Highlighting the City of San Marcos and Surrounding Areas
In the scenic foothills of the North County region and about a 40-minute drive north of the urban core of San Diego lies the city of San Marcos, California. A quintessential suburban city of more than 90,000 residents, San Marcos features a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial areas and has experienced rapid growth as a result of developers, new businesses, and an influx of new residents to the area. The city center features a variety of shopping outlets and fine dining options while the surrounding hillsides are laced with miles of hiking trails. San Marcos’ small-town charm combined with its excellent education system, low crime rate, and communal outdoor recreational areas make the city a great place to live for working professionals, families, and college students attending nearby Cal State San Marcos and Palomar Community College.
Location & Geography of San Marcos
San Marcos is situated in the foothills of San Diego’s North County just west of the city of Escondido and the 15 freeway. The city is just inland from the Pacific Ocean, only a short drive from the nearest beaches in the coastal cities of Carlsbad and Encinitas to the west. Its central location within the North County makes for easy access to San Diego as well as the southern portions of Orange and Riverside counties. Like much of coastal Southern California, the climate of San Marcos can be characterized as Mediterranean, featuring warm to mild temperatures throughout much of the year, cooling breezes off of the Pacific Ocean, and light to moderate rainfall (most of which falls between November and March).
Economy of San Marcos
San Marcos has a robust economy and a low unemployment rate. Top employers within the city of San Marcos include San Marcos Unified Schools, Palomar Community College, California State University San Marcos, Hunter Industries, and North County Health Services.
San Marcos Schools & Education
The San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD) is a public school district that serves students in the city of San Marcos along with small portions of neighboring Carlsbad, Vista, Escondido, and the County of San Diego. San Elijo Middle School, located in the San Elijo Hills community of San Marcos, holds the honor of being a California Distinguished School for its superior academic achievement. The city is also home to the California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), part of the California State University system, as well as the University of St. Augustine and Palomar Community College.
Parks & Trails in San Marcos
San Marcos features 16 major community parks and 18 mini parks for outdoor picnics and recreation as well as an extensive network of more than 63 miles of trails for hikers, cyclists, runners, and horseback riders to use.
About San Elijo Hills’ Developers: HomeFed Corporation
The master-planned community of San Elijo Hills, located to the southwest of downtown San Marcos, was developed by the HomeFed Corporation. The HomeFed Corporation, based in nearby Carlsbad, is a publicly-traded development company that has built several luxury communities across the country.