From Hill Country wines and shopping to Santa’s glorious parade float, the 2018 San Saba Christmas Extravaganza was worth the trip. (We’ve got the photos to prove it!)
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Photographed at King’s Daughter Inn in Cherokee, Texas.
Support of this story generously provided by the San Saba Economic Development Commission, the staff of the town’s newly opened Visitor’s Center, and King’s Daughter Inn in nearby Cherokee.
Story and photographs by Pamela Price
The plan was simple: head up to San Saba from San Antonio to see and report on the town’s popular annual Christmas Extravaganza, an early December event featuring festive multiple activities. Each year shops and tasting rooms offer locally produced wines (and snacks!) during the annual Sip ‘n Stroll, a ticketed event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. There’s also a trade days event downtown, a parade, live music, and more.
Because our decision to head to the “top of the Texas Hill Country” was made at the last minute, we reached out to the town’s visitor’s center for help in locating a place to stay. (The Christmas Extravaganza is quite the draw, it seems, and most hotels were booked.) With a bit of effort, a place was located in nearby Cherokee, a small community offering a glimpse at rural life.
The old ranch house we settled on was located down a narrow road at the edge of a working ranch. And while the King’s Daughter Inn sleeps four, it was surprisingly spacious. Once the home to a large family, today it greets travelers interested in completely unplugging from WiFi and cable television. The inn was an opportunity, really to slow down and savor life. (Personally, I spent a blissful fifteen minutes, with tea cup in hand, watching a sparrow weave in and out of a sheet of garden lattice.)
With the holiday season in full swing, we were delighted to find a massive Christmas tree and the scent of cinnamon and spice in the air. There were a couple of those once-ubiquitous porcelain mini trees, handmade potholders, and other details that are so familiar to those of us who recall visiting our own grandparents and parents in similar settings. Crosses and religious symbols abounded as well, a testament to the owner’s deep faith.
Cherokee is located only about 17 miles from San Saba–along a mostly unpopulated road, so the drive was no problem. It was quite enjoyable actually, with the views of the hills, hay bales, autumn colors, and more than a few cows and sheep.
Upon arrival in San Saba,we found a bustling community full of locals and visitors in full holiday mode. Refreshed from savoring the slower pace at the Cherokee inn, by nightfall we were eager to dive into San Saba’s holiday buzz.
Although the paced quickened noticeably in comparison to our first hours at the inn in Cherokee, we never felt overwhelmed. San Saba is still functionally a small Texas town. That said, there’s plenty to enchant visitors, especially those who appreciate seeing a small-town community not yet entirely overrun by tourists.
A sample of what we discovered as the night wore on:
Photographed at the Old Man Scary Cellars tasting room.
Watching the last parade float drive away, it was hard not to think of Clement Clarke Moore’s legendary words:
“But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
‘Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!’”
In San Saba on that chilly December evening, it was a very good night indeed.
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Pamela Price is the founder of TheTexasWildflower.com. She first visited San Saba as a child, back when her grandparents had a ranch in nearby Bend, Texas.
Explore More:
• Planning a visit to San Saba in the coming year? You’ll definitely want to check out the newly renovated Visitor’s Center at 113 S. High Street. Also of note is a downtown walking tour (PDF).
• VisitSanSabaTexas.com (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) offers an abundance of photos and resources for exploring the town’s downtown area, shops, eatery, and natural areas throughout the year. See also the San Saba Happenings and San Saba, Texas “Pecan Capital of the World” Facebook pages.
• The San Saba County Community Foundation “is a San Saba-based organization formed to undertake restoration and beautification projects.” You’ll find them, too, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Thanks for reading!
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Great pictures and articles about my hometown, San Saba… love returning and seeing good friends. Spent a couple of days and nights there last Christmas at the Doffelmeyer. Came home with a precious new Dachshund… aptly named Chulabess…
Thank you for the note!