

- Living in Escondido
- City of Escondido
- City Entertainment
- City Wine & Dine Spots
- Career Education
City Specs

The city was home to a largely Spanish-speaking population in the first census, taken in 1850 when California became a state. After statehood, non-Hispanic settlers came to Southern California in increasing numbers. The decade of the 1880s is known as the "Southern California Land Boom" because so many people moved to the state.
In 1853, pro-Southern Copperheads proposed dividing the state of California to create a new Territory of Colorado (at this time the territory that would become the state of Colorado was named "Jefferson"). Escondido Judge Oliver S. Witherby suggested placing the capitol of the new territory in Rancho Rincon del Diablo. He envisioned a railroad connecting Escondido to Fort Yuma through an area about two miles (3 km) south of the current Escondido site, heading east through San Pasqual. With a series of deeds in 1855 and 1856, the rancho was transferred from the heirs of Juan Bautista Alvarado to Witherby. He planned to profit from the town that he believed would be established from the dividing point on the railroad below the eastern hills. The proposal for splitting the state and creating the new territory passed in the California legislature, but died in Congress in the run-up to the Civil War. It was effectively killed in 1861 when Congress organized the Territory of Colorado in the area previously occupied by the Jefferson Territory. With Witherby's vision of owning a bustling state capitol unrealized, he set up a mining operation on the rancho instead.
Things To Do
- Side by Side Cinema
- Regal Movies
- Roynon Museum
- Eco Vivarium
- O'Sullivan Escondido

Side By Side Cinema are wedding videographers based out of Escondido. We specialize in telling unique stories through beautiful and engaging films. We’re pretty cool and would love to tell your story!

Regal, a subsidiary of the Cineworld Group, operates one of the largest and most geographically diverse theatre circuits in the United States, consisting of 7,306 screens in 558 theatres in 43 states along with Guam, Saipan, American Samoa and the District of Columbia as of June 30, 2018. We believe that the size, reach and quality of the Company's theatre circuit provides its patrons with a convenient and enjoyable movie-going experience. We are committed to being ‘The Best Place to Watch a Movie!’

The Roynon Museum of Paleontology was established in 2000 as a 501c(3) non-profit foundation. The Foundation’s primary purpose is to educate students, scouts, and the general public in earth sciences, as well as to emphasize the meaning of the sequence of life throughout geological time.
The museum is a plethora of knowledge brought about by way of the thousands of specimens that have been acquired throughout the years bringing into focus the overall picture of paleontology. Mr. and Mrs. Roynon add specimens to the museum each year on their travels throughout the United States.

EcoVivarium Living Museum is an attraction for all ages in Escondido, CA. Tours offer a wonderful destination for people looking for an educational and hands-on experience. EcoVivarium Living Museum is the thing to do in Escondido, CA. Tours, events, day camps, and birthday parties are only a few of the many things to do EcoVivarium has to offer.

Friendly service, authentic Irish fayre and traditional Irish music are the staples of our Pub. O'Sullivan's creates an experience that will transport you to another time and place. Or you can spend a leisurely afternoon watching your favorite team on one of our six TV screens.
It is true, if you cannot go to Ireland come to O'Sullivan's – North County's Authentic Irish Pub. Quench your thirst from our selection of 17 beers on tap and a full bar including the largest selection of Scotch and Irish whiskeys in North Escondido County. Thirty-Three (33) single malt Scotch and Twenty Five (25) Irish whiskeys for your selection. Live music is featured weekly by local and touring Irish bands.
Wine & Dine Spots
- Phil's BBQ
- Chicken Lisa
- Bellamy Dining
- Farmer Boys
- Old California Restaurant Row

Since 1998, BBQ lovers across Escondido County have turned to restaurateur Phil Pace to satisfy a singular craving: mesquite grilled baby back and beef ribs, chicken and sandwiches. Serving thousands of customers a day from a diverse clientele of skateboarders to Bentleys, Phil has built his foundation on consistency, quality, freshness and friendly service.

Welcome to Chicken Lisa's and Your Mexican Favorites, not your average fast food restaurant in Escondido! When you are hungering for charbroiled chicken or your Mexican favorites, we have everything you need. A popular restaurant to hang out with family and friends, an affordable restaurant to enjoy high quality food, Chicken Lisa's and Your Mexican Favorites is the best Mexican restaurant in Escondido and everywhere around. We offer dine in, take out and catering services, ensuring that you can enjoy your delicious charbroiled chicken anywhere. Just stop by or contact us today to experience the finest Mexican restaurant.

Bellamy’s Restaurant offers California Modern cuisine with French influences. This hidden gem in Escondido is quickly progressing to the top, creating a farm to table dining experience and serving the most robust flavors of every season. Bellamy’s prides itself on quality food accompanied with impeccable service. Bellamy’s is upscale dining in a relaxed family atmosphere, where every guest will experience flavorful dishes, a pleasant environment and service second to none.

Farmer Boys purchases the freshest ingredients directly from local farmers and purveyors, whenever possible. By going the extra mile for delicious, flavorful food, our guests can count on a fresh-cooked, made-to-order meal every time they visit us. It is embodied in our mascot and Head of Security, The Scarecrow, whose mission is to protect and serve farm fresh food. Each and every employee across our expansive family of restaurants believes that the freshness and quality of the ingredients our guests are served is at the core of our success. This attention to excellence extends to our friendly table service and fast and easy drive-thru.

Old California Restaurant Row has become North County’s largest dining and entertainment experience with fifteen restaurants and an Edwards Stadium 18 Cinema Complex. Now an icon in the San Marcos community, Old California Restaurant Row’s humble beginning started with only a fruit and vegetable stand.
Colleges / Universities
- Epiphany Prep
- Clasical Academy

Our mission is to deliver entrepreneurial and innovative education opportunities that transform the learning potential of marginalized students by strengthening the whole child: intellect, character, and spirit.

The Classical Academies is an organization of award-winning, tuition-free, Certified California Public Charter Schools serving North Escondido County since 1999. With over 4,500 TK-12 students at campuses in Escondido, Vista, Oceanside, and Online, the schools are making a tremendous impact as they reinvent public education.