Escondido

With its plentiful conveniences, reasonable home prices and charming parks and museums, Central Escondido is a top choice for those looking to move to San Diego’s North County. Originally founded in 1888 as a center for farming, the area has transformed over the years into a residential and commercial hotspot, serving the greater Escondido area with some of the best eats and shops, alongside historic housing districts and memorable green spaces. “It’s a great place to live, we have a lot of things here to pique your interest,” says Francine Cruz who has worked at the Escondido Public Library for 28 years. “There are lots of new buildings going up and plenty of places to live.” Central Escondido also offers some of the most versatile and affordable housing in North County. Thanks to a population boom in the 1970s, most houses still standing today are from this era, meaning vintage character is nearly guaranteed in the area’s countless bungalow-style homes. There are contemporary options as well, including newer-built apartments, condominiums and townhomes. Smaller homes and bungalows sell for between $600,000 and $800,000 while larger, newer homes are typically upward of $1,000,000. Condos and townhomes can be anywhere from $400,000 to $600,000. Right off Valley Parkway and Broadway sits Grape Day Park, a historic, sprawling park featuring a century-old barn, blacksmith shop, and other significant buildings and monuments, all open for visitors to experience. “Escondido also has three lakes and plenty of parks so people love having options for hiking and fishing,” Cruz says. Small park options within the neighborhood include Westside Park and Grove Park. Central Escondido has an impressive collection of retail and dining options easily accessible from any of the area’s main thoroughfares. From streetside cafés to independent bookstores, craft shops and bargain home décor stores, locals have their pick. “We have Grand Avenue which has lots of restaurants and the mall is not too far. There are a lot of different stores and restaurants.” Burger Bench is a popular, family-owned spot known for its fresh ingredients. Local students can attend Lincoln Elementary School, which received a B-plus rating from Niche. Mission Middle School is another option that received a C-plus rating from Niche. Classical Academy High School received an A rating from Niche and is known for its award-winning campus and highly personalized approach. “We have lots of elementary schools around here, a couple of junior high schools, high schools and academies too. We have everything we need and they’re good schools too,” Cruz says. The neighborhood has regularly scheduled events like the Tuesday afternoon Farmer’s Market and Friday night “Cruisin’ Grand” vintage car show. The California Center for the Arts and Children’s Discovery Museum attract visitors from throughout the city for their enriching, interactive exhibits and programs. “There’s so much to do here. The library has lots of free programs each month, and there are concerts and a zoo,” Cruz says. Central Escondido residents have easy access to Interstate 15 which heads south into Downtown San Diego, 30 miles away.

With hundreds of spacious, upscale living options nestled along the foothills of Palomar Mountain, Cloverdale is San Diego County’s best-kept secret.<br><br>As you enter the gated community of Rancho San Pasqual, you are greeted with rolling mountain vistas and towering trees that line the streets, many of which end in cul-de-sacs. The natural beauty doesn't stop there, as there are plenty of natural waterfalls that some residents can see from their homes. The community is filled with single-family homes, many with Mediterranean-style architecture that includes tiled roofing and front patios where you can sit outside with a cup of tea and say hello to passing-by neighbors. Kristen Akagi, real estate agent with eXp Realty of Southern California and resident of Rancho San Pasqual says, “The community is a hidden gem, and it’s a little bit old fashioned but close enough to all of the modern amenities.” She adds “It’s a place where you can go and ask your neighbor for milk or eggs if you’ve run out.” Homes in Rancho San Pasqual are a hot commodity and don’t come on the market often, but recently sold properties were priced between the mid $700,000 range up to $1.4 million. There are also plenty of spacious homes in the neighboring Rachos at Vistamonte gated community. Prospective residents will find various homes here, including homes with stone turrets that have instant curb appeal, high ceilings, custom flooring, and fixtures that are sure to wow guests.<br><br>Children living in Cloverdale will likely start their education at San Pasqual Union School, nicknamed “The Little School in the Valley.” As a winner of the 2022 California Practice Pivotal Award, which celebrates schools that have adopted innovative practices for distance learning, students are offered a unique curriculum as they progress from kindergarten through eighth grade. Students from sixth to eighth grade can participate in one of the many year-round sports programs, ranging from cross country to boys’ and girls’ volleyball and soccer. Before and after school care through the local YMCA is also available. After graduating from San Pasqual Union, students will likely attend Orange Glen High School, only minutes away. Students can take advantage of the College and Career Center, Dual Enrollment courses and several scholarship opportunities to put their best foot forward when entering the next stage of their lives.<br><br>Though you can get your steps in for the day by walking along the sidewalk-lined residential streets, there are plenty of outdoor spaces around as well. Rancho San Pasqual residents can head to the clubhouse to dip in the pool or have an afternoon picnic under the trees. Parents can take their children to the playground to burn off some energy, and there is also a basketball court perfect for a quick pickup game. Residents are also not too far away from Mountain View Park, which features an expansive playground and a fitness court. For a relaxing day on the water, head to Dixon Lake. Dixon Lake has several hiking trails, campsites for an overnight stay and several areas to cast a line and fish.<br><br>For a day on the fairways, book a tee time at Eagle Crest Golf Club. This 18-hole, par-72 course offers views of rolling hills and plenty of natural beauty, including waterfalls and lakes that add an extra degree of difficulty. After a round, head to the Eagle Crest Grill, which offers a variety of sandwiches and snacks as well as an array of beer and wine.<br><br>Though the residential areas of Cloverdale are tucked away from the rest of Escondido, a quick drive up San Pasqual Valley Road gives quick access to various shops and dining nearby. Residents are also just minutes away from getting a true safari experience with the San Diego Safari Zoo Park nearby.

Um, yes. The name of this neighborhood is indeed Country Club. And it's got the credentials to back it up. Northwest of downtown Escondido, this tranquil enclave is anchored by the Canopy Grove residential community, which broke ground in 2020 on the fairways of the former Escondido Country Club. Canopy Grove is just one of several subdivisions in Country Club, however, and the entire neighborhood is an appealing mix of older and newer homes in an idyllic North County setting. “It’s really a hidden gem that’s quiet and removed from any city hustle, and it feels like nobody knows it’s here,” says Rick Purpura, Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeService who lives in Country Club. “It’s also right at the intersection of the 15 and the 78, so you’re only 30 miles or so from either downtown San Diego or Temecula wine country.” <br><br>Approved in 2017, the new 380-home Canopy Grove subdivision rivals a private county club with its amenities, from the resort-style pool to the fitness center and the bocce and pickleball courts – all well-suited for a community built on a former golf course. Homes in the subdivision are spread across three villages, and styles vary. Homebuyers may see Spanish-style stucco exteriors, sturdy Craftsman porches or hints of modern farmhouse. Prices in Canopy Grove range from $860,000 to $1 million. <br><br>Tidy solar-owned homes built in the ‘60s for about $700,000 and Spanish-style remodels built in the ‘90s for just under $1 million hug the streets adjacent to Canopy Grove. In the 55-and-better Citrus Gardens community, upgraded 1970s homes include pool, spa, clubhouse and gym amenities, and prices begin at about $380,000. Two-bedroom ranch style homes with red tile roofs in the Barcelona community sell for about $700,000. Older homes in Country Club do not have HOAs while some of the newer ones, like Canopy Grove, do have HOAs and their corresponding fees and amenities. <br><br>Reidy Creek Elementary and Rincon Middle are in the Escondido Union School District, which has served the region since the 1880s. Niche.com grades Reidy Creek a C+ while Rincon Middle earns a B-. Two dozen students from Escondido High School recently worked with Cal State San Marcos students to design a remote-controlled moon rover thanks to a three-year program – dubbed the aerospace academy – funded by NASA. The high school earns a B+ from Niche. In 2022, Escondido High earned the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. <br><br>Tidy pocket parks are tucked here and there across the neighborhood, encouraging dog walkers and families to pause and soak up the tranquility. Cradled in a condominium cul-de-sac, the bite-sized Julie Dawn Park is a welcoming spot with a pergola, picnic tables and a soft-foundation playground. Knob Hill Park, near Knob Hill Elementary School, is another well-maintained green space. It’s popular with leashed dogs and unleashed kids, who can scramble around the playground and test their coordination skills on the webbed climbing structure. The Reidy Creek Golf Course just east of Country Club is an 18-hole public course. A new disc golf course also twists through its grounds. <br><br>Farmers and vendors sell fresh California produce, bread, tortillas and honey at the weekly farmers market in Escondido five miles south. The farmers market is Thursday afternoons from 2:30pm until sunset year-round. <br><br>The shopping plaza at the corner of Country Club Lane and El Norte Parkway is home to two local favorites, Cenote Grill and Blue Mug Coffee. “Cenote Grill is the best Mexican food around. It’s been here for a while and it’s super popular. It’s also right near a barber, beauty salon and coffee shop,” Purpura says. “You can just park your car and walk around this whole area.” Blue Mug Coffee earns kudos for its Mexican mochas, chai lattes and caramel-coconut Maui Wowie espresso. Groceries are for sale at Von’s in the El Norte Parkway Plaza. An easy escape? Temecula and its 47 wineries, which are a 30-minute drive north. <br><br>Country Club has direct access to the 15 and 78 freeways, and it’s easy to head out on daily commutes and day trips throughout San Diego County. San Diego is 35 miles south of Country Club via the I-15.

Surrounded by wineries, nationally acclaimed parks and rugged California landscape, East Canyon offers quiet neighborhood retreat in Escondido. East Canyon’s landscape of gently winding roads bloom with thick flowered foliage and offer panoramic views of the surrounding hills. In addition to its beauty, East Canyon offers very highly rated public and private schools, and easy access to surrounding amenities. Jeff Weber, a Realtor with AARE and San Diego County resident for over 25 years says, “East Canyon is in an area we call the San Pasqual Valley, beneath the 78. People live here because you can stop at a popular winery on your way to the San Diego Safari Park, and hike all throughout the San Pasqual Valley. But you’re also so close to the freeway that your commute into San Diego from this whole Southside Escondido area is quicker than from northern Escondido.” Homes in East Canyon come with the perks of less density and larger backyard space than more densely constructed Southern California neighborhoods. Some homes here built in the 1970s and 1980s feature Spanish Colonial features like stucco walls and clay-tiled roofs. Some other homes have Pueblo-inspired architectural flair or a sleek midcentury modern design. Buyers will also find newer, expansive Mediterranean-style mansions with private gates tucked on slopes for added privacy. Prices here reflect their designer elements and upscale amenities, ranging from $900,000 to $1.5 million. Education begins at L.R. Green Elementary School, which has an overall B-minus on Niche. Students then filter into Bear Valley Middle School, which has a B grade on Niche, before attending San Pasqual High School The school has an overall A-minus grade on Niche. In addition to its academics, the school has a robust athletic program, featuring an award-winning soccer team and coach. Families seeking alternative education can look to The Classical Academy. This California Distinguished School is a charter public school offering the option of attending two days in school and the balance of the week studying at home, or an at-home option with in-school electives. Living here puts residents close to a variety of outdoor spaces, including Kit Carson Park. Here, visitors will find an immense green space with Queen Califia’s Magic Circle, a glass sculpture garden. The park also includes a 5-acre arboretum, lighted outdoor sports courts, an indoor hockey and soccer complex and a skate park. Animal lovers will enjoy going on an outdoor adventure at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which offers miles of replicas of exotic wildlife habitats. For hiking, residents are close to Lookout Mountain, a 60-acre retreat with walking trails and vistas of the surrounding area. Wine enthusiasts can cross right over San Pasqual Road on the south perimeter of East Canyon to sample premium, small-production wines in the scenic San Pasqual Valley at Orfila Vineyards and Winery. Since it opened in the early ‘90s, Orfila Vineyards has won more than 1,300 national and international medals in wine competitions. Although the neighborhood is primarily a blend of residences and natural areas, residents can quickly reach a Trader Joe’s, Von’s and CVS in around a mile drive northwest of the community. “There’s also a major shopping center, the North County Mall, that’s a very popular draw here, just outside the southwest corner,” Weber says. Spanning more than 80 acres, North County Mall is where locals shop dozens of major retailers, dine at a smorgasbord of eateries, and enjoy a calendar of holiday events. For those who wish to commute to San Diego for work, dining, retail or entertainment, the community is adjacent to Interstate 15. Via I-15, the city is just 30 miles away, making it easy to go out to eat, go shopping or have a beach day. I-15 also provides a convenient outlet in the event of wildfires. For those seeking further travel, San Diego International Airport is just about 40 miles away. Other major thoroughfares like San Pasqual Valley Road offer access to necessities like Palomar Medical Center in downtown Escondido. Convenience to the surrounding area makes East Canyon a good choice for those seeking peace in San Pasqual Valley.

Set on the foothills of northeast Escondido, East Grove's natural surroundings give the neighborhood a bit of a rural aesthetic despite being 30 miles north of San Diego's bustling city center. East Grove is neighbored by the historic San Pasqual Valley, the Escondido Creek Trail and Daley Ranch Preserve – there's no shortage of green spaces to explore. Despite proximity to the big city and sprawling nature hubs, families enjoy being within walking distance to Orange Glen Elementary and Valley High School. "It's an up-and-coming area," says Steven Bugiel, San Diego Realtor with First Team. "East Grove sits on the outskirts where the lots are bigger and there's more privacy the further out you get. Potential homebuyers like the idea of having that escape from the busy city." The neighborhood features a mix of Craftsman-style homes built in the 1970s and contemporary stucco-finish homes from the '90s. Newer homes in the area boast backdrops of the surrounding hills and often incorporate earthy hues, with many featuring solar panels for an eco-friendly touch. Two-bedroom homes start at around $440,000, while four-bedroom homes are priced upwards of $850,000. Mobile home parks such as Eastwood Meadows and Mobilepark West, provide smaller options for those looking to downsize, or first-time buyers. A four-bedroom mobile home starts at around $330,000. Jeff Weber, a local Realtor with AARE shares, “East Grove is really known here locally as Northeast Escondido. It’s a great area for folks looking for homes with no HOA fees and no Mello-Roos tax assessments. The neighborhood has a large stock of well-established and tract resale homes.” Local public schools are zoned within the Escondido Union district, earning an overall B-minus from Niche. Students might start out at Orange Glen Elementary, then continue to Hidden Valley Middle, both of which earn a C-plus from Niche. Orange Glen High earns a B, offering a Middle College program where students can earn up to 30 units of transferrable college credit. East Valley Parkway is lined with a few fast-casual eateries and chain grocery stores like Ralphs and Vons. Heading west, find dining options like Bamboo House, serving up Cantonese and Mandarin food, and Soprano's Pizza. For all things clothes, North County Mall is 7 miles away just off of East Via Rancho Parkway, anchored by a Macy's and featuring specialty shops like H&M and Bath & Body Works. The 15 South connects residents to Downtown San Diego and the San Diego International Airport in about 34 miles (around 40 minutes depending on traffic). The North County Transit District (NCTD) operates local bus services, with the Escondido Transit Center serving as a hub that links to the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and the Riverside Transit Agency. For health care, residents head to the Palomar Medical Center, located in west Escondido. The sprawling 3,200-acre Daley Ranch is set on the northern edge of the neighborhood. Folks visit the ranch in the summer to fish for trout at Dixon Lake, camp and hike the Burnt Mountain trails. Mountain View Park on Citrus Avenue has two playgrounds and a designated fitness court, hosting Escondido National Little League games during baseball season. The 65-acre Ryan Park offers seven ball fields. The park's namesake, Frances Ryan, was a local author who planted many of the beautiful oak trees along its borders.

Located near the heart of Escondido in north San Diego County, East Valley is a tranquil community that provides a taste of country living with proximity to the city’s abundant amenities. Resting in a long valley just west of the coastal mountains, East Valley residents also enjoy scenic views and quick access to expansive nature preserves. The neighborhood is just 30 miles northeast of San Diego, 100 miles south of Los Angeles and 18 miles east of the coast, making it a centrally located and well-balanced place to call home. “East Valley is a little more rural, and not very walkable, but it’s close to a lot of places,” says Bryan Devore, Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, who has been selling properties in the area for 21 years. “The homes have some land which people really like, so you’re not right on top of each other.” In East Valley, single-family homes are spread out on spacious lots tucked into the area’s lush, hilly landscape. Because of this, although it’s residential, the area has a rural feel with loads of privacy and seclusion. There are a variety of housing styles including Mediterranean and ranch-style homes. These properties, which often offer scenic views of the surrounding foothills, range in price from $700,000 to $1.3 million. “Right now, inventory is pretty low,” says Devore. “If priced right, homes seem to sell pretty quickly.” Children in the area attend public schools in the Escondido Union School District. Many students start out at L.R. Green Elementary School, which receives an overall grade of B-plus from Niche, before attending Bear Valley Middle School, which earns a B and offers a STEM Robotics program. Nearby Orange Glen High School earns a B from Niche and offers Dual Enrollment courses that count as college credit upon completion as well as a College & Career Center to help students put their best foot forward after graduation. Residents are just minutes from Mountain View Park, a neighborhood green space with a playground, fitness court and baseball fields. For those wanting to spend time by the water, Dixon Lake is 4 miles north. This expansive outdoor area is popular for its miles of hiking trails, multiple fishing docks and campgrounds that offer sweeping views of Escondido. More hiking and mountain biking opportunities can be found in the northeastern corner of Escondido, where the 3,000-acre nature preserve, Daley Ranch, has over 25 miles of rocky trails surrounded by sagebrush. Local golf lovers enjoy tee time at Eagle Crest Golf Club, a public course in neighboring Rancho San Pasqual. The par-72, 18-hole course features eight lakes and waterfalls that add to the scenic views. Right in the neighborhood on San Pasqual Valley Road, locals can swing by Fran’s Original Farm Stand for hyper-local farm fresh produce as well as a range of jarred treats like local honey and jams. This quaint roadside spot has shaded picnic tables where visitors can enjoy sandwiches and buffalo jerky. Just north along East Valley Parkway, locals can shop at large retailers like Walmart and Albertsons. 2 miles west along City Centre Parkway, stores like Trader Joe’s and CVS. This area also boasts several popular eateries like Pegah’s Kitchen, which serves classic American brunch fare in a diner-like atmosphere. For a sweet treat, locals flock to Escondido staple Peterson’s Donut Corner, which also serves other pastries and ice cream and is open 24 hours most days. Due to the spread-out nature of East Valley, most residents get around town by car. The North County Transit District serves Escondido, and there are several bus stops bordering the west edge of the neighborhood, making public transit a viable option as well. For a direct route to other cities and beyond, locals can take San Pasqual Valley Road, a main thoroughfare that connects to the 15 Freeway. With a central location and nearby nature, locals enjoy both tranquility and convenience in East Valley.