The Where I Live series aims to showcase our diverse city and region by spotlighting its many vibrant neighborhoods. Each week a local resident invites us over and lets us in on what makes their neighborhood special. Have we been to your neighborhood yet? Get in touch to share your story. If your story is selected and published, you will receive a $250 stipend.
Growing up in the Leon Springs area of San Antonio gives me a unique perspective on a neighborhood that blends Hill Country charm with suburban comfort.
Leon Springs is located in the Northwest Side of San Antonio and borders Fair Oaks and Boerne. From my childhood memories, the streets in Leon Springs feel quieter and more relaxed than many downtown neighborhoods. The homes range from ranch-style houses on spacious lots to more modern subdivisions quietly planted among trees and rolling terrain.
Leon Springs is a good mix — it’s the best of luxury suburban life with a taste of quiet country living. Even as San Antonio has grown and expanded around us, Leon Springs has managed to keep its relaxed charm. It’s the kind of place that balances modern convenience with a deep sense of history and community, and it’s always felt like home.
I moved to Leon Springs back in 2011 when I was 6 years old and have lived here ever since. I attended the nearby elementary, middle, and high schools. I am attending college at the University of Texas at San Antonio, just 10 miles up the road from home.
Sophia Pinon poses for a portrait the trailhead of Friedrich Wilderness Park in Leon Springs. Sophia is studying kinesiology at UTSA. Credit: Clint Datchuk for the San Antonio Report
When I think about growing up here, I picture long summer evenings when the neighborhood kids would spill out into the streets to play and walks to the local CVS to get snacks. Weekends were for exploring. Sometimes that meant a short trip to Friedrich Wilderness Park, just down the road.
Other times, we’d hop in the car and make the quick drive to Boerne. There, we like to stroll along Main Street, popping into antique stores, or grabbing lunch at a local café. Some weekends felt like big adventures, especially the ones that we spent at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
It might feel like the countryside, but within a short drive you can find everything you need. The Shops at La Cantera and The Rim are just down the road, full of restaurants, stores, and entertainment. Leon Springs offers that balance that so many people look for: quiet living without feeling far from the action.
There’s also no shortage of things to do around here. For those who love the outdoors, Crownridge Canyon Park offers miles of trails through rugged, beautiful terrain. Of course, no story about Leon Springs would be complete without mentioning Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q and the iconic Fralo’s Pizza. A personal favorite of mine being Willie’s Grill and Icehouse just 5 minutes down the road.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate something I didn’t notice as much when I was younger: the versatility of Leon Springs. It’s one of those rare places that can be whatever you need it to be.
Sophia Pinon walks on the trails of Friedrich Wilderness Park in Leon Springs. She enjoys running the trail daily. Credit: Clint Datchuk for the San Antonio Report
Want peace and quiet? You can live on a tree-lined street where deer wander through your backyard and the stars are visible at night. Want convenience? Within minutes you can reach major shopping centers or head downtown for work or a night out.
Want a small-town feel with access to city life? Leon Springs offers both. It’s just far enough away from the hustle of San Antonio, yet close enough that you never feel disconnected.
Looking back, I realize how lucky I was to grow up in a place that offered both nature and connection. Leon Springs sits at the perfect crossroads — just close enough to the city for all its conveniences, but far enough to feel like its own small town.