MISSION SAN JOSÉ PICNIC AREA
There is a large picnic area with two separate sections at Mission San José that is located on a field bounded by San José Drive, Napier Avenue, and an unnamed road that is directly across from the entrance to the San Antonio Missions Visitor Center parking lot. There are a few small trees at the picnicking spots, but these provide no real shade, so you definitely don’t want to be here in the heat of the summer. Also, both sections have tables only—no grills. In fact, cooking is not allowed at all, so if you plan to have a large gathering, all food must be cold or pre-cooked. A restroom is located at the Visitor Center.
The section of the picnic area directly across San José Drive from the Visitor Center parking lot has 13 picnic tables. Two of these are on cement pads and accessed via paved paths, making them accessible for those in wheelchairs. There are also plenty of trash cans. All tables are taken on a first come, first served basis.
The second picnic area, located farther down the field, has 14 tables. One sits on a cement pad and is set up for those in wheelchairs.
MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO PICNIC AREA
There are three picnic tables under large shade trees at Mission San Juan Capistrano. All sit on cement pads, and one has a cement path leading to it from the parking lot so that those in wheelchairs can access it. There are no grills. A restroom is located inside the mission walls on the far side of the complex. All tables are taken on a first come, first served basis.
MISSION CONCEPCIÓN PICNIC AREA
There are two picnic tables under shade trees on a cement pad at the parking lot of Mission Concepción. There are no grills. All tables are taken on a first come, first served basis.
SAN ANTONIO RIVER WALK
The San Antonio River Walk is a multi-use path that connects all of the missions at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. It is open to hikers, bikers, and skaters. Along the path are trailside picnic tables and exits to city parks with more extensive picnicking facilities. Tables located near parking lots and in the city parks have grills, something you won’t find at any of the mission picnic areas. The picnic tables that are out in the middle of nowhere along the trail do not have grills.
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Last updated on June 14, 2022