The surrounding area is filled with small plazas that house a variety of shops from homemade crafts to antiques and unique boutiques. For the adventuresome shopper, there is an Outlet Mall at San Marcos, Texas, approximately 25 minutes away with over 200 stores. There are approximately five very large malls within the San Antonio area and many smaller strip malls with specialty items.
San Antonio is interesting also in looking at sales taxes. If you travel straight out the main gate, down Pat Booker Road about six miles and shop at The Forum in Schertz, taxes are 8.25. However, if you travel 6 miles out the gate and turn to the left you are in an area known as Converse where we have a new Wal-Mart and taxes are 6.75. What you pay in sales taxes will vary depending on the area where you shop!