The Alley Art in Escondido is such a hidden gem. If you are out and about Grand Avenue, going…read morethrough the Alley Art can definitely add that extra sparkle to your day and adventures. There are QR codes next to some of them to give you more information about the art and artist. Each piece is unique and so well done that it will make you stop and stare or "double take". They definitely capture the spirit of the neighborhood and sign of the times. Check out the Alley Art and support artists!

I didn't even know this was here, was driving by and saw one of the signs. Took a quick drive…read moreend-to-end and enjoyed the artworks. Some had been moved/removed and only a QR code remained. The art isn't GREAT, but it is good and appears to be by local artists. Much appreciated in the area. Hope this helps to pick up Grand which seems to be lagging a bit.

Orfila is a beautiful winery and I am a wine club member here. It is a Friday evening favorite to…read moreenjoy wine and good food while overlooking the view of the Hills and vineyard. One thing we love was their live music on Friday nights, but they have changed up their event calendars discontinuing music on Friday nights and only have it on Sundays. They added other things like trivia and line dancing during the week, which may be popular, but for us live music is what drew us there. I hope they bring it back.

What a beautiful winery we have that's not too far out of town. Located in Escondido and not too…read morefar off the freeway. I was here to do a race that came with a wine tasting event after. They have a huge tasting room where we got our wine and I tried a few of their reds and I especially loved the syrah and merlot. I'm not a huge fan of rosé but the friends who love rosé said that theirs were pretty good too.

I was blown away by the amazing Christmas lights at the two houses on knob hill. The fake snow…read moreshow, the bubbles everything was brilliant! The owners really do it big for the kids and I would recommend stopping by to enjoy it! Worth the drive

It's so wonderful to see all the lights and decorations. The owners are fun to talk to. And utter…read moreneighbors have joined in on the fun snd really lit up their yards!

I love Escondido because I have so many good memories here…read more Pros: it's a beautiful, hidden city with parks and views, and when you meet good people here, they are really good people. The housing is also cheaper here than San Marcos, Oceanside, other cities. Cons: unfortunately it seems like there is more crime than most other cities in North County and there are a lot of homeless folks with mental health issues so it's common to see them screaming at the air and asking for money at gas stations and grocery stores. There are lots of drugs here, sadly, and lots of gang activity.

Had to take care of some business with the utilities office. Was helped by John. He was kind,…read moreprofessional and efficient. (All the things you hope for in a city employee.) Thank you John. My 92 yr old Momma says Hi and thanks for all your help.

Family-Friendly hiking / biking through Escondido's eastern agriculture district…read more If you want to experience the San Pasqual Valley you need to do without a car. Sorry, just visiting the Wild Animal Park doesn't count.. There are so many biking/hiking trails that span the entire valley. The diversity of wildlife here in San Pasqual is as rich as any other place in San Diego. Once known as the valley of eagles, you can still see many hawks gliding up and down the hillsides. On any given day you may come across a snake, a coyote, a deer and many unique insects. Some of these trails are heavily trafficked by mountain bikes (Coast to Crest/Mule Hill), so be cautious if you're a hiker. In any case, pick a trail, keep your eyes open, and have a great time with the family. Tip - A good destination is Raptor Ridge. You;ll get a view of all sides of San Pasqual Valley plus there are parking lots within a few miles of the viewpoint. Ysabel Creek Rd larking lot to the East, and the Old Coach lot off Highland Valley Rd. San Pasqual Trail Guide - Mule Hill Trail - San Pasqual Agricultural Preserve Trail - Highland Valley Trail - Coast to Crest Trail - Clevenger Canyon North Trail. - Clevenger Canyon North South.

When mother nature calls…read more.. It's time to get out and visit your local backroads! In North County San Diego, there is an area dedicated as an agriculture preserve known as the San Pasqual Valley. Much of the 14,000 acres remains untouched and is maintained by the city or county of San Diego. The area is established under an Escondido zip code (part of the second largest city in San Diego County) and is in close proximity to the communities of Ramona, Poway and Rancho Bernardo.You will find vineyards, wineries, farms, orchards, produce stands, CSA's, ranches, trails, historical sites, museums, and the world famous San Diego Zoo Sarfari Park in the valley! I first visited the valley approximately 10 years ago and I have never left...it's the perfect balance for a town and country day! #SanPasqualValley #WorldFamousSanDiegoZoo #TownandCountry

This is only my second year coming to Starlight circle but it has quickly become one of my favorite…read moreplaces to see lights. It is located right by Santana High School, which they open for parking and bathrooms! So there will always be a spot to park, even if it's a little far. We usually drive it though, since it's like one huge circle of a street. There's beautifully lit houses, light shows, art, and blow ups out! A good portion of the houses also had stands in front of them where they sold hot chocolate, tameles (one of the best I've ever had), macrons, kettle corn, cup of noodles, hot apple cider, and other holiday snacks! You can drive it as many times as you want, just look out for people walking! I highly recommend this is a free holiday must see in San Diego.

Our favorite family holiday outing! This was our 13th year and the houses never disappoint! Fun…read moreholiday lights and decor with neighbors selling yummy treats and crafts. Parking is made easy with a convenient lot at the nigh school down the street.

It's quick and fun. Actually 111 Steps. Nothing crazy but if you're in the area. La Mesa has…read moremore but this is just off the freeway.

Challenging and it's definitely steep. As 68 years old, this is doable. Slow & steady. 02Sept24read more

Such a cute neighborhood to visit. I came here recently and stopped by the local ramen shop…read more Although it was night time, I still noticed that there were so many businesses open and honestly, it was thriving. There are so many shops in this neighborhood too, making it a great place to shop and eat and simply spend a day with friends and fam. Def a spot to visit in NCSD.

Carlsbad Village is a great place to walk, shop, and dine. It's quaint, clean, and…read morepedestrian-friendly, with a train station and plenty of crosswalks. The dining scene offers a wide range of options, and some recent favorites include: * Blue Ocean Robata & Sushi Bar * French Corner Cafe * Poki Poki Boba & Brewski * Pop Pie Co. * Shoots Fish and Beer Just across the street is the beautiful Frazee Beach, one of several state beaches in Carlsbad. It features some wide sandy stretches and a great promenade that extends to Tamarack beach. What keeps the village from a 5-star rating? Parking, especially on warm weekends and Friday and Saturday nights. It's no easy feat finding parking anywhere close!

Over priced and too small for that price you can rent a house the rooms are too small you can…read moreBearly put a bed in it and you can't open the room windows to get fresh air the views are not nice if you want to look at a dirt road with construction going on of come face to face with a neighbors and still under construction

This place has WAY too strict of parking police (the ones on bikes). There is construction going…read moreon, so I recommend not parking on the streets by the curbs (I saw them giving ticket after ticket to cars who were guests). Do park in the parking structure, but make sure you are on the right level (guest parking, not school parking). As for the stores in this area, there is a wonderful cookie place called Maya's Cookies, there is a coffee shop, an Italian place (whose food was too expensive), a sushi place, and others. I'm definitely not a fan of the parking, though.