Hill Country Destination Guide

Hill Country is made up of central Texas. Namely, of Austin, San Antonio and the area between the cities. San Antonio has the area's largest airport. San Antonio International Airport has daily flights to and from most major cities. However, if you are more interested in Austin or the area northeast of San Antonio, you have another option. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport services this area with flights from most major airlines to Washington DC, Los Angeles, New York and most major Midwestern cities.

If you are driving into Hill Country, you'll probably take either I-35 or I-10 to get near your destination. Interstate 35 runs North/South through Oklahoma City and Dallas. It will also take south to Austin and San Antonio. If you are coming from somewhere else in the South, you'll probably take I-10. Interstate 10 runs across the Southern US from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, FL. It runs through San Antonio and a short drive north on I-35 will get you to Austin.

Hill Country Frequently Asked Questions

1. What exactly is Hill Country?

Hill Country is made up of central Texas, namely, of Austin, San Antonio and the area between the cities. Certain cities in between include Bastrop, Georgetown, Horseshoe Bay and Temple. 80 miles separate San Antonio from Austin. All in all, there are 45 different cities and areas that make up Hill Country.

2. What is Hill Country golf like?

The Hill Country offers a fantastic blend of off-the-beaten-path daily fee courses and sprawling resorts. The rocky and rugged terrain of Hill Country courses offer a blend of challenges for golfers. Riverside and Bluebonnet Hill are good examples of this. The Hyatt, the Westin and Barton Creek lead the list of resorts, home to posh accommodations, a plethora of activities and courses by top name designers.

3. What is San Antonio's golf scene like?

With now over 60 courses, it has nearly double of what it had in 1989. San Antonio has its variety, with five military courses, luxurious facilities (Brackenridge, La Cantera) as well as bargain courses.

4. What is the weather like in Hill Country?

July and August are scorching with an average high of over 95 degrees. Spring months of April and May, as well as the autumn months of September and October bring warm, but bearable temperatures. Of course, you can play all year long with average winter temps in the mid 60s.

5. How can I see the Alamo?

Admission to the Alamo is free, and is opened every day of the year other than Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For more information go to www.thealamo.org.

6. What is the cream of the golfing crop in Austin?

The crown jewel of them all is Barton Creek, home to two Tom Fazio designed courses (Foothills and Canyon) that are ranked among the Lone Star States' best. The Palmer Lakeside and Ben Crenshaw Cliffside courses are also highly touted and worth the price of admission.

If and when Barton Creek's upscale layouts put a safety blitz on your retirement budget, Austin is home to a mess of affordable daily fee courses that will keep you from having to resort to the early bird special every night: Bluebonnet is a linksy layout devoid of housing, Star Ranch is one of Austin's newest courses, designed by Carter Morrish and Roy Bechtol, and Jimmy Clay and Roy Kizer are two respectable municipal courses. If you can spare an hour drive, be sure to check out Horseshoe Bay Resort's three award-winning courses.

7. What is the Texas Hill Country wine trail?

Hill Country is also known for its wineries. There are 16 wineries in all located throughout Hill Country. For more information: www.texaswinetrail.com

8. How do I travel around Hill Country?

You can check out Golf Texas' transportation guide, or you can find more information and maps at: www.hill-country-visitor.com/

9. What else makes Hill Country unique?

Consider it a complete 180º from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Hill Country prides itself on its spacious, beautiful, 14,000 square mile area complete with open land for wineries, fruit-growing and downright relaxation. Don't hesitate to stop by one of the many roadside fruit stands for some home-grown produce.