If you have been searching for new construction on the western edge of San Marcos, La Cima San Marcos has probably come up more than once. It is one of the largest master-planned communities in Hays County, and it sits right where San Marcos starts climbing into the Texas Hill Country. Rolling terrain, long views, wide greenbelts, and a growing list of builders have made it one of the most talked-about places to buy a new home between Austin and San Antonio.
We put this guide together because buyers ask us the same questions about this community again and again. Where exactly is it? Which builders are selling right now? What does the HOA cost, and what is the tax rate? Which schools serve the neighborhood? How long is the drive to Austin? The answers are all here in one place, along with a look at the amenities, the history of the land, and the things to do just outside the front gate.
Whether you are relocating to Central Texas, moving up from your first home, or simply curious about what La Cima, San Marcos Texas has to offer, this guide will give you a clear, honest picture of daily life in the community. And if you would like to see it in person, our team is always happy to walk the trails, tour the models, and talk through your options with you.
La Cima is located on the west side of San Marcos, at the intersection of West Center Point Road and RR 12. The La Cima, Amenity Center, which doubles as the community welcome center, is at 301 Central Park Loop, San Marcos, TX 78666. That location puts residents on the Hill Country side of town, a few minutes from Wonder World Drive and an easy drive to I-35.
The community is about 4 miles from Texas State University. Downtown San Marcos, the San Marcos River, and the restaurants and shops around the historic square are a short drive away. At the same time, the land itself feels removed from the busier parts of the city. Homes in La Cima, San Marcos look out over open space, cedar and oak, and the rolling hills that mark the start of the Hill Country.
That combination is a big part of the appeal. You get the scenery of the Hill Country without giving up quick access to grocery stores, medical care, and the I-35 corridor.
San Marcos sits almost exactly halfway between Austin and San Antonio, which makes La Cima, San Marcos a practical choice for households that work in one city and play in the other. Typical drive times from the community, without heavy traffic, look like this:
Downtown Austin: about 40 to 50 minutes
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: about 45 to 55 minutes
Downtown San Antonio: about 50 to 60 minutes
New Braunfels: about 20 to 25 minutes
Wimberley: about 20 minutes
Texas State University: about 10 minutes
Rush hour on I-35 can stretch those numbers, especially heading north toward Austin, so we always recommend that buyers test their actual commute at the time of day they will be driving it.
The amenities are where this community really separates itself from other new construction in the area. The developer set aside about 800 acres of open space and parkland, and the trail system already stretches more than 10 miles. Here is a closer look at what residents of La Cima San Marcos use every day.
The La Cima community center, officially called the La Cima Amenity Center, is the hub of the neighborhood. It includes a workout room, an activity room, a meeting room, and gathering spaces for neighborhood events. It is also the first stop for anyone touring the community. The welcome team inside can introduce you to the builders, hand you a map, and point you toward model homes.
The Amenity Center is open Monday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 301 Central Park Loop. If you are planning a weekend visit to La Cima San Marcos, starting here will save you a lot of driving around.
Central Park is the 45-acre green space at the center of the community. It gives residents room to run, throw a ball, picnic, or meet neighbors after work, and the open-air pavilion and observation deck make it a natural spot for community gatherings. Recreational fields round out the space.
The Kid's Adventure Park is one of the most popular spots in La Cima San Marcos. It has climbing structures, slides, and modern playground equipment designed to keep younger residents busy for hours. A splash pad adds a way to cool off on hot Texas afternoons.
Residents of La Cima San Marcos have access to three pools at the Amenity Center: a family pool, a kiddie pool for the littlest swimmers, and a quiet pool for adults who want to read a book and relax. Having three separate pools means the space rarely feels crowded, even on summer weekends, and it gives everyone a place to unwind that fits the kind of afternoon they want.
With more than 10 miles of hike and bike trails and about 800 acres of open space and parkland, the outdoors is woven into everyday life here. Many residents walk the trails every morning, and the dog-walking crowd is out in force in the evenings. Homes that back to greenbelt are especially sought after because they offer privacy and views without rear neighbors.
The trail system is also one of the reasons buyers often describe La Cima San Marcos as a Hill Country neighborhood rather than a suburban subdivision. The land rolls, the views open up as you climb, and the green space is kept largely natural.
One of the biggest advantages of buying in La Cima San Marcos is choice. Six builders are currently active in the community, and together they offer homes from the mid $300s to more than $800,000. That range covers everything from low-maintenance single-story cottages to large two-story homes on 60-foot lots with three-car garages.
The current builder lineup, according to the official community website, includes Ashton Woods, David Weekley Homes, Highland Homes, Newmark Homes, Perry Homes, and Pulte Homes. Pricing, incentives, and inventory change often, so treat the figures below as a snapshot from October 2026 and check with us for the latest numbers.
Perry Homes builds on 60-foot homesites in La Cima, with its sales center on Heartleaf Road. Their plans are some of the larger options in the community, with many in the 2,250 to 3,300 square foot range, and several offer three-car garages, home offices with French doors, game rooms, and soaring ceilings in the family room. Starting prices for Perry Homes La Cima plans have ranged from the low $500s into the $800s, depending on the plan and options.
Ashton Woods La Cima homes include The Cottages at La Cima, a collection of smaller, single-story homes that has drawn a lot of interest from first-time buyers and from homeowners looking to simplify. Many of these homes come in around 1,500 square feet with three bedrooms and two baths, and recent pricing has started in the $300s, which makes Ashton Woods one of the most accessible entry points in the community.
Highland Homes builds on 50-foot lots in La Cima. Highland is known for open floor plans with plenty of natural light, and buyers can choose between one- and two-story designs. Highland Homes La Cima buyers can also use the builder's interactive site plan to compare available homesites, which is helpful if you want a lot that backs to green space.
Pulte Homes is one of the newer builders in the community. Because the Pulte La Cima lineup is still growing, it is worth asking about current floor plans, upcoming phases, and release dates before you visit. We can pull the latest Pulte availability alongside the other builders so you can compare them side by side.
David Weekley Homes offers three- and four-bedroom plans in La Cima ranging from roughly 2,080 to 3,460 square feet, with starting prices in the mid $400s. David Weekley is known for its owner's retreat layouts and its warranty program, and the builder frequently runs incentives such as rate buydowns.
Newmark Homes builds in the La Cima 50' section, with three- and four-bedroom plans in the 1,800 to 2,200 square foot range. Recent move-in-ready homes from Newmark have been priced in the low to mid $400s, which makes them a solid middle option between the Ashton Woods cottages and the larger Perry Homes plans.
Because the community is still building out, the La Cima San Marcos real estate market is a mix of brand-new construction and resales from earlier phases. That gives buyers two very different ways in. New construction offers builder incentives and the chance to pick finishes, while resales often come with landscaping, window coverings, and fences already in place, and sometimes at a lower price per square foot.
Here is the big-picture view of the market:
Price range: mid $300s to $800s+ for new construction
Median price: recent local brokerage data puts the median around the mid $400s
Home types: single-family homes on lots ranging from compact cottage homesites to 60-foot lots
Sizes: roughly 1,500 to more than 3,400 square feet
Days on market: recent averages have run around two months, which reflects how much new inventory buyers can choose from
That level of inventory has created a market where buyers often have room to negotiate, particularly on builder spec homes. Builders in La Cima San Marcos regularly offer closing cost help, rate buydowns, or flex cash, and those incentives can change month to month. If you are selling a resale home in the community, pricing it with those incentives in mind is important, because your buyer is likely comparing your home to new construction down the street.
We track sales in La Cima San Marcos closely and are happy to pull current numbers for your specific price range or section of the neighborhood.
Not ready to buy? Pyland Ranch is an apartment community at 216 Flint Ridge Road that is associated with La Cima. It offers one- to three-bedroom apartments and is a way to experience the area before purchasing. Renting first can be a smart move if you are relocating from out of state and want time to learn San Marcos before choosing a builder or a section of the community.
La Cima, San Marcos Texas is served by San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District (SMCISD), which covers students from Pre-K through 12th grade. The schools listed by the community for La Cima are:
Hernandez Elementary School (K through 5th grade)
Doris Miller Middle School (6th through 8th grade)
San Marcos High School (9th through 12th grade)
Elementary assignments can vary by address within the community, and attendance zones can change as the district grows. We always recommend confirming the zoned school for a specific address directly with SMCISD before you buy.
Some families also look at Wimberley ISD. Wimberley ISD is not the zoned district for La Cima, so enrollment for students who live outside the district requires an application and depends on available space. Wimberley ISD campuses include Blue Hole Primary School, Jacob's Well Elementary School, Danforth Junior High School, and Wimberley High School.
Several private schools operate in and around San Marcos. San Marcos Academy, founded in 1907, offers K through 12 college-preparatory education on a Hill Country campus about a mile from La Cima. Other nearby options include Hill Country Christian School, Wonderland School, Katherine Anne Porter School, and Advent Ridge Academy.
Texas State University is about 4 miles from La Cima San Marcos. It is one of the largest universities in Texas and brings concerts, Bobcat athletics, lectures, and continuing education opportunities right to the neighborhood's doorstep. Austin Community College also operates a campus in nearby Kyle.
For school ratings and performance data, we suggest third-party resources such as the Texas Education Agency, GreatSchools, and Niche.
Living in La Cima San Marcos means some of the best outdoor recreation in Central Texas is only minutes away. Here are the spots our clients mention most.
The San Marcos River is spring-fed, clear, and cool year-round, which is why it draws tubers, kayakers, and swimmers from all over the state. Rio Vista Park and Sewell Park are favorite places to jump in, and the river walk trails connect several city parks along the water. On summer weekends, floating the river is practically a local tradition.
Spring Lake is the source of the San Marcos River, fed by hundreds of springs from the Edwards Aquifer. The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State offers glass-bottom boat tours and kayak tours on the lake, along with a wetlands boardwalk. It is one of the most unique outings in the area and a favorite with visiting friends and relatives.
Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park is just a few minutes from La Cima, San Marcos. It is home to an earthquake-formed cave that offers guided tours, plus an observation tower and wildlife park. Nearby, the Purgatory Creek Natural Area has miles of hiking and mountain biking trails through canyons and hills, giving residents even more room to explore beyond the community's own trail system.
Downtown San Marcos centers on the historic Hays County Courthouse square, with locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and boutiques. Residents of La Cima San Marcos can be downtown in minutes, and the city hosts markets, festivals, and live music throughout the year, so there is almost always something happening on the weekend.
San Marcos is home to one of the largest outlet shopping destinations in Texas, the San Marcos Premium Outlets, along with Tanger Outlets right next door. Everyday shopping, grocery stores, and big box retailers are spread along the I-35 corridor and Wonder World Drive.
From La Cima San Marcos, the rest of the Hill Country is easy to reach. Wimberley, with its art galleries, Blue Hole Regional Park, and Jacob's Well, is about 20 minutes away. New Braunfels offers the Comal River, Gruene Historic District, and Schlitterbahn. Canyon Lake, Fredericksburg, and the Hill Country wineries along Highway 290 make for great weekend getaways.
San Marcos has been one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas for more than a decade, and that growth shows up in the local job market. Texas State University is the largest employer in the city, followed by the school district, Hays County government, and the area's healthcare providers, including Christus Santa Rosa Hospital San Marcos.
The I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio is often called the Texas Innovation Corridor, and San Marcos sits in the middle of it. Distribution centers, advanced manufacturing, and retail operations have all expanded in the area, and the city's location makes it possible to hold a job in Austin, San Antonio, or anywhere in between while living in La Cima San Marcos.
For remote workers, the steady stream of new coffee shops and coworking options in San Marcos and nearby Kyle makes working away from home easy. Many of the newer floor plans in La Cima San Marcos also include dedicated home offices, which has become one of the most requested features from buyers.
The land that became La Cima was originally planned as a development called Lazy Oaks. The original agreement, approved by the City of San Marcos in 2013, called for about 1,400 acres and up to 1,750 homes on large lots.
In 2014, developer Chuck Perry returned to the city with an expanded plan that added roughly 635 acres and a new name: La Cima. The updated plan covered about 2,031 acres, called for up to 2,400 homes, and set aside more than 700 acres of parkland, along with space for commercial uses. The San Marcos City Council approved the new development agreement later that year after months of negotiation.
To fund roads, utilities, and other infrastructure, the project used a public improvement district, or PID. That is why homeowners in La Cima San Marcos pay an annual PID assessment in addition to city, county, and school district property taxes. The name itself is Spanish for "the summit" or "the top," a nod to the community's position on the rising edge of the Hill Country.
Buying new construction is a different process from buying a resale home, and a little preparation goes a long way. These are the tips we share with every client touring La Cima San Marcos.
Most builders require your agent to be present, or registered, at your very first visit to their model or sales office. If you walk in alone and sign the guest card, you may lose the ability to have your own representation on that home. Having an agent costs you nothing extra, because the builder pays the commission, and it gives you someone in your corner during negotiations, inspections, and the walkthrough.
Base prices only tell part of the story. One builder may offer a lower list price while another offers a rate buydown or several thousand dollars toward closing costs. Across the six builders in La Cima San Marcos, those incentives can change from month to month, so lining them up side by side is the clearest way to see which home is actually the better value.
Lot location matters as much as floor plan. Homesites that back to greenbelt, face open views, or sit on a quiet cul-de-sac often carry a premium, and they also tend to hold their value well at resale. Ask each builder about lot premiums, which direction the back of the home faces, and any slope or drainage considerations on the hillier parts of the property.
Even brand-new homes benefit from a third-party inspection. We recommend a pre-drywall inspection while the framing, plumbing, and electrical are still visible, followed by a final inspection before closing. A good inspector will catch items the builder can correct before you move in.
La Cima San Marcos is still building out, so ask what is planned behind or beside the homesite you are considering. Knowing whether a future section, park, or road is coming helps you choose a lot with confidence.
HOA dues in La Cima have been reported at about $600 per year, though amounts can vary by section and change over time. Contact the La Cima HOA or ask us for the current figure for a specific home.
The combined property tax rate, including city, county, school district, and PID assessments, generally falls between about 1.9% and 2.4% of assessed value per year. Builders have quoted an estimated rate near 2%. Check the Hays County Appraisal District for the current rate on a specific property.
La Cima uses a public improvement district (PID) to fund infrastructure. Homeowners pay an annual PID assessment, which is included in the combined tax estimates above.
La Cima is zoned to San Marcos CISD. Students are typically served by Hernandez Elementary, Doris Miller Middle School, and San Marcos High School, though elementary assignments can vary by address. Wimberley ISD accepts transfer applications based on availability.
Current builders include Ashton Woods, David Weekley Homes, Highland Homes, Newmark Homes, Perry Homes, and Pulte Homes.
New homes in La Cima San Marcos range from the mid $300s to more than $800,000, depending on the builder, lot size, and floor plan.
The Amenity Center is at 301 Central Park Loop, San Marcos, TX 78666, and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The community is located at West Center Point Road and RR 12.
La Cima does not have a lake. The community's outdoor amenities center on Central Park, the trail system, the pools, and about 800 acres of open space. Spring Lake, the source of the San Marcos River, is a short drive away.
Downtown Austin is about 40 to 50 minutes away, and downtown San Antonio is about 50 to 60 minutes away, depending on traffic.
With six builders, more than 10 miles of trails, three pools, and a location that keeps both Austin and San Antonio within reach, La Cima San Marcos gives buyers a lot of options under one community name. The right home comes down to which builder, floor plan, and homesite fit the way you live.
That is where we come in. The Renfeld Group can tour the community with you, compare builder incentives side by side, represent you on new construction at no extra cost to you, and help you weigh new construction against resale. Reach out anytime to schedule a visit to La Cima San Marcos Texas. We would love to show you around.
ADDRESS 453 W San Antonio St New Braunfels TX 78130
ADDRESS 453 W San Antonio St New Braunfels TX 78130
