Located in San Diego County, Escondido combines city living with natural surroundings. The city's name, meaning "hidden" in Spanish, features a downtown area along Grand Avenue, where locally-owned businesses and art galleries line the historic streets. From apartment communities to homes in the Old Escondido Historic District, the city offers diverse housing options amid Victorian and Craftsman architecture. Current rental data shows one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,960, reflecting a 1.3% increase over the previous year, while two-bedroom units average $2,301.
Escondido's outdoor spaces include the 3,058-acre Daley Ranch conservation area, featuring more than 20 miles of maintained trails for hiking and biking. Kit Carson Park spans 285 acres and houses Queen Califia's Magical Circle, an internationally recognized sculpture garden created by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle.
