SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

San Antonio, the second largest city in Texas with a population of 1.3 million, is located in the heart of Texas, a 3-hour flight from San Francisco. Named for Portuguese Franciscan priest San Antonio de Padua, San Antonio was founded as a colony in 1691 by Spanish explorers and missionaries. It was my first ever visit to Texas. As my father, aunts, uncle, grandparents and cousins once lived in San Antonio, I decided to visit that city first before heading to Houston for a family reunion.

Soon after arriving at my hotel, I strolled to the Riverwalk, a series of stone pathways 20 feet below street level along the San Antonio River that meanders through the downtown area. Shops, hotels and restaurants line the river. I had a crab cake sandwich at Joe's Crab Shack, an original, rollicking joint where the entire wait staff danced, much to the diners' delight. The following evening I took the 35-minute narrated San Antonio River Tour, a relaxing 2 ½ mile boat cruise where several mariachi bands serenaded from the river bank at twilight.

Texas Schoolhouse, Institute of Texan Cultures

Texas Homestead, Institute of Texan Cultures

I invested in a one-day trolley day pass at the visitors center, which enabled me to both easily get an overview of the city in air conditioned comfort (the thermometer hit a brutal 100 degrees) and hop on and off at my leisure. My first stop was the Institute of Texas Cultures, a wise choice for a newbie like me visiting the Lone Star state for the first time. An outdoor living history exhibit called the Back 40 was a helpful introduction to 19th century Texas life. I visited a one-room schoolhouse, log house, barn and army fort barracks. Teenaged docent guides described in detail daily life in those times. Their knowledge and ability to engage young visitors impressed me. Inside the institute are interesting exhibits illustrating the various immigrant groups settled throughout the state.

Mission San José, called the "Queen of the Missions" and the largest of the five missions in that area, was my second stop. Completed in 1768, the mission is an impressive, well-preserved, and hauntingly beautiful structure. Walking around the grounds, I was able to visualize mission life.

Church Facade, Mission San Jose

Oven Used by Native Americans

The King William Historic District was my next stop, where German immigrants settled in the mid 1800s and built large, elegant Victorian houses. I sat in one of the home's refreshingly cool gardens, surrounded by pecan and cypress trees. Some of the homes, such as the Edward Stevens Homestead built in 1876, reminded me of San Francisco's own Victorians.

Steves Homestead, King William District

Porch, King William District Home

On my final day, I visited the Alamo, a shrine to Texas liberty. This year marks the 175th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo, when in 1836 approximately 200 Texans, including legendary knife fighter Jim Bowie and frontiersman Davy Crockett, fought Mexican General Santa Anna's army of 1,000 for independence from Mexico's dictatorial regime. The Alamo is also a symbol of fighting for freedom against all odds. The Mexican Army won the battle, but the following month Texans defeated and captured Santa Anna, who subsequently signed the Treaty of Velasco. The Mexican Army shortly withdrew and later that year Texas became a republic, free of Mexican rule.

The Alamo

Living History Guide Demonstrating Loading a Rifle

Visiting San Antonio was a nice change for me. For one thing, life is slower paced and more relaxed there. Texans are also more courteous and well-mannered. Everywhere I went people addressed me as "M'am". And they didn't bump into me. Texans also have big hearts and a wonderful sense of humor which was refreshing to experience. What I also admire are their toughness, backbone and no nonsense attitude. All these characteristics reminded me so much of various family members. I never knew that Texas forged these family qualities.