Escondido is known for its avocado and citrus groves situated on rolling hills in an urban environment, which is located about 18 miles inland and 30 miles north of San Diego. The City of Escondido is a community of more than 143,911 people, with the cities economic base made up largely of successful small businesses, which many of are family owned. The city holds the lowest median cost of homes in North County area; the city has a wide range rental market as well.
Parks, Lakes, Trails, and Open Space makes this a great community for a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Some of these include camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, and boating. Lake Dixon, Lake Wohlford, Daley Ranch, and nine urban parks, which are the facilities the City maintains.
Escondido has some great events that go on as well, Cruising’ Grand: A Classic Car and Hot Rod Jam, which goes on every Friday night April through September from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. The Escondido Street Faire, Grape Day Festival and Parade, 2nd Saturday – Art Walk held monthly through Escondido’s arts district. Farmers’ Market held on Tuesdays, 2:30 – 6:00 p.m. (October – April), and 3:30 – 7:00 p.m. (May – September) on Grand Avenue, local small farmers and California growers sell fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits, flowers, nuts, and honey.
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Escondido
The mission of the City of Escondido is to provide quality services that enhance the safety, economic diversity, environment, and health of the community, where our customers and employees can thrive in an atmosphere of courtesy, integrity, and respect.
- We demonstrate our pride and commitment to our work by being enthusiastic and professional.
- We provide responsive, quality service while maintaining fiscal responsibility through an open, participative process.
- We provide all services in an ethical, honest, and equitable manner.
- We use available resources effectively and efficiently to strengthen the community’s economic and social environment.
- We recognize and embrace the rich diversity of the community and workplace by creating an environment that respects the human dignity of all without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or physical attributes.
Location
Settled in a long valley in the coastal mountains of Southern California, Escondido provides a thriving urban environment in the midst of gentle rolling hills and avocado and citrus groves. Escondido lies about 18 miles inland, 100 miles south of Los Angeles, and 30 miles northeast of San Diego.
Inland North San Diego County, of which Escondido is at the core, is emerging as a regional economic leader in the forefront of job development and new industries.
The City of Escondido is a vibrant and diverse community of more than 133,559 people. The City’s economic base is made up largely of successful small businesses, many of which are family-owned.
The centerpiece of the City’s redevelopment efforts is the California Center for the Arts, Escondido which attracts more than 270,000 visitors from San Diego and surrounding regions each year and provides a significant boost to an already healthy economy. The Center is conveniently located in a charming downtown area, adjacent to historic Grape Day Park.
Escondido is a wonderful place to visit, live, work, play, or do business, and provides a business-friendly environment.
Housing
Settled in a long valley in the coastal mountains of Southern California, Escondido provides a thriving urban environment in the midst of gentle rolling hills, and avocado and citrus groves. Escondido lies about 18 miles inland, 100 miles south of Los Angeles, and 30 miles northeast of San Diego.
The city of Escondido boasts a 52% owner occupation rate of its single-family homes. The city also boasts the lowest median cost of homes in the North
County area, including the county as a whole. Additionally, the city has a wide- ranging rental market.
History
The location of Escondido was first identified and discovered by Juan Bautista de Anza, a Spanish explorer, in 1776. Later, the area became part of the Rancho Rincon del Diablo (the devil’s corner) land grant bestowed to Juan Bautista Alvarado in 1843 by Mexican Governor Manuel Micheltoren. In 1886, the Escondido Land and Town Company acquired the land grant, laid out the town site, and divided the valley into small farms suitable for grapes or citrus.
On October 8, 1888, the city was incorporated and its voters elected a council, clerk, treasurer, and marshal.
Today, Escondido is a full-service, general-law city with five council members elected at large. Escondido operates under the Council-Manager form of government. This is the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The Mayor presides at the City Council and Community Development Commission Board meetings.
Parks, Lakes, Trails and Open Space
The City of Escondido offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportu- nities. These include camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, and boating, just to name a few. The City maintains a number of different facilities, including Dixon Lake, Lake Wohlford, Daley Ranch, and nine urban park facilities. Each facility provides users with a multitude of unique resources.
Dixon Lake 1700 North La Honda Drive / Escondido, CA 92027 / (760) 839-4680
Lake Wohlford 25453 Lake Wohlford Road / Escondido, CA 92025 / (760) 839-4346
Daley Ranch 3024 La Honda Drive / Escondido, CA 92027 / (760) 839-4680
Community Events
Cruisin’ Grand: A Classic Car and Hot Rod Jam Every Friday night in April through September from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. American-made, pre-1974 antique, classic, and custom cars and hot rods cruise Grand Avenue between Centre City Parkway and Juniper Street. Enjoy 1950’s & 60’s music with DJ. Restaurants, antique stores, and specialty shops remain open until 9:00 p.m. No pre-registration or entry fees. Call 760-745-8877.
Escondido Street Faire
Held the third Sunday in May and October on Grand Avenue between Centre
City Parkway & Ivy from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Arts and crafts vendors, a fine art exhibit, bands, international food fair, and children’s rides. This is the second-largest one-day faire in the state. For more information, call 760-945- 9288.
Grape Day Festival and Parade
This community festival celebrating Escondido’s grape-growing history is held in September from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Food, crafts, entertainment, grape stomping and a parade starting at 10:00 a.m. on Grand Avenue. Free admission. For more information call 760-743-8207.
2nd Saturday – ArtWalk
A free, monthly, self-guided “culture crawl” through Escondido’s arts district, including historic walking tours, working artists, writers’ workshops, and gallery openings. Second Saturday of each month from noon to 7:00 p.m. For more information, call 760-480-4101.
Certified Farmers’ Market
Tuesdays, 2:30 to 6 p.m. (Oct-April), 3:30 to 7 p.m. (May-Sept) This open-air marketplace is located in the heart of Escondido on Grand Avenue from Broadway to Kalmia. Local small farmers and California growers sell the freshest seasonal fruits and vegetables, flowers, nuts, and honey. For more information, call 760-745-8877.
Downtown Escondido
Historic Downtown Escondido, established in 1886, is the Cultural Heart of San Diego North County. Enjoy numerous art galleries and studios, live theaters, the world-renowned Mingei International Museum, a Children’s Museum, The Escondido History Center and California Center for the Arts. Restaurants, bistros, and unique boutiques line the charming downtown. In addition there are many professional services, such as dental, medical, automotive repair and financial, for your convenience while you visit downtown.
California Center for the Arts
340 N. Escondido Blvd. / Escondido CA, 92025 Tel: 760-839-4138 / www.artcenter.org
The center is an architectural masterpiece set in a beautifully landscaped 12- acre campus. It includes a 1,500-seat concert hall showcasing world-class performers, a 408-seat theater, a critically acclaimed museum and a full-service conference/banquet center catering to civic groups, trade shows, private receptions, weddings and corporate meetings. For current show information call 760-839-4138 or toll free 800-988-4253.
The mission of the Center Museum is to deepen the public’s understanding of the importance, depth, and breadth of the visual arts in the 21st Century through the art of this region, coupled with internationally and nationally known artists and traveling exhibitions.
The Center Museum is widely recognized as one of San Diego County’s premier
visual arts venues. Since opening to the public in 1994, the Center Museum has endeavored to amplify the public’s interaction and understanding of 21st Century visual arts and their depth and importance within our community.
Utilities
Cox Communications
760-599-6060 / www.cox.com
San Diego Gas & Electric
1-800-411-7343 / www.sdge.com
Phone
AT&T 1-800-750-2355 (business) / 1-800-288-2020 (residential)
Sprint 1-800-777-4681 (business) / 1-800-777-4681 (residential)
MCI 1-800-436-4444 (business) / 1-888-624-5622 (residential)
Water/Sewer
Turn on/off service: City of Escondido (760) 839-4682
Water Districts
Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District (760) 745-5522 / www.rinconwater.org
Vista Irrigation District (760) 597-3100 / www.vid-h2o.org
Vallecitos Water District (760) 744-0460 / www.vwd.org
Valley Center Municipal Water District (760) 749-1600 / www.vcmwd.org
Trash
Escondido Disposal Inc. (760) 745-3203 / www.escondidodisposal.com
U.S. Postal Service
Main Office: 1157 West Mission Avenue
Branch Offices: 403 North Escondido Boulevard / 1770 East Valley Parkway 1-800-275-8777
Newspaper Subscriptions
North County Times (760) 745-5456 / www.nctimes.com
San Diego Union Tribune 1-800-533-8830 / www.signonsandiego.com
Bus System North County Transit District 1-800-COMMUTE (266-6883) / www.gonctd.com
Education
Escondido Union School District
2310 Aldergrove Avenue / Escondido, CA 92029 (760) 432-2400 / www.escusd.k12.ca.us
Escondido Union High School District
302 North Midway Drive / Escondido, California 92027 (760) 291-3200 / www.euhsd.k12.ca.us
San Pasqual Union School District
15305 Rockwood Road Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 745-4931 / sanpasqual.schoolwires.com
Elementary Schools
Bernardo 1122 Mtn. Heights Drive / Escondido, CA 92029 (760) 432-2700
Central 122 W. Fourth Ave. / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 432-2431
Conway 1325 Conway Dr. / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 432-2435
Farr 933 Farr Ave. / Escondido, CA 92026 (760) 735-3049
Felicita 737 W. 13th Ave. / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 432-2444
Glen View 2201 E. Mission Ave. / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 432-2448
Juniper 1809 S. Juniper St. / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 432-2462
Lincoln 1029 N. Broadway / Escondido, CA 92026 (760) 432-2466
L.R. Green 3115 Las Palmas Ave. / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 432-2260
Miller 1975 Miller Ave. / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 432-2470
Nicolaysen Community Day 420 N. Falconer Rd. / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 432-2474
- Broadway 2301 N. Broadway / Escondido, CA 92026 (760) 432-2479
Oak Hill 1820 Oak Hill Dr. / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 432-2483
Orange Glen 2861 E. Valley Parkway / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 432-2487
Pioneer 980 N. Ash St. / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 432-2412
Reidy Creek 2869 N. Broadway / Escondido, CA 92026 (760) 739-5800
Rock Springs 1155 Deodar Rd. / Escondido, CA 92026 (760) 432-2283
Rose 906 N. Rose St. / Escondido, CA 92026 (760) 432-2495
Middle Schools
Bear Valley 3003 Bear Valley Pkwy. / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 432-4060
Del Dios 1400 W. 9th Ave. / Escondido, CA 92029 (760) 432-2439
Mission 939 E. Mission Ave. / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 432-2452
Hidden Valley 2700 Reed Rd. / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 432-2457
Rincon 925 Lehner Ave. / Escondido, CA 92026 (760) 432-2491
High Schools
Escondido 1535 North Broadway / Escondido, CA 92026 (760) 291-4000
Orange Glen 2200 Glenridge Road / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 291-5000
San Pasqual 3300 Bear Valley Parkway / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 291-6000
Valley 410 North Hidden Trails Road / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 291-2240
Escondido Adult School / R.O.P. 3750 Mary Lane / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 739-7300
Charter Schools
The Classical Academy 2950 South Bear Valley Parkway / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 546-0101 / Fax: (760) 739-8289 www.ClassicalAcademy.com
Heritage K-8 Charter School & Heritage Digital Academy 1855 East Valley Parkway / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 737-3111 / Fax: (760) 738-8996 www.heritagek8.org / www.heritagedigitalacademy.org
Escondido Charter High School 1868 East Valley Parkway / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 737-3154 / Fax: (760) 738-8996 www.echs.org
Private Schools Preschool
Felicita Montessori School 2017 Felicita Road / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 432-9990 / www.felicitamontessorischool.com
Elementary Schools
Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church School 1140 North Midway / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 747-4276
Calvin Christian Elementary School 1868 North Broadway / Escondido, CA 92026 (760) 489-1159
Escondido Adventist Academy 1301 Deodar Road / Escondido, CA 92026 (760) 746-1800 / eaaschool.netadventist.org
Escondido Apostolic Christian Academy 1717 East Lincoln Avenue / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 738-1737
Escondido Christian School 923 Idaho Avenue / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 745-2071 / www.ecslions.org
Grace Lutheran School 643 West 13th Avenue / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 747-3029
Light and Life Christian School 120 North Ash / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 745-2832
St. Mary’s Catholic School 130 East 13th Street / Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 743-3431
High Schools
Calvin Christian High School 2000 North Broadway / Escondido, CA 92026 (760) 489-6430
Escondido Adventist Academy 1301 Deodar Road / Escondido, CA 92026 (760) 746-1800 / eaaschool.netadventist.org
Escondido Apostolic Christian Academy 1717 East Lincoln Avenue / Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 738-1737