University Commons - San Marcos, CA

In 1797, Spaniards discovered the fertile San Marcos area, which they named after Saint Mark. Then, in the 1880s, German and Dutch immigrants began moving to San Marcos for farming. San Marcos became an incorporated city in 1963.

The San Marcos Historical Society and Museum has been dedicated to the preservation and protection of the area’s heritage since 1967. The welcome center houses a research facility and storage for local artifacts, while Heritage Park with its restored, historic homes provides a glimpse of daily life in the past.

The California Center for the Arts in nearby Escondido features museum exhibits, education programs and arts events, which include everything from jazz to ballet to Garrison Keillor. Catch a performance of Les Miserables or tap your feet to some live mariachi for a perfect night out.

University Commons residents chow down at Old California Restaurant Row on San Marcos Boulevard, with its 15 restaurants, charming boutiques and cinema complex. You'll find global eats, such as sushi and Mexican, or local brews at San Marcos Brewery and Grill.

The Bellows on South Twin Oaks Valley Road serves farm-fresh food with an emphasis on upscale and old-world cooking. Try one of the wood-fired flatbreads, such as the bacon, roasted leeks and goat cheese or the roasted mushrooms and taleggio. Say cheers to the whiskey burger with a well-balanced gin martini.

Locals love Kinaly Thai on East Mission Road for a variety of dishes, including shrimp spring rolls, tom kha soup with lemongrass and fresh chili, and pad see ew: flat rice noodles with your choice of meat, egg, black soy sauce and Chinese broccoli. With super-friendly service and a cozy atmosphere, Kinaly Thai pleases even the pickiest of Thai food enthusiasts on a casual night out.

Residents flock to Mariah’s Westwind for breakfast and lunch in a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere. Established in 1975, Mariah’s Westwind serves some of the best corned beef hash, hamburgers and deli sandwiches in town. On a Saturday or Sunday morning, savor the Mariah’s Special, chicken fried steak with two eggs, hash browns and biscuits, and feel all your worries melt away like butter.

When the sun goes down, University Commons residents have a bevy of watering hole options, from casual pubs to sophisticated cocktail bars, locally and nearby in the neighboring cities of Vista, Escondido and Carlsbad.

Northern Spirits on San Marcos Boulevard, a jazz club and lounge, has amazing drinks and a lively atmosphere with its luxurious décor in a dark, intimate setting.

For locals looking for a little friendly competition, Cues Billiards provides regulation pool tables and dart boards, while serving southern favorites, such as fried pickles and green beans, barbecue or teriyaki chicken wings and nachos to share with a group of friends. Nothing brings people together better than fighting over the last tortilla chip piled high with cheese, tomatoes, onion and sour cream.

With a big wall of beers and plenty of seats, Rip Current Brewing focuses on robust beer flavors from all over the world with a passion for high quality and craft. Try the In the Curl for a blonde IPA with strong citrus and tropical fruit notes or the delectable Vanilla Storm coffee brew, which lets us enjoy our two favorite drinks at the same time.

The city of San Marcos offers public transportation through BREEZE, the North San Diego bus system, connecting residents to a variety of areas through multiple stops.

The majority of locals rely on driving cars to run errands and go to work. Public parking can be found on residential streets, and San Marcos residents have easy access to nearby Escondido Freeway, which runs south toward San Diego, and the Ronald Packard Parkway.

Walking and biking can be unpleasant and inconvenient in the heat. In addition, the city's infrastructure revolves around driving cars.

Residents who choose not to drive have access to cabs with advanced reservation and Uber.

San Marcos provides non-stop, year-round access to some of the best parks and most beautiful views around. Lakeview Park’s paved trails for hiking, biking, running and walking your dog provide stunning views of the area, while the wading fountain keeps the kids cool in the summer. Connors Park on San Marcus Boulevard has a small skate park, playground, basketball courts, and soccer and football fields that fill up in the afternoons with active local families.

For residents who really love the outdoors, San Diego’s annual EarthFair brings together community members and leaders to promote clean air and water and healthy natural environments. Exhibitors represent environmental organizations, government agencies and organic products. Five stages of music, performance and storytelling entertain the crowds as they munch on earth-friendly vegetarian fare.

With University Commons’ average one-bedroom rental rate of $1,660 per month, the cost of living is about 2 percent less than the California average and 31 percent greater than the national average. A typical price for beer at a local pub runs around $4 to $5. Locals pay 1 percent above the national average cost for gas, and residents pay $1.45 for adult single rides on BREEZE.

Residents accomplish their personal shopping in nearby Solana Beach, Vista, Encinitas and San Diego.

Vista’s Apothecary Off Main specializes in handcrafted, made in America personal grooming products, home care, remedies and gourmet spices. This body boutique shop brings shoppers in from all over northern California with its healthy products.

Since 2001, SoLo in Solana Beach brings a fresh, cutting-edge approach to home design and décor with 4,000 square feet of mid-century-modern, vintage-style American furniture and semiprecious jewelry. Discerning shoppers love the hand-selected architecture, design and lifestyle books, California Casual furniture and Saint A’s triple-milled, moisturizing soaps from brands like Archipelago and Lepi de Provence.

In addition to several chain grocery stores including Ralph's, the San Marcos Farmers Market on Sundays provides fresh organic produce at excellent prices. Residents also take advantage of the many unique vendors selling everything from clothing to crepes.