Tag: San Antonio

As an avid traveler and tourist, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting many wonderful destinations around the world. However, not every part of a city is created equal. While San Antonio, TX has so much rich culture and beauty to offer visitors, there are a few areas that are best avoided, especially for those unfamiliar with the city. After my trips to San Antonio, I’ve learned that knowing the areas to avoid can make your visit safer, more enjoyable, and stress-free.

When planning my trips to San Antonio, I always make it a point to research ahead of time and learn about the areas I should avoid, primarily for safety reasons. As a solo female traveler, I take extra precautions to steer clear of high-crime areas. Through my research and past experiences, I’ve discovered that there are certain neighborhoods in San Antonio that tourists may want to avoid, or at least be extra cautious in.

In this article, I will share areas to avoid in San Antonio based on my own experiences and recommendations from locals. My goal is to ensure that anyone visiting this wonderful city for the first time has a safe, memorable trip. By knowing which areas to avoid, you can better plan your visit to fully experience all that San Antonio has to offer.

See Also: Best Hotels in San Antonio

 

1. Wheatley Heights

With barred windows and graffiti lining the litter-strewn streets, Wheatley Heights gave me an uneasy feeling even during the daytime when I drove through briefly. According to locals, this Eastside neighborhood is best avoided due to prevalent issues like gang violence, drug trafficking, and assault. As an unfamiliar visitor, I did not feel safe walking around Wheatley Heights even briefly, as the sense of danger was palpable. Boarded-up businesses and homes added to the bleak, almost abandoned atmosphere. Based on the advice of San Antonio residents, Wheatley Heights should definitely be avoided for safety reasons.

 

2. Villa de San Antonio (San Antonio Villa)

Driving through the Villa de San Antonio neighborhood, I was struck by the extreme neglect and blight. Boarded-up windows and overgrown vacant lots filled the landscape. Groups loitering on the streets and in front of businesses made me keep moving cautiously in my rental car. Speaking to residents afterward confirmed my impressions – this southside community has a reputation for high crime rates spanning from gang violence to home burglaries. The sense of danger was evident in the deteriorating homes and lack of maintenance. Considering the risks involved, visitors unfamiliar with San Antonio should avoid the Villa de San Antonio, especially after dark.

 

3. Eastwood Village

Situated near the AT&T Center east of downtown, Eastwood Village at first appeared scenic and lush. However, upon closer inspection, heavy burglar bars on windows and copious graffiti revealed the neighborhood’s reputation for elevated rates of theft, burglary, and gang violence according to locals. Trash cluttered vacant lots and the streets, while vacancy signs hung in many shop windows. As an unfamiliar visitor, I did not feel safe lingering long in Eastwood Village to take in the sights. Based on local crime reports, Eastwood Village is one of the areas tourists may want to avoid for safety precautions when visiting San Antonio.

 

4. Denver Heights

Driving cautiously through the Denver Heights neighborhood, I was taken aback by the prominent graffiti and vandalism marring buildings and homes. Many structures had burglar bars installed, evoking a sense of danger. Locals I spoke with later confirmed Denver Heights south of AT&T Center suffers from rising crime rates spanning drugs, gang violence, prostitution, and beyond. The unease and neglect were evident in the landscape. While no neighborhood is completely off-limits, Denver Heights poses significant safety concerns for visitors unfamiliar with San Antonio. Knowing the risks involved can help tourists take proper precautions.

 

5. East Terrell Hills

At first glimpse, the East Terrell Hills area appeared abandoned and neglected – never good signs. Boarded-up buildings covered in graffiti showcased the blight. As I viewed the territorial markings, I sensed danger, even during the daytime. Residents I connected with verified the area is known for elevated crime rates ranging from drug dealing to assault. Being unfamiliar with San Antonio, I avoided lingering in East Terrell Hills due to safety concerns and risks even for seasoned locals. Tourism should be about enjoying new places, not worrying about becoming a victim.

 

6. Nevada Street

Needing to cross town, I cautiously navigated Nevada Street northwest of downtown San Antonio. Right away, the vacant and barred buildings caught my eye, as did vagrants loitering on litter-strewn sidewalks. Multiple people approached my rental car asking for money at stoplights. Locals later confirmed certain sections of Nevada Street have higher rates of theft, burglary, drug use, and sales. As a visitor, I avoided unnecessary side trips down Nevada Street due to risks reported by residents. Knowing this helped me prevent problems while still enjoying San Antonio’s offerings.

 

7. Mission San Jose

Touring the historic Spanish Missions, I found Mission San Jose’s grounds lovely and serene. However, just beyond the walls, the neighborhood elicited unease. Bars on windows of the adjacent homes hinted at dangers, as did clusters of people loitering on corners. According to later reports, the neighborhood surrounding Mission San Jose has issues with gang violence, drug trafficking, robbery, and vandalism – in stark contrast to the mission itself. Though the mission is a popular tourist spot, visitors may want to exercise caution and avoid the surrounding neighborhood, sticking to the secure grounds during the tour. Awareness helps prevent mishaps.

 

8. Thompson Community

Driving through Thompson Community, just northeast of downtown San Antonio, revealed potential risks even during daylight. Many homes had heavy burglar bars installed, while “no trespassing” signs lined the streets. Groups loitering outside vacant buildings added to the unsettling atmosphere. Conversing with nearby residents later confirmed my impressions – Thompson Community reportedly suffers from elevated rates of drug trafficking, gang violence, robbery, and beyond. As a visitor unfamiliar with the terrain, I felt safest avoiding the area altogether based on the ominous landscape and crime reports. Caution is key for tourists in unfamiliar environments.

 

9. Cable-Westwood

Initially, I appreciated Cable-Westwood’s convenience and central location west of downtown San Antonio. Walking around, however, revealed details that changed my tune – barred windows, heavy loitering, and a sense of blight. Though some homes appeared well-kept, others were clearly abandoned with overgrown lots. According to locals I consulted, Cable-Westwood suffers from occasional gang violence, drug dealing, burglary, and theft. As much as I wanted to enjoy the neighborhood’s offerings, as a tourist unfamiliar with the risks involved, I felt it safest to avoid Cable-Westwood during my stay. Asking locals for insight can help visitors avoid pitfalls.

 

10. Pecan Valley

Driving through sections of the large Pecan Valley neighborhood southeast of downtown San Antonio revealed discrepancies. While some blocks appeared cleaner and well-maintained, others had heavy graffiti and loitering that made me uneasy even during daylight. Several complexes had barred windows and security signs posted. Researching later showed that while Pecan Valley overall has positive areas, certain sections are plagued by drugs, gang violence, burglary, and beyond. As an unfamiliar visitor, I made sure to avoid those high-crime pockets to ensure a safe, enjoyable trip. Doing homework on neighborhoods can guide tourists’ steps.

 

11. Arena District

Given its name from the AT&T Center sports venue, San Antonio’s Arena District seemed like it would be safe and bustling. However, walking the neighborhood’s fringes revealed potential threats. People loitering, drinking publicly, and asking for money caused unease. According to locals, the district has issues with theft, public intoxication, drugs, and occasional violence during major crowded events. As a visitor, I only felt safe directly around the AT&T Center itself and avoided the rest of the neighborhood during my stay. Tourists should know the complete picture before exploring unfamiliar areas.

 

12. Rainbow Hills

Cruising cautiously through the Rainbow Hills community west of downtown San Antonio revealed potential risks through the landscape alone. Neglected vacant properties and boarded-up homes dominated the area. Graffiti and trash littered the barren streets. Even during the day, I felt uneasy and did not linger long. Research later showed this neighborhood suffers rising crime issues including drugs, gang activity, burglary, and beyond. As an unfamiliar visitor, I felt Rainbow Hills posed too many risks to merit exploring, relying on locals’ insights to stay safe. Being informed helps travelers avoid dangerous missteps.

 

13. Jefferson Heights

Similar to its neighboring Rainbow Hills, San Antonio’s Jefferson Heights also elicited unease when I briefly drove through sections during daylight. Homes with heavy burglar bars and “no trespassing” signs lined trash-strewn streets. Graffiti and loitering seemed prevalent. I saw no reason to linger. Confirming with residents later revealed Jefferson Heights does suffer higher rates of gang violence, drugs, robbery, and associated dangers. As a visitor unfamiliar with the area, I felt avoiding Jefferson Heights altogether was the safest course unless I had a specific reason to travel there. Advanced knowledge aids travelers in staying secure.

 

Conclusion

While San Antonio has so much rich culture, scenery, and activities to offer tourists, there are a few areas that should be avoided, primarily for safety. Through my own experiences and advice from locals, I put together this list of neighborhoods that are best avoided in San Antonio, particularly for those unfamiliar with the city.

By being aware of the high-crime areas ahead of time, you can better plan your itinerary and fully enjoy all the great things San Antonio has to offer without putting yourself in unsafe situations. Though every city has some less desirable areas, knowing which neighborhoods to avoid in San Antonio can help ensure your trip is memorable for all the right reasons.