Escondido

Escondido was founded in 1888 during the period when agriculture was its major business and the community had a population of less than 800. Today, Escondido has become North San Diego County’s largest city featuring a diversity of business activity with an extensive retail and manufacturing base. Escondido, which means "Hidden Valley" is located in north San Diego County, about 25 minutes from the coast and 45 minutes from downtown San Diego.

Escondido is home to the world famous San Diego Wild Animal Park, which is an 1,800 acre wild animal preserve featuring a safari monorail, hiking trails and gifts shops. Other outdoor recreation includes more than 20 golf courses in the immediate area, many beautiful parks, and 3 lakes for picnicing, boating and fishing.

Additionally, North County Fair, the largest shopping mall in North San Diego County is in Escondido and features more than 160 specialty shops, 15 restaurants and 5 major department stores. Other attractions include the Iceoplex Ice Center with two Olympic sized ice skating rinks and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, featuring a 1,500 seat concert hall, a 400 seat community theater, plus a 9,000 square foot conference complex.

Escondido is a wonderful community that offers homeownership in suburban neighborhoods or in country/rural settings. You will appreciate the many benefits of city living, while still enjoying the area’s rural atmosphere in a valley that is surrounded by beautiful hillsides and open countryside.