Hotel & Travel

Conference Locations

The 2026 Nature-Based Early Learning Conference will take place in San Antonio, TX from June 24-27, 2026. An opening reception will be held at the conference hotel, the Kimpton Santo San Antonio - Riverwalk, on Wednesday evening, June 24. Conference sessions will be held at the Will Smith Zoo School at the San Antonio Zoo on Thursday and Friday, June 25 and 26, with lunch at The Ralston. It is not necessary to enter the zoo to access the Zoo School or The Ralston. Shuttles will be provided from the conference hotel to the Will Smith Zoo School for attendees staying at the conference hotel. Site tours on Saturday June 27 will depart from the Kimpton Santo. 

Parking at the Will Smith Zoo School and The Ralson

For attendees not taking the conference shuttle from the Kimpton Santo, parking is available at the Will Smith Zoo School for no charge in the parking garage next to the school. The school is located at 103 Tuleta Dr, San Antonio, TX 78212. Complimentary parking is also available at The Ralston, the conference lunch venue, for attendees who wish to drive there. The Ralston is located at 950 E Hildebrand Ave San Antonio, TX 78212 (be sure to use this address rather than the name "The Ralston" for the correct access point). It is not necessary to enter the San Antonio Zoo to access either the Zoo School or The Ralston; both should be accessed at their street address.

Conference Hotel

The conference hotel is the Kimpton Santo San Antonio - Riverwalk, located at 431 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205. Ideally situated between downtown and Southtown, the hotel is within walking distance of the San Antonio River Walk, Hemisfair Park, and the Tower of the Americas, along with many restaurants and cultural attractions. 

The conference opening reception will be held at the Kimpton Santo, and transportation will be provided to the Will Smith Zoo School at the San Antonio Zoo for conference sessions. When not attending conference activities, guests can enjoy the Kimpton's rooftop, pool, or relax under the century-old live oaks in the courtyard.

Book a Room

The deadline to book your room at a discounted rate was June 1. You can visit the hotel website to book your room at their regular rates. 

Check-in time is after 3:00 PM and check-out time is before 12:00 PM.

Accessibility

The Kimpton Santo San Antonio - Riverwalk has accessible sleeping rooms and other accessible amenities. When booking your hotel room, you can request specific aids or services required for your stay. 

Find more information on accessibility here. 

Getting There & Hotel Parking

The Kimpton Santo San Antonio Riverwalk offers valet parking on-site for overnight guests, and conference attendees receive a discounted rate. Additional public parking garages are located nearby in downtown San Antonio. 

If you are traveling from farther away, the closest airport is the San Antonio International Airport (SAT), located approximately a 15–20 minute drive from the hotel. Rideshare services and taxis are readily available at the airport. The hotel does not provide shuttle service.

San Antonio Attractions

Whether you love nature, history, culture, food, or music, San Antonio is full of adventures waiting just for you! Get excited about visiting San Antonio and start planning your trip and learn about some of our favorite highlights of the city.

Camping

Interested in camping in the area? Government Canyon State Natural Area is a 13,000-acre wilderness area that provides opportunities for hiking and camping. Campsites have water, restrooms, and showers nearby. Reservations for campsites can be made online or by phone.