ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA -  UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION GUIDE

ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA TRAVEL GUIDE

Escondido is a city located in California, just north of the city of San Diego. The name means "hidden" in Spanish—it occupies a shallow valley ringed by rocky hills. Founded in 1888, it is one of the oldest cities in San Diego County. The city is known as Eskondiid in Diegueño. A nationwide study in 2005 ranked Escondido #11 out of 25 of the most conservative cities in America.

Three lakes are located in or near Escondido, all of which allow boating and fishing:

• Dixon Lake is located in the north.
• Lake Wohlford is located on the north eastern fringe of the city limits.
• Lake Hodges is located just south of the city. A part of Lake Hodges is crossed by Interstate 15 via the Lake Hodges Bridge. Often this part of the lake is dry.

In addition to the many art galleries on Grand, a branch of the Mingei International Museum has recently opened there. This museum displays handcrafts from around the world. Just one block off Grand Ave. is Grape Day Park with the civic center and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido that features two theaters, a visual arts museum, an educational complex, and a conference center. The Escondido Children's Museum and the Escondido History Center, two independent non-profit museums, are located in Grape Day Park. The Children's Museum features hands-on exhibits and programs for children up to 10 years of age, with an authentically regional perspective on natural and social science. The History Center features the city's original Santa Fe Depot, first library, Victorian house, barn, and blacksmith shop. The Pioneer Room of Escondido Public Library (located in the Mathes Center building next to the Main Library) has photographs, maps, oral histories, genealogical collections, directories and yearbooks documenting Escondido's history. The San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau is located in the California Center for the Arts, and sells half price arts performances and is the only ARTS TIX outlet in San Diego North. The Visitors Bureau also provides literature, maps, and their Travel & Planning Guide free of charge to visitors.