Guidebook for San Marcos
Food Scene
Favorite dish is the Mac N Cheese, great beers on tap, sometimes days there is live music, open late!
6 locals recommend
Sublime Ale House
1020 W San Marcos BlvdFavorite dish is the Mac N Cheese, great beers on tap, sometimes days there is live music, open late!
Perks Coffee House
Great cold brew!
Belching Beaver Pub980
980 Park Center DrInsane pizza, bring an appetite, or friends to help lol. Take a stroll down grand. Check out cruising grand on Friday nights (seasonal).
10 locals recommend
Filippi's Pizza Grotto Escondido
114 W Grand AveInsane pizza, bring an appetite, or friends to help lol. Take a stroll down grand. Check out cruising grand on Friday nights (seasonal).
Popular traditional breakfast. Typically a wait to get a table.
12 locals recommend
Chan's Chinese Restaurant
1650 Descanso AvePopular traditional breakfast. Typically a wait to get a table.
Pegah's Kitchen
576 E Mission RdTraditional breakfast. Seat yourselves!
250 North City Dr
Halcyon Coffee Bar. Acai bowl and a few other breakfast items
Urge Gastropub & Common House
255 Redel RdRestaurant, bar, bowling, outdoor games
Parks & Nature
We recommend taking the hiking trail up to the park. Its a good climb, fairly short. Views to Catalina Island and downtown San Diego.
45 locals recommend
Double Peak Park
900 Double Peak DrWe recommend taking the hiking trail up to the park. Its a good climb, fairly short. Views to Catalina Island and downtown San Diego.
Hike to the top for great views, stop at the shaded creek on your return to cool off
46 locals recommend
Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve
8833 Harmony Grove RdHike to the top for great views, stop at the shaded creek on your return to cool off
Good hike, take a photo standing on the ledge of potato chip rock!
203 locals recommend
Potato Chip Rock
Good hike, take a photo standing on the ledge of potato chip rock!
Miles of gentle hiking/walking, go around the lake or take the short hike uphill to the view point
21 locals recommend
Calavera Lake
3825 Tamarack AveMiles of gentle hiking/walking, go around the lake or take the short hike uphill to the view point
A bit of a drive from our place but nice scenery. Nice hike up to a view point, park bench at the top. Cute old mining town called Julian. Try the famous Julian Pies. Neat place to explore while you are there.
26 locals recommend
Volcan Mountain Trailhead
1107 Farmer RdA bit of a drive from our place but nice scenery. Nice hike up to a view point, park bench at the top. Cute old mining town called Julian. Try the famous Julian Pies. Neat place to explore while you are there.
Go for a little drive and take a couple hikes. Can be very hot in the summer months!!!
6 locals recommend
Santa Ysabel East Preserve, Hwy 79 Staging
22550 CA-79Go for a little drive and take a couple hikes. Can be very hot in the summer months!!!
Short hikes with views of the ocean. Stay clear of steep drops.
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadShort hikes with views of the ocean. Stay clear of steep drops.
Swami's Beach
Surfing beach, great views
Essentials
Ralphs
306 S Twin Oaks Valley RdSprouts Farmers Market
149 S Las Posas RdCVS
1631 S Melrose DrPharmacy
Entertainment & Activities
LEGOLAND California
One Legoland DrSan Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdLuxury movie theatre, comfy leather chairs, bar and food service to you seat
87 locals recommend
Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas La Costa Paseo Real
6941 El Camino RealLuxury movie theatre, comfy leather chairs, bar and food service to you seat
Paddle boarding, canoe, aqua cycle, pontoon boat, motor boat, wave runner, beach, fun fun fun!
47 locals recommend
California Watersports
4215 Harrison StPaddle boarding, canoe, aqua cycle, pontoon boat, motor boat, wave runner, beach, fun fun fun!
Drinks & Nightlife
Must do, grab a drink and take a stroll though the amazing garden. Check out the pond, the amazing plants, and have a seat in a tucked away corner
232 locals recommend
Stone Brewing
1999 Citracado ParkwyMust do, grab a drink and take a stroll though the amazing garden. Check out the pond, the amazing plants, and have a seat in a tucked away corner
Bagby Beer Co.
601 S Coast HwyGetting Around
Take the Coaster to various stops down the coast towards Down Town. Final stop Down Town at the Trolly Station. Fun way to get to the Gaslamp Quarter.
32 locals recommend
Oceanside Transit Center station
Take the Coaster to various stops down the coast towards Down Town. Final stop Down Town at the Trolly Station. Fun way to get to the Gaslamp Quarter.
Take the Sprinter to the coast and connect to the Coaster. Make your way to the Gaslamp Quarter or one of the many stops along the coast.
San Marcos Civic Center station
40 W San Marcos BlvdTake the Sprinter to the coast and connect to the Coaster. Make your way to the Gaslamp Quarter or one of the many stops along the coast.
Shopping
Carlsbad Premium Outlets
5620 Paseo Del NorteOutdoor outlet on the coast
Large shopping mall with restaurants all around
78 locals recommend
Westfield North County Shopping Center
272 E Via Rancho PkwyLarge shopping mall with restaurants all around
Visit this store and various other boutique type stores located in the Village at Carlsbad
7 locals recommend
Carlsbad Village Art & Antique Mall
2752 State StVisit this store and various other boutique type stores located in the Village at Carlsbad