... to Blanco County, located in the rolling hills of South Central Texas and a gateway to the wonders and fun of the Texas Hill Country.

Blanco County is a quick hop from both Austin and San Antonio, and just a jump from Houston. With our hotels, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts, the area is the perfect place to spend the weekend and explore what the countryside has to offer (see “Wildseed Farms” and “Day Trips in Blanco County and around the Hill Country”).

Johnson City, our county seat and home to around 1,500 people, was hometown to President Lyndon Baines Johnson and his life story can be seen at the LBJ National Historical Park. Johnson City is also becoming known for its art community (see “Art Walk”). Johnson City is located in the second most visited wine region of the United States and is the starting point for the 290 Wine Trail (see wineroad290.com).

In the southern half of the county is Blanco, the largest city at over 2,000 people, and the original county seat. Blanco and Blanco County recently celebrated their sesquicentennial anniversary; the city and county were formed in 1858. Blanco hosts an annual Lavender Festival (see blancolavenderfest.com) to celebrate its local lavender farms.

Blanco County not only has a lot to offer, but Fredericksburg, Luckenbach, Marble Falls, Horseshoe Bay, Burnet, Llano, San Saba, Sisterdale, Boerne, and more Hill Country destinations are also nearby.

Blanco County is bordered on the west by Gillespie County, on the north by Burnet and Llano counties, on the east by Hays County, and on the south by Kendall and Comal counties.

The Passport was published in October 2009. 10,000 copies were distributed to advertisers, restaurants, hotels/motels, B&Bs, visitor’s centers and chambers of commerce, and other businesses in Blanco County and the surrounding areas.

To our advertisers, we thank you for participating in the Hill Country Passport, and helping make this a better, more informative guide!