Lake Travis Area Neighborhood Guide: Alta Vista

Alta Vista is a luxury gated community in the Lake Travis area with sweeping views of the canyons and vistas along the Colorado River. It’s easy to admire the vast beauty of the Texas Hill Country which remains untouched because Alta Vista backs up to the Balcones Canyonland Preserve, a protected portion of land where wildlife thrives.

While other neighborhoods in the Lakeway area like Falconhead and The Hills allow you to enjoy life on the west side of Ranch Road 620, life on the east side is truly breathtaking. The panoramic views extend as far as the eye can see, making Alta Vista a desirable place to call home.

As you enter Alta Vista, you’ll be met by lush vegetation, colorful flowers and spectacular fountains with huge decorative pillars. (Yes, Lake Travis has its own personal Stonehedge.) As you wind down Aria Drive and escape the hustle and bustle of 620, you’ll really start to appreciate the serenity of the hillside. In fact, it’s hard to believe 620 is mere steps away!

History

Back in the mid 1960’s, the remote sprawling ranchland and majestic views made horseback riding a popular pastime in Lakeway.

Schramm Ranch which sits next to what is now Alta Vista (also known as the Ridge at Alta Vista) used to be much more expansive and in 1978, it became the site of the Lakeway Rodeo Arena — what is now the Randalls parking lot. The venue entertained the small Lakeway community for eight years with professional rodeos, concerts, dances and gatherings.

Alta Vista was developed as a Toll Brothers community that began construction in the mid 2000’s.

By 2007, the neighborhood was growing quickly and the housing market was booming in the Lake Travis area. But a few years later when Alta Vista was about 80% completed, Toll Brothers sold the last lots to Gehan Homes who finished building out the neighborhood.

Housing

The Alta Vista community consists of nearly 300 homes that are split into three categories — reserve, estate and condominium.

There are about 200 “reserve” homes in Alta Vista that feature floor plans of 2,600+ square feet. There are 111 “estate” homes closer to the back of the neighborhood that are larger (around 5000 square feet) and many are literally built into the hillside, so they boast three stories and unique yards. Estates also have 3-4 car garages, greenbelt views, outdoor kitchens, media rooms and more. The Enclave at Alta Vista features 90 roomy condominiums.

Families and residents interested in the Alta Vista community have several choices of home styles — from Craftsman styled to Hill Country-inspired.

While there are similar floorplans throughout the community, each home looks different.  You’ll find a variety of exterior design elements from rock to brick to stucco and wood. Plus, each home has its own unique elevation.

Neighborhood amenities within the Alta Vista gates include a junior-Olympic pool with a splash area for youngsters, tennis courts, a basketball court, an indoor gym, a playscape, and a clubhouse.

The home size, features and location determine the wide range of prices throughout the neighborhood that begin in the $500’s and top out at a million or more.

Restaurants & Shopping

Alta Vista is extremely convenient to shopping and dining. One of LT’s favorite hamburger joints, P.Terry’s is located less than a mile away from the Alta Vista entrance where there’s a Lake Travis Country Market too.

Nearby restaurants include The Grove, Little Greek, Flores, Mangieri’s, Thai Spice and all of the new dining spots in the Oaks at Lakeway like MAD Greens, MOD Pizza, Subway, Torchy’s Tacos, McArthur’s, Creamistry and more. Plus, the brand new H-E-B and Randalls are just a few miles further down 620.

Locally-owned shops include FIND, Sweetpeas, Point of Origin, Adorn Home & Body, Maria & Kyndal’s, Furnished by Farrah and Sage Threads. Plus, the Hill Country Galleria which is currently going through multi-million dollar renovations is only a few minutes away — now it has a brand new H&M store and comfy recliners in all Cinemark theaters!

No matter which way you exit the Alta Vista neighborhood, there are plenty of options for shopping, dining and entertainment.

Family & Fitness

One of the things residents love about living in this area of Lake Travis is how accommodating it is for young families.

If your youngster is on the move, you’ll love the playscapes at local dining spots like Craig O’s, Magieri’s and Flores. Plus, places like Rolly Pollies, Paiyh Dance Studios, MyTime Kids Gym, TexARTS and Avila Soccer are great spots for indoor gymnastics, dancing, music, soccer and other activities designed especially for children.

The City of Bee Cave Central Park and the new Hill Country Indoor Sports & Recreation, which is currently under construction, are only a few miles away.

Obviously, making sure your family is healthy matters too, which is why Alta Vista residents love their close proximity to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Lakeway (formerly Lakeway Regional Medical Center).

In addition to the hospital and medical specialists in the area, there are many assisted living facilities within a few miles of Alta Vista.

Fitness aficionados appreciate convenient spots like Pure Barre, Barre3, Snap Fitness, Lakeway Elite Fitness, CrossFit, Koko FitClub, Orangetheory Fitness, RIDE Indoor Cycling, The Lagree Studio and Gold’s Gym. Water sports like skiing, boating, swimming, and sailing on the lake are always a must, and there are numerous places to enjoy it. Lakeway has public and private marinas nearby.

Schools

Alta Vista is in the award-winning Lake Travis Independent School District. Students attend Lakeway Elementary (K-5), Hudson Bend Middle School (6-8) and Lake Travis High School (9-12).

Convenient private schools including Abercorn International School (nursery-6), Goddard School (infant-K), Little Sunshine’s Playhouse and Preschool (PreK) are only minutes away.

Main Boundaries

The slice of Texas Hill Country heaven known as Alta Vista and The Ridge at Alta Vista starts at the interaction of FM 620 and Aria Drive, right across the street from Lake Travis High School.

Looking at a map, Alta Vista is located between the Enclave at Alta Vista Ridge and Schramm Ranch. The neighborhood stretches back towards the canyon and backs up to untouched terrain near the river. In fact, if you went to the furthest point of Alta Vista and could magically cross that terrain, as well as the Colorado River, you would end up in the very back of Steiner Ranch near the Lake Austin Spa and Resort.

Can you live here?

Despite traffic woes on 620 during rush hour, the benefits of living in Alta Vista are certainly appealing since it’s incredibly convenient to everything and anything you could possibly need — shopping, dining, entertainment, arts, medical services and schools.

The homes share a similar aesthetic, but each still stays true to the personality of its owners. The neighborhood is small, so it has maintained its exclusivity and the protected canyons will ensure the longevity of its gorgeous views.

Just keep in mind that living within the gated subdivisions in Alta Vista means you will have HOA fees to consider. However; for most residents, the pristine beauty of the community is worth the price.