This is a nice good walk. Excellent lake view lots of ducks to watch too. I love it when the cactus bloom they are so beautiful! I start at the bottom near Silver Shadow and walk up to the recreation center. They're are restrooms and a faucet if you need water for your pups. I like to use the trails instead of the main walking road it gives me more of a workout. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes from March through October. If you let them pass they aren't a threat. I do this walk/hike by myself it's never stopped me. I love it here read more

Such a beautiful park! Has been my safe haven for the past 4 years attending Cal State San Marcos :)

Great place to take the kids especially on Saturdays since the barn is open and you can go inside. Got some turtles and activities for them to see. The park is pretty nice as well, you can paint a rock and add it to the snake rock garden if you would like. There's a couple small spots you can walk next to the pond and see some turtles, birds and ducks. read more

This park is pretty quiet during the week days, but very busy on weekends. The parking lot does have wheelchair accessible parking spots, and there is a paved sidewalk from there that takes you down through the park and over to the lake. You won't be able to get up close to the lake in a paved area though...you'll have to look at it from far unless you can walk down onto the small dirt path that goes to the water. There is a nice, plastic play structure here for kids, and a cute mini library box (take a book, leave a book kinda thing). Be careful of coyotes here since it is very wooded. read more

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Pretty clean nice area to walk , only problem coyotes in the middle of the day that was a shock . They didn't pay any attention to me yelling or banging my walking stick that was worrisome having a small dachshund read more

The hiking path is nice, paved on one side and dirt on the other. Big field to play in. The kids enjoyed tromping through the bushes. Playground is nice though it was really busy when there were spring break programs happening in the barn. The bathrooms are at the parking lot, don't miss them or you'll be wandering. The kids enjoyed the lake but there is zero shade and the dirt is extremely slippery by the water; many kids and baby-carrying grownups took a tumble Kids saw a big frog one day! read more

Amazing spot for a birthday party! Recently had our daughter's 5th birthday party here for 50 people, and it turned out perfect! So peaceful and quiet, and we had the entire park to ourselves a it felt like! Affordable and beautiful! read more

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A wonderful hidden gem in North County. I was surprised by how. much there was to explore and would 100% go back with a book or picnic to enjoy longer than my hike time allowed. read more

An amazing place which has a lot of things to keep kids busy for a few hours and that too for free. Absolutely free. This place has multiple sections where each section is dedicated to a theme: reptiles, aquatic animals, birds, science, desert animals, drawing/art etc. We went there a few weeks ago on a weekend and the kids loved it. Not too crowded and very friendly staff to help/guide. The area also has quite a bit of trails (all easy levels) which are good for short family hikes. The lake has a lot of ducks as well. Highly recommend if you have kids and want to spend a weekend morning in a wonderful and electronics-free way. read more

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Just heard about it and stopped by to take a look, it is gorgoues but needs more signs to see where to go! We just walked and walked until we found your pond was going to have a little picnic but no real flat area or beachy type and then walked around other walkways in a circle. Couldn't find anyone to help either. Maybe an info booth? read more

This is a delightful smallish park and pond. There are a couple of trails but they are not very long. You don't come here for serious hiking. The pond is very pretty and you may see ducks, frogs, and turtles, among other creatures. I was sad to see trash strewn in too many places around the pond. There's just no excuse for that. There is a nice kids' playground and some green areas, too. It's a pleasant refuge. There is plenty of free parking. It can be a bit of a challenge to get here. Google Maps steered me wrong before. So double check the directions. read more

Jack's Pond Park - The pond. Plenty of ducks, turtles, and frogs here. - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, California

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Great park! There is a trail as well. Rec center offers toddler time class there as well that I will be signing my littles up for read more

Jack's Pond Park - My little ones had so much fun at this park! - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, California

I love when the barn is open and the kids can explore. It is run by volunteers I believe. My daughter has the best time. You can also play at a park or take a nature walk and go see the ducks. It really is a very nice park experience. Restrooms are at the very top of the parking lot, just an FYI! read more

Pretty place to walk around.....it's a nice day...great weather. There are 2 different playgrounds for the kids. Taking the dog for a walk also...wish they had a dog park. read more

Great spot to go fishing with kids for bluegills. Nice playground and picnic area. Nature center was not open when we were there.

A great walk with pretty nature. It's an easy beginners walk. I had dun on my day off. read more

Jack's Pond Park - Jack's Pond - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, California

This place is so cool! This is a great place for kids to discover and get outside and see some nature. Check out all the pictures of the different themed rooms. I didn't even take pics of all of them. Nice little hike trail and a very natural pond. If I lived closer this would be a nice little getaway spot. Very good for dogs and kids. read more

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Jack's Pond is in my backyard. I'm here about 4-5 times a week walking my dog. The path is .66 miles, so round trip it's just over 1.2 miles, completely paved. There isn't a ton of shade, so on those hot days, you'll want to go later. There are two doggy poop bag locations provided for you and most of the time, they are full. So, c'mon dog owners, no excuse that you forgot your bag! There are two parks, one at the beginning of the path on my end (Alder Glen tot lot) and one at the other end (where most people start- that's the official parking lot for Jack's Pond). You'll see wildlife here- rabbits, ducks, coyotes, and lizards. Come check it out. It's a nice spot. read more

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What a gem! I took my 3 grandkids there on a Saturday when the "barb" was open for exploration. Each room had learning activities that were excellent. I appreciated a fun learning space where it was free, thanks to volunteers! We then hiked the various trails and then played on the playground. All in all a very fun excursion for everyone. read more

I used to come to Jack's Pond all the time growing up. I lived next door inside Williamsburg, so it was walking distance. Now that I recently moved back in Williamsburg, I've been bringing my dog almost every day. I don't think there's anywhere else in San Marcos that is as peaceful. The place is absolutely gorgeous at dusk. After our walks, my fiance, our dog and I usually go down by the bank of the pond and just relax for a little. This place is perfect if you are planning a family picnic, a kid's birthday, or just a get together. read more

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An interesting park that's good for family walks. - Two play sets that should keep your kid's attention. Just be aware that on hot days the slides are very very hot! - Unless you venture past the barn you wouldn't know there's a trail to the actual Jack's Pond. - Fortunately, that walking trail is paved with asphalt so pretty much anyone can walk it or use a Jazzy or any other electric wheelchair. - If you want to get up close to Jack's pond you have to go off the paved path. Be careful, the dirt sandy paths can be very slippery with poorly treaded shoes. - Some people fish here. Why?? Hopfully it's for sport and not for consumption. - read more

Jack's Pond Park - You have to walk a bit to find the pond. - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, California

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Jacks pond is a very small easy trail to hike on. Mostly for beginners, there is no incline or any hills it's all very flat. The pond itself is tiny but very lovely and occasionally you will see ducks. I come here when I want to do a light walk/jog. Great place for kids! read more

We came to picnic after a long hike. This little park is off the beaten path and you wouldn't know of it unless you were a local. Small parking lot with a playground, 1 picnic table and bathrooms. There is a trail, however, wasn't able to view it from the park. I did see a couple walkers and runners along the side trail running parallel from the park. Definitely will check out the scenic route the next time I'm in the area. read more

Jack's Pond Park - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, California

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Very nice to take your kids to, or even have a birthday party at. My son enjoys this park and the grassy area, so we try to go as much as possible. read more

Great little hidden gem in San Marcos! Closing time is during sunset so be sure to come with plenty time ahead to explore. They have multiple paths, the pond, lots of trees and a few playgrounds areas. Nice and relaxing place to go for a walk or nature adventure with your little ones. Also great place to get some pictures of the red barn! read more

Jack's Pond Park - The Red Big Barn! - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, California

Nice park with a visitor center that tries to look like a red barn. There's a trailhead that leads to the pond. It's a short walk, with the pond on one side and houses on the other. The trail is paved for bikes, and there's also a dirt walkway. With a couple of side trails leading down to the water. The pond is quite small and narrow, but it's nice and picturesque. read more

Beautiful area and even prettier maintained park. I like this one for the trail that goes to the end of the pond and back. Main trail starts after the second barn, and there are mini trails to explore on the way that just go right back up to the main trail. Plenty of parking, and the bathrooms are located in the little building above the lot, dont make the same mistake as us and wander down into the park just to have to walk back up to the lot to go potty first. lol The trail itself has both paved and dirt sides to walk on, or if you want to go off the main path a less traveled one that takes you down towards the murky lake. This is where I get a little sad, because this is a place you know was once thriving and beautiful but alas due to the drought all it is now is green murky water. I even took a picture of two rowboats that had sunk at one time but now the water level is so low you can see them. Between the "pond" looking so sad now a days and the constant sound of construction this place is just A OK. I like to go INTO nature and not be surrounded by housing.WIth that said though if you want a good, safe, clean park with a really nice place for the kids to play this is IT! read more

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Jack's Pond is a fun, secluded 23 acre park that's great for everyone. Like some other North County parks, it has a 24-hour live-in caretaker (at a city owned residence near the entrance), to keep the place clean and safe. I can't imagine being stoked on the idea when I was in high school, but now that I've got a kid, I appreciate having nice places around to take her. The playground is super fun and almost brand new. There are two big slides, and two little ones side-by-side for racing, a suspension bridge and miscellaneous spinning objects (eg. tic-tac-toe.) Although there are no swings, its still one of the better playgrounds north of Balboa Park. Besides a huge barn to look at, there are great walking trails and a reasonably clean bathroom that's open as long as the park is. Closes at sunset. Another feature I appreciate is a reserved smoking area that's well away from the playground. As a smoker, I'm annoyed that many parks ban smoking outright, so having a little 30 foot area, means that I can smoke legally for once. I can stand right under the sign, and smile when people walk by. (They don't call me El Fumar for nothing.) This means that you're less likely to see smokers near the playground or back by the pond. Tangent: Do you really think we won't smoke at all while in a park? Pffft. Good job San Marcos, everyone wins. The best part: events require a permit so visitors are limited to small families and couples walking. I've never seen a single piñata. read more

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I remember Jacks Pond Park before the park...and new housing was put in. It is great to see this type of park here in North County. This park does a fantastic job of mixing the natural landscape features, such as the paths, pond etc with new park amenities such as paved and gravel paths, play structures, decent bathrooms and more. It was great to walk both the flat paths and the more natural hiking type paths...but it was great, especially when walking with a child...to come upon the Nature Center at the "top" that had a great play area, tons of shade and grass. This will be our go to walking spot I can guess, so it is going to be a fun summer! read more

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Beautiful walk and easy for kids. Take water and a hat. There is also a plAyground and neighbors are friendly.

The playground area is pretty good but a bit advanced for a very young toddler because the play structure goes up pretty high! For me and my active one year old, the best part is the nature walk / garden that has a path for exploring. We have seen lots of birds and lizards there. Very exciting stuff for my son. The wide open fenced grassy area is great to bring bubbles or just do some spinning and running. The barn that has the nature education was interesting but perhaps better for older kids. My little guy did love the live bug collection, the plastic bug collection, and touching the various furs on display. Overall, a great place for exploring. read more

I had no idea about this park or it even existed. My brother asked to go with him and check it out for a Halloween even with my nephew. It was pretty cool with the big red barn and the play ground for the kids. I will have to come check it out in the day time. read more

Jack's Pond is my hidden gem for brisk walking. San Marcos is home to a lot of housing, so most don't even know it's there. As those have mentioned its about 2/3 a mile all the way around, but there are other trails you can venture off to if you want something more challenging (i.e. hiking up a mountain!) You'll see squirrels, ducks, and there's a lot of folks (but not too many around) so you should feel safe if you are by yourself. read more

Great Park!We hosted a BBQ here today and had a wonderful time. The playground is so large and safe for the kids to play on. There are plenty of tables, benches to accommodate large groups,and has a lot of shaded area. The only down side is the bathroom situation in my opinion. You have to walk across the parking lot and up the hill to go to the bathroom. Wish it was right in the same area as the park. read more

My husband and I love the outdoors and our walks. We found this trail and found it to be just perfect for us. We just had our first baby and will be visiting this trail for more of our weekly walks with our little pup. read more