Guidebook for Escondido
Arts & Culture
Chorus
4428 Convoy StKaraoke spot with food and drinks!
So many museums that even non-museum people will love! Beautiful architecture that is great for photos (even engagement photos). If you are here the first weekend of Dec. check out "December Nights!"
3290 residents recomanen
Parc Balboa
So many museums that even non-museum people will love! Beautiful architecture that is great for photos (even engagement photos). If you are here the first weekend of Dec. check out "December Nights!"
Civic Center Plaza Shopping Center
431 N Escondido BlvdCheck it out for broadways and shows!
Great movie theatre, and also is a part of a great shopping center.
26 residents recomanen
Regal Escondido & IMAX
350 W Valley PkwyGreat movie theatre, and also is a part of a great shopping center.
Food Scene
Cafe Japengo
8960 University Center LaneGreat sushi, fried rice, and CURRY DUSTED CALAMARI!
Buffalo Wild Wings
1640 Camino Del Rio NGreat boneless wings and appetizers! Go on wings Wednesday!
24 hr cafe and wifi, great for studying or getting work done. They also have delicious drinks!
74 residents recomanen
Lestat's on Park
4496 Park Blvd24 hr cafe and wifi, great for studying or getting work done. They also have delicious drinks!
Ask them to heat up the cupcake, and get a chai tea! There is a bar, but can also be very romantic!
36 residents recomanen
Babycakes San Diego
2315 Reo DrAsk them to heat up the cupcake, and get a chai tea! There is a bar, but can also be very romantic!
Ice cream, cupcakes, and cookies! Get the cupcake red velvet sundae, simply amazing! If you sign up for their loyalty program you get a free cupcake!
15 residents recomanen
Sprinkles La Jolla
8855 Villa La Jolla DrIce cream, cupcakes, and cookies! Get the cupcake red velvet sundae, simply amazing! If you sign up for their loyalty program you get a free cupcake!
Seaport Fudge Factory Inc
859 W Harbor DrAmazing fudge and desserts!
Great deal for taco tuesday! I recommend the Filet Mignon taco, lobster taco, and Chicken Al Pastor taco! And you can walk around Seaport Village before/after!
67 residents recomanen
Puesto At The Headquarters
789 W Harbor DrGreat deal for taco tuesday! I recommend the Filet Mignon taco, lobster taco, and Chicken Al Pastor taco! And you can walk around Seaport Village before/after!
Island Prime (fancy side) and C-Level (casual side). Great food, great happy hour, and right next to the SD airport and on the water! I recommend the Lobster Truffle Mac 'n Cheese and Center Cut Filet
66 residents recomanen
Island Prime
880 Harbor Island DrIsland Prime (fancy side) and C-Level (casual side). Great food, great happy hour, and right next to the SD airport and on the water! I recommend the Lobster Truffle Mac 'n Cheese and Center Cut Filet
Very positive vibes in this restaurant! It is a fun place if you need to remember how great you are and enjoy a meal. VEGAN friendly! I recommend the "Humble," "Extraordinary" and "Cool" shake!
59 residents recomanen
Cafe Gratitude San Diego
1980 Kettner BlvdVery positive vibes in this restaurant! It is a fun place if you need to remember how great you are and enjoy a meal. VEGAN friendly! I recommend the "Humble," "Extraordinary" and "Cool" shake!
Pho Hoang Express
16425 Bernardo Center DrReasonably priced Vietnamese food. Great pho soup and fresh spring rolls!
Everyone has a good time here, great light meals, appetizers, and beer!
232 residents recomanen
Cerveseria Stone
1999 Citracado ParkwyEveryone has a good time here, great light meals, appetizers, and beer!
Tandoori Hut
3890 Fifth AveSuper good and reasonably priced indian buffet.
Great Indian chai tea, and the food is so filling.
14 residents recomanen
Bombay Exotic Cuisine of India
3960 Fifth AveGreat Indian chai tea, and the food is so filling.
This is a secret Ethiopian food spot and it is open till 1AM. It is hands down the best Ethiopian food I have ever tasted. I recommend their fresh ginger tea, and the veggie (lentils) combo platter!
9 residents recomanen
Awash Ethiopian Restaurant
2884 El Cajon BlvdThis is a secret Ethiopian food spot and it is open till 1AM. It is hands down the best Ethiopian food I have ever tasted. I recommend their fresh ginger tea, and the veggie (lentils) combo platter!
If you want to try something out of your comfort zone, Ethiopian is delicious! It really makes you cozy with the person you are eating with, sharing the same large plate. I rec the vegetarian platter!
17 residents recomanen
Red Sea Ethiopian Restaurant
4717 University AveIf you want to try something out of your comfort zone, Ethiopian is delicious! It really makes you cozy with the person you are eating with, sharing the same large plate. I rec the vegetarian platter!
You can build a burger, mac n cheese, salad, shakes, ice cream sandwiches, lots of cool edible things! My favorite shakes are the peanut butter and banana, and Nutella, and marshmallow. Order on iPad!
6 residents recomanen
STACKED
7007 Friars RdYou can build a burger, mac n cheese, salad, shakes, ice cream sandwiches, lots of cool edible things! My favorite shakes are the peanut butter and banana, and Nutella, and marshmallow. Order on iPad!
The Melting Pot
901 Fifth AveFondue! It's fun, but pricey!
The rooftop view (you can see all of SD & perfect photo op) is just impeccable! Pricey but perfect for celebrating a special occasion, but great for happy hour too.
152 residents recomanen
Mister A's
2550 Fifth AveThe rooftop view (you can see all of SD & perfect photo op) is just impeccable! Pricey but perfect for celebrating a special occasion, but great for happy hour too.
World Famous
711 Pacific Beach DrGreat for brunch and it is right on the beach!
This is the place to be for the best ribs on the west coast! I recommend the plate with the two sides and two beef ribs and bbq chicken, definitely enough for two people, but you can always take away!
166 residents recomanen
Phil's BBQ
3750 Sports Arena BlvdThis is the place to be for the best ribs on the west coast! I recommend the plate with the two sides and two beef ribs and bbq chicken, definitely enough for two people, but you can always take away!
It's one of the best Mexican food spots right next to the SD airport. The line is usually long, but if you call in you can beat waiting. Totally worth the wait though, and it is so much food.
139 residents recomanen
Lucha Libre Taco Shop
1810 W Washington StIt's one of the best Mexican food spots right next to the SD airport. The line is usually long, but if you call in you can beat waiting. Totally worth the wait though, and it is so much food.
Los Charros Mexican Food
915 E Valley PkwyReally good, cheap Mexican food, and really close to home!
Great Chinese restaurant! Their hot and sour seafood soup is amazing, especially when you're sick or it's cold out.
Chin's Gourmet
445 N Escondido BlvdGreat Chinese restaurant! Their hot and sour seafood soup is amazing, especially when you're sick or it's cold out.
This is where San Diego originated. It is full of great Mexican restaurants! Tuesday late afternoon and nights are really fun, and most restaurants have taco specials for $2-4, & margarita specials.
1070 residents recomanen
Old Town
This is where San Diego originated. It is full of great Mexican restaurants! Tuesday late afternoon and nights are really fun, and most restaurants have taco specials for $2-4, & margarita specials.
Very filling sushi! Every piece is loaded with fish, and they have macaron ice cream sandwiches!
Gami Sushi
3870 Valley Centre DrVery filling sushi! Every piece is loaded with fish, and they have macaron ice cream sandwiches!
Super cheap and great sushi! If you sit at the bar you get a mini salad, jalapeño roll, and ice cream on the house!
Todo Sushi
9823 Carroll Canyon RdSuper cheap and great sushi! If you sit at the bar you get a mini salad, jalapeño roll, and ice cream on the house!
Vietnamese food open till 3AM! Amazing fresh spring rolls, pho soup, crab fried rice, and chow fun!
30 residents recomanen
Saigon on Fifth
3900 Fifth AveVietnamese food open till 3AM! Amazing fresh spring rolls, pho soup, crab fried rice, and chow fun!
Amazing food, and the banana foster is delicious and comes with a mini fire show on the plate! POINT JUDITH CALAMARI=amazing!
156 residents recomanen
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
1270 Prospect StreetAmazing food, and the banana foster is delicious and comes with a mini fire show on the plate! POINT JUDITH CALAMARI=amazing!
Very romantic setting, great to watch the sunset with dinner! It is pricey, but will make a great memory. Fun to walk around La Jolla on Prospect!
248 residents recomanen
George's at the Cove
1250 Prospect StVery romantic setting, great to watch the sunset with dinner! It is pricey, but will make a great memory. Fun to walk around La Jolla on Prospect!
IHOP
856 Grand AveOpen 24 hrs and has amazing white chocolate raspberry pancakes!
Amazing traditional wings and tatter tots! They also have a tatter tot dessert with ice cream on top. Check yelp for pictures, you will start drooling.
41 residents recomanen
Bub's At The Ballpark
715 J StAmazing traditional wings and tatter tots! They also have a tatter tot dessert with ice cream on top. Check yelp for pictures, you will start drooling.
Amazing chocolate and sundaes! Worth the calories!
13 residents recomanen
Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop
643 Fifth AveAmazing chocolate and sundaes! Worth the calories!
Amazing gelato and crepes! There is also a location in Downtown San Diego. Hillcrest has amazing restaurants that are open late.
43 residents recomanen
Chocolat Hillcrest
3896 Fifth AveAmazing gelato and crepes! There is also a location in Downtown San Diego. Hillcrest has amazing restaurants that are open late.
Amazing Thai food! Try the Pad Thai and the Spicy Basil Fried Rice with eggplant.
6 residents recomanen
Thai Grill
420 Robinson AvenueAmazing Thai food! Try the Pad Thai and the Spicy Basil Fried Rice with eggplant.
Amazing dessert selection that is made fresh every day! There are two locations, one in Downtown and one in Hillcrest!
220 residents recomanen
Extraordinary Desserts
2870 Fourth AveAmazing dessert selection that is made fresh every day! There are two locations, one in Downtown and one in Hillcrest!
Great burgers, food, and drinks! It's located on the beach front, so you can people watch, watch sports on the very large TVs and enjoy a great and large meal!
91 residents recomanen
Draft South Mission
3105 Ocean Front WalkGreat burgers, food, and drinks! It's located on the beach front, so you can people watch, watch sports on the very large TVs and enjoy a great and large meal!
Square Bar Café
8155 Mira Mesa BlvdGreat smoothies, shakes, coffee, and tea!
The best lobster roll I've ever had! Very pricey, but amazing! Also, great location to walk around and walking distance to the harbor in downtown, which has pedicabs and boat rentals.
207 residents recomanen
Ironside Fish & Oyster
1654 India StThe best lobster roll I've ever had! Very pricey, but amazing! Also, great location to walk around and walking distance to the harbor in downtown, which has pedicabs and boat rentals.
Amazing authentic Italian food! It is a great place to go on a date, or just have a great filling meal. I recommend one person to get the Gnocchi Lollo and other the cheesy gnocchi on fresh bread.
24 residents recomanen
Mamma Mia
1932 Balboa AveAmazing authentic Italian food! It is a great place to go on a date, or just have a great filling meal. I recommend one person to get the Gnocchi Lollo and other the cheesy gnocchi on fresh bread.
Really fun on the rooftop, and has great appetizers and drinks!
68 residents recomanen
Pacific Beach AleHouse
721 Grand AveReally fun on the rooftop, and has great appetizers and drinks!
You will not regret this! This is my favorite brunch spot. The wait can be up to an hour depending on how many in your party, but you can put your name down and walk around. The meals are sharable!
185 residents recomanen
Hash House A Go Go
3628 Fifth AveYou will not regret this! This is my favorite brunch spot. The wait can be up to an hour depending on how many in your party, but you can put your name down and walk around. The meals are sharable!
Amazing Persian food! I recommend the chicken adas polo and the eggplant appetizer!
17 residents recomanen
Bandar Restaurant
845 Fourth AveAmazing Persian food! I recommend the chicken adas polo and the eggplant appetizer!
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
1107 W Valley PkwyClose to home, and filling Italian food.
Great sampler appetizer, and mountain fudge chocolate cake! Check for coupons online!
14 residents recomanen
Black Angus Steakhouse
296 East Via Rancho ParkwayGreat sampler appetizer, and mountain fudge chocolate cake! Check for coupons online!
The Cheesecake Factory
7067 Friars RdHighly recommend the chicken madeira!
Amazing pizookie (cookie with ice cream on top) and deep dish pizza (BBQ chicken and great white are my fav)
41 residents recomanen
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
204 E Via Rancho PkwyAmazing pizookie (cookie with ice cream on top) and deep dish pizza (BBQ chicken and great white are my fav)
They deliver, and check yelp for pictures! Super delicious and HUGE pizza, great for a party. Highly recommend the BBQ chicken and the white pizza! Cut in squares!
7 residents recomanen
NY Giant Pizza
12812 Rancho Penasquitos BlvdThey deliver, and check yelp for pictures! Super delicious and HUGE pizza, great for a party. Highly recommend the BBQ chicken and the white pizza! Cut in squares!
Shopping
Lots of little stores that are full of SD souvenirs! Lots of little restaurants and great place to walk on the harbor. Most of the time there is some kind of live entertainment happening.
762 residents recomanen
Seaport Village
849 W Harbor DrLots of little stores that are full of SD souvenirs! Lots of little restaurants and great place to walk on the harbor. Most of the time there is some kind of live entertainment happening.
Fashion Valley mall has lots of the high end stores in SD. It is a great outdoor mall, with lots of restaurants, and a movie theatre.
833 residents recomanen
Fashion Valley
7007 Friars RdFashion Valley mall has lots of the high end stores in SD. It is a great outdoor mall, with lots of restaurants, and a movie theatre.
Great shopping center full of restaurants, fast food, and daily needs. This Target also has food, and clothes.
217 residents recomanen
Target
3030 Grape StreetGreat shopping center full of restaurants, fast food, and daily needs. This Target also has food, and clothes.
A shopping mall that has Cheesecake Factory, BJ's brewery, Black Angus Steakhouse, lots of restaurant options, Cinnabon, shopping, Starbucks, kids play area, all within minutes from home.
25 residents recomanen
North County Fair station
A shopping mall that has Cheesecake Factory, BJ's brewery, Black Angus Steakhouse, lots of restaurant options, Cinnabon, shopping, Starbucks, kids play area, all within minutes from home.
Sightseeing
5 mile road around Miramar Lake, great for walking, running, biking... very peaceful and great view of Scripps Ranch.
41 residents recomanen
Lake Miramar
5 mile road around Miramar Lake, great for walking, running, biking... very peaceful and great view of Scripps Ranch.
Daley Ranch
3024 La Honda DriveNice hikes and walks!
If you like history you will enjoy this, it is very close to home!
12 residents recomanen
San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park
15808 San Pasqual Valley RdIf you like history you will enjoy this, it is very close to home!
Amazing hike! This is my favorite because you hike up the mountain on a safe trail & come down at the beginning of Black's Beach & walk back towards the car, or go towards Black's Beach. Take pics!
1108 residents recomanen
Reserva Estatal de Torrey Pines
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadAmazing hike! This is my favorite because you hike up the mountain on a safe trail & come down at the beginning of Black's Beach & walk back towards the car, or go towards Black's Beach. Take pics!
Entertainment & Activities
Two playgrounds one for smaller kids and one for bigger kids, great place for a walk and kids to play safely.
34 residents recomanen
Kit Carson Park
3333 Bear Valley PkwyTwo playgrounds one for smaller kids and one for bigger kids, great place for a walk and kids to play safely.
Really fun place to go ice skating (lessons available too), and very close to home.
Ice-Plex Escondido
555 N Tulip StReally fun place to go ice skating (lessons available too), and very close to home.
SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Dr.Amazing shows! Make sure to pet the dolphins!
Fascinating architecture of legos, and fun for younger children!
16.7 miles away (29 mins w/out traffic)
68 residents recomanen
Legoland Drive
Legoland DriveFascinating architecture of legos, and fun for younger children!
16.7 miles away (29 mins w/out traffic)
This is one of my favorite beaches. It has a beach front park with rides that you can walk through for all ages. I suggest the all day wrist band, for unlimited rides. Beautiful walk and bars!
689 residents recomanen
Belmont Park
3146 Mission BlvdThis is one of my favorite beaches. It has a beach front park with rides that you can walk through for all ages. I suggest the all day wrist band, for unlimited rides. Beautiful walk and bars!
The Cheetah run is a must see! The run takes place once a day, so make sure you get there early and get a good spot to watch.
967 residents recomanen
Parc Safari del Zoo de San Diego
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdThe Cheetah run is a must see! The run takes place once a day, so make sure you get there early and get a good spot to watch.
Amazing ice cream sandwich dessert in Pacific Beach, and has many shops (Urban Outfitters and Brandy Melville)and restaurants (Fat Fish, Fred's Mexican Cafe, Sushi Kuchi) walking distance.
97 residents recomanen
The Baked Bear
4516 Mission BlvdAmazing ice cream sandwich dessert in Pacific Beach, and has many shops (Urban Outfitters and Brandy Melville)and restaurants (Fat Fish, Fred's Mexican Cafe, Sushi Kuchi) walking distance.
Essentials
Costco Wholesale
725 Center DrGreat place for groceries and gas if you have a membership!
Drinks & Nightlife
OMNIA Nightclub San Diego
454 Sixth AveNew popular nightclub!
PB Shore Club
4343 Ocean BlvdGreat drinks and fish races (Wednesday nights) are really fun!
Beach House Grill
3125 Ocean Front WalkLive music on many nights, and great drinks!