For a more residential feel, you can consider a neighborhood west of campus. For example, neighborhoods like Oak Heights and Franklin Square-Bishops Crossing are close to parks like Prospect Park and boast great off-campus living in complexes like The Cottages at San Marcos and Dakota Ranch Apartments. These two neighborhoods are also quieter but are a bit further from Texas State's campus.

Dining

There is no shortage of delicious, traditional American cuisine in San Marcos. For world-famous burgers, consider Grins Restaurant. For the best Texas barbeque, try Kent Black's BBQ (the “Giant Beef Ribs” are extremely popular!). Another American restaurant, Industry, also offers delicious pancakes for brunch. If you are in the mood for pizza, consider trying Pie Society, which is known for its “Garden of Eden Pizza”, which contains spinach, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and roasted red pepper.

We cannot discuss food in Texas without talking about tacos! One of the best Mexican food places in San Marcos is Taqueria El Charro Tapatio, and they are known for their “Carne Asada Burrito.” Another Mexican place open only for breakfast and lunch is Big Daddy's Tacos.

Transportation

You can get around the Texas State campus and the surrounding area by riding the Bobcat Shuttle. The Bobcat Shuttle has a “Campus Loop” route, which will take you to the LBJ Student Center and Rec Center every 10-20 minutes during the week. Off-campus, the Bobcat Shuttle will take you to neighborhoods like Aquarena Springs, Blanco River, Mill Street, Post Road, Caddock, Ranch Road, Wonder World, and Holland. On Saturdays, the Bobcat Shuttle will take you to the San Marcos Marketplace and to other places around San Marcos (on the “San Marcos Circulator” route).

Texas State also offers a nighttime safety escort service called Bobcat Bobbies that will take you around campus from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. every day of the week.

You can also ride a bike around campus. TSU offers the Bike Cave, a service to help you with your bike. They will teach you how to repair your bike, sell you bike parts, and provide you with tools and a workspace to work on your bike.

To get around the city of San Marcos, you can also ride the city bus called CARTS (Capital Area Rural Transportation System).

Parking

If you are driving to the Texas State campus, you can buy a parking permit. A commuter permit will allow you to park on the commuter lots toward the perimeter of campus, such as the Purple Zone and Orange Zone. Remember to display the permit whenever you park!

Around the city of San Marcos, there is plenty of street parking Downtown. There are two paid parking lots: one on the corner of N Guadalupe Street and E Hutchison Street, and one on University Drive (although be careful to avoid the “immediate tow zone,” which is on the other side of University Drive).

Shopping

If you want to buy your necessities, the Stonecreek Crossing Shopping Center has a Target, JC Penny, and Michaels. For shopping at a bigger mall, consider the San Marcos Premium Outlet Mall, which houses stores such as Nike Factory, The North Face Outlet, Ann Taylor Factory, Forever 21, Old Navy Outlet, and VF Outlet.

For groceries, the biggest store is H-E-B. They are likely to have whatever you need for food. There is also a Walmart Supercenter nearby, where you can buy anything from food, home décor to electronics.