Nicholas & Mara’s Guidebook
Food scene & night life
Restaurants, bakeries, bars, & pubs, etc. Places for eating, drinking, listening to music, and/or hanging out.
Really nice in the evening for beer and appetizers in their beautiful gardens with dramatic outdoor bars.
232 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Stone Brewing
1999 Citracado ParkwyReally nice in the evening for beer and appetizers in their beautiful gardens with dramatic outdoor bars.
Great gourmet burgers on freshly made buns These are nothing like your typical fast food burgers! They also have delicious fries, amazing shakes (our daughter's favorite is the Salted Caramel Pretzel), and lots of great beers on tap. And they partner with many local farmers, bakers, brewers, and others so most of the ingredients they use are local.
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Burger Bench
237 E Grand AveGreat gourmet burgers on freshly made buns These are nothing like your typical fast food burgers! They also have delicious fries, amazing shakes (our daughter's favorite is the Salted Caramel Pretzel), and lots of great beers on tap. And they partner with many local farmers, bakers, brewers, and others so most of the ingredients they use are local.
This place may be in a nondescript strip mall but the sushi is excellent! It's a small place and it is usually pretty full but that's because the sushi is so good. This is my favorite restaurant in town.
Sushi Nori
1835 S Centre City PkwyThis place may be in a nondescript strip mall but the sushi is excellent! It's a small place and it is usually pretty full but that's because the sushi is so good. This is my favorite restaurant in town.
We love to come here for a beer and maybe some crisp Irish potato skins on a Sunday night to hear the local group, the Clachan Boys (Brian Caldwell and Paul Castellanos) perform Scottish and Irish folk songs. They are very talented and it's always a lot of fun when they perform.
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
O'Sullivans Irish Pub Escondido
118 E Grand AveWe love to come here for a beer and maybe some crisp Irish potato skins on a Sunday night to hear the local group, the Clachan Boys (Brian Caldwell and Paul Castellanos) perform Scottish and Irish folk songs. They are very talented and it's always a lot of fun when they perform.
Fantastic gelato!!! They are always coming up with new flavors to try like Raspberry Crumble, Brown Butter Pecan, Blueberry Buttermilk, Fudge Cookie Dough, Chocolate Hazelnut, & Spicy Mango Sorbet, just to name a few of the flavors I saw there today. Also great coffee & baked goods & local products & a really cute shop!
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
EscoGelato
122 S Kalmia StFantastic gelato!!! They are always coming up with new flavors to try like Raspberry Crumble, Brown Butter Pecan, Blueberry Buttermilk, Fudge Cookie Dough, Chocolate Hazelnut, & Spicy Mango Sorbet, just to name a few of the flavors I saw there today. Also great coffee & baked goods & local products & a really cute shop!
A true old-fashioned donut shop that's been owned and run by the Peterson family for more than 40 years. It's open 24 hours a day, the donuts are delicious, and it's a classic American bakery. Everyone in our family has a different favorite donut so you will have to sample several and decide for yourself which is best.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Peterson's Donut Corner
903 S Escondido BlvdA true old-fashioned donut shop that's been owned and run by the Peterson family for more than 40 years. It's open 24 hours a day, the donuts are delicious, and it's a classic American bakery. Everyone in our family has a different favorite donut so you will have to sample several and decide for yourself which is best.
Although we haven't gone in a very long time, we've been meaning to because others have told us wine tasting there is a lot of fun.
72 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Orfila Vineyards and Winery
13455 San Pasqual RdAlthough we haven't gone in a very long time, we've been meaning to because others have told us wine tasting there is a lot of fun.
This is a great place to go for dinner at sunset after visiting the many wineries in the beautiful San Pasqual and Highland Valleys which are just a few miles away. Reservations are recommended. Also a good idea to bring blankets for chilly evenings once the sun sets.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cordiano Winery
15732 Highland Valley RdThis is a great place to go for dinner at sunset after visiting the many wineries in the beautiful San Pasqual and Highland Valleys which are just a few miles away. Reservations are recommended. Also a good idea to bring blankets for chilly evenings once the sun sets.
An astonishing variety of delicious tacos at this fun, little casual place! Our favorite local place to go for Mexican food.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Craft and Taco Lounge
511 W Valley PkwyAn astonishing variety of delicious tacos at this fun, little casual place! Our favorite local place to go for Mexican food.
Fun little place in downtown Escondido for breakfast and lunch.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sunny Side Kitchen
155 S Orange StFun little place in downtown Escondido for breakfast and lunch.
Sightseeing
They have an amazing collection of animals and an amazing collection of plants too! They also do a lot of work breeding endangered species so there are often baby animals to see, often a highlight.
967 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Safari del Zoológico de San Diego
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdThey have an amazing collection of animals and an amazing collection of plants too! They also do a lot of work breeding endangered species so there are often baby animals to see, often a highlight.
It's great for hiking and biking --so many nice trails! We also love to go kayaking on the lake when it is open which it is weekends and Wednesdays (though closed the 3rd Wed of each month).* The lake and surrounding area is a fantastic place for birding and seeing all kinds of flora and fauna. The lake is designated as a Globally Important Birding Area, the highest rank given by the national Audubon Society. There are over 200 species that live or visit there each year.
*Note: The lake is currently closed for boating and all water activities b/c they are repairing the dam. It will reopen Feb 2023.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lake Hodges
Lake DriveIt's great for hiking and biking --so many nice trails! We also love to go kayaking on the lake when it is open which it is weekends and Wednesdays (though closed the 3rd Wed of each month).* The lake and surrounding area is a fantastic place for birding and seeing all kinds of flora and fauna. The lake is designated as a Globally Important Birding Area, the highest rank given by the national Audubon Society. There are over 200 species that live or visit there each year.
*Note: The lake is currently closed for boating and all water activities b/c they are repairing the dam. It will reopen Feb 2023.
A really cool and beautiful sculpture garden in a nice local park less than 10 minutes away.
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Queen Califia's Magical Circle
3333 Bear Valley ParkwayA really cool and beautiful sculpture garden in a nice local park less than 10 minutes away.
A wonderful place to see California seals and sea lions but please don't get too close especially when there are very young and/or nursing pups. It's also a great place to take a kayak tour of the caves and also to go snorkeling: you can usually see lots of fish, including Garibaldi which are the bright orange California state fish.
1327 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdA wonderful place to see California seals and sea lions but please don't get too close especially when there are very young and/or nursing pups. It's also a great place to take a kayak tour of the caves and also to go snorkeling: you can usually see lots of fish, including Garibaldi which are the bright orange California state fish.
This is a really nice place for a picnic. Our favorite spot is the grassy area right at the end of 15th street but really anywhere along here makes a great picnic spot. In the tiny house closet, you'll find a picnic backpack with everything you need--a blanket, dishes, utensils, wine opener, cheese board, etc-- other than the food and libations.
The beach here is also great.
52 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Powerhouse Park & Beach
1658 Coast BlvdThis is a really nice place for a picnic. Our favorite spot is the grassy area right at the end of 15th street but really anywhere along here makes a great picnic spot. In the tiny house closet, you'll find a picnic backpack with everything you need--a blanket, dishes, utensils, wine opener, cheese board, etc-- other than the food and libations.
The beach here is also great.
If you're a nature love and you want to get fantastic photos and up close views of the birds and other wildlife in, on, and around Lake Hodges, then book a photo tour. The guide, Brian Caldwell, is an award-winning nature photographer and a Del Dios resident for nearly 30 years. He will take you to just the right places to see the wildlife up close and engaged in activities we usually only get to see on nature documentaries. Brian is also super nice and his Scottish accent is a plus.
Lake Hodges Photo Tours LLC.
If you're a nature love and you want to get fantastic photos and up close views of the birds and other wildlife in, on, and around Lake Hodges, then book a photo tour. The guide, Brian Caldwell, is an award-winning nature photographer and a Del Dios resident for nearly 30 years. He will take you to just the right places to see the wildlife up close and engaged in activities we usually only get to see on nature documentaries. Brian is also super nice and his Scottish accent is a plus.
Other activities/Things to do
A local Del Dios artist who makes and sells her work (mosaic sculptures, jewelry, mobiles, etc) at her studio in Del Dios, just a short walk from our property. Cherrie has sales, art demonstrations, and other events at her beautiful studio several times a year and she also offers workshops and individual or group classes by arrangement. It's a lot of fun to learn from Cherrie and you come away with some beautiful creations!
Cherrie LaPorte Glass Studio
9805 Del Dios RdA local Del Dios artist who makes and sells her work (mosaic sculptures, jewelry, mobiles, etc) at her studio in Del Dios, just a short walk from our property. Cherrie has sales, art demonstrations, and other events at her beautiful studio several times a year and she also offers workshops and individual or group classes by arrangement. It's a lot of fun to learn from Cherrie and you come away with some beautiful creations!
A short walk from our property, this preserve has great hiking and mountain biking trails with views of Lake Hodges, Olivenhain reservoir, and the Pacific ocean. Be aware, though, that you do have to cross the Del Dios Highway, which is only 2 lanes but cars are going quickly so you need to be careful, to get to the reserve and the initial ascent to get to the trails is a fairly steep approximately 1 mile route with somewhat loose footing. I (Mara) hike up it all the time as part of my regular training for hiking the Grand Canyon each year and Nicko often rides up on his mountain bike so it's definitely very doable just not super easy.
Del Dios Highlands Preserve
County Highway S6A short walk from our property, this preserve has great hiking and mountain biking trails with views of Lake Hodges, Olivenhain reservoir, and the Pacific ocean. Be aware, though, that you do have to cross the Del Dios Highway, which is only 2 lanes but cars are going quickly so you need to be careful, to get to the reserve and the initial ascent to get to the trails is a fairly steep approximately 1 mile route with somewhat loose footing. I (Mara) hike up it all the time as part of my regular training for hiking the Grand Canyon each year and Nicko often rides up on his mountain bike so it's definitely very doable just not super easy.
If you're a nature love and you want to get fantastic photos and up close views of the birds and other wildlife in, on, and around Lake Hodges, then book a photo tour. The guide, Brian Caldwell, is an award-winning nature photographer and a Del Dios resident for nearly 30 years. He will take you to just the right places to see the wildlife up close and engaged in activities we usually only get to see on nature documentaries. Brian is also super nice and his Scottish accent is a plus.
Lake Hodges Photo Tours LLC.
If you're a nature love and you want to get fantastic photos and up close views of the birds and other wildlife in, on, and around Lake Hodges, then book a photo tour. The guide, Brian Caldwell, is an award-winning nature photographer and a Del Dios resident for nearly 30 years. He will take you to just the right places to see the wildlife up close and engaged in activities we usually only get to see on nature documentaries. Brian is also super nice and his Scottish accent is a plus.
We highly recommend visiting some of the wineries in nearby Highland Valley Wine Country. This beautiful region is just a 10-20 minute drive from our property, yet it's like entering another world. Although we haven't tried all the wineries yet, our favorites so far for their wine, views, and ambience include: Hungry Hawk Vineyards, Espinosa Vineyards, Speckle Rock Vineyards, Old Survey Vineyards, and Cordiano Winery (for pizza and sunsets after visiting the others). We know many people who also love going to Orfila Vineyards & Winery which is on the way to the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park. A designated driver is recommended especially on the steep, windy roads! Most of the vineyards are open Thursday - Sunday, some are also open on Wednesday and by appointment.
Highland Valley Vineyards
15412 Bandy Canyon RdWe highly recommend visiting some of the wineries in nearby Highland Valley Wine Country. This beautiful region is just a 10-20 minute drive from our property, yet it's like entering another world. Although we haven't tried all the wineries yet, our favorites so far for their wine, views, and ambience include: Hungry Hawk Vineyards, Espinosa Vineyards, Speckle Rock Vineyards, Old Survey Vineyards, and Cordiano Winery (for pizza and sunsets after visiting the others). We know many people who also love going to Orfila Vineyards & Winery which is on the way to the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park. A designated driver is recommended especially on the steep, windy roads! Most of the vineyards are open Thursday - Sunday, some are also open on Wednesday and by appointment.