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38 Best and Fun Things To Do In San Marcos, California


TouristWire Editors

This city, situated in Southern California, boasts an abundance of attractions! Renowned for its stunning landscapes and charming historic downtown.

San Marcos offers everything from museums and art galleries to parks and nature hikes. There are also plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars in the area.

One of the most popular attractions in San Marcos is Sunshine Mountain Vineyard. It offers visitors some stunning views of the rolling hills and is the perfect place to sit back and relax with a glass of wine after a long day of sightseeing.

Here’s our list of favorite things to do in San Marcos

The 38 Most Popular Things To Do In San Marcos, California

38. Jack’s pond

5.0 ★★★★★ (3 reviews)

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Credit: Genevieve Bell, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 986 La Moree Road San Marcos CA

37. Olivenhain Dam & Reservoir

4.8 ★★★★★ (5 reviews)

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Credit: Wesley Sung, Google Maps

36. Denk Mountain

5.0 ★★★★★ (6 reviews)

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Credit: Carson Chiavatti, Google Maps

Location: Horned Lizard Trail Carlsbad CA

35. Keys Creek Winery

4.3 ★★★★☆ (7 reviews)

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Credit: Keys Creek Winery, Google Maps

Location: 27118 N Broadway Escondido CA

Tel:  442 777 3414

Web Address:   http://keyscreekwinery.com/

34. Copper Creek Falls

4.3 ★★★★☆ (9 reviews)

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Credit: paterjo, Google Maps

Location: Carlsbad CA

33. Palomar College Planetarium

5.0 ★★★★★ (12 reviews)

Location: 1140 W Mission Road San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 1150- -2833

Web Address:   http://palomar.edu/planetarium

32. Edwin and Frances Hunter Arboretum

4.0 ★★★★☆ (15 reviews)

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Credit: Chad Baker, Google Maps

Location: Palomar College Comet Cir San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 1150

Web Address:   http://palomar.edu/arboretum/

31. The CADO

3.1 ★★★☆☆ (18 reviews)

Location: 250 N City Dr #9 San Marcos CA

30. Double Peak

4.9 ★★★★★ (19 reviews)

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Credit: OnTarget, License, Wikimedia commons

29. San Marcos Historical Society

4.6 ★★★★★ (26 reviews)

Location: 1952 Sycamore Dr San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 9025

Web Address:   http://smhistory.org/

28. Grafted Cellars

4.7 ★★★★★ (43 reviews)

Credit: Grafted Cellars, Google Maps

Location: 2379 La Mirada Dr Vista CA

Tel:  760 295 6612

Web Address:   http://graftedcellars.com/

27. Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum

4.4 ★★★★☆ (64 reviews)

Location: 29013 Champagne Blvd Escondido CA

Tel:  760 749 1666

26. San Dieguito River Park – Santa Fe Valley Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ (82 reviews)

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Credit: Steve Ramirez, Google Maps

Location: 8173 Del Dios Road San Diego CA

25. Deer Park Monastery

4.9 ★★★★★ (98 reviews)

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Credit: Deer Park Monastery, Google Maps

Location: 2499 Melru Ln Escondido CA

Tel:  760 291 1003

Web Address:   https://deerparkmonastery.org/

24. Rancho La Costa Reserve

4.7 ★★★★★ (99 reviews)

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Credit: Markus Stampfli, Google Maps

Location: La Costa Oaks San Marcos CA

23. Ridgeline Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ (124 reviews)

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Credit: Henry Voros, Google Maps

Location: 1250 S Twin Oaks Valley Road San Marcos CA

Web Address:   http://san-marcos.net/departments/parks-recreation/outdoor-adventures

22. Twin Oaks Golf Course

4.2 ★★★★☆ (139 reviews)

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Credit: Twin Oaks Golf Course, Google Maps

Location: 1425 N Twin Oaks Valley Road San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 591 4700

Web Address:   https://jcgolf.com/san-diego-golf-courses/twin-oaks/

21. Simmons Family Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (144 reviews)

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Credit: Jim Sutton, Google Maps

Location: 2180 Rocky Point Way San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 9000- -3500

Web Address:   https://san-marcos.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/158/1080

20. Las Posas Park Pool

4.5 ★★★★★ (170 reviews)

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Credit: Las Posas Park Pool, Google Maps

Location: Cerro De Las Posas Park 1387 W Borden Road San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 599 9783

Web Address:   https://san-marcos.net/departments/parks-recreation/aquatics/las-posas-pool

19. Mulberry Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (170 reviews)

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Credit: Maria Robles, Google Maps

Location: 751 Mulberry Dr San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 9000

Web Address:   https://san-marcos.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/803/1080

18. San Elijo Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (178 reviews)

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Credit: Sharon Tate Soberon, License, Flickr

Location: 1105 Elfin Forest Road San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 9000

Web Address:   http://san-marcos.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/160/1080

17. Rod McLeod Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (225 reviews)

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Credit: Della and Emery Smith, Google Maps

Location: 1701 S Iris Ln Escondido CA

Tel:  760 839 4691

Web Address:   https://escondido.org/rod-mcleod-park.aspx

16. Lakeview Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (247 reviews)

Credit: 619 OG, Google Maps

Location: 650 Foxhall Dr San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 9000- -3500

Web Address:   https://san-marcos.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/164/1078

15. Hollandia Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (332 reviews)

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Credit: Rebecca Fuller, Google Maps

Location: 12 Mission Hills Ct San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 9000

Web Address:   https://san-marcos.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/803/1080

14. Montiel park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (335 reviews)

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Credit: Montiel park, Google Maps

Location: 2290 Montiel Road San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 9000

Web Address:   https://san-marcos.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/803/1080

13. Walnut Grove Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (409 reviews)

Credit: Scott Burns, Google Maps

Location: 1950 Sycamore Dr San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 9000

Web Address:   http://san-marcos.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/166/1078

12. Connors Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (417 reviews)

Credit: Rebecca Fuller, Google Maps

Location: 320 W San Marcos Blvd San Marcos CA

Web Address:   https://san-marcos.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/151/1080

11. Woodland Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (620 reviews)

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Credit: Victoria Apodaca, Google Maps

Location: 671 Woodland Pkwy San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 9000

Web Address:   http://san-marcos.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/167/1120

10. Sunset Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (995 reviews)

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Credit: Sharon Tate Soberon, License, Flickr

Location: 909 Puesta Del Sol San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 9000

Our Top picks

9. Belle Marie Winery

4.7 ★★★★★ (75 reviews)

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Credit: Norman Q, Google Maps

Location: 26312 Mesa Rock Road Escondido CA

Tel:  760 796 7557

Web Address:   http://bellemarie.com/

8. Sunshine Mountain Vineyard

4.8 ★★★★★ (162 reviews)

Location: 2286 Sunshine Mountain Road San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 798 3741

Web Address:   http://sunshinemountainwines.com/

7. Discovery Lake

4.8 ★★★★★ (226 reviews)

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Credit: shmyla siddiqui, Google Maps

Location: 650 Foxhall Dr San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 1050

Web Address:   https://san-marcos.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/164/1078

6. Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (726 reviews)

Location: 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Ln Carlsbad CA

Tel:  442 339 5042

Web Address:   https://carlsbadca.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/48/7400

5. Felicita County Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (960 reviews)

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Credit: Summer Sandberg, Google Maps

Location: 742 Clarence Ln Escondido CA

Tel:  760 745 4379

Web Address:   http://sandiegocounty.gov/parks/picnic/felicita.html

4. Daley Ranch

4.7 ★★★★★ (1,164 reviews)

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Credit: Joey Babcock, Google Maps

Location: 3024 La Honda Dr Escondido CA

Tel:  760 839 4680

Web Address:   https://escondido.org/daley-ranch.aspx

3. Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

4.7 ★★★★★ (1,295 reviews)

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Credit: juanita reyes, Google Maps

Location: 8833 Harmony Grove Road Escondido CA

Tel:  760 632 4212

Web Address:   https://elfinforest.olivenhain.com/

2. Double Peak Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (1,321 reviews)

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Credit: OnTarget, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 900 Double Peak Dr San Marcos CA

Tel:  760 744 9000- -3500

Web Address:   https://san-marcos.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/803/1080

1. Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Escondido

4.5 ★★★★★ (2,324 reviews)

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Credit: Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Escondido, Google Maps

Location: 1999 Citracado Parkwy Escondido CA

Tel:  760 294 7866

Web Address:   http://stonebrewing.com/visit/bistros/escondido

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in San Marcos, California! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

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