South Austin includes many of Austin's most popular neighborhoods.  You may hear South Austin referred to as 78704, SoCo, SoLa, Travis Heights and South of the River.

The areas just over the Lamar Street, 1st Street and Congress Ave bridges are some of the most expensive neighborhoods to live because they offer so much of what makes Austin the great city it is. This eclectic area is within walking distance to Zilker Park, Barton Springs and many of the coolest retail and restaurants in Austin.

SoLa: South Lamar

I love South Austin because of the numerous locally owned businesses. Don't overlook the food trailers - they have some of the best food in South Austin.

Food: Maria's Taco Xpress - funky and for any budget; Flip Happy Crepes - the best crepes anywhere, cooked out of a trailer by very happy people; P.Terry's - about as healthy as fast food gets; Shady Grove -great live music and patio scene located in an Austin trailer park; Casa De Luz - a tucked away little village featuring a cooking school, community-style vegan restaurant, yoga studios and Montessori. How Austin is that? Lulu B's trailer - try their vietnamese sandwiches, vermicelli bowls, summer rolls and smoothies at 2113 S. Lamar.

Olivia is one of my three favorite restaurants in Austin. The food is art, the chef's are top notch and the place has garneried national attention. Their Beef Carpaccio appetizer is outstanding.

Retail: Strut; Jezebel; Upstairs; Electra; Swerve; Sola; Support Austin Art Garage because they support Austin artists and it's fun- 2200 S. Lamar.

Entertainment: Alamo Drafthouse (watch a movie while you have dinner), The High Bar (bowling, karaoke, dinner), Broken Spoke (an Austin instituion with great music. They also offer dance lessons), Saxon Pub, some of Austin's finest musicians play here.

Tip for Yogies - I have been going to Angela D. at Yoga-Yoga on South Lamar since 1998. She appeals to both beginners and the experienced because she is incredible. Check their schedule at http://www.yogayoga.com/.

SoCo:  South Congress 

Food:  Hey Cupake! - cupcakes from an Airstream, sigh; Home Slice -some of the best pizza and vibe in the city but I always end up ordering the same thing: a side of meatballs with garlic knots and house salad, chocolate chip cookies and milk; Jo's Coffee - casual, walk-up window service that's great for people watching; Vespaio - one of the best Italian restaurants in the nation, no kidding. Also, Cissi's has great gourmet meals you can get on the run and they sell Kohana coffee, roasted here in Austin.

Retail:  Yard Dog Art Gallery; Uncommon Objects; Blackmail; Ten Thousand Villages - sells handmade items from around the world to support our global neighbors; Eco Wise - fantastic store for all things green; Protype has vintage furniture and all kinds of retro accessories; Friends of Sound is a favorite among record collectors. Penn Field - has several high-end home accessory stores and designer showcases. While you're there, stop in at Ruta Maya for lunch, yoga, cigars or whatever.

Entertainment: Continental Club - an Austin institution for live music; First Thursday's - one of my favorite things about Austin. On the first Thursday night of every month, South Congress merchants stay open late and the sidewalks fill with music, dancing and Austin artists selling their creations. http://www.firstthursday.info/.

Mary Street and South First

Retail: Grow; The Herb Bar; End of an Ear - a unique record, tape and CD store.

Restaurants: Cafe Caffeine; Soup Peddlar; Jovitas; and one of my regular stops, Torchy's Tacos. Holy Cacoa sells awesome cake balls in the trailer park with Torchy's.

Don't miss the cupcakes at Sugar Mama's on South First. Lemon is out of this world.

Thai Fresh is a restaurant and grocery store. The owner grew up in Thaliand and is offering Thai cooking classes at the store. http://www.thai-fresh.com/.

Somnio's at 1807 S 1st offers a variety of cultural cuisine including African, Chinese and Middle Eastern. Salads, rice bowls, hummus and soups are full of organic produce and all-natural Texas meats. BYOB. http://www.somnioscafe.com/

For more locally owned businesses on South First, see ExploreLocalAustin.org.

Further South

Affordable homes can be found a little further south near Central Market South and Sunset Valley. Sunset Valley residents pay some of the lowest taxes in Austin thanks to the many national retail chains in the area.

Austin Montessori has an impressive campus in Sunset Valley where they serve children 18 months - 15 years. http://www.austinmontessori.com/.

This area is home to a few local Austin restaurants worth noting (Hyde Park and Madam Mam's Thai) and some local retail as well as numerous national retail establishments.

Sunset Valley Farmer's Market is the biggest farmer's market in Austin and Austin's favorite according to Chronicle voters. On Saturdays from 9 -1 at Toney Burger Center, you can find hundreds of items from organic beef to hand made gifts. For a list of vendors, go to http://www.sunsetvalleyfarmersmarket.org/.

Evangeline Cafe in far South Austin offers some of the best Friday night entertainment in town with food equally as good. Located in a 'who would have thought' strip mall serving fantastic gumbo and featuring the Monsta's Texas-New York-New Orleans jive, it is so worth the drive south.

Cathedral of Junk was started in 1988 by Vince Hannemann at his home in South Austin. My four year-old son spent hours exploring well over 60 tons of junk piled several stories high. Open Saturdays and Sundays, 512-299-7413.

For more about South Austin, go to http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Guides