Search
Rating
About
Escondido, which means "hidden" in Spanish, is a city in San Diego County about 18 miles inland sitting in the coastal mountains. The city was established in 1888 and is home to San Diego Wild Animal Park.
Downtown has become more active in the past few years with the opening of restaurants, cafes, and galleries. Every Friday night from April through September, Steve Waldron and a handful of friends host the popular "Cruisin' Grand", where the public can show and view hot rods and historic cars. A different car club and/or featured attraction (for example, antique fire trucks, nitro night, midget and sprint cars) is highlighted each week. Cruisin' Grand also features a DJ, hula hoop contests for children, and the awarding of trophies.
In addition to the many art galleries on Grand, a branch of the Mingei International Museum recently opened there.(now recently closed) This museum displays handcrafts from around the world. One block off Grand Ave. is Grape Day Park with the civic center and the California Center for the Arts, which features two theaters, a visual arts museum, an educational complex, and a conference center. The Escondido Children's Museum and the Escondido History Center, two independent non-profit museums, are located in Grape Day Park. The Children's Museum features hands-on exhibits and programs for children up to 10 years of age, with an authentically regional perspective on natural and social science. The History Center features the city's original Santa Fe Depot, first library, Victorian house, barn, and blacksmith shop. The Pioneer Room of Escondido Public Library (located in the Mathes Center building next to the Main Library) offers photographs, maps, oral histories, genealogical collections, directories and yearbooks documenting Escondido's history.
URL
http://www.sandiegonorth.com/Valley/Escondido
