Escondido, California

The core of Inland North San Diego County, the city of Escondido lies in a long valley in the Southern California coastal mountains. The city is situated 30 miles northeast of San Diego and 18 miles inland. This thriving city, the center of which consists mostly of small, family-owned businesses, is nestled among rolling hills and lush, fragrant avocado and citrus groves. It covers 37 square miles and boasts the lowest median cost of homes in the North County area. Escondido has much to offer the prospective homebuyer, from beautiful homes and glorious weather to quality schools and abundant cultural venues.

Escondido enjoys a booming housing market. Offering a vast range of homes from established neighborhoods to new housing developments, the discriminating homebuyer will certainly find a home to meet his or her economic and personal goals. In addition to the many heritage and newer homes in the city, At Home Downtown is a project to build higher-density, market-rate urban residential properties in the downtown area such as condominiums, row homes, and town homes. The median home value in Escondido is $454,000, with a resale value of 23%, which is well above the state and national average. Escondido proudly offers the maximum residential features and amenities for each housing dollar spent.

Escondido's economic climate is just as attractive as its housing market. The unemployment rate is lower than the state and national average at 3.6%, while the job growth is 2.6%, higher than both the state and national average. Future job growth is estimated at 17%. The city supports numerous businesses, including three major business districts in and around the city. All three areas have increased residential property values and improved the aesthetics of the surrounding areas, as well as providing jobs for the local residents.

Escondido enjoys a temperate climate year-round, with average temperatures ranging from a high of 84 degrees in July to a low of 43 degrees in January. With only 43 days of precipitation annually, there is plenty of sunshine to play in at the local beaches and parks, adding to the desirability of home ownership in this thriving city!

The Escondido Union School District enrolls more than 19,000 students in its 27 public schools, 11 private schools, and three charter schools. The District follows a traditional school year schedule, with a continual commitment to the highest level of academic achievement. During the past 15 years, the California Distinguished Schools Award, which recognizes the state's strong, well-rounded community schools, has been granted to several of Escondido's public schools. The Escondido Education Compact, an organization committed to providing community programs to support youth education, offers education and career opportunities to prepare Escondido's students to be productive citizens of the community. Palomar Community College is the largest of the eight community college districts in the San Diego area and offers diplomas in five academic fields.

The city of Escondido features a variety of recreational opportunities for its residents. Nine park facilities, including Dixon Lake, Lake Wohlford, and Daley Ranch, provide Escondido's residents and visitors with a wide variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, boating, and fishing, just to name a few. The Kit Carson Regional Park offers 300 acres of lighted ball fields, toddler playgrounds, picnic tables, and an amphitheatre. In addition, the Escondido Sports Park provides a skate park, soccer and roller hockey arenas, and a pro shop and concession stand. Several communities and neighborhoods also offer parks for their residents. For golfers of all skill levels, Escondido offers six public golf courses, including two courses at the Lawrence Welk Resort; the Escondido Country Club maintains a private golf course.

One of the most famous local attractions is the San Diego Wild Animal Park, a 1,800-acre wildlife preserve with over 3,500 animals representing 260 species. The Park features a safari-like setting for visitors to view animals in their natural habitats, for an experience different than any zoo.

Escondido offers much in the sphere of the arts and culture. The California Center for the Arts, Escondido draws visitors from southern Orange and Riverside Counties as well as the entire San Diego area, making it the cultural center of the North County region. The Center has spurred development in the core of the city, including plans for 200 condominiums and a town home project of over 200 units, thus increasing property values in the city's center. Museums of Escondido include the Mingei International Museum, the Escondido Children's Museum, and the Heritage Walk Museum at the Escondido Historical Society. Escondido is also home to numerous art galleries and antique shops for its residents' enjoyment, as well as the award-winning Theatrx and the Patio Playhouse community theatres.

The city of Escondido remains one of San Diego County's most excellent places to live, work, and play. A choice to buy real estate or a home in Escondido is a choice to invest in your life and family, a choice that will yield satisfaction for years to come!