Southwest Austin -Circle C and Oak Hill

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CAPTION: One of the great treasures in Austin — and overlooked perhaps by its hidden location — is the Lady Bird Wildflower Center in Southwest Austin at 4801 La Crosse Ave. The internationally renowned botanical garden covers 234 acres with more than 800 species of native Texas plants. The center hosts many special events and the Christmas Lumination is holiday enchantment at its most magical.

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN (including Circle C and Oak Hill)

Circle C Ranch has proven to be one of the most prized master-planned communities in the metro area with its wide boulevards, lush landscaping and Hill Country ambiance. More than 5,000 homes have been built on the seven-square-mile parcel near Escarpment Boulevard and Slaughter Lane. Despite the density, there’s no sense of crowding. It’s an intrinsically relaxing neighborhood that oozes with easy Texas hospitality. HEB Grocery Co. built one of its largest upscale stores in Circle C and prompted the development of boutique retail to serve the area. Another draw is the Swim Center Aquatics Center, which boasts an Olympic-size pool, competitive swim events, swim school, toddler pool with water features, sand volleyball and other sports courts.

Oak Hill, where Texas Highway 71 and U.S. Highway 290 meets at the gateway to the Hill Country and Dripping Springs delivers a sense of being way out of town but not really. It’s an easy and pleasing drive into the heart of Austin from this prime location. Check out the description of Far West Austin for more on this neck of the woods.