentaries I've seen & leaned of - the comment about Fort Worth, Texas is very most accurately based und correct a good point as well !!! Fort Worth is still a very genuine Texan cultured City. With many original historically descendants of its OG bloodline families still there thriving und keeping it intact. Coupled with a very wealthy thriving economy, that for much the better & happier local society - lacks the bogus plastic pompous infestations of the disgustingly off-putting phoney bologna bouncing stuck up bozo show off personalities bungling & blundering around silly show off vanities all over Dallas just next door to it. If I could afford a done healthy right relocation move along with the Capital & investments necessary to also get atleast 2 of my own businesses established there at the same time- I believe I would very much enjoy Forth-Worth and its many wonderful true Texan free peoples & culture there. Even more than most the many other fine places in this wonderful last Independent Republic of Texas. That is sadly hated with deep contempt by the WEF & UN Factioning Elite Banker Frat Cowards, und their vast variety of subservient to evil Globalists Crap Captains und usurping treasons guilty puppet "elected" 😮🤦🏻♂️💩🤣🤣🤣💩🤣🤣 pompous officials, that are each emissaries of true und total evil, in Epic Biblical Proportions !!!!!!
What an incredible city, the river walk is just simply “Special” everything I saw is top draw. I was amazed the Alamo is actually inside the city, I thought you probably had to drive a few miles into the country side to find it. Definitely worth a visit, it would have to be a week as a couple of days just wouldn’t be enough.
The Alamo used to be out in the sticks, the open, wild land, but fast forward several hundred years and every thing is built up around it, you're joking right? You know how long it's been since the battle? You understand history fundamentals, it was a FORT, there was a battle for the Alamo, Santa Ana, independence, land we stole from Mexico and on and on, the FORT offered a level of protection, people began to live, settle and build around the fort, over time what once was in the open lands became enveloped by the city of San Antonio..let me guess you're 30 or younger
@@bethewalt7385 That was a bit Rude, I’m British and was viewing from far away. I live about 40 minutes drive of Stonehenge which was constructed about 3 thousand BC and it’s still surrounded by miles of country side. Please don’t preach to me about knowing history my town is mentioned in the MAGNA CARTA which was sanctioned by king John in 1215 and I’m 20 minutes south of Cirencester which was founded by the Romans in about 49 AD . The reason I’m surprised about the Alamo being absorbed into a modern city is that in the Uk we have laws dating back hundreds of years to preserve not only the site but also the surrounding area so its kept completely original. It’s called the “green belt” and modern construction is forbidden to encroach on that land. London is an exception to the rule because it has been built on for 2 thousand years so it has already encroached on historical sites..... was the disrespectful reply so warranted, have a nice day.
@tradde11 that's a rip off, I'm old and crusty, been going there since 1969, was all when I was young and of course you could take pics, it's important historically but that's a bummer
@tradde11 Thanks for the comment, appreciated. I’ve been saving money to take a trip to the USA and want to see the real sites of interest and not the usual stereotype places like New York, Hollywood, Alcatraz etc. Just thought the comment from the previous post was exceptionally negative especially when I’m considered an ignorant youngster with no sense of history.... take care have a great Christmas.
Great video and review about San Antonio. It seems this was not the usual bustling riverwalk and downtown area. Downtown San Antonio is mostly old and historic, and all of its major F500 and large corporations are located outside the central business district otherwise it would be filled with skyscrapers. This is largely due to building restrictions placed by the historic preservation council. Toursim is big in San Antonio but it is not the driving force of the economy there are several other large industries such as manufacturing, energy, aerospace, finance, technology and biosciences. San Antonio is also the largest U.S. miltary hub in the nation hence referred to as Military City USA. Most people are not aware that San Antonio is the birthplace of the U.S. Airforce and the epicenter for cyber security for our nation. Things such as wifi technology, the personal computer and camera phones were all developed in this city which is an intriguing tid-bit about San Antonio. It is an old city but has its progressive side and is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. Definitely one of the best in Texas. I enjoy watching reviews about San Antonio. Thanks
As a native Texan and San Antonian for 40 years, I admire this excellent comment. Though San Antonio is considered a big city, it feels like a smaller town. In fact, our younger brother up the road (Austin) feels bigger, though it is smaller. Consequently, young people and others may not like this vibe. I didn't when I was younger. However, when you turn middle aged or if you are middle aged (or older), there are few better places to call home. San Antonio has a vivid cultural, culinary, military, and technological heritage, though it's not always widely known. To preserve its vibe, the city government has laid out strict regulations on skyscrapers in San Antonio, which is absolutely why we don't have more tall buildings/towers like Austin. For better, or worse, it helps preserve the feel and heritage.
@@dishsultan Not anymore, at least on the West side. And good luck running into a native San Antonian on the West side as they've all seemed to have been pushed out by Californians, New Yorkers, Floridians and people from New Jersey. it doesn't even feel like Texas here anymore. The new residents are rude, in a hurry and extremely aggressive drivers. Gone are the days of the drive by wave and immediate help if you break down on the side of the road. It's truly depressing.
I think you did the best job yet showing this lovely city. I love all the foliage down on the river walk. A mile and a half is a lot to be in a city. Awesome. I've always wanted to visit. You made me feel like I have. It's great to see y'all enjoying such wonderful food. I think that I'll watch it again.
35.40 and some nice jazz - San Antonio has house been a jazz city since the 20's, I don't know if you know that. I have lots of territory bands 78s from Texas, they usually were centered in San Antonio. Troy Floyd, Don Albert, Boots and his Buddies were well known, and us record collectors like these recordings. Jim Cullum did a lot if jazz at the Riverwalk so as a jazzman I'm happy to see its still happening So much history - The Alamo, and the great Texas spirit. You sold me to visit this city
San Antonio looks like a great place. The Riverwalk seems very interesting. I like how the Drury Plaza Hotel has easy access to the Riverwalk. Glad you had fun. I like to maybe one day check all of this out.
This is a very good tour of the River Walk. The best on RU-vid. Lord Spoda, for a Salt Lake Okie, you have a very good speaking voice. Haha. You all are a great couple. Thanks for making this and other videos.
Apart from the Alamo my abiding memory of visiting San Antonio was eating in a restaurant on the river walk and a mariachi band playing on the opposite bank, I think it might have been something to do with a college graduation. Really liked the place and the people as i toured part of Texas. As being from the UK i was quite surprised the Alamo was surrounded by high rise office buildings ,something i don't think would happen here.
the statue that you were not sure of who it was is of Saint Anthony which is San Antonio in spanish. He was the saint one could call on if they lost something and very much needed and wanted to find it. Great tour of a wonderful city . thanks so much to you and lovely Nicole.
I just came across your channel, and I"m glad you"ll l❣️ve, my hometown San Antonio... It is beautiful, lot's of things to do and enjoy, hope you lovely couple do come back again. Stay safe and (God) Bless!
Lord Spoda!! I recently found your channel and have been enjoying it- I moved to SA a few years ago after only living in Houston. I love this city now and was driving around the other day hoping you’d have a video on it! What are the chances I saw this today?! I love your perspectives and thoughtfulness - thank you for sharing your travels! ✌️
I was born and raised here in San Antonio, nice to see yall come visit our little corner of the country. It's an amazing place. Hope y'all visit again!
San Antonio looks amazing; need to add it to my bucket list of places to visit. I did not realize the river walk was over 10 miles long, and that there was a high space-needle type tower in the city, Thanks for sharing your visit!
Hello, the bronze statue you guys found towards the end of the video is St. Anthony or San Antonio, he was a Catholic Portuguese Priest. The city was somewhat named after him. Just putting that out there unless someone commented on it already. If that's the case, thank you, and yall have a blessed day! Edit: Just saw someone already did. Lol
Fond memories of San Antonio. Dad was stationed at Fort Sam Houston from 1967-69. Hemisfair happened while we were there and it was really awesome and we went often. Joskes department store downtown, of course the river walk....wonder if it has expanded any since then, all the old missions around town, Breckenridge Park, the cool old Aztec theater...and on the base was the 1870's fort called the Quadrangle....the period officers quarters along the parade ground and the artisian well spewing cool water into Salado Creek. Great town.................drawbacks ?.....hot and humid as hell in the summer
Hello Lord Spoda.... I really LOVED this video 🙋🏽♀️ I can't wait 2 visit this BEAUTIFUL CITY!.. I've NEVER been 2 TEXAS but I'm LOVING what I'm seeing 💯
@@joebanks3698 actually Joe...Lord and lady Spoda are both natives of other states, but we native Texans gladly bestow both of em' as honorary Texans...
Hi Lord Spoda Thanks for this beautiful video. We had been to San Antonio. That reminded me of the wonderful evening we spent on the river walk. Indescribable indeed!👍
Fun Fact: the murals in the lobby of The Drury were placed for the movie Blank Check in 1994! Check out the movie! I used to work in that building for Bank One (now Chase Bank) many years ago. It was and still is quite a beauty! I hadn’t had the chance to see the inside after the build out of the hotel. Thanks for sharing your stay in San Antonio. Great video! ❤
I just found your channel and immediately subscribed after binging a couple videos, your content brings such a calm vibe especially after long days at work. congratulations on 250k subs!
Thank you for the wonderful review of my hometown. I love this city like no other. Not only is it one of the most beautiful in the world, it's the friendliest. Come back any time!
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip If you ever decide to come back, drop me a line and I'll send you a list of some more great places to see. Showing off SA is one of my favorite things to do.
Great videos Joe,I have just found them on utube . Great to see all the places and little townes that we hear and read about but will never visit. San Antonio looks fantastic and I would love to spend a few days their with my wife and practice my Spanish.. The hotel is in a great spot as well so its on our bucket list. All the best to you and Nici Dave Thomas Cardiff,South Wales,UK.
San Antonio certainly does look absolutely stunning, beautiful architecture, luscious greenery and that river walk is breathtaking. Excellent video 👍🏻 I'm guessing Houston got its name by the mentioned Sam Houston earlier in the video? If it is love hearing how places got their names . Keep up the great videos, from a Scottish highlander ✊🏻❤️🏴
Well, yeah, you should. :) It's one of the best in the entire country. And this is from someone who has visited 160 US city downtowns over the past year. :)
It smells of urine so you may want to bring something to mask the odor. The crime rate has exploded due to not enough prosecutors or law enforcement, it's gotten bad.
Born and raised in the westside of the Great State of San Antonio Texas girl, Home of the Alamo, Home of the Brave and the Historical Market Square, I attended during the Fiesta And Christmas tree lights on December, it's a friendly City of happiness and Joy throughout the holidays season.
San Antonio is named after St. Anthony of Padua. He is depicted carrying the Baby Jesus. San is Spanish for saint. You mentioned the Milam (pronounced MY-lam) building. It was the first high-rise office building to have air conditioning in the country. I used to work there and it was quite nice. I love your videos, and I am grateful to you for making them. I love road trips, but unfortunately I can't travel like that anymore because of illness. This allows me to feel as if I'm taking the trips myself. Thank you!
Muchas gracias!! Fir the wonderful tour of the city of San Antonio, and including the Drury Hotel, it really was like travelling with you and your wife , you are an excellent tour guides and wonderfully informative guide and your. Muy Bien!!, I am planin a trip to San Pedro but I want to stay in San Antonio and commute to San Pedro. Thank you so much...!!
I loved how your wife said "he did not even say Thank you!" when she tipped the piano singer. Her mood changed from big fan to bitter in five seconds!!! LOL. 😂
The wife and I love Drury hotels. We use to stay at the one in Flagstaff Arizona when we would go visit our son when we was attending Northern Arizona University. Definitely a good price for everything you get. Great Vlog of San Antonio. Been there and enjoyed the week I was there. I was surprised how high their poverty rate is as well as how low their per capita income is. Was sorry you didn’t mention it’s crime rate compared to the National average….
I absolutely love the riverwalk. I only went once and that was in 2017 but it was magical. I skipped the Alamo but I did see the outside. I like any town or city that is walkable and San Antonio takes the cake on that front.
God I loved San Antonio bur I only got to stay two days. The biggest surprise was The Alamo. The river walk was spectacular with yummy restaurants.. Thanks for video.
I visited a couple years ago. My wife's family is from that area of Texas. It just so happened that my friend (met in Korea) & her friend (from New York) were conviently stationed there. We had a great time.
Spectacular video you really outdid yourselves on this one. It’s one fine looking city, maybe the next time we get to Texas this will be a high consideration. The river walk looks absolutely fantastic. How is it for wheelchair accessibility. The hotel is beautiful to, great value for the size of room.
I miss San Antonio so so so much after watching this video. The most beautiful city in the US imo. Ppl kind and affordable living. Downtown rejuvenating.
You are the Man! I decided to watch this one bases on the trip to San Antonio. Didn't know it was one of yours until I heard the narration. That made it an additional bonus for me. And then I see your beautiful wife. Respect, again you are the Man.
living in the UK and never having been to San Antonio, it really is the nicest place I have seen you visit so far, maybe the statue that you did not know the name of the person which just said San Antonio, is a statue of Saint Antony , as the name San Antonio translated from spanish to english means saint Antony,
Wife and I honeymooned in San Antonio, 1983. Visited the Japanese Garden. Rode horses at Breckenridge Park. So much stuff to do in SanTone. As music teachers. we visited twice a year for music conventions....TMEA and TBA. Always love the Riverwalk. We've been up in the Tower. In fact, my parents brought me to the Hemisfair in 1968....for which The Tower of the Americas was built. The Spanish Market is nice too....AND you can eat great food at Mi Tierra restaurant.
So much history in San Antonio. Many people don’t realize how big San Antonio is. It’s second largest city in Texas as they passed Dallas as the #2 populated city. I’ve not been there in awhile but always enjoyed my visits there.
I took my ait at fort Sam Houston army proud as a medic my son took his ait in the air force he was a fire 🔥fighter I was in 72 he did 3 tours in Iraq God bless all who served and still serve today 🙏👏🙌
Hey I been watching almost all your videos especially the border towns Brownsville is my town and south padre island magical! But San Anton i remembered it cause of a booty call! 😆
We have visited San Antonio twice, in late 2018 and again in 2022. The first time iMaps took us to the restaurant in front of where we parked our car. We spent almost 2 hours in 84 degree heat looking for it, walking around the inner city. The second time I drove around a bit in the central city, and like in some of your video I found the lane markings very hard to see, almost a grey against the blacktop. The Buckhorn Saloon has an extensive museum attached, featuring the early years after succession from Mexico right up through the cowboy era to the Texas Rangers and the hunt for Bonny and Clyde. (Check out the replicated 1936 Ford V8. The ladies in the hats are part of the Red Hats Club, a fun group for the older generations and active world wide. They go out together once or twice a month all wearing these red hats. Oh, and just over an hour north of San Antonio is a fantastic little place, Luckenbach, Texas. A great place to spend an afternoon or evening.
