Encino Park

North of San Antonio, Encino Park is the biggest neighborhood in the residential area just off Highway 281, with established subdivisions south of it. “Encino Park is an established neighborhood. It started off in the early 90s and it’s grown quite a bit,” says Ruth Horace, Realtor with Keller Williams Legacy. “You’ve got different sections of Encino. What people probably like most about it is that it’s got a sense of community. There are always events happening where you can meet your neighbors.” These events include monthly playdates, holiday events and parades.

Encino Park’s central location makes it easy for residents to access the highly sought after Northeast Independent schools in the area, including the local Encino Park Elementary School. Dining, shopping and entertainment options are also a short drive away. Easy access to the highway is one of the biggest highlights for residents of the neighborhood. “You’re right by Highway 281, and you can quickly get to Loop 1604 and Interstate 35. So Encino’s a good in-between,” explains Horace. “A lot of military families will live here because it’s a close commute to Fort Sam Houston or Randolph Air Force Base.” Privacy is another highlight of Encino Park. Since it’s an established neighborhood, there is no new construction activity in the area, which is appealing to some homebuyers. Some sections of Encino Park are gated, providing an additional layer of privacy. She adds, “Some homebuyers want homes that have already been upgraded, because upgrading might not be in the budget when buying a new home.” Houses are mainly traditional-style homes, with prices varying from $350,000 to the upper end of $500,000. There are several parks in Encino, and those off Encino Rio are available for everyone. Just across Evans Road, Encino Library is where booklovers can pick out their next read. The library hosts events including book clubs, arts and crafts meetings, and fitness sessions.

Redland Ridge, Redland Woods and Emerald Forest are among other established subdivisions south of the Encino Park neighborhood, with easy access to Highway 281 or Loop 1604. Homes in Redland Ridge and Redland Woods roughly fall in a similar price range, between $300,000 and $550,000, and are mostly brick, traditional-style homes. Redland Woods is near Gold Canyon Park, where you can hike on paved and unpaved trails. Emerald Forest is a gated community with larger single and two-story homes. Lot sizes are also larger, and populated with several mature oak trees. Styles include New Traditional Tudors and sprawling ranch-style homes. Recent closing sale prices range from $475,000 for a single-story New Traditional Tudor with 2,100 square feet of living space, to a two-story New Traditional Tudor with a tower and 3,100 square feet of living space on a larger lot.

Students who live in the Encino Park neighborhood will attend Encino Park Elementary School, Tejeda Middle School and Johnson High School. Each school is 10 minutes away or less by car. Students living in the Redland Ridge, Redland Woods and Emerald Forest subdivisions will attend Bulverde Creek Elementary School, Hill Middle School and Johnson High School. Depending on where you live among these subdivisions, the drive to each school can take up to 15 minutes. Johnson High, graded A-plus on Niche, offers Advanced Placement, Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment classes. Students can also apply for magnet programs or schools, like the Agriscience Magnet Program and the Space and Engineering Technologies Academy (SETA).

If you live in the Encino Park neighborhood, you’ll likely shop at H-E-B plus! on the other side of Highway 281. There are also specialty stores like Evans Groceries and Sprouts Farmers Market close by. Most of your retail shopping options will be at the Village at Stone Oak, a shopping mall farther north on Highway 281. Sam’s Club is also next to the shopping mall. If you live in Redland Woods or Emerald Forest, you’ll probably shop at the H-E-B on Bulverde Road or in the H-E-B in the Northwoods Shopping Center. Legacy and Northwoods shopping centers have retail stores including Best Buy, Kohl’s, Marshalls, Lane Bryant and Old Navy. You’ll also find Walmart Supercenter and Costco on the other side of Highway 281, near Methodist Hospital Stone Oak.

South of the Encino Park neighborhood, La Hacienda de Los Barrios serves a variety of home-style Tex-Mex dishes, including slow-cooked beef cortadillo, vegetarian fajitas and enchiladas. Next door, Smoke Texas hosts live music and themed events in their indoor/outdoor dining space, while serving up tasty Texas barbeque. There are also several burger places for a fun family dining experience, and Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in the Village at Stone Oak is a local favorite for brick-oven pizza.

Whether you’re interested in a gated community with more yard space or a close-knit neighborhood, you’ll find an established home to call your own in Encino Park.

Written By

Leah Rambadt

Photography Contributed By

Blake Bowden

Video By

Drew Webster