Escondido vacation rentals

Seafront option offering unassuming rooms & studios, plus a seafood restaurant & a spa.

Apparently, Escondido means 'hidden' in Spanish, with some suggesting it refers to hidden treasure. The jury's still out on that one, but this vibrant city is a gem of a place, alright. With everything from safari parks and hiking trails to art galleries, theaters, and concert halls, your Escondido vacation rental is going to be a treasure chest of activities from start to finish. Head down to a vintage car rally, float your boat out on one of the city's lakes, or get down to the serious business of exploring the local wines and craft beers.

Take a walk on the wild side with San Diego Zoo Safari Park

They're a wild bunch in the hidden city. Or at least they are at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido's most famous attraction. Covering 18,00 acres, there's a particular focus on African animals, and if you think you've got wingspan then you should see their California condors. But don't worry, there's plenty for the culture vultures too. Downtown Escondido alone has ten galleries, and the jewel in its crown is the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. This massive venue features a theater, a concert hall, dance studios, and a contemporary art museum.

Get the Oldsmobile fired up in Escondido

Hear that throaty thrum of antique engines? Smell that rich scent of gasoline? Find yourself in downtown Escondido on a Friday night and you'll catch the city's regular classic car rally, Cruisin' Grand, with more than 500 old beauties showing up every week from April to September. If you like your air a little fresher, an Escondido vacation rental will leave you spoiled for choice. The city's 3 lakes all allow boating and fishing, while its parks and conservation areas offer hiking and biking. And if you've worked up a thirst after all that, why not slake it at one of Escondido's many wineries or craft breweries?

How d'you like them oranges?

If you want a clue about the kind of weather you're likely to encounter on your Escondido vacation rental, consider that the area is famous for its vineyards and orange groves. Neither of which are things you'd associate with driving rain and howling arctic winds. Yes, the good news for sun-worshippers is that Escondido boasts a fantastic year-round climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters that are still incredibly mild by most people's standards. As for snow, you're more likely to see winged pigs falling from the sky.

Brush up on your tracking skills in Escondido

The safari park is all well and good, but what if you want to track the wildlife down for yourself? Well, Escondido is stacked with parks, some of them massive. Try starting with Daley Ranch, a 3,000-acre conservation area on the outskirts of the city. Wander its hiking trails and you might be in with a chance of catching hawks, deer, coyote, and bobcat. Rumor has it there's even a cougar or two about. Escondido also has three lakes, which are full of fish (though the stocks do get a helping hand from the city authorities).

Transportation to and around Escondido

The nearest airport is in San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN), located 27.5 mi (44.3 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you can also fly into Carlsbad, CA (CLD-McClellan-Palomar), which is 11 mi (17.7 km) away.