San Marcos CA
A Thriving Inland Community
San Marcos, in San Diego's North County, is located about 6 miles inland from the ocean, and about 30 miles from the downtown San Diego.
The community covers about 24 square miles and, as of the 2021 census, had about 95,000 residents. Census data also indicate a fairly diverse population.
San Marcos, because of its inland location, tends to offer a somewhat warmer climate than adjacent Carlsbad, although the west side of San Marcos gets some of the same coastal weather (marine layer, ocean breezes, cooler temperatures).
The town is a healthy mix of residential and commercial areas, as well as undeveloped space, and due to Route 78 provides easy access inland to Escondido and the 15 freeway (north to Riverside County, south to San Diego) and west to Oceanside, the 5 freeway, the coast and the beaches. San Marcos is also home to California State University - San Marcos and Palomar College.
The largest, and newest, residential housing area in the San Marcos real estate market is the master planned community of San Elijo Hills (established in 2000 and built over a number of years) located on the southwestern edge of town. San Elijo Hills is bordered by Rancho Santa Fe Road and Carlsbad to the west and south.
Located high on rolling hills (actually the highest point in North County), this community is a town in and of itself, with schools, post office, gas station, multiple retailers, a grocery store, restaurants and a true town center that has continued to grow and change.
San Elijo Hills has over 1100 acres of open space (including Double Peak Park), 18 miles of hiking trails and a large park for the residents. San Elijo Hills was voted one of the top master planned communities in the US a few years after being built. San Elijo Hills has around 3,500 homes.
Some of the other well known neighborhoods of San Marcos include Santa Fe Hills, Discovery Hills, Discovery Meadows, Twin Oaks Valley, Rancho Dorado and the self-contained golf resort/residential community of Lake San Marcos. Lake San Marcos offers a wide range of housing including a 55+ community. There are other small neighborhoods and gated communities as well.
New construction is available, especially in the area near Cal State University, as well as more established housing (both rentals and for purchase).
San Marcos real estate offers a range of housing including apartments, condos, attached and detached homes, several 55+ communities, and assisted living facilities. In general, prices are more affordable than along the coast in Carlsbad.
San Marcos is known for having a large commercial and retail area, with numerous shops, shopping centers, restaurants, and a host of other retail establishments. While you won't find much high-end shopping, you can pretty much find whatever you need here, with lots of choices - home improvement/remodeling, electronics, appliances, landscaping, clothing, furniture (residential and office, especially along Furniture Row), gardening, cars/trucks, wines and liquor, and much more, as well as numerous small businesses and non-profit organizations.
Much of the San Marcos shopping is located along Grand Avenue, Rancho Santa Fe Road, and San Marcos Boulevard, the main thoroughfare running roughly east and west (to Carlsbad).
San Marcos may not be known as an eating mecca, however, there are many restaurants and fast food eateries here covering a wide array of foods and styles, from extremely casual to relaxed upscale, and to fit every budget.
Old California Restaurant Row, on San Marcos Boulevard, has about 18 restaurants, as a good example. You'll find the restaurants occasionally change from time to time. If you like a variety of food and are not looking for expensive restaurants, you will be very happy with the broad range of places to dine in San Marcos.
More upscale dining can be found in Carlsbad, especially in the Village, and further south in Encinitas.
There are 3 golf courses located in San Marcos; Twin Oaks Valley toward the east, and two courses at Lake San Marcos (The Links at Lakehouse and The Executive Course). All are public. Other nearby courses include Omni La Costa Resort and Spa and the Park Hyatt Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, and the newer public golf course, The Crossings, also in Carlsbad.
There is a man-made lake at the Lake San Marcos Resort that offers boating. The Chamber of Commerce publishes a list each month of the activities going on in San Marcos. Nearby Carlsbad provides a wealth of other things to do, including Legoland, The Carlsbad Flower Fields, and 7 miles of wonderful beaches along the coast.
Students in San Marcos attend a number of schools in the San Marcos Unified School District, depending on location and grade level; there are a number of schools at all levels: elementary, middle, and high school. Some students in the eastern side of Carlsbad also attend the schools in San Marcos.
While San Marcos is not on the coast, the community offers a wide range of housing, home styles and prices, and neighborhoods to suit most budgets.
The climate is a mix of coastal and inland, with moderate temperatures much of the year although it can get pretty warm during the summer in the eastern area further inland.
For home buyers, San Marcos is a more affordable community than those along the coast, and with the range of homes available, there are lots of opportunities for first time, as well as move-up, buyers. Compared to coastal communities like Carlsbad and Encinitas, you are likely to get a lot more for your money in San Marcos.
To learn more about San Marcos housing and prices, use the link at the bottom of the page to search the complete inventory of San Marcos homes for sale.
There are lots of amenities near to many of the neighborhoods, and it is relatively easy to get to the beach or to the business communities of San Diego, Riverside and Orange Counties, given the proximity to the 15, the 5, and the 78.
If you are planning a relocation, check out my video series on Relocation Tips and Advice on my YouTube channel.
If you are a first time buyer San Marcos may be an ideal community given the housing options, prices, and amenities. If I can provide more information about this community, or answer general questions about market conditions in San Marcos and surrounding areas, please don't hesitate to ask.
Please reach out to me directly or via text at (760) 840-1360 with any questions. I am happy to help!!
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