With a driving time of 2.5 hours between San Antonio and Corpus, I wouldn't try to make either a day trip. If it were me, I'd plan on 2.5 days for San Antonio (to see the Alamo, the Missions, the Riverwalk, the Witte Museum, etc. Then spend half-a-day getting to Corpus by taking a detour to Goliad to see the Presidio La Bahia and other historical sites. That will leave you two days in Corpus for relaxing and beach-walking.

I like longhorn's idea. Or just head to Big Bend National Park for something a little different

I looked up Goliad and it looks exactly like the kind of place we love to visit. Big Bend National Park looks great too. I will see how far it is from San Antonio. I love Fodors for this it the types of information that is so valuable.

Big Bend State Park looks like it would be quite a long drive from San Antonio. Am I right in thinking that it may be at least a 5 hour drive?

I find the SA River Walk at its best around Christmas. I love to enjoy the lights at night.

It is a long way to BBNP and there is no ocean beach (you can find a RGR sand bar, though).

I just drove back from SA and it is an easy 2.5 hr drive. All interstate. Detouring through Goliad will add a bit of time because of the lower speed limits on the two lane state roads.

There is no "e" in Corpus Christi.

The old mission in Goliad is across the highway a bit from the fort. About 90 miles (1.5 hrs) from CC.

A lot of snow birds come down here for the winter, so you may see someone you know!

Usually January is the month when they drain the river to clean it. But I am happy to inform you that I looked it up to find the drainage dates and they will not be draining it this year.

Big Bend is WAY too far, just stay in Central or Coastal TX.

Enjoy your visit and thank you for your interest in Texas.

Here's a good site with info:

http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/

Oh my goodness! That would not be good it there was no river! Do they leave the Christmas light up into the first part of January? We are thinking of going around January 2. I lived in Kansas for several years, but never made it to Texas. Am looking forward to it.

SA is a good choice, but it's not near the ocean. It IS an hour from Austin and that's a good day trip.

It's Corpus Christi, not Christie - it's named for the root of the word CHRISTian, not for some random girl. And there's not that much there to occupy you for days on end. Don't count on beach weather in January either - only Hawaii is reliable for that in the US, even Miami isn't.

I think the Christmas lights are up at least to New Year's Day. But even if they are down the Riverwalk is still glorious, day or night.

I think I am really convinced about SA. Thanks for the input on the spelling of Corpus Christi. We wouldn't want to swim or anything like that - being from an area around Lake Michigan, we just enjoy water and the beach. The riverwalk sounds very nice. What are average temperatures in January? We live in WI, so anything above 35 is considered warm at that time of the year.

Any good suggestions about where to stay in SA?

Occastionally the night time low will be below freezing, but it's pretty rare to have a daytime high at freezing. January weather is hit or miss, you might need a coat or a jacket in the daytime but then you might not. I know that isn't very helpful but the best advice I can give is to check the forecast just before you go because the weather could take any direction. In any case it will be considerably warmer than WI.

I live in Austin so SA is usually a day trip for me, however I have stayed at both the Mariott Riverwalk and the Hyatt Riverwalk. I prefer the Hyatt as it's right across the street from the Alamo, but most anything on the river will be nice.

Have a wonderful time and thanks again for coming.

P_M, We have rented a condo for a month in the spring of 2012 in Gruene. We want to do tons of day trips and explore Hill Country. Our son lives in Houston and he has said that we need to rent a cheap motel in Austin for at least one night so we can do the night scene, he has suggested 6th Street. Do you agree? and do you know a clean, safe hotel/motel? Thanks P_M and sorry Yellowrose for highjacking your thread!

Hi cd, the Driskill is the best on 6th Street, very historic but not exactly cheap. If you'll give me an idea of your budget I'll do some checking later.

Thanks P_M. The Driskill looks wonderfull but I would like the cleanest, cheapest one available since we've already paid for a condo we won't be staying in. $100.00 or under would be great, would I have to go over that?

If you don't need to stay downtown then less than $100/night s/b doable, I'll surf around later to find something in a decent area for you.

cd,

As you can probably imagine you will not find anything downtown that's cheap but here are a few options based on hotels.com:

Cheapest:
North Austin Plaza Hotel and Suites, $41/night
Not too far from downtown. Probably not a great neighborhood but not the worst either.

Also cheap: EconoLodge Arboretum, 9102 Burnet Rd, $60/night.
This is in a MUCH better neighborhood but farther away from 6th street. You can take MoPac (aka Loop 1) back and forth to downtown, the hotel will have easy access from MoPac. Free breakfast.

Extended Stay America: 10100 Capitol of TX Hwy, $65 In the same area as EconoLodge

DOWNTOWN on 6th St: Extended Stay America, 600 Guadalupe, $105. This is right on 6th St but you would have to walk several blocks to get to the entertainment district. If you don't want to walk it would be a cheap taxi ride.

One other option: I did a mapquest and it's only around 45 miles from 6th St to Gruene. It is drivable but of course if you plan to have a few drinks then you might want to stay in Austin and cab it.

While on 6th St I stronly encourage you to see a show called Esther's Follies. You will laugh your butt off for the entire show.

If you need anything else please type back.

cd, there are probably more good deals than what I have provided so if you find something else and you want my opinion on the area please let me know and I will help if I can. Also there are Motel 6's along I-35, they are very cheap but but I don't know how clean they are.

P_M Thank you so very much! Your info is appreciated. I will print it out and take with us! Esthers's Follies will be on our agenda! Yellowrose, I hope this information will be helpful to you also.

Yes - it is helpful as well. We would like to stay in something nice - I am getting spoiled as I get older. I would like to stay near $100 or so a night. Is the Alamo fairly close to the riverwalk? If not, is it better to stay by the river or the Alamo? Like I said, we are history buffs so would like any lodging that may be kind of historical. We don't mind B&B's, apartments, etc.
Thanks

As I read the thread again cd, we aren't planning on Austin - we will most likely spend most of the time in SA with some day trips as well.

Yellowrose, yes, you can walk to the Alamo from a Riverwalk location.

The Alamo is across the street from the Hyatt on the Riverwalk. If you are on the river you can go through the Hyatt's lobby, out the other side and past some beautiful waterfalls, then up the steps and there is the Alamo.

Yellowrose, this is the official website for the Riverwalk http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/

Since you are history buffs and interested in the Alamo, you might also enjoy visiting the other missions in San Antonio. If you have a golden age passport, your admission will be free and if you don't have one yet, you can buy one there.

There is probably time for you to request and receive a free Texas tourist guide that might help you plan your trip. You can order it online or by phone http://www.traveltex.com/plan-your-trip/travel-guide/order-travel-guide?gclid=CLiw1YXDwKwCFQqb7Qod-3JPpw

Texas is a great destination and I hope you enjoy your visit!

Thanks so much - I am sending off for the guide now.

We have our dates - now we are interested in looking for lodging. I am thinking about renting a house since my sister in law, brother in law and his wife and daughter are all coming along! I don't know the areas. I have been reading about an area near the air force base, the medical center area, the Alamo heights area. Which area would be good to be fairly close to the riverwalk and alamo, etc. Or, do you know if any of the hotels close around that area would have suites? Thanks

I should have said that we don't want to pay more $125/night.