Walking San Antonio: Riverwalk, Missions, Lattes & Monster Cookies

This past weekend’s adventure took us a little outside the usual small-town trails and coffee shop vibe—but San Antonio, Texas, was full of surprises and still checked all the boxes: scenic walks, hidden gems, and plenty of coffee!

We started with the San Antonio Riverwalk, and let me tell you—it feels like two different cities depending on the time of day. During daylight, the colorful flowers lining the water made for a cheerful stroll, while at night, the string lights and reflections gave everything a festive glow. Both are worth experiencing if you can.

Following the river north, we made our way to the Pearl District, which couldn’t feel more different from the busy downtown section. It’s relaxed, artsy, and full of places to explore. We stopped into Pullman Market, where the highlight was—no surprise—the Monster Cookies. Yes, they live up to the name.

One of my favorite evening highlights was the San Fernando Cathedral light show. Standing in front of such a historic building while watching vibrant colors and patterns dance across its walls was magical, and something I’d absolutely recommend.

Before heading home, we couldn’t resist a ride down the Mission Trail. We biked part of it, taking time to enjoy the history and peaceful scenery, even though we didn’t make it to the very end. It was the perfect way to wrap up the trip

And of course, none of my adventures are complete without coffee. My stop was La Panaderia, where the latte was everything I needed to fuel my day. Bonus tip: do not skip the concha. Trust me on this one.