Quiet suburban community close to shopping in San Antonio
Comprised of a conglomerate of subdivisions and gated communities, Scenic Oaks offers an affluent lifestyle on the outskirts of San Antonio. “There is a gated community called Scenic Oaks that anchors the area, but numerous others lie within the boundaries, like a collection of subdivisions,” says local Realtor Cat Lodge of Coldwell Banker. Larger homes and a quieter atmosphere define the residential pockets, balanced with easy access to highly rated schools, upscale shopping malls and private golf clubs along Interstate 10. “The great thing about Scenic Oaks and what draws people to that area is its central location,” Lodge says. “It’s not far from San Antonio or the middle of Boerne, and it’s right along the I-10 corridor.” National retailers and familiar brands line shopping plazas like The Rim and La Cantera Town Center less than 10 miles south, while events and local restaurants promote a small-town feel in Boerne, 10 miles north. "Overall, it's an attractive place with a prime position," Lodge says.
Range of home styles in various subdivisions
Communities in Scenic Oaks range from the HOA-controlled Scenic Oaks subdivision to the Boerne Stage Airpark, a private, gated community with exclusive airport access. Some subdivisions are gated and centered around HOAs — and therefore subject to additional annual fees — while others are not. The variety of subdivisions within Scenic Oaks allows for a variety of architectural styles, from sprawling ranch-style homes to contemporary two-story new builds. Neo-traditional styles are most common, many featuring Spanish influences, with arched entryways and stone or brick facades. “You can choose between newer builds or older builds,” Lodge says. “There are subdivisions with newer builds centered with HOAs and some with older homes built in the 80s and 90s to the early 2000s on larger lots in established subdivisions.” Prices also vary, ranging from the low $300,000s for smaller, older homes to up to $2.6 million for a newly constructed airfield estate.
Highly rated education in two districts
Depending on zoning, school-aged kids may attend schools in one of two school districts. The A-rated Boerne Independent School District serves the northern half of Scenic Oaks, while the B-plus-rated Northside Independent School District San Antonio serves the southern half. In Boerne ISD, kids may begin their education at Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary before advancing to Boerne Middle School South and Boerne-Samuel V. Champion High School. Niche gives all three schools A scores and rates Champion High School the best public high school in Kendall County. Apart from a rigorous and highly rated academic curriculum, Champion High School also offers strong athletic and extracurricular programs, including an award-winning fine arts program.
Proximity to exclusive golf courses, parks and natural preserves
While parks within the community are limited, Scenic Oaks is close to recreational opportunities in neighboring areas. Lodge says private golf courses are a draw for residents, especially Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club, which sits across from Scenic Oaks, and Dominion Country Club. The 70-foot-tall cavern ceilings attract visitors to Cascade Caverns, a nature preserve that also features hiking trails and camping. Boerne City Park is a 125-acre tract in the heart of Boerne that features water access to the Cibolo River for kayaking, multi-use trails and tennis courts. The park also houses the Agricultural Museum and Arts Center as well as the Boerne City Park Pool, which is open seasonally during the warmer months.
Shopping and dining at The Rim and La Cantera shopping centers
Scenic Oaks residents have access to commerce along the I-10 corridor, which is lined with pharmacies, local businesses, fast-food chains and grocery options like H-E-B and Walmart. Still, most residents head to the high-end shopping malls closer to San Antonio at the I-10 and Loop 1604 exchange. Here, shopping districts The Rim and La Cantera sit opposite each other across the interstate, teeming with familiar brand names and national retailers to fulfill shopping needs. “The Rim is more big-box retailers like Target and Lowe’s, and La Cantera is the higher-end shopping district with stores like Nieman Marcus, Macy’s, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany,” Lodge says. “The appeal is that Scenic Oaks is close to both districts, and both are nice shopping destinations with good restaurants.” Popular dining options within the centers include Perry’s Steakhouse, North Italia and Postino.
Events at the Rose Palace and in Boerne
The San Antonio Rose Palace sits adjacent to Scenic Oaks. The venue is a popular spot for year-round events, most notably horse shows and rodeos. Vintage markets and other events are also held at the track. Locals also enjoy the multiple attractions and community events in Boerne, including farmers markets and seasonal events like the Christmas Tree Lighting. “Boerne has that small-town vibe that people love, so people in Scenic Oaks go to Boerne for their events,” Lodge says.
Major thoroughfares and other notable landmarks
Situated along Interstate 10, Scenic Oaks offers proximity to Loop 1604 to the south and State Highway 46 to the north. Residents are about 25 miles, or a 40-minute drive, from the heart of San Antonio. The San Antonio International Airport is less than 25 miles away. The community also sits close to Camp Bullis Military Base and a few medical centers, though Methodist Hospital Northeast is the closest hospital.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola