EWC + Jonna's Guidebook
Coffee & Tea
Local coffee shops and roasters
They’re a few minutes south off of the 15 freeway but worth it if you enjoy great coffee and want to bring home a bag or two of their expertly roasted beans. We love their Vietnamese iced coffee, Mexican mocha, and crème brûlée latte for specialty drinks, but really any of their coffee drinks are amazing!
Mostra Coffee
12045 Carmel Mountain RdThey’re a few minutes south off of the 15 freeway but worth it if you enjoy great coffee and want to bring home a bag or two of their expertly roasted beans. We love their Vietnamese iced coffee, Mexican mocha, and crème brûlée latte for specialty drinks, but really any of their coffee drinks are amazing!
Bring your own to-go cups or you can purchase their jar cups to keep or return for refund on next visit. Really enjoyed their iced latte with condensed milk, not too sweet, just right!
James Coffee Co.
341 East Pennsylvania AvenueBring your own to-go cups or you can purchase their jar cups to keep or return for refund on next visit. Really enjoyed their iced latte with condensed milk, not too sweet, just right!
Manzanita Roasting Company and Coffee House
301 E Grand AveKettle Coffee and Tea
119 E Grand AveMostra Coffee
12045 Carmel Mountain RdThe other Mostra location in 4S Ranch, best coffee roaster in north San Diego County!
Sightseeing & Hiking
This street fair event in downtown Escondido runs every Friday from April - September and is fun for everyone! Head there for classic cars, great food, live bands and local vendors.
26 locals recommend
Cruisin' Grand
North BroadwayThis street fair event in downtown Escondido runs every Friday from April - September and is fun for everyone! Head there for classic cars, great food, live bands and local vendors.
Be sure to ride the Africa Tram to see the animals roaming free like in habitat!
967 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdBe sure to ride the Africa Tram to see the animals roaming free like in habitat!
This gem of artistic ingenuity by a famous French artist is hidden within Kit Carson Park and worth a visit! Bring your camera and wear comfy walking shoes as it’s a short but manageable trek from parking.
32 locals recommend
Queen Califia's Magical Circle
3333 Bear Valley ParkwayThis gem of artistic ingenuity by a famous French artist is hidden within Kit Carson Park and worth a visit! Bring your camera and wear comfy walking shoes as it’s a short but manageable trek from parking.
Hiking trails, the Lake Bridge, mountain biking, bird watching, beautiful views!
6 locals recommend
Lake Hodges
Lake DriveHiking trails, the Lake Bridge, mountain biking, bird watching, beautiful views!
Local park with disc golf course, walking trails, sports fields and playgrounds
34 locals recommend
Kit Carson Park
3333 Bear Valley PkwyLocal park with disc golf course, walking trails, sports fields and playgrounds
A lovely small lake in the nearby city of San Marcos with paved paths all around, playground and plenty of hiking trails
15 locals recommend
Discovery Lake
650 Foxhall DrA lovely small lake in the nearby city of San Marcos with paved paths all around, playground and plenty of hiking trails
Only about a 30 minute drive south on the 15. One of the greatest zoos in the country.
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrOnly about a 30 minute drive south on the 15. One of the greatest zoos in the country.
Located adjacent to the Zoo, Balboa Park is a San Diego icon. Walk the expansive promenades, take in the architecture and stop in one of the many museums.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
Located adjacent to the Zoo, Balboa Park is a San Diego icon. Walk the expansive promenades, take in the architecture and stop in one of the many museums.
Restaurants, Breweries, Wineries
Sunny Side Kitchen
155 S Orange StTheir paninis are awesome! Yelp loves Sunny Side too
EscoGelato
122 S Kalmia StBest gelato I’ve ever tasted, and I’ve been to Italy!
Burger Bench
237 E Grand AveGreat burger selection with interesting flavor combos
Chan Dara Thai Cafe
330 W Felicita AveWe love their Spices Thai Noodles dish
We always order “medium cheese” on our pizza, they are VERY generous with the cheese if not specified (usually I’m all about more cheese, but in their case it’s basically a cheese steak on top of your toppings 😆)
10 locals recommend
Filippi's Pizza Grotto Escondido
114 W Grand AveWe always order “medium cheese” on our pizza, they are VERY generous with the cheese if not specified (usually I’m all about more cheese, but in their case it’s basically a cheese steak on top of your toppings 😆)
Great Mexican food nearby, love their carne asada chips, adobada tacos, bacon & egg breakfast burrito and their churros!
Burros & Fries - Escondido
1705 South Escondido BoulevardGreat Mexican food nearby, love their carne asada chips, adobada tacos, bacon & egg breakfast burrito and their churros!
Mikko Sushi
1025 Carlsbad Village DrLocal winery with tasting room/patio and outdoor area for groups & families to enjoy
72 locals recommend
Orfila Vineyards and Winery
13455 San Pasqual RdLocal winery with tasting room/patio and outdoor area for groups & families to enjoy
TJ Tacos
802 E Valley PkwyScrumptious Tijuana style tacos and fare.
Stone Brewing
1999 Citracado ParkwyLovely outdoor areas, local brewery and good food
The Cheesecake Factory
7067 Friars RdCheesecake!
Plant nursery
Green Thumb Nursery - San Marcos
1019 W San Marcos BlvdGreat local nursery with all sorts of variety
Private cacti & succulent nursery in residential area with large plant specimens on the nursery grounds to scope out for great photos! Check business hours before heading over, sometimes they’ll close early without notice
Grigsby Cactus Gardens
2354 Bella Vista DrPrivate cacti & succulent nursery in residential area with large plant specimens on the nursery grounds to scope out for great photos! Check business hours before heading over, sometimes they’ll close early without notice
Great for wandering through acres of water wise landscaping plants and they have a nice smaller sized plant section
Waterwise Botanicals
32151 Old Hwy 395Great for wandering through acres of water wise landscaping plants and they have a nice smaller sized plant section
Walter Andersen's Nursery
12755 Danielson CourtShopping
Westfield North County Shopping Center
272 E Via Rancho PkwyTarget
17170 Camino Del SurTake a trip towards the coast for this great outdoor shopping and dining experience
24 locals recommend
One Paseo
3725 Paseo PlTake a trip towards the coast for this great outdoor shopping and dining experience
Grocery Stores
Trader Joe's
1885 S Centre City PkwySprouts Farmers Market
1260 Garnet AveVons
351 W Felicita AveMajor Market Inc
1855 S Centre City PkwyThey have a great bakery & deli