San Angelo

San Angelo (pronounced "Snangelo" by locals) is a city in the Northern Edwards Plateau of Texas, on the Concho River. It is the home of Goodfellow Air Force Base, Angelo State University, and the Producer's Livestock Auction, the country's largest sheep and lamb market.

Understand

San Angelo is the county seat of Tom Green County, and the largest city in this mostly sparsely-populated part of west Texas. The military and college communities, along with business opportunities and Mexican immigration, have contributed to the city's growth and change over the years.

The city was founded in the late 1800s outside a new Army post, Fort Concho. The founder, Bartholomew DeWitt, named it "Santa Angela" after his wife, Carolina Angela. This was eventually shortened to "San Angela." The final change came in 1883 when the US Postal Service informed the town that the name was grammatically incorrect (san can only be used before a male name). Rather than revert to the original name, they changed it to "San Angelo."

The city has benefited economically from agriculture, the oil and gas industry, and after World War II, the US Air Force presence in the form of Goodfellow Air Force Base. Today, San Angelo's economy is largely supported by its two hospitals, telecommunications, agriculture, the university, and the region's largest employer, the Air Force.

Even though this city has over a 100,000 people, the locals will still notice if you're not from around here.

Get in

By car

San Angelo is not on an Interstate highway, so there aren't any completely direct routes from any major cities.

From the Dallas/Fort Worth area, take Interstate 20 to Abilene, and then either US-277 directly to San Angelo, or US-83 to Ballinger and US-67 from there to San Angelo (neither route is substantially faster or slower).

From San Antonio, the best path is probably Interstate 10 to Fredericksburg, US-83 to Eden, then US-87 to San Angelo.

From El Paso one can start on Interstate 10, then get onto Interstate 20 when it splits off from 10, go through Midland and Odessa to Big Spring, and then take US-87 from there to San Angelo.

By plane
  • 🌍 San Angelo Regional Airport (Mathis Field SJT  IATA). Serves San Angelo as a commercial non-primary hub airport that serves commercial, private and military aircraft. American Eagle provides service to Dallas/Fort Worth. Usually only 4 flights a day arrive here. It is the only commercial airport serving Concho Valley. There is also no ATM at the airport. There is also two places to eat at this airport with vending machines as well. This is a small airport and you have to be there 30 minutes prior to the flight departing if you need to check bags and get a boarding pass, even for e-check-in. The same person who is at the ticket counter is the same person who scans your ticket at the gate-- that's how small the airport is. 

There are taxis that can pick you up at the airport, but usually you have to call them to come pick you up. There are also two rental car companies that serve the airport. Parking: there are 352 public parking places.

By bus

San Angelo is served by Greyhound. Buses stops at San Angelo Transit Center, 510 N Chadbourne St.

Get around

A car is necessary to get around just like in most places in Texas, it's not really recommended to walk as everything is spread out. The main roads that can pretty much get you anywhere around town are Knickerboker, Bryant, Chadbourne, Sherwood, and Avenues L and N. Expressways US-67 (around the north) and Loop 306 (around the south) form a partial ring around the city.

Cars can be rented from:

  • Affordable Rent 325-949-8549
  • Avis Rent a Car 325-949-8681
  • Budget Car & Truck Rental 325-944-4718
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car 325-942-0912
  • National Car Rental 325-944-9505

By taxi

Taxi service is available but usually needs to be called, as it's rare to hail a taxi on the street.

  • Red Ball Taxi and Shuttle 325-942-8899
  • Checker Cab 325-655-3105

By Bus


See
  • Riverwalk, 418 W. Ave. Located on the Concho River, part of whats being done to beautify the River area it has 4 miles of walking/running trails, has 14 water displays, new and modern lighting on the riverwalk, and a memorial river stage dedicated to Bill Aylor Sr. The Celebration Bridge links the Historic City Center, the River Stage and El Paseo de Santa Angela, and provides access to Fort Concho from the river. Be sure to check out the San Angleo visitor center, (B) Hours of operation are Monday Friday 9AM to 5PM, Saturday 10AM to 5PM, and Sunday noon to 4PM. 
  • 🌍 Fort Concho National Historic Landmark, 630 S. Oakes St. Open established in 1867 to protect frontier settlements and in 1889 the last soldiers left and it was deactivated, now a historic preservation project and museum. The museum is open from 9AM to 5PM Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 5PM Sunday. Admission is $3, adults; $2.00, military and senior citizens; and $1.50 for children 6-17. Group rates are available. For information call +1 325-481-2646 
  • The Cactus Hotel, ☏ +1 325-655-5000. This historic hotel was Conrad Hilton's fourth hotel. Built in 1929, it's 14 stories tall; it no longer takes overnight guests 
  • Old Town – Orient St. The city has designated Old Town as an historic district, shows what San Angelo has looked like in the past, very interesting if you are into early architectural styles. A few buildings have been relocated here. 
  • Tom Green County Courthouse. Built in 1928. 
  • 🌍 San Angelo State Park, ☏ +1 325-949-4757. Has 7,563 acres to look around and hike, with numerous leisure and recreational activities, a lot of great sightseeing and has its own herd of Texan Longhorns and Bison. 
  • 🌍 Lake Nasworthy. 
  • Historical Markers. San Angelo has over 39 historical markers to see about its history in a variety of areas ranging from cemeteries, churches and homesites. Very interesting to find out about some of the history around here. 
  • The Sheep Statues. All around San Angelo mostly in the downtown area you will see a small statue of a sheep painted a different color scheme, try to find them all. 

Museums
  • Railway Museum San Angelo, 703 South Chadbourne, ☏ +1 325-486-2140. Sa 10AM-4PM. 
  • 🌍 San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, 1 Love St. Tu-Sa 10AM-4OM, Su 1-4PM, closed Mondays, major holidays, and between exhibits. Adults $2; members, military, Angelo State University and SAISD students free; children 12 and under $1; senior citizens $1. 
  • Southwest Military Museum Foundation, 119 South Irving St. M W F 10AM to 4PM, Tu Th 2PM to 7PM, Sa 10AM to 3PM, Su noon to 4PM. This museum is dedicated to honoring all United States veterans, their families, and their service to America, focusing on the period from World War I to the present. $4 for adults, $2 for children. 
  • Miss Hattie's Bordello Museum, 18 E Concho Ave, ☏ +1 325-653-0112. Tu-Sa 3PM-4:45PM. For 50 years this place operated as a bordello till it was closed by the Texas Rangers in 1946, now open as a museum and has all of the same furnishings as it would when it was open. Tours are Monday – Wednesday 4PM, Thursday – Saturday 1-4PM on the hour. $5. 

Do
  • San Angelo Art Walk. Held every third Thursday a viewing of the various downtown art galleries in downtown San Angelo free trolley service is available 
  • Angelo State Planetarium. 
  • San Angelo Nature Center. An educational center open to the public that has many exotic and native animals to see. 
  • Golfing, 2305 Pulliam St. San Angelo has almost a dozen places that you can golf at. Some are clubs, but there are some open to the public, such as the Quicksand Golf Course. 
  • San Angelo Civic Theater. 
  • Ranches. San Angelo has a few ranches that offer bed and breakfast and can also be used for hunting. A lot of them have stocked exotic animals and offer a good time to just relax and enjoy the countryside. 
  • Cinemark Tinseltown, 4425 Sherwood Way, ☏ +1 325 223-2858. 12-screen movie theater that has stadium seating. The only place to see a movie in the city. 
  • Pearl Hunting. San Angelo is known for what is called Concho pearls. There are 12 varieties. They are found in freshwater mussel shells which live in the area lakes and rivers of San Angelo. They can be pink, purple and lavender pearls. So if you feel adventurous go out and see if you can find some pearls. 
  • Stadium Lanes Bowling Center, 2105 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 76904 325 651-2695. 

Sports
  • Angelo State University Football. Part of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference, go see a College football game here in Texas, it's an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the country when it comes to football. 
  • San Angelo Colts. Go see a baseball game of the United League Baseball, Ticket prices range from $6-9 for adults, they play their games at Foster Field, which seats around 4200 people. 

Events

Buy

Downtown, one cannot walk around Chadbourne, Concho, Oakes and other nearby streets in the downtown area without finding numerous small shops selling gifts, clothing, and antiques.

  • M.L. Leddy's, 222 South Oakes St, ☏ +1 325 653-3397. M-Sa 9AM-6PM. Want an authentic pair of cowboy boots, or a saddle? You can't do much better than Leddy's. 
  • Eggemeyer's General Store, 35 E Concho Ave. Something like an old mercantile, with curios and bon bons, er, candy and fudge, and things. Tel: +1 325-655-1166.
  • Sunset Mall, 4001 Sunset Dr, Ste 1182, ☏ +1 76904 325 949-1947. A typical mall, has stores that are featured in every mall. The Buckle is one of the popular stores in this mall. Has a couple places to eat as well. 

Eat

Fast food

A variety of fast food restaurants located throughout the city including Burger King, Taco Bell, Sonic Drive-In, Jack in the Box, KFC, Wendys, Quiznos, Arby's, Long John Silver's, Subway, Popeye's, Wienerschnitzel, McDonald's, Denny's and IHOP.

  • Steak Express, 4397 Sunset Dr # 400 and 2219 W Ave. 
  • Campus Donuts & Kolaches, 3119 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 325-213-2888. Daily 5:30AM-1PM. 

Pizza

They have some of the national pizza chains like Domino's, Little Caesars, Cici's, Pizza Hut and Papa John's etc. These are some of the more local/regional type of pizza places.

  • Double Dave's Pizzaworks, 3536 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 325 947-3283. Part of a regional chain of Pizza. They do deliver as well. 
  • Cork and Pig Tavern, 2201 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 325 227-6988. Great Place to get wood fired Pizza, the Pig is their signature Pizza. Also has sandwiches during lunch time and has a pretty decent happy hour with a stocked bar and a late night menu. Also serves Bines which are a dessert and are very delicious. They always have live music playing outside, usually someone playing a guitar, $10-20. 
  • Joe's Italian Ristorante, 1601 S Bryant Blvd, ☏ +1 325 486-9339. This is more of a sit-down type of pizza place. It has really great pizza and you can even order pizza by the slice, in addition to a variety of large pasta dishes. 

Chinese
  • Grand China Buffet, 4388 Sherwood Way, ☏ +1 325-223-1688. A bit of an unremarkable buffet, but maybe one cannot be too picky in West Texas. 
  • Wok & Rice, 435 Bus US Highway 67-J. 

Japanese
  • Bonsai Garden, 1801 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 325 949-1862. A hibachi grill-style Japanese food here in San Angelo, they put on a show while they cook your food, very fun times and a good source of entertainment. Prices aren't too bad either and serves sushi as well. 
  • Shogun, 4397 Sunset Drive Suite 100, ☏ +1 325 227-4812. Another hibachi grill-style Japanese food, they also put on a show while they cook your food also serves sushi as well. 
  • Nakamura Sushi House, 3222 Sherwood Way, ☏ +1 325 949-0800. Serves Japanese and Korean food. 

Mexican

Well, if you like Mexican food then you have come to the right place. They have a lot of good mom and pop Mexican restaurants, most of them are very good and aren't too expensive either.

  • Henry's Diner, 3015 Sherwood Way, ☏ +1 325 223-0171. Mexican food with a full bar. Famous for their avocado enchiladas, their great salsa and their white sauce. 
  • La Esperanza, 2218 W Avenue M, ☏ +1 325 223-0204. 
  • Gil's, 837 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 325 655-5080. 
  • Hidalgo's Restaurant, 2020 South Bryant Blvd, ☏ +1 325 658-3977. 
  • Hidalgo West, 3108 Sherwood Way, ☏ +1 325 949-2251. 

Casual/sit down

You can find most of the standard American chains of restaurants such as Chili's, Carino's, Applebee's, Outback Steakhouse, TGI Friday's, Red Lobster, and Olive Garden. Beyond this there are other, more local options:

Drink

Bars and clubs
  • The SoCo Taphouse, 113 E. Concho Suite 210, ☏ +1 325-703-6218. Specializing in craft beers. 
  • City Limits, 4205 South Bryant Blvd, ☏ +1 325-617-4622. Country-western place, with live music on weekends. 
  • The Deadhorse, 210 S. Chadbourne St.. A great place in San Angelo to catch a great rock show with up and coming bands and other bands, or if you just like the rock atmosphere. Usually it's $5 cover to get in and they have couches to sit on as well. Drinks aren't too expensive--they have beer for $2 on draft. 
  • Fat Boss's Pub, 114 S. Chadbourne, ☏ +1 325 617-4532. A pretty happening bar with cheap drinks, great table service, and an area in the back to sit on couches and just chill with friends. It has a pretty good ratio of men and women. Parking is usually the street around it or on the side, or there is also a parking garage in the area as well. The only negative is its small space--on Friday and Saturday nights, it can get so crowded that it feels nearly impossible to move. 
  • Blaine's Pub, 10 W Harris Ave, ☏ +1 325 653-7074. 
  • Lone Wolf Pub, 115 Paint Rock Rd, ☏ +1 325 651-5295. 

Pool halls
  • Giz & Hums' Billiards & Brew, 1425 West Beauregard Ave, ☏ +1 325 655-0099. 

Coffeehouses

Sleep
  • Days Inn, 4613 S. Jackson, ☏ +1 325 658-6594. Clean rooms, decent free breakfast. May be unsuitable for large groups, however 
  • Fairfield Inn, 1459 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 325 482-8400. Clean rooms with spacious bathrooms. Helpful staff. 
  • Hampton Inn, 2959 Loop 306, ☏ +1 325 942-9622. Nice rooms, some with refrigerator and microwave. 
  • Staybridge Suites, 1355 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 325-653-1500. One of the nicest hotels in town. Suites have full size refrigerators, stove-tops, and dishwashers. 

Connect

San Angelo is part of the 325 Area Code.

Cope

Stay safe

San Angelo does not have a high crime rate just take caution as you would in any other town, they take drunk driving very seriously here in Texas and it is not uncommon to see a DUI checkpoint around so be forewarned, also they are very strict on the speed limit here and will pull you over and ticket you

Water
  • Be prepared to buy drinking water, the water is potable but honestly doesn't taste that good. There are water vending machines all over town that you can usually fill a gallon jug for a quarter. Another word of note-- if you ask for water at a restaurant it would be a good idea to ask if its filtered water or not or just buy water in a bottle there.

Go next
  • Paint Rock, about 35 miles east of town near a small town of the same name. This rock face on the bank of the Concho River has hundreds of pictographs stretching half a mile. Some pictographs were made even after the Spanish began colonization efforts, as pictographs of missions and men with crosses can clearly be seen. The site is open to tourists by reservation only. Contact Paint Rock Excursions, +1 915-732-4376.
  • San Antonio, about 212 miles to the South so it could be a 3-4 hour drive depending on the traffic
  • Dallas, it is literally an hour plane ride to Dallas and not too expensive on your wallet.
  • Abilene is about an hour-and-a-half drive north on US highway 277.
  • Odessa (Texas) can be reached by taking US highway 87 to Big Spring, and then Interstate 20 to Odessa.
  • Del Rio/Ciudad Acuña is a direct, but long, drive south on US-277.
Routes through San Angelo
Dallas ← Brownwood ←  N  S  → Big Lake → Fort Stockton
Big Spring ← Sterling City ←  N  S  → Brady → Fredericksburg
Sonora ← Eldorado ←  S  N  → Jct N → Abilene


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