San Jose to Espada - 3 Mission Experience

Embark on a scenic and educational bike tour along the Mission Reach Trail in San Antonio. This 13-mile guided tour takes you from Mission San Jose to Mission Espada and back, with stops at several historical and cultural landmarks, including the Espada Dam, Whispers Art Installation, Espada Aqueduct, Arbol de Vida Art Installation, and the San Juan Acequia. Your certified guide will share fascinating stories about the San Antonio River, the people who lived along its banks, the missions, and the rich culture that has developed over generations. At each mission, the guide will walk the grounds with you, highlighting important features while also giving you time to explore independently. The southernmost missions, surrounded by farmland, offer insight into how the missions once looked and functioned, including the still-operational Espada and San Juan irrigation systems that were vital to mission communities.

The tour is designed for participants with basic bike riding experience and includes e-bike rentals through San Antonio BCycle, or you may bring your own bicycle. Riders will enjoy the ease of pedal-assisted biking while stopping at historical sites along the way. Each bike comes with a basket, helmet, and optional backpack. The experience blends physical activity, history, and culture while allowing riders to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Mission Reach Trail and the San Antonio River. The tour ends back at Mission San Jose, where you can continue to explore or return at your own pace. Participants must be physically able to bike thirteen miles, navigate multiple stops, and explore mission grounds.