Escondido in lovely North San Diego County features the charm of a Spanish city combined with Americana to make for a quaint, comfortable and charming place to visit. The entire region of North San Diego County located north of the city of San Diego offers lots to see and do, including the world famous Wild Animal Park, operated under the auspices of the San Diego Zoo. At this unique park that could easily pass for some exotic savannah, guests can hop aboard a trolley and ride on hilltops above vast plains where wild animals roam in a manner similar to their natural habitats. To us, this is one of San Diego North's best treats in Escondido region.

Escondido is located 16 miles or 28 minutes (approx.) by car from Encinitas, a beach city that exemplifies Surf City and surfing at its finest. With beaches named Swami's Beach and Moonlight Beach, Encinitas is definitely real. It is not some manufactured marketing concept to get people to come and buy products. It is exactly the opposite! The drive between Escondido and the beaches includes drives through mellow rambling mountains. In the spring after a rain the hills turn a lush green and sometimes even bare forth colorful flowers for tourists and locals to enjoy during a beautiful road trip.  Escondido is generally warm, dry and features farms and fields interspersed with flowers and desert cacti. The earth sports beautiful hues that range from tan to red, and change colors depending on the time of day, with everything taking on a warm burnished glow as the sun goes down over the hills and the Pacific Ocean not far away.

Back in Escondido there are a variety of things to see and do. Welk Resort is a destination unto itself. Fireside swimming pools, golf course, and a big theater for stage productions provide on-site entertainment so you never have to leave. Some like to take in the beaches and Wild Animal Park, then return to the resort for fun.

In Escondido you can wander the downtown that looks like its out of a movie from the early 1900's. Galleries, restaurants and services all offer tourists much to enjoy. Events include a farmer's market each week, classic car shows, and a variety of annual events that fill the town with excitement.

Other great hotels to enjoy in Escondido include the suites of Castle Creek Inn Resort & Spa, nice chain hotels such as a Best Western and many more, including approx. 13 hotels in the City of Escondido and nearby popular escapes at Pala Mesa and Temecula wine country, a 35 minute drive north of Escondido on Interstate Highway 15.