San Elijo Park has a recreation center that you can rent out that holds 80 people max and tables…read moreand chairs are provided. There's also a kitchen, private bathrooms and the yard is included in your rental. The place is huge!! It has a dance floor and plenty of lighting. We used it to throw our son's 1st birthday party. The tables were a little used but put a table cloth cover, it's all good! Chairs were fine. Kitchen had a fridge and microwave and even dish washing soap. The supply room had paper towels for the bathrooms and supplies. Weekend rental is an extra $$ compared to weekdays. They do give you an extra hour for clean up. We rented from 11-3 (4pm with free extra hour for clean up) and the cost was around $450ish. Pretty good for indoor space! One thing is the front door is not open and looks closed. Many of our caterers could not find this place. No clear signage to go to the parking lot for entrance.

Beautiful park with a large gazebo area that has 5 tables. There's plenty of space for an…read moreextra-large bouncy house and lots of parking. We had an awesome birthday party for our 7-year-old here!

Went on a morning hike with friends. There's a small parking lot, and the trail we took along the…read morelake was flat and easy. The scenery was nice, and we came across both hikers and bikers along the way.

Dirt trails along the water or with a water view. The upper trail is pretty well maintained. The…read morelower trails having vegetation and narrow passage. Free parking lot. Gets crowded with locals. People fishing and although dogs are supposed to be leashed many are running ahead of owners with leashes. There was someone operating a noisy drone which ruined the peaceful atmosphere. Lots of people walking and a few fishing.

We arrived around 8 AM on a Sunday, and the main lot was already full, but there's an overflow lot…read moreabout 400 feet away where we were able to grab the last spot. The trail itself was pretty quiet. We passed a few people here and there. It's very well maintained, though there aren't any signs or clear directions at certain points, so I'd recommend using AllTrails to stay on track. Also worth noting, there are no trash cans along the route, so plan accordingly. The trail is technically listed as not dog-friendly, but we did see a couple of dogs along the way. We did the 4.5-mile overlook loop. There were a few sections that were a bit steep, but overall it's a fairly easy hike with mostly flat terrain. There's a lot of greenery throughout, and the creek adds a really nice touch. It's a really scenic and peaceful setting. It took us about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. We went on a cloudy day, which ended up being perfect for the hike. Overall, it's a beautiful, well-kept trail and definitely worth checking out.

I love hiking in this area! The Creek is really beautiful after it rains, you can hear it running…read moreover the rocks fast it sounds amazing. The hike up to the Lake is difficult if you're not in the good shape. Make sure to bring water and an energy snack helps too. The hike is well worth it

Beautiful park! Lots of greenery and the playground itself is almost fully shaded with over heard…read morematerial! Had my daughter's birthday there last week and I am so glad I chose this park! The picnic table area is directly right next to the playground, which is so ideal! The bathrooms & parking are a bit far of a walk from the playground and unfortunately no swings, but absolutely love this park!! (Also if planning a bigger event like an invite list birthday party I highly recommend calling vista parks and recreation to make a proper reservation for the covered picnic table area!The ranger comes out very early in the morning and mark it off as officially reserved signs! Brought me great peace of mind!)

Located within walking distance of downtown vista (yes, please, there is a lovely trail from…read moredowntown to the park. About .7 mile), this park features an amphitheater, tennis (2), softball (2), basketball (3), volleyball (2) courts, an indoor gymnasium, plenty of parking, kid's playgrounds, small water stream, bridges and an amazing disc golf course (19 holes). Covered (or not!) picnic tables and trashes are available. Plenty of parking, plenty of shade along walkways, place is clean. There is a botanical park at the top of the hill.

I visited Double Peak Park in San Marcos recently, and it turned out to be a much more lively and…read morememorable place than I expected. Even though it is an outdoor park, it has this energetic atmosphere that teenagers would enjoy a lot. I saw a surprising number of teenagers around the lookout areas, the trails, and the picnic spots, which made the whole place feel youthful and social in a way that reminded me of the playful energy I felt at Funko Hollywood. The wide open views at the top almost felt unreal when I first saw them, and I could easily understand why so many teens were taking pictures there. The scenery practically invites you to take photos without needing anything extra. As I walked around, I realized there was more to the park than I expected. Some parts of the trail felt a little worn down, and a few areas could have been more polished, which is part of why I would give it four stars instead of five. Still, I appreciated how easy it was to explore the park without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Even with groups of teenagers laughing and taking pictures, the atmosphere stayed calm and relaxing. I only visited Double Peak Park one time before writing this review, but it left a strong impression on me because of how open, peaceful, and lively it felt all at once. It is one of the more refreshing outdoor places I have been to in a while, and I never doubted that the experience would turn out the way I hoped it would. I would highly recommend that teenagers go there because they would love the photo opportunities, the sense of freedom on the trails, and the creative feeling that comes from being somewhere with such a wide and inspiring view. It gives them a place to hang out, take pictures, and enjoy themselves without spending any money.

What a view! I came up for the Starwalk event hosted by the city of San Marcos through the Double…read morePeak Astronomy program. There was plenty of parking but we got there early just in case. We walked up to the check-in desk, provided our info, and were given instructions, star maps, and red lenses for our phones. We then walked to Mahnita Boyden-Wofford Amphitheater (a large cement amphitheater) and found seats facing the volunteer ranger presenting the night's info. Unfortunately, it was a bit too foggy to see much. The volunteer ranger (John Walsh) answered questions and explained differences between various stars, meteors, satellites and sky debris. Occasionally, the sky would open up for us to see a few stars. We did get to see the summer triangle and a satellite though. It was a good learning experience and I hope to do more in the future on a clear night. Tip: apparently it's tarrantula season so watch your step.

I checked out the San Marcos location as I have a 2 week pass with Vertical Hold and want to…read moreexperience all 3 of their climbing gyms. On a Sunday afternoon, this place was pretty empty which is my favorite. A lot of teenagers in here doing top rope mainly, which made for even less people bouldering. The bouldering here doesn't share space with climbers so that I liked a lot. The back area all dedicated for bouldering. Some very good climbs here and they have the same concept of climb over walls and one slab wall. I enjoyed all of it. This is a bare bones facility and the locker room pretty tiny but it has everything you need. There is a weight/exercise area right next to the bouldering walls, no treadmills here. Staff very nice and lots of parking available. It seemed they had the air con on but it was still so hot in the gym. I turned on a big fan they had, that helped a lot! I'd definitely come back to this gym again. I like the not having to share bouldering with others because I can really focus and practice as much as I like.

Our experience at Vertical Hold Rock Climbing Gym was absolutely incredible. It was my son's and my…read morefirst time climbing, and it could not have gone better. Mr Gabriel was the absolute best. He took his time with us, made sure we felt safe and secure, and explained everything clearly without rushing. His belaying class helped build trust and confidence, especially for my son, and you could see how much his confidence grew throughout the session. The entire experience felt supportive, patient, and well guided. This was a special moment for us, and I am really looking forward to coming back again with my son.

This is our favorite local park to go to with my little doggy Chloe and also go with my grandson's…read morepark is always clean and has a cute little splash pad just recently discovered that they have areas that you can rent and I'm excited to host my youngest son's college graduation there the prices were definitely affordable, which I appreciate.

On the way down to San Diego. We needed a place to let the dogs run around and stretch their legs…read more Found this place on Yelp. It's not to far from the freeway. It has both a large and small area for the dogs. Both are fenced in. Both have water and poopie bags available. For being in a neighborhood,it was pretty clean. It has a clay surface,like a baseball field. Which is what I prefer,no smell,and easier to keep clean. We lucked out,there was another beagle there today. To bad we really couldn't stay longer to play. But next time we know to plan ahead to stop at this place

Most everything. Super clean. Lifeguards should try to keep kids out of lap lanes is my only…read moresuggestion.

This is a great pool. They've got a massive parking lot. The staff are high school kids, so don't…read moreexpect much. The pool is perfect for younger kids, which I have. It's got a huge sloped entry for little ones to safely play if they aren't quite swimming just yet. There are swimming lanes and a big area for kids who are swimming to jump in, splash around, and play. The splash pad is awesome. It's got a lot of different features making it very entertaining. The pool and deck are really clean and seating is limited with not a ton of shade.

Great spot for a hike! There are plenty of trails to choose from, offering views of the lake, the…read morevolcanic plug, and Carlsbad. The hikes range from easy to moderate depending on the trail you take. Some sections are a bit overgrown while others are well maintained, but overall it's a beautiful place to explore.

Amazing place to go for a hike. There are easy trails as well as some difficult ones. So there is…read moresomething for everyone. Also, where else can you hike to the top of a volcano?!? Great views throughout the trail and a must try hike when in the area.

We love Callan Swim School! My daughter started lessons right when she turned three and didn't even…read morelike getting her face wet. Just six months later, she's swimming unassisted across the pool. It's been truly remarkable to watch her progress, and her instructor, Miss Isabella, has made every lesson fun, encouraging, and safe from day one. The lessons are short, which seems typical for this age group, but if you stay consistent, the progress happens quickly. The staff is also very open to feedback and always responsive whenever we've had questions or concerns about a lesson. Going into this summer, I feel confident she'll be able to swim independently, and I'm so grateful she's developed a genuine love for the water.

I am writing this review on behalf of the staff at this location. The teachers are so wonderful and…read morecaring. The office staff is always accommodating and friendly. Unfortunately, we have noticed that staff members, including one of our favorite instructors have left and are planning on leaving their employment at this location. I have learned that this is not because of the job itself, but because of the conduct and behavior of the owner whom I shall refer to as "B" "B" does not seem to value his staff in the way we, the customers, do. It is my understanding that he is often rude, dismissive, abrupt, and insensitive to staff. I have also learned that there is hardly a staff member at the school that has not been brought to tears by the words of 'B" I have personally observed some of his interactions with staff, and was horrified that they would be spoken to in the manner that he did. This type of business relies on their staff, specifically their teachers. Without them, there is no business. I am quite concerned that there will be a continued turnover, which will have a direct negative impact on the students at the school, including my son. I know that this is a family owned and operated business. I have great respect for the Callan family. Unfortunately "B" is risking their good reputation, and I truly hope someone in the family business can step in and change the course such that the staff be treated as they deserve. I know that many families, mine included, will follow our child's instructor if they should leave this location. This 5 star rating is only because of the employees.