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)
Credit: Genevieve Bell, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 986 La Moree Road San Marcos CA
37. Olivenhain Dam & Reservoir
4.8 (5 reviews)
Credit: Wesley Sung, Google Maps
36. Denk Mountain
5.0 (6 reviews)
Credit: Carson Chiavatti, Google Maps
Location: Horned Lizard Trail Carlsbad CA
35. Keys Creek Winery
4.3 (7 reviews)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Credit: Steve Ramirez, Google Maps
Location: 8173 Del Dios Road San Diego CA
25. Deer Park Monastery
4.9 (98 reviews)
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)
Credit: Markus Stampfli, Google Maps
Location: La Costa Oaks San Marcos CA
23. Ridgeline Trailhead
4.7 (124 reviews)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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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