Get to know Escondido, CA

Escondido is one of San Diego County’s oldest cities.  Resting in a valley surrounded by rocky hills, the name translates to “hidden”.  Native Americans had campsites and villages in the area until Spanish missions controlled the land from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.  The area became the Rancho Rincon del Diablo under the Spanish before the United States took the territory following the Mexican-American War.  In 1868 Judge Oliver S. Witherby sold the ranch land to Edward McGeary and the Wolfskill brothers.  Los Angeles investors bought the ranch in 1883 before selling it to the Escondido Company in 1884.  The City of Escondido was incorporated in 1888.  The area was originally an agricultural community.  Grapes, oranges, and lemons were the crops of choice.  The avocado became the largest local crop by the 1960’s.  Beginning in the 1970’s, Escondido lost agricultural land and housing developments took over much of the area.  The largest employers in the city include Palomar Medical Center and the Escondido Union School District.  The city is also home to Realty Income and Stone Brewing Co.

Quick Facts

Population: 149,079

Median Household Income: $50,899

Median Property Value: $346,000