Escondido

Founded in 1888, Escondido is located 18 miles inland and is nestled in the valley of coastal mountains, surrounded by rolling hills, avocado and citrus groves.  The city’s population is about 140,000.

During its recent renaissance, the City of Escondido has incorporated many new attractions, from its numerous cafes and galleries on Grand Avenue to the Mingei Museum and the California Center for the Arts.  Alongside these attractions lays the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, many farms and wineries, three large lakes and several urban parks.  The city hosts a farmer's market each Tuesday.  A large, three -story shopping mall is located right next to the 15 freeway.

The mayor of Escondido noted "In recent years Escondido was named by Money Magazine as the Best Place in the West in which to retire and, at the other end of the spectrum, was named a Kid-Friendly City for our broad range of youth programs. Ladies Home Journal also ranked Escondido number eight among the Top Ten Cities for Government."

The median household income and home prices are slightly less than the county average.  The quality of the schools, based upon standardized testing, varies greatly from school to school – do your research if you have school age children ( http://www.greatschools.org/california/escondido/).