Escondido

The mission of the City of Escondido is to provide quality services that enhance the safety, economic diversity, environment, and health of the community, where our customers and employees can thrive in an atmosphere of courtesy, integrity, and respect.

• We demonstrate our pride and commitment to our work by being enthusiastic and professional.

• We provide responsive, quality service while maintaining fiscal responsibility through an open, participative process.

• We provide all services in an ethical, honest, and equitable manner.

• We use available resources effectively and efficiently to strengthen the community’s economic and social environment.

• We recognize and embrace the rich diversity of the community and workplace by creating an environment that respects the human dignity of all without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or physical attributes.

Location

Settled in a long valley in the coastal mountains of Southern California, Escondido provides a thriving urban environment in the midst of gentle rolling hills and avocado and citrus groves. Escondido lies about 18 miles inland, 100 miles south of Los Angeles, and 30 miles northeast of San Diego.

Inland North San Diego County, of which Escondido is at the core, is emerging as a regional economic leader in the forefront of job development and new industries.

The City of Escondido is a vibrant and diverse community of more than 133,559 people. The City’s economic base is made up largely of successful small businesses, many of which are family-owned.

The centerpiece of the City’s redevelopment efforts is the California Center for the Arts, Escondido which attracts more than 270,000 visitors from San Diego and surrounding regions each year and provides a significant boost to an already healthy economy. The Center is conveniently located in a charming downtown area, adjacent to historic Grape Day Park.

Escondido is a wonderful place to visit, live, work, play, or do business, and provides a business-friendly environment.

Housing

Settled in a long valley in the coastal mountains of Southern California, Escondido provides a thriving urban environment in the midst of gentle rolling hills, and avocado and citrus groves. Escondido lies about 18 miles inland, 100 miles south of Los Angeles, and 30 miles northeast of San Diego.

The city of Escondido boasts a 52% owner occupation rate of its single family homes. The city also boasts the lowest median cost of homes in the North County area, including the county as a whole. Additionally, the city has a wide- ranging rental market.

History

The location of Escondido was first identified and discovered by Juan Bautista de Anza, a Spanish explorer, in 1776. Later, the area became part of the Rancho Rincon del Diablo (the devil’s corner) land grant bestowed to Juan Bautista Alvarado in 1843 by Mexican Governor Manuel Micheltoren. In 1886, the Escondido Land and Town Company acquired the land grant, laid out the town site, and divided the valley into small farms suitable for grapes or citrus.

On October 8, 1888, the city was incorporated and its voters elected a council, clerk, treasurer, and marshal.

Today, Escondido is a full-service, general-law city with five council members elected at large. Escondido operates under the Council-Manager form of government. This is the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The Mayor presides at the City Council and Community Development Commission Board meetings.

Parks, Lakes, Trails and Open Space

The City of Escondido offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. These include camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, and boating, just to name a few. The City maintains a number of different facilities, including Dixon Lake, Lake Wohlford, Daley Ranch, and nine urban park facilities. Each facility provides users with a multitude of unique resources.

Dixon Lake
1700 North La Honda Drive / Escondido, CA 92027 / 760.839.4680

Lake Wohlford
25453 Lake Wohlford Road / Escondido, CA 92025 / 760.839.4346

Daley Ranch
3024 La Honda Drive / Escondido, CA 92027 / 760.839.4680

Community Events

Cruisin’ Grand: A Classic Car and Hot Rod Jam
Every Friday night in April through September from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. American-made, pre-1974 antique, classic, and custom cars and hot rods cruise Grand Avenue between Centre City Parkway and Juniper Street. Enjoy 1950’s & 60’s music with DJ. Restaurants, antique stores, and specialty shops remain open until 9:00 p.m. No pre-registration or entry fees. Call 760.745.8877.

Escondido Street Faire
Held the third Sunday in May and October on Grand Avenue between Centre City Parkway & Ivy from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Arts and crafts vendors, a fine art exhibit, bands, international food fair, and children’s rides. This is the second-largest one-day faire in the state. For more information, call 760.945.9288.

Grape Day Festival and Parade
This community festival celebrating Escondido’s grape-growing history is held in September from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Food, crafts, entertainment, grape stomping and a parade starting at 10:00 a.m. on Grand Avenue. Free admission. For more information call 760.743.8207.

2nd Saturday – ArtWalk
A free, monthly, self-guided “culture crawl” through Escondido’s arts district, including historic walking tours, working artists, writers’ workshops, and gallery openings. Second Saturday of each month from noon to 7:00 p.m. For more information, call 760.480.4101.

Certified Farmers’ Market
Tuesdays, 2:30 to 6 p.m. (Oct-April), 3:30 to 7 p.m. (May-Sept) This open-air marketplace is located in the heart of Escondido on Grand Avenue from Broadway to Kalmia. Local small farmers and California growers sell the freshest seasonal fruits and vegetables, flowers, nuts, and honey. For more information, call 760.745.8877.

Downtown Escondido

Historic Downtown Escondido, established in 1886, is the Cultural Heart of San Diego North County. Enjoy numerous art galleries and studios, live theaters, the world-renowned Mingei International Museum, a Children’s Museum, The Escondido History Center and California Center for the Arts. Restaurants, bistros, and unique boutiques line the charming downtown. In addition there are many professional services, such as dental, medical, automotive repair and financial, for your convenience while you visit downtown.

California Center for the Arts

340 N. Escondido Blvd. / Escondido CA, 92025 Tel: 760.839.4138 / www.artcenter.org

The center is an architectural masterpiece set in a beautifully landscaped 12- acre campus. It includes a 1,500-seat concert hall showcasing world-class performers, a 408-seat theater, a critically acclaimed museum and a full service conference/banquet center catering to civic groups, trade shows, private receptions, weddings and corporate meetings. For current show information call 760.839.4138 or toll free 800.988.4253.

The mission of the Center Museum is to deepen the public’s understanding of the importance, depth, and breadth of the visual arts in the 21st Century through the art of this region, coupled with internationally and nationally known artists and traveling exhibitions.

The Center Museum is widely recognized as one of San Diego County’s premier visual arts venues. Since opening to the public in 1994, the Center Museum has endeavored to amplify the public’s interaction and understanding of 21st Century visual arts and their depth and importance within our community.

Utilities

Cox Communications 760.599.6060 / www.cox.com

San Diego Gas & Electric 800.411.7343 / www.sdge.com

Phone

AT&T
800.750.2355 (business) / 800.288.2020 (residential)

Sprint
800.777.4681 (business) / 800.777.4681 (residential)

MCI
800.436.4444 (business) / 888.624.5622 (residential)

Water/Sewer
Turn on/off service: City of Escondido 760.3839.4682

Water Districts
Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District
760.745.5522 / www.rinconwater.org

Vista Irrigation District
760.597.3100 / www.vid-h2o.org

Vallecitos Water District
760.744.0460 / www.vwd.org

Valley Center Municipal Water District
760.749.1600 / www.vcmwd.org

Trash
Escondido Disposal Inc.
760.745.3203 / www.escondidodisposal.com

U.S. Postal Service
Main Office: 1157 West Mission Avenue

Branch Offices:
403 North Escondido Boulevard / 1770 East Valley Parkway 800.275.8777

Newspaper Subscriptions
North County Times
760.745.5456 / www.nctimes.com

San Diego Union Tribune
800.533.8830 / www.signonsandiego.com

Bus System
North County Transit District
1-800-COMMUTE (266-6883) / www.gonctd.com

Education

Escondido Union School District
2310 Aldergrove Avenue / Escondido, CA 92029
760.432.2400 / www.escusd.k12.ca.us

Escondido Union High School District
302 North Midway Drive / Escondido, California 92027
760.291.3200 / www.euhsd.k12.ca.us

San Pasqual Union School District
15305 Rockwood Road Escondido, CA 92027
760.745.4931 / sanpasqual.schoolwires.com

Elementary Schools
Bernardo
1122 Mtn. Heights Drive / Escondido, CA 92029
760.432.2700

Central
122 W. Fourth Ave. / Escondido, CA 92025
760.432.2431

Conway
1325 Conway Dr. / Escondido, CA 92027
760.432.2435

Farr
933 Farr Ave. / Escondido, CA 92026
760.735.3049

Felicita
737 W. 13th Ave. / Escondido, CA 92025
760.432.2444

Glen View
2201 E. Mission Ave. / Escondido, CA 92027
760.432.2448

Juniper
1809 S. Juniper St. / Escondido, CA 92025
760.432.2462

Lincoln
1029 N. Broadway / Escondido, CA 92026
760.432.2466

L.R. Green
3115 Las Palmas Ave. / Escondido, CA 92025
760.432.2260

Miller
1975 Miller Ave. / Escondido, CA 92025
760.432.2470

Nicolaysen Community Day
420 N. Falconer Rd. / Escondido, CA 92027
760.432.2474

N. Broadway
2301 N. Broadway / Escondido, CA 92026
760.432.2479

Oak Hill
1820 Oak Hill Dr. / Escondido, CA 92027
760.432.2483

Orange Glen
2861 E. Valley Parkway / Escondido, CA 92027
760.432.2487

Pioneer
980 N. Ash St. / Escondido, CA 92027
760.432.2412

Reidy Creek
2869 N. Broadway / Escondido, CA 92026
760.739.5800

Rock Springs
1155 Deodar Rd. / Escondido, CA 92026
760.432.2283

Rose
906 N. Rose St. / Escondido, CA 92026
760.432.2495

Middle Schools

Bear Valley
3003 Bear Valley Pkwy. / Escondido, CA 92025
760.432.4060

Del Dios
1400 W. 9th Ave. / Escondido, CA 92029
760.432.2439

Mission
939 E. Mission Ave. / Escondido, CA 92025
760.432.2452

Hidden Valley
2700 Reed Rd. / Escondido, CA 92027
760.432.2457

Rincon
925 Lehner Ave. / Escondido, CA 92026
760.432.2491

High Schools
Escondido
1535 North Broadway / Escondido, CA 92026
760.291.4000

Orange Glen
2200 Glenridge Road / Escondido, CA 92027
760.291.5000

San Pasqual
3300 Bear Valley Parkway / Escondido, CA 92025
760.291.6000

Valley
410 North Hidden Trails Road / Escondido, CA 92027
760.291.2240

Escondido Adult School / R.O.P.
3750 Mary Lane / Escondido, CA 92025
760.739.7300

Charter Schools

The Classical Academy
2950 South Bear Valley Parkway / Escondido, CA 92025
760.546.0101 / Fax: 760.739.8289
www.ClassicalAcademy.com

Heritage K-8 Charter School & Heritage Digital Academy
1855 East Valley Parkway / Escondido, CA 92027
760.737-3111 / Fax: 760.738-8996
www.heritagek8.org / www.heritagedigitalacademy.org

Escondido Charter High School
1868 East Valley Parkway / Escondido, CA 92027
760.737-3154 / Fax: 760.738-8996
www.echs.org

Private Schools
Preschool

Felicita Montessori School
2017 Felicita Road / Escondido, CA 92025
760.432.9990 / www.felicitamontessorischool.com

Elementary Schools
Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church School
1140 North Midway / Escondido, CA 92027
760.747.4276

Calvin Christian Elementary School
1868 North Broadway / Escondido, CA 92026
760.489.1159

Escondido Adventist Academy
1301 Deodar Road / Escondido, CA 92026
760.746.1800 / eaaschool.netadventist.org

Escondido Apostolic Christian Academy
1717 East Lincoln Avenue / Escondido, CA 92027
760.738.1737

Escondido Christian School
923 Idaho Avenue / Escondido, CA 92025
760.745.2071 / www.ecslions.org

Grace Lutheran School
643 West 13th Avenue / Escondido, CA 92025
760.747.3029

Light and Life Christian School
120 North Ash / Escondido, CA 92027
760.745.2832

St. Mary’s Catholic School
130 East 13th Street / Escondido, CA 92025
760.743.3431

High Schools
Calvin Christian High School
2000 North Broadway / Escondido, CA 92026 760.489.6430

Escondido Adventist Academy
1301 Deodar Road / Escondido, CA 92026
760.746.1800 / eaaschool.netadventist.org

Escondido Apostolic Christian Academy
1717 East Lincoln Avenue / Escondido, CA 92027
760.738.1737