With a beautiful year-round climate, Escondido is the heart of northern San Diego. Rich in history and culture, there are many attractions and experiences to explore! We're home to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido , a unique visual and performing arts complex and museum; the San Diego Zoo Safari Park , an expansive wildlife sanctuary; the amazing sculpture garden, Queen Califia's Magical Circle , created by the late world-acclaimed artist Niki de Saint Phalle; the San Diego Children's Discovery Museum ; and Daley Ranch , a wilderness preserve with extensive hiking, biking and equestrian trails… as well as equestrian trail riding at The Ranch at Bandy Canyon and exploring 10,000 years of San Diego history at the San Diego Archaeological Center .
Embracing a farm-to-table experience, Escondido offers a variety of culinary experiences with chef-owned restaurants such as Vintana Wine + Dine, Intertwined Bistro & Wine Bar, The Wooden Spoon, and Bellamy's … as well as three weekly farmers' markets .
Many beautiful boutique (and urban) wineries with spectacular views provide leisurely wine tasting afternoons, and the best of the craft beer culture meets culinary vision right here at Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens .
This wonderfully unique area also presents many other activities… enjoying a round of golf at one of six golf courses, fishing or picnicking at three lakes , cycling on Palomar Mountain, browsing through downtown art galleries or shopping at world-class retail stores and the largest A uto Park in Southern California. Enjoy a stroll or bike around our beautiful Old Historic District . You can also play at one of several nearby casino resorts !
There's something for everyone here… we appreciate your visit and invite you to Explore, Experience and Enjoy Escondido!
FARMERS' MARKETS – Escondido has 3 weekly markets!
Enjoy local organic produce, flowers and other specialties that you won't find in your local supermarket. Walking in a farmers' market is a feast for the senses, with the freshest smells and colors of seasonal fruits and vegetables, flowers, herbs, nuts, and honey surrounding you. Other vendors may offer gourmet chocolates, salsas, fresh breads, fish tacos, coffee, crepes, BBQ and more!
Download flyer HERE or click on image.
Sunday:
North San Diego Certified Farmers Market
10:30am – 3:30pm, I-15 & Via Rancho Parkway
(at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead)
Monday :
Welk Farmers' Market
3 – 7:00pm at the Welk Resort Village
(north Escondido)
Tuesday:
Downtown Certified Farmers' Market
2:30 – 6pm (summer to 7pm) in historic downtown
(on North Juniper St at Grand Ave)
We also have two farm stands open year-round:
Fran's Original Farm Stand
Open 10am – 6pm Daily
1980 Summit Dr, Escondido, CA 92027
760-504-0101
The Farm Stand West
Open 10am – 6pm Daily
2115 Miller Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
760-738-9014
Daley Ranch
3024 La Honda Drive
Escondido, CA 92027
760-839-4680
OPEN DAILY FROM DAWN TO DUSK
Daley Ranch is located in the northeastern portion of the City of Escondido, north of Dixon Lake and west of Valley Center Road. Access is provided via La Honda Drive to the south, Valley Center Road to the east, and Cougar Pass Road to the west.
- History of Daley Ranch
- Daley Ranch Rules & Regulations
- Daley Ranch Naturalist Hikes
- Daley Ranch Map
- Friends of Daley Ranch
- Volunteer Application
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Daley Ranch Naturalist Hikes
All hikes begin at the Daley Ranch entrance on La Honda Drive unless otherwise noted. Hike location directions given below. Bring water, sun hat, sunscreen, and proper hiking boots or treaded footwear . All trails include steep and/or slippery sections. Please do not leave valuables in your car. Steady rain cancels the hike unless otherwise noted.
PLEASE NOTE: Drinking water is not available at may areas of Daley Ranch, so be sure to carry a sufficient supply.
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The hills and valleys of what is now known as Daley Ranch were used for centuries by Native Americans of the Kumeyaay, Luiseno, and other small tribes. Evidence of their use of the area is difficult to see and many times well hidden from the designated trails and viewpoints. Metates, morteros , grinding slicks, and manos among other things have been found in excavation and habitation sites by trained professionals over the years that give evidence of life and food preparation by the Natives.
The first recorded European settler to arrive in this valley was a young English immigrant named Robert Daley. He settled into this valley around 1869 and built a small cabin. After a federal survey of the land in 1875, Robert Daley's claim to the land was reaffirmed and he was granted two official claims of 160 acres each. Over the years he constructed other dwellings, barns, and outbuildings as he expanded his holdings to around 3000 acres.
The current ranch house was built in 1925 of single board, heart redwood. The main feature of the house is a cobblestone fireplace. Its composition is believed to be from rocks that were said to have been used as ballast of old sailing ships that came around Cape Horn and were dumped at Ballast Point when the ships docked there. The rocks were then used as street pavers in San Diego's young city and the Daleys were contracted to remove them during their road building and paving through the Daley Construction Corporation.
The ranch was used as a horse ranch, cattle ranch, then as a dairy/creamery with the goods hauled to San Diego for sale by wagon. After Robert Daley died in 1916, the remainder of the family moved to Jamul but leased out the dairy for many more years. When the lease was no longer profitable, they used the ranch mostly for summer vacations, family outings, and frequent fiestas for the community. They also built a small, spring fed swimming pool on the southern end of the house which was later removed.
In 1996, developer plans for the land were halted when the Escondido City Council voted to purchase and forever protect the 3,058-acre ranch as a habitat preserve.
For information on preserving California's historic heritage, please visit www.ohp.parks.ca.gov .
