This is a very well-maintained park behind the fire station in San Marcos. There are two bathroom…read morestalls (any gender), some grass, swings, and a play structure to climb. It's not a big park and it is close to a main road, so this is definitely a place to keep your eyes on your kids. Pretty though!

This is a great park in San Marcos. It's really easy to find and there's a parking lot, even though…read moreit's a bit small. I've been here twice with my kids. Once was this past summer for an outdoor movie. It's a great setup. Today, we spent many hours with friends playing. There are swings, ropes to climb, and other equipment. Want to have a picnic? Sure! You have plenty of spots- tables, grass, or benches. Bathrooms are nearby- that's always helpful when you have young kids. I've seen park rangers there maintaining equipment and doggy bags. Keep it up! My kids enjoy this park and so do I. We'll be back!

This park is basically our second home during baseball season as my son has practices and games…read morehere all the time. And honestly, it really does have something for everyone: basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, a skate park, playgrounds for both little ones and older kids, and two baseball fields. It's a true community park. The one thing I'd love to see improve is the upkeep like dog waste on the ground is a recurring issue, and the lights over the baseball fields don't always cooperate at night. But for a neighborhood park that also runs summer camps through the community center, it's exactly what a good local park should be. We appreciate it.

Always a great experience at John Landes Park! I love how they have parking, they have amazing…read morefields, basketball courts, lunch tables and shade, restrooms-- even a skate park! John Landes Park has it all, folks!

Beautiful park with plenty of parking throughout different areas. My friend and I brought her…read moredaughter here to come play before nap time. We were at a smaller playground at the park near open fields that look perfect for soccer or football. Plenty of table space for parties as well. There was a wildfire training going on nearby so we didn't want to venture too far off, but as we drove out and around the park to go home we could see lots of families at another part of the park with a much larger playground present

My favorite park in North County! Tons of safe walking paths for strollers, dogs and horses! I love…read morethe different playgrounds for different age groups... and seeing soccer games here brings me back to the good ole days.

Well here in Escondido and Looking around and pulled up to this park . So Grove Park is not as big…read moreas normal parks . Compared to parks in San Diego . Has some play areas for kids and lots of greenery . With benches you can sit . As for Parking it is a bit of a hassle . You got to park near a really old gas station also there is basketball hoops for you to shoot around or if you want to just walk around and relax . I saw some people sleeping on the grass . But it feels kind of weird here but still a decent park . Overall I enjoyed it and I shall be back and enjoy again !!!

Nice little park with even a little playground and slide. We got a smash burger from Farm to Smash…read morenearby and drove here to enjoy it out on the blanket while our toddler played on the playground. Clean, plenty of coal grills for those that want to grill, and lots of green space. Great little spot in Escondito!

I love this place. I'm especially appreciative, knowing it's taken care of by volunteers. I wish…read morepeople wouldn't leave their dog poop bags along the trail or for that matter, not even clean up after their dog. I wonder if they realize wildlife may eat those bags and cause a choking hazard. Besides that, it's just plain old disrespectful to everyone. as disgusting as that sounds.

What an amazing discovery! You have to look real close on the side of the road because the sign is…read moresmall and the entrance is even smaller. Once you pull in though everything opens up into this lush wilderness. It has a huge parking lot. Once you get on the trail it is well maintained and plenty of space for dogs joggers strollers etc. Bird watchers this is your heaven! There were so many different species in here. The funnest part of this trail is there is choose your own adventure. Along the way you choose left or right over and over. You can't go wrong because it is a beautiful view no matter which way you turn. The best part of all is if you are the type to get lost like me it will spit you out into the parking lot because it's a huge loop. A huge loop with different trails what a great place! The only reason I gave it a four-star instead of a five is unfortunately it's built right on the side of mission Ave which is the main avenue going into fallbrook so there is a lot of traffic noise. That is only part of the trail though not the whole thing. I will be back here on my days off because it's an easy going 1 mile so I feel like I barely had to do anything, got into nature and got my steps in.

This easy hike is a 5 minute drive from Pala Casino off of Hwy 76…read more We spent about an hour and a half on the trails, which included stopping a few times for photos and views. Other than one slight elevation, it was all flat, wide trails. NOTE: $5 FEE. Highlights: A pond, elevated views of the surrounding area, shrubs, trees, cacti, a few flowers, museum (which wasn't open when we went). PROS: ~Plenty of parking on site (go through the gates) ~Porta potties on site. A couple in the parking lot and a couple on the trails. The one I used was clean and didn't smell. Antibacterial gel and toilet paper provided. No sink. ~Picnic benches available, although most were not in the shade. Trash and recycling containers provided. ~Most trails were wide and flat. There was one part where we walked up an elevation which provided views of the surrounding area. ~A few benches were available on the trail. ~Well sign-posted from the road. ~There was a caretaker on site, keeping everything well maintained. ~It wasn't busy when we went in May 2026. We saw about 5 other people. CONS: ~$5 entry fee (May 2026) ~The museum wasn't open when we were there. We walked by twice. I felt for our $5 we should have had entry to the museum. ~Somewhat underwhelming, but easy and well maintained. MAKE A DAY OF IT We stopped in at the nearby Pala Casino afterwards and dropped in at a winery on the way home. See my photos for more details.

So last week was my second time to this spot. I enjoyed it the first time that I asked my friend…read moreto join me again for another leisurely hike/walk. There is a small fee of $3 to park and enjoy a walk or hike. Each time of our visit it seemed like they were maintaining certain areas. This spot is located right off the main road of Pala, which you must give a enough time to give the driver behind you with a warning brake and use your signal. This turn will sneak up on you as you are coming downhill at a decent speed. I like this area because it is not too far from where I live and it has a lot of nature habitat that I feel like I am deep in a canyon. You can make this a leisure walk or a moderate hike by taking a different trail. There is a small pond nearby and a couple of benches to sit and enjoy the pond. While on this walk we watched a healthy coyote roam the area. We didn't feel threatened by it. We opted to head up the hill which we managed much better than my first time. There are areas that have soft soil/sand. We didn't come across any snakes, but I see a Yelper had encountered one. We are in their territory. During our walk at mid morning there was a constant breeze, that was a plus. There is a porta potty available if needed. During our first visit rangers were driving the roads periodically, which this time we didn't seen anyone driving in the area. I hope to do another leisure walk or hike here again soon. Come check it out! Be cautious turning into the entrance and also exiting the Preserve.

I rarely get out to this side of San Marcos but I wanted to check out this 'new' park. After…read morechatting with a local mom, I found out this isn't a 'new' park. It's a refurbished park...and it's lovely! There are two basketball courts, a large grassy area, one nice playground, and a separate area for swings. It's really a great layout. The only downside- there are no bathrooms here. Plan accordingly!

Definitely worth the price of admission…read more This park is clean and easy to get to. With lots of street parking available it's perfect for a quick session on the swings for my toddler. I'll be back for sure since my in laws live a few blocks from here.

Nice, breezy, plenty of shade, clean, friendly atmosphere and tucked away.. This park is a hidden…read moregem. It's safe and fun for the kids. There are BBQs, restrooms, and plenty of grassy areas if you wanted to take your pets or children to burn off some energy.

We're traveling the country and for a few weeks are at the RV park connected to this place…read more It adds a nice overlook, paved path, playground and open ground. The infrastructure is worn but is in okay shape. What it needs is some health and safety enforcement: the glass to stop being dropped by visitors, dogs to be leashed by visitors, and the homeless to be kept from living on the hillside. I just started to explore a trail and turned around not wanting to walk past a homeless "camper."