Guidebook for Escondido
Food Scene
Blue Mug Coffee & Tea
1882 W El Norte PkwyGreat for coffee and homemade pastries.
The Owners live in Emerald Heights and have created a wonderful Mexican menu with a healthy twist. The chips and homemade salsas are delicious and you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. This place is a gem and reasonably priced. On weekends there is sometimes a wait for a table and you place your name on a waiting list. They also do food to go. Closed Sunday and Monday
8 locals recommend
Cenote Grill
1896 W El Norte PkwyThe Owners live in Emerald Heights and have created a wonderful Mexican menu with a healthy twist. The chips and homemade salsas are delicious and you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. This place is a gem and reasonably priced. On weekends there is sometimes a wait for a table and you place your name on a waiting list. They also do food to go. Closed Sunday and Monday
Fabulous pizzas, pastas and salads and a really great happy hour until 6pm.
28 locals recommend
Pizza Nova
5050 N Harbor DrFabulous pizzas, pastas and salads and a really great happy hour until 6pm.
Great atmosphere and great for families and large parties. Service is good and fast. Very reasonably priced.
15 locals recommend
The Old Spaghetti Factory
111 N Twin Oaks Valley RdGreat atmosphere and great for families and large parties. Service is good and fast. Very reasonably priced.
They have some of the best sushi in the area. Very nice pleasant atmosphere and super fresh with nice presentation.
Sushi Huku
727 W San Marcos BlvdThey have some of the best sushi in the area. Very nice pleasant atmosphere and super fresh with nice presentation.
This place is located at the top of a Lexus dealership offering really nice views and they have both alfresco and indoor dining. Great vodka bar with wonderful martinis. In the summer they often have live music on weekends on the patio.
The menu is inspired by local chef Deborah Scott who has signature dishes on the menu and I have tried just about all dishes and have never been disappointed. The fine dining room is wonderful for special occasions.
56 locals recommend
Vintana Wine + Dine
1205 Auto Park WayThis place is located at the top of a Lexus dealership offering really nice views and they have both alfresco and indoor dining. Great vodka bar with wonderful martinis. In the summer they often have live music on weekends on the patio.
The menu is inspired by local chef Deborah Scott who has signature dishes on the menu and I have tried just about all dishes and have never been disappointed. The fine dining room is wonderful for special occasions.
Great selection of IPA's and stouts and Porter's all made in house. Fun to tour the brewery and gift shop is fun to pick up a souvenir. Outdoor seating area is a must especially in summer
232 locals recommend
Stone Brewing
1999 Citracado ParkwyGreat selection of IPA's and stouts and Porter's all made in house. Fun to tour the brewery and gift shop is fun to pick up a souvenir. Outdoor seating area is a must especially in summer
Very quaint and beachy village with great food and family friendly vibe. Cute shops and boutiques. Not to be missed is Handel's Ice cream on State street. Also has a nice beach.
158 locals recommend
Carlsbad Village
Very quaint and beachy village with great food and family friendly vibe. Cute shops and boutiques. Not to be missed is Handel's Ice cream on State street. Also has a nice beach.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great sports bar with chicken wings done in just about every which way possible. Lively atmosphere.
Buffalo Wild Wings
1010 W San Marcos BlvdGreat sports bar with chicken wings done in just about every which way possible. Lively atmosphere.
Players Sports Grill
328 S Twin Oaks Valley RdLively and pretty young clientele - good for college aged.
The views are stunning of rolling vineyard and rolling hills in background. The winery has a large tasting room with about 6 different wines to sample. Groupon often has specials for buy one tasting get one free.
72 locals recommend
Orfila Vineyards and Winery
13455 San Pasqual RdThe views are stunning of rolling vineyard and rolling hills in background. The winery has a large tasting room with about 6 different wines to sample. Groupon often has specials for buy one tasting get one free.
O'Sullivan's Irish Pub & Restaurant
640 Grand AvenueLively fun atmosphere.
Parks & Nature
Great for the animal lover and children. This place is very vast and you can go by foot or take a tram that takes you to the two plains where you will find animals from Asia and Africa. Can get hot so sunscreen and hats and pacing yourself as there are a lot of trails that can be quite hilly.
967 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdGreat for the animal lover and children. This place is very vast and you can go by foot or take a tram that takes you to the two plains where you will find animals from Asia and Africa. Can get hot so sunscreen and hats and pacing yourself as there are a lot of trails that can be quite hilly.
World Famous zoo that allows for amazing viewing of animals from all over the world. The pandas and the polar bears are my favorite. The tiger exhibit is also amazing. A bus can take you throughout the park or there are trails and you can do the whole place by foot.
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrWorld Famous zoo that allows for amazing viewing of animals from all over the world. The pandas and the polar bears are my favorite. The tiger exhibit is also amazing. A bus can take you throughout the park or there are trails and you can do the whole place by foot.
Gorgeous trails take you high above the bluffs with stunning ocean views. A must visit if you enjoy hiking and ocean. Prepare to pay $10 for parking.
268 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Beach
Gorgeous trails take you high above the bluffs with stunning ocean views. A must visit if you enjoy hiking and ocean. Prepare to pay $10 for parking.
Moonlight Beach
400 B StEntertainment & Activities
This place has great shows - the sea otter show is my favorite. You can also arrange to swim with dolphins (extra$$)
There are also 10 rides and play areas for small kids.
1754 locals recommend
SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Dr.This place has great shows - the sea otter show is my favorite. You can also arrange to swim with dolphins (extra$$)
There are also 10 rides and play areas for small kids.
Disneyland Park
1313 Disneyland DrThe happiest place on earth is only an hour and a half away!!
Legoland is only 20 minutes away and is a must for families with smaller children. Kids under the age of 15 will really enjoy this place and they are constantly expanding and adding new attractions. The shows such as the fireman show is hilarious and a favorite.
68 locals recommend
Legoland Drive
Legoland DriveLegoland is only 20 minutes away and is a must for families with smaller children. Kids under the age of 15 will really enjoy this place and they are constantly expanding and adding new attractions. The shows such as the fireman show is hilarious and a favorite.
The gaslamp is the hub of downtown san diego. I highly recommend the Old Town Trolley Tour to take you all throughout downtown and it even takes you to Coronado where you must see the famous Hotel Del Coronado.
1208 locals recommend
Gaslamp Quarter
The gaslamp is the hub of downtown san diego. I highly recommend the Old Town Trolley Tour to take you all throughout downtown and it even takes you to Coronado where you must see the famous Hotel Del Coronado.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
1885 S Centre City PkwyThe store makes Homemade chips and guacamole and mango salsa all are a must!!
14 locals recommend
Albertsons
1509 E Valley PkwyThe store makes Homemade chips and guacamole and mango salsa all are a must!!
Shopping
I love visiting the main street in Old Town. There are plenty of shops showcasing local artisans for locally made goods such as honey, olive oil, cheeses, wines, lavender and more. It is also fun to go antique shopping. There are good restaurants and even a western themed bar with line dancing.
149 locals recommend
Old Town Front Street
Old Town Front StreetI love visiting the main street in Old Town. There are plenty of shops showcasing local artisans for locally made goods such as honey, olive oil, cheeses, wines, lavender and more. It is also fun to go antique shopping. There are good restaurants and even a western themed bar with line dancing.
Sightseeing
Old Town has museums, shops, Mexican restaurants with mariachi bands, the Whaley House (an old Victorian house that is presumably haunted) and the Old Town Trolley can be accessed here as well.
1070 locals recommend
Old Town
Old Town has museums, shops, Mexican restaurants with mariachi bands, the Whaley House (an old Victorian house that is presumably haunted) and the Old Town Trolley can be accessed here as well.
The iconic USS Midway is fascinating to tour located right on the Harbor and within a short walk to Seaport Village.
775 locals recommend
USS Midway Museum
910 N Harbor DrThe iconic USS Midway is fascinating to tour located right on the Harbor and within a short walk to Seaport Village.