What to do in Escondido, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

Aerial view of The East Canyon Area of Escondido with mountain on the background, San Diego, California
Aerial view of The East Canyon Area of Escondido with mountain on the background, San Diego, California
DYARBW Lake Hodges Dam. Escondido, California, United States.
Waterfall in Malibu California; Shutterstock ID 1080845; Purchase Order: -
Escondido, California. #culture

Escondido Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Escondido has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Escondido is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Escondido to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Escondido Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Escondido.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Escondido attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Recommended things to do in Escondido

Number of things to do
42
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Mission San Luis Rey Museum Admission: CA $11
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Escondido

Discover the most popular places to visit in Escondido

Beautiful sunset

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Visit the native and exotic animals and see why San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a popular stop in San Pasqual Valley. Amble around this family-friendly area's lakeside, or seek out the golf courses.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Escondido, California. #culture

Queen Califa's Magical Circle

Take the family on an outing to Queen Califa's Magical Circle during your trip to Escondido. Amble around the area's lakeside or seek out the golf courses.

Queen Califa's Magical Circle

California Center For The Arts

You can enjoy a show at California Center For The Arts during your stay in Escondido. Amble around this family-friendly area's beautiful beaches and enjoy its lively breweries.

California Center For The Arts

Stone Brewing

You can take time to visit Stone Brewing during your travels to Escondido. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Stone Brewing

The Vineyard at Escondido

Enjoy a round of golf in Escondido at The Vineyard at Escondido. Stroll along the lakeside in this family-friendly area, or check out its top-notch restaurants.

The Vineyard at Escondido

Palomar Medical Center

Though Palomar Medical Center might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Escondido while you are here.

Palomar Medical Center

Rady Children Hospital

Though Rady Children Hospital might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Escondido while you are here.

Rady Children Hospital

Orfila Vineyard and Winery

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Orfila Vineyard and Winery during your travels to San Pasqual Valley. Amble around this family-friendly area's lakeside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Orfila Vineyard and Winery

Cordiano Winery

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Cordiano Winery during your travels to Escondido. Discover the top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area, or seek out the golf courses.

Cordiano Winery

Explore areas of Escondido

Aerial view of Kit Carson Park, municipal park in Escondido, California, USA

Lawrence Welk Resort Village

Lawrence Welk Resort Village might not have many top sights, but Twin Oaks Golf Club and Cal-a-vie are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Lawrence Welk Resort Village
Pool of 3 Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forrest California

Central Escondido

3/5(4 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Central Escondido, California Center For The Arts and Grape Day Park are top sights worth seeing.

Central Escondido
Lake Hodges Panoramic Landscape From Fletcher Point in San Dieguito River Park. Beautiful Southern California Winter Day Hiking

West Ridge

When in West Ridge, you can plan a visit to Stone Brewing and California Center For The Arts, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

West Ridge
Wooden buildings nestled amoung the huge pine trees, on the edge of a meadow in the American wilderness

Hidden Meadows

Golf courses, mountain views, and spas highlight some of the notable features of Hidden Meadows. Make a stop by The Oaks Course while you're exploring.

Hidden Meadows
Matilija Creek, Los Padres National Forest

Felicita

While Felicita isn't home to many top sights, Queen Califa's Magical Circle and California Center For The Arts are some notable places to visit nearby.

Felicita
Landscape View of Inland Lake Hodges and Bernardo Mountain from great hiking trail near Rancho Bernardo and Escondido in San Diego County California USA; Shutterstock ID 639289603; Purchase Order: -

Lake Hodges

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Lake Hodges and surrounding area, you can visit Queen Califa's Magical Circle and The Vineyard at Escondido.

Lake Hodges

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Escondido

Ocean Beach showing general coastal views and a coastal town

San Diego

Entire view of a residential area from Double Peak Park in San Marcos, California

Vista

Encinitas California Sunset By Drone

Encinitas

Iron Mountain trail with fence in Poway, California.

Ramona

Afternoon aerial view of tree framed mission revival style architecture of historic downtown Rancho Santa Fe, California, USA.

Rancho Santa Fe

California State San Marcos, California, USA. This is a 4 image aerial panoramic.

San Marcos

Southern California Hiking Trail Landscape Series, Monserate Mountain Land Conservancy Preserve, and Black Mt in Fallbrook, California, USA

Bonsall

Palomar Mountain , Shutterstock ID 573263224, Purchase Order: -

Pauma Valley

Frequently asked questions

Is Escondido worth visiting?
From retail therapy to history and outdoor activities, there are many great things to do in Escondido. Don't forget to enjoy the area's mix of cool attractions, culture and local charm.
How do I spend a day in Escondido?
Start your sightseeing with a visit to San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Rancho Bernardo Historical Museum. Then, check out different areas of Escondido for a quick bite and some souvenir shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Escondido?
The top tourist attraction in Escondido is San Diego Zoo Safari Park, so make sure to include it on your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Escondido?
You can easily tour popular attractions like San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Stone Brewing and San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park with a three-day stay in Escondido. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so stick around longer and check out San Diego County.
Is Escondido a walkable city?
That comes down to what you'd like to see and do in Escondido. Several sights, like Stone Brewing and Patio Playhouse, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a stroll through some of Escondido's best neighbourhoods, Central Escondido is 0.48 kilometres away from downtown, while Kit Carson is 3 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Escondido with kids?
Whether you're vacationing with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, an itinerary filled with fun activities sets the tone for a great escape. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Escondido with kids.

What to do in Escondido for adults?
Stone Brewing and Bernardo Winery are just a couple of the things to do in Escondido. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Escondido?
In Escondido, San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park is a must-see spot for anyone wishing to see the city without reaching for their wallet. Also, check out the local neighbourhoods and parks, and ask a local tour guide for tips. It's a simple way to explore the best free things to do in Escondido.

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