Neighborhood Spotlight: Escondido
Escondido is a vibrant and diverse community with just the right mix of small town friendliness and big-city buzz.
More and more people are making Escondido their "City of Choice.” It's the heart of San Diego North and one of the few remaining communities where people of all income levels can enjoy the beautiful Southern California lifestyle.
About Escondido
"Escondido" is a Spanish word meaning "hidden”. Some say the name came about being referred to as agua escondido “hidden water”. Also interpreted by some as “hidden treasure”.
The area was first settled by the Luiseño (Native Americans) who established camps and villages along the creekside. The land was later controlled by Spain in the 18th and early 19th century and was later incorporated by voters and turned into a full-service city.
Today Escondido remains focused on economic development, financial stability, public safety and neighborhood improvement. Its strength is driven by a diverse economy and innovative spirit committed to maintaining a safe, beautiful and prosperous city.
The city is rich in entrepreneurial spirit. Escondido’s economy is one of the most diverse in North San Diego County. Industries such as healthcare, specialty food and beverage manufacturing, agriculture, professional services and precision manufacturing all call Escondido home.
Retail sales are among the highest in San Diego County due to the presence of the Escondido Auto Park and Westfield North County.
In recent years Escondido was named by Money Magazine as the Best Place in the West in which to retire and, at the other end of the spectrum, was named a Kid-Friendly City for our broad range of youth programs. Ladies Home Journal also ranked Escondido number eight among the Top Ten Cities for its well-run Government.
As of 2017 the population of Escondido sits around 149,000
ESCONDIDO Real Estate Market
Escondido offers a wide variety of housing choices, from modern urban condos to historic bungalows and large lot estates, it attracts residents looking for a great quality of life at some of the most affordable prices in San Diego County.
The median home value in Escondido as of 2017 is $437,800 (which is 10% lower than the rest of California) as per zillow.com
AMENITIES IN ESCONDIDO
Escondido may mean “hidden” but it’s no secret there’s a lot going on here. This full-service city offers everything you could want and need with two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, comprehensive healthcare and the nearby San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
The California Center for the Arts brings world class entertainment to the area along with Queen Califia's Magical Circle, a sculpture garden in Kit Carson Park donated by late internationally renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle.
Educational options continue to expand and Escondido is home to award-winning charter schools, innovative public schools and institutes of higher education, such as John Paul the Great Catholic University and Palomar College.
The Escondido Public Library aims to enrich, empower, and educate its community members by offering free resources and programs for all ages. Escondido Community Services also provides healthy, innovative and educational opportunities for all ages at multiple locations throughout the city.
Nearby Areas Include
-
Carmel Mountain
-
Sabre Springs
-
North City
-
Rancho Penasquitos
-
Rancho Santa Fe
Transportation
Public Transportation & Highways include Springer Light Rail Line, Breeze Bus Service and convenient access to Highway 78 and I-15
The city offers 511 which is a free phone and web service that consolidates the San Diego region’s transportation information into a one-stop resource. It offers up-to-the-minute info on traffic conditions, incidents and driving times, schedule, route and fare info for public transportation services.
511 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can access the service by dialing 511 from any phone or on the Web at 511sd.com.
BREEZE buses carry passengers in the north San Diego County area and stop wherever you see the blue and white NCTD bus stop signs. Stops are usually located every few blocks on city routes but may be several miles apart in rural areas.
All Breeze buses can accommodate up to two bicycles and up to three wheelchairs and almost half the fleet have "kneeling" buses. Many Breeze bus routes connect with the Coaster and Sprinter trains.
The Sprinter runs 22 miles along Highway 78 corridor, making short trips to 15 stations, for a total traveling time of 53 minutes from end to end. Each European-style light rail vehicle has a maximum capacity of 226 passengers and travels at a maximum speed of 55 mph.
The Sprinter offers easy connections to the Coaster, Breeze, Amtrak, Metrolink, Greyhound, and a future Bus Rapid Transit project in Escondido.
Taxi services are also available via yellowpages.com
Top Things To See & Do Nearby
Boundless outdoor activities, parks, lakes and recreation programs offer something for everyone around Escondido.
A few of the “must do” things to do in Escondido includes:
- California Center for the Arts Escondido
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park
- Wineries and Craft Breweries
- Westfield North County
- Historic Grand Avenue
- Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens
- Queen Califia’s Magical Circle
Overall Impression
With great year-round weather, easy access to transportation corridors and dozens of cultural and recreational amenities, Escondido is the perfect place to call home.
Still browsing? Check out our listings on our website! We use the latest and greatest technology to offer our clients video tours for certain properties. You can also check out what other properties are available in different San Diego communities to help with your real estate search via our multiple listing service. Just contact us and we can help you find your future home!