Attention, adventurous travelers! Are you wondering where to go in Escondido, California’s hidden treasure? Come along and partake in my recent travel to Escondido, a charming city nestled in San Diego County.
Whether you’re planning retirement travel to Escondido or simply daydreaming about your next getaway, join me as I show you our most loved attractions, breathtaking views, and unexpected adventures that make travel to Escondido awesome.
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Travel Adventures Across the USA
See the map below? This is a screenshot of my Google Timeline. The Google Timeline is a feature on my mobile phone and is a visual record of every spot my husband and I have traveled to over the last few years – mostly since our retirement in 2019. I’ll be writing more about the Google Timeline in a future article – I love it because it’s pretty wild to see all our travels laid out like this.
But hey, this page isn’t just about where we’ve been. Yes, we’ll be sharing more of where we’ve been in the past, but we’ll also be showing you where we head in the future. You may notice that there are no red pins in the north mid-west and northwest – YET!
So if you’re interested in tagging along on our adventures, please bookmark the website and subscribe if you wish to be notified of new articles.. That way, you can join in anytime for a fresh dose of travel inspiration.
With all the places we’ve been to in the past and have lined up for the future, including more retirement travel to Escondido (our lucky kids live out there), you’ll want to stay in the loop.
The best is yet to come!
Travel to Escondido
In case you’re wondering, we flew from the blue dot in Northeast Pennsylvania over to San Diego, California, which is about a 30 minute ride to Escondido.
We took a flight out of a tiny airport, which meant that we would have to change planes in Chicago, IL in order to fly all the way out to San Diego.
I learned something important:
I’ve always been against taking flights with layovers. Too many things can go awry and cause you stress and loss of valuable trip time. But hey, we’re retired now so we decided to chance the layover in favor of being able to uber to our nearby, teeny-tiny, airport.
Bad move.
There was “weather” in Chicago, so our flight out of PA could not leave. It was May, so we didn’t expect snow – but we didn’t think about those pesky thunder and lightening storms.
In case you are unaware, when an airline delays your flight and you miss a connecting flight, they take care of the new arrangements if you are okay with taking what they offer. There are no additional fees as far as the airlines go.
We were offered a flight that would bring us into Chicago late at night, which maybe, just maybe, could be there in time for us to make our connecting flight. If not, it would be our problem as to sleeping arrangements (since it was a weather related issue). We would either have to pay for a hotel in Chicago or sleep at the airport – NOOOO thanks!
We ended up missing our connecting flight by just a few minutes. Fortunately, we had built in an extra day for just this type of issue. As a matter of fact, I was pretty pumped that we’d be able to stay overnight in Chicago! We were offered a 5:00pm flight out of Chicago on the following day, so what my mind immediately went to was that we’d get to explore Chicago – a city that neither my husband nor I have ever been to!
Here’s what I learned, and it’s probably not what you are expecting. I learned that the Chicago O’Hare airport is an ENTIRE HOUR AWAY from downtown Chicago! I’m originally from New York, so this was an important thing in my mind!
We simply didn’t have enough time to get into Chicago, store luggage, explore, retrieve luggage and make it to the airport by the required time. SADNESS OVERLOAD!
We did make the best of things and grabbed some gorgeous “Chicago” pizza in the town of Rosemont, Illinois at a place called Giordano’s. To help us get over our disappointment of not seeing Chicago after our unfortunate flight experience, we followed that up with Stan’s Donuts right next door – a seriously unusual sugary treat for us. Despite the setback, our impromptu travel to Escondido detour turned into a tasty silver lining.
Let's Take a "Detour" and Talk About Direct Flights
Even though I was sorta kinda happy we ended up with a very brief overnight stay around Chicago O’Hare Airport – in the Chicago suburb – I will think twice before I neglect to book a direct flight next time I travel to Escondido.
Why? Because it was stressful! As a person who is over 60, I need my rest! It’s hard enough flying through time zones for six hours, but add in the waiting and the lines, the uncertainty and the extra expenses and it just doesn’t pay.
My conclusion is that unexpected layovers are NOT a good way to see a town I’ve been wanting to travel to.
Direct Flights into San Diego
While planning to write this blog I thought about what airline I would fly with next time, to ensure I take a direct flight. That got me wondering which airlines fly direct to San Diego, and which major airlines have the MOST flights into San Diego. I’ll share what I discovered – maybe this will be of help to someone!
Airlines and Cities With Direct Flights to San Diego
updated 6/29/2024
| Airline | Direct Flights per Day | Departure Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | 81 | Albuquerque, NM Austin, TX Baltimore, MD Boise, ID Burbank, CA Chicago (Midway), IL Dallas (Love Field), TX Denver, CO Houston (Hobby), TX Las Vegas, NV Los Angeles, CA Oakland, CA Orlando, FL Phoenix, AZ Portland, OR Sacramento, CA Salt Lake City, UT San Francisco, CA San Jose, CA Seattle, WA |
| American Airlines | 22 | Charlotte, NC Chicago (O’Hare), IL Dallas/Fort Worth, TX Philadelphia, PA Phoenix, AZ Miami, FL |
| United Airlines | 18 | Chicago (O’Hare), IL Denver, CO Houston (Intercontinental), TX Newark, NJ San Francisco, CA Washington (Dulles), DC |
| Alaska Airlines | 17 | Anchorage, AK Boise, ID Portland, OR San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA Kahului, HI Kona, HI Lihue, HI Los Angeles, CA Palm Springs, CA Sacramento, CA San Jose, CA Santa Rosa, CA |
| Delta Air Lines | 15 | Atlanta, GA Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN New York (JFK), NY Salt Lake City, UT Seattle, WA |
| Spirit Airlines | 6 | Dallas/Fort Worth, TX Detroit, MI Las Vegas, NV Los Angeles, CA Orlando, FL |
| JetBlue Airways | 5 | Boston, MA Fort Lauderdale, FL New York (JFK), NY |
| Frontier Airlines | 3 | Denver, CO Las Vegas, NV Orlando, FL |
Southwest Airlines is the "Direct Flight Winner"
As you can clearly see, Southwest Airlines offers the most direct flights to San Diego, with an average of 81 flights per day from various cities.
It makes sense to mention here that if you are a frequent traveler, not just to San Diego, but to anywhere, it makes a lot of sense to join the Southwest Rapid Rewards Program.
You earn points on every flight, and these points can be redeemed for future travel, gift cards, and even merchandise. Your points never expire, and there are no blackout dates. It’s a decent program!
I am an affiliate for them, so if you are interested in the program, please use the link I’m giving you, as I get rewarded if you sign up (at no cost to you). Thank you!
Escondido Time!
The next leg of our journey began when we arrived at San Diego International Airport. Our daughter met us inside the luggage claim area at the airport, as the parking garage is quite convenient, just across the pick-up road.
Our daughter would be receiving her Master’s degree in just a few days and she and her husband had very recently purchased their forever home in Escondido. We had been in and around San Diego in the past, so this would be a new adventure for us!
Driving from the San Diego International Airport to Escondido takes an average of 50 minutes.
This day, the traffic was manageable, giving us the perfect opportunity to enjoy the scenic drive through rolling hills and picturesque landscapes, even along the highway. One of the first things that struck us was the beauty of the hills surrounding Escondido, especially considering the pleasant year-round climate that ensures no snow disrupts the serene views.
From what I am told, Escondido has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry, almost desert-like, summers and mild, wet winters. Temperatures typically range from the high 40s in winter to the mid-80s in summer, making it a perfect destination for outdoor activities throughout the year.
The Typical Top 15 Things To Do in Escondido List
This article is not meant to be a top 15 list of things to do when you travel Escondido list, but perhaps this will save you further research, so here it is! The list is subjective, but it’s a good start!
The Preface To Our Adventures...
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Address: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027
Phone: (619) 231-1515
Website: https://sdzsafaripark.org/
Email: info@sandiegozoo.org
Description: An expansive wildlife sanctuary where you can get up close with exotic animals. - Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
Address: 1999 Citracado Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92029
Phone: (760) 294-7866
Website: https://www.stonebrewing.com/visit/bistros/escondido
Email: bistro@stonebrewing.com
Description: A must-visit for craft beer enthusiasts, offering dozens of beers on tap in a beautiful garden setting. - Queen Califia’s Magical Circle
Address: 3333 Bear Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025 (located within Kit Carson Park)
Phone: (760) 839-4000 (Escondido Parks & Recreation)
Website: https://www.escondido.org/queen-califias-magical-circle
Description: A vibrant outdoor sculpture garden by artist Niki de Saint Phalle, perfect for a whimsical stroll. - Daley Ranch
Address: 3024 La Honda Dr, Escondido, CA 92027
Phone: (760) 839-4680
Website: https://www.escondido.org/daley-ranch
Description: Explore over 3,000 acres of conservation area with more than 20 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. - California Center for the Arts
Address: 340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025
Phone: (800) 988-4253
Website: https://artcenter.org/
Email: info@artcenter.org
Description: A cultural hub offering a rich array of performances and art exhibitions. - Orfila Vineyards & Winery
Address: 13455 San Pasqual Rd, Escondido, CA 92025
Phone: (760) 738-6500
Website: https://www.orfila.com/
Email: info@orfila.com
Description: Enjoy wine tastings with panoramic views of the vineyard, known for award-winning Rhône-style wines. - Dixon Lake
Address: 1700 La Honda Dr, Escondido, CA 92027
Phone: (760) 839-4680
Website: https://www.escondido.org/dixon-lake
Description: Perfect for fishing, boating, and outdoor relaxation in a scenic setting. - Escondido Farmers Market
Address: 262 E Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Phone: (760) 745-8877
Website: https://www.escondidoarts.org/farmers-market
Description: Experience local produce, crafts, and live music every Tuesday downtown. - Cruisin’ Grand
Address: Grand Avenue between Juniper and Ivy Streets, Escondido, CA 92025
Phone: (760) 745-8877 (Escondido Downtown Business Association)
Website: https://www.cruisingrand.com/
Description: Enjoy this classic car show held every Friday evening from April through September. - Kit Carson Park
Address: 3333 Bear Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025
Phone: (760) 839-4691
Website: https://www.escondido.org/kit-carson-park
Description: Home to various attractions including the Queen Califia’s Magical Circle and sports facilities. - Grape Day Park
Address: 321 N Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025
Phone: (760) 839-4691
Website: https://www.escondido.org/grape-day-park
Description: A historical park with a museum, playground, and walking trails. - EcoVivarium
Address: 136 S Juniper St, Escondido, CA 92025
Phone: (760) 975-9690
Website: https://www.ecovivarium.org/
Description: A unique two-story reptile museum offering educational experiences. - Lake Hodges
Address: 19090 Lake Dr, Escondido, CA 92029
Phone: (760) 432-8425
Website: https://www.sandiego.gov/reservoirs-lakes/hodges-reservoir
Description: Ideal for fishing, kayaking, and picnicking with beautiful surroundings. - Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve
Address: 8833 Harmony Grove Rd, Escondido, CA 92029
Phone: (760) 632-4212
Website: https://olivenhain.com/elfin-forest-recreational-reserve/
Description: Offers beautiful hiking trails with breathtaking views of the area. - Escondido Wineries
Various locations throughout Escondido
Description: Tour and taste at local wineries, experiencing the growing wine scene in the region. Notable wineries include Orfila Vineyards & Winery, Cordiano Winery, and Hungry Hawk Vineyards & Winery.
Just to give you a little perspective, this was a 12 day trip for us. You will likely look at what we did and think, hmmm, they didn’t do very much! However, we’d been to San Diego for long stays in the distant past, plus this trip was a big family celebration. We actually celebrated TWO graduations!
So, we had lots of non sight-seeing activities going on. Plus, we are very fortunate in that our hosts have what they call a “granny flat” on their property. So, we were basically feeling like we were at home! Therefore, we didn’t feel the urge to do a whole bunch of activities this time around. We tried to soak in the celebrations and enjoy the family around us most of the time.
This was a bit atypical for us, since we’d usually explore a good bit more! BUT, I must say I enjoyed this trip immensely. It was lovely not to constantly feel like we needed to explore.
All that said, I recognize if you were going to travel to Escondido for a week, or maybe two at most, you might not be staying there exclusively. It has a lot to offer, but frankly, I suspect most people would opt to stay closer to San Diego and the beaches there.
Where WE Went in Escondido, and Then Some
Following are the places we visited and liked. They’re in the order that we visited them since that made finding the photos a bit easier for me.
Normally, if there was a place I didn’t like I’d warn you about it. However, we had the great benefit of having locals to show us around! Therefore, everything listed here was wonderful! No duds!
Asuza Pacific University, Christ Centered University
901 E Alosta Ave, Azusa, CA 91702
We attended a master’s degree ceremony here. I was completely wowed at the fact that they are a Christian school and you walk away from the graduation truly knowing that! There were prayers and worship songs!
- Link
Sprinkles Cupcakes
These were some fancy cupcakes, just right for celebrating the graduation!
8855 Villa La Jolla Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037
RoadRunner Organics / Hernandez Family Produce (Fruit and Vegetable Stand) – Also seen with name of Wholesome Heritage Farm
- This was a farm stand as only California can do a farm stand. There were amazing FRESH fruits and veggies and such a variety. When you travel to Escondido you should visit at least one farm stand. This one would be my choice.
- 21345 San Pasqual Rd, Escondido, CA 92027
- Link
Steak 48 Del Mar
- Well oh my Gosh, it’s difficult to encapsulate such an amazing restaurant experience into just a sentence or two, but here goes. This is a high quality steak and seafood experience that you will never forget. I have never eaten steak that delicious and I likely never will again.
- 12995 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130
- Link
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
- San Diego Avenue and, Twiggs St, San Diego, CA 92110
- Link
El Plantio Nursery & Landscaping
- What better graduation gift than a bunch of new plants for one’s new garden! This garden center was so much fun to shop in. It’s so full of California-ey plants! Some were familiar to me, similar to what we have in the Northeast, but SO much bigger! Then, there were many plants I had never seen before. I probably would have paid to enter just to see all of the interesting SoCal plants! To top it all off, we saw a hummingbird nest! If I can upload the video, you’ll see it – otherwise, I’m sorry:-(
- 1322 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027
- Link
Central Escondido
I absolutely love a good walking town! We parked in downtown Escondido near the Escondido Antique Mall and we were able to walk around to a hand ful of shops. There were certainly more opportunities to shop, but we didn’t have a lot of time. Here’s where we stopped. I’m missing a coin/jewelry shop that was lovely, but at the moment I can’t find the name of it. We found an awesome vintage post card there (see photo)!
Escondido Antique Mall
- 135 W Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
- Link
The Grand Tea Room
- 145 W Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
- Link
Mikko Sushi
- 231 E Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
- Link
Twisted Horn Mead and Cider
- Imagine my surprise when the kids ordered “one of everything”! Seriously? They were little sample sizes of mead and cider, but dang they did add up! There was a food truck outside and there was trivia going on. We had a blast here!
- 1042 La Mirada Ct, Vista, CA 92081
- Link
Daily Ranch Park and Dixon Lake
- We came here for a little hike with our youngest, who would be awarded her undergraduate degree the next day. It was a lovely 2 hours or so that we spent exploring the beautiful trails. We were in search of the lake that is within the park and although we didn’t see signs to help us, we found our way by using our phone’s satellite map. It was worth the effort. When we finished our hike we spent some blissful time birdwatching by one of the picnic tables.
- 2256 La Honda Dr, Escondido, CA 92027
- Link
San Diego State University – Viejas Arena
- We headed to our second graduation of the trip, this time to SDSU. It was not so fun driving into town, which was a solid wall of traffic, all headed toward random, sometimes closed parking garages. God was smiling on us, however, as we decided to veer off the common route and search for street parking, even if it meant walking a mile. Our strategy worked, and we only needed to walk a few blocks! We weren’t thrilled with our concrete bleacher seats up in the nose bleed section (tell any grads out there not to wait til the last minute to claim their tickets!), but all that put aside, it was a well run graduation, and much quicker than any other graduation I’d been to – and I’ve been to many! Woohoo SDSU! Thank you!
- 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182
- Link
Paella Valenciana, aka the “Paella Lady”
- I forgot to take photos (the photo is just an example of Paella), but wanted to include this because I thought it was so unique. This company will send a chef to your home or other location and they will cook up enough Paella to feed everyone quite well. We had a small group of about 10 for the graduation party and the woman who came to cook, who was the owner, was very cool. She wasn’t needy, but found everything she needed and went above and beyond, even to the point of cooking up some mac and cheese for our grandson, who wasn’t about to try that Paella no way no how!
- On-site catering
- Link
Orange Picking
- These oranges came from the backyard – this is Southern California!! My husband and grandson had a lot of fun juicing them. My grandson would never drink orange juice before, but the smart little guy tasted the fresh squeezed stuff and now he’s a believer!
San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Actually in Escondido!)
- What a fun day this was! The location of the Safari Park is actually right in Escondido! The kids are considering purchasing an annual pass because their proceeds go into helping endangered animals and other wonderful endeavors. My grandson went in really hoping to see the cheetahs, but alas, they were being shy. However, we went on the tram ride and came out with rhinos as his favorite animal!
- TIPS- We went in thinking that in order to go on the “safari ride” that we would need to purchase an additional ticket. However, there was a tram ride included in the ticket price. It wasn’t a personal safari car – it was a long tram, but it was just as good in my opinion! The driver explained everything we were seeing and it was awesome! We were all tired from walking around, so definitely plan this for later on so you can rest your feet!
- 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027
- Link
Wrapping Up
I hope you have enjoyed our little romp and now have some ideas for where to go in Escondido. We’ll be going again this coming winter, so watch for a part 2! We’d like to explore more next time since we won’t have the graduations and parties to keep us busy.
Please Share Your Tips on Where to Go in Escondido!
If you’ve been to Escondido and have some experiences to share, please leave a reply down below!
