The Top 10 Things to Do While Visiting San Marcos, California

If you are thinking of visiting California, then San Marcos is a destination well worth considering. This is a city in San Diego County that offers a great combination of the urban vibe with stunning surroundings. When you visit this city, you will find plenty of things to see and do during your stay to keep you and your fellow travelers entertained. If you do decide to visit San Marcos, then here are ten of the things that you should try to do during your stay.

1. Stay in a Luxury Hotel

Your choice of accommodation will make all the difference to your stay in San Marcos. There is an excellent choice of hotels to suit every budget. However, if you want to stay in a luxurious hotel that will enhance your overall experience of a stay in this city, then you should consider either the Lakehouse Hotel & Golf Resort, the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, or the Four Seasons Residence Club.

2. Eat the Local Cuisine

For many people, eating out is an important aspect of their vacation or short break. There is a great choice of places to eat out in San Marcos and it is particularly good for those who enjoy eating at restaurants with a farm-to-table ethos as there are many establishments where the menus focus on dishes made using fresh, seasonal, local produce. However, there are also restaurants serving examples of cuisine from across the globe. Some of the top restaurants include The Bellows, Ara Lebanese Grill, Mama Kat’s Restaurant, Philly Frank’s Steaks, Sorrento’s Pizza, and The Wooden Spoon.

3. Take a Wine tour

California is well-known as a part of the world that produces top quality wines. While in San Marcos, you should take a wine tour at one of the local vineyards to learn about wine production in the area and sample some of the local produce. Two of the best to visit are Sunshine Mountain Vineyard and California Fruit Wines.

4. Go Hiking

Hiking is a popular activity in San Marcos and many tourists visit the area for the sole purpose of enjoying this activity. There are some fantastic hikes to enjoy but the most famous in the area is in and around Double Peak Park.

5. Visit the Parks and Reserves

San Marcos is surrounded by beautiful countryside, parks, and reserves. You should try and visit at least a few of the stunning outdoor spaces during your visit. Other than Double Peak Park, you should visit Discovery Lake, Leo Carillo Ranch Historic Park, Jack’s Pond Park and Nature Reserve, and Batiquitos Lagoon. Visiting these areas and attractions will allow you to fully appreciate the beauty of the area and to admire the local wildlife.

6. Visit a Brewery

In addition to the wine for which California is famous, this area is also well-known for its breweries. Most of these hold daily tours and tasting sessions. Some of the top breweries to visit include Rip Current Brewing, Booze Brothers Brewing Co., Iron Fist Brewing Co., Stone Brewing, Barrel Harbor Brewing, and Latitude 33 Brewing Co.

7. Go to a Museum

For a cultural experience and to learn about different aspects of the area’s history, visit one of the local museums. Two of the best museums in this city are the Museum of Making Music and The Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum. Each of these offers a unique experience that is both fun and educational.

8. Enjoy an Outdoor Performance

When the weather is good, you might want to maximize the time you spend outdoors and do as many activities outside as possible. One of the most unusual options is to watch an outdoor performance. These are held throughout the year at the Moonlight Amphitheater.

9. Play Golf

If you are a golf enthusiast, then San Marcos should be on your list of top destinations to visit. There is a choice of seven golf courses for you to visit during your stay and each course has a unique design that will suit all levels of golfing ability.

10. Shop at the Antique Village

San Marcos offers a shopping experience with a difference. While you will find all the typical malls, boutiques, and grocery stalls, there is also the Antiques Village which you can visit. This is a collection of small shops selling a range of different antiques.