San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Escondido is home to this monster of a zoo. It is an 1,800 acre facility with over 3,500 animals, and a botanical garden. Many of the animals live free-range in various areas. They offer a variety of tours, including safaris through the free-range areas. This was a favorite of Sarah's growing up!

https://sdzsafaripark.org/

"Cruisin' Grand" (July 4th only)

Grand Avenue in downtown Escondido is home to a weekly themed car show during the summers. Grab some dinner at one of the many restaurants and see what people have brought! This is a very locally popular event.

Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum

A short drive away from Escondido, this place is a neat (if quirky and eclectic) museum dedicated to the way we used to get things done. Lots of old engines, tractors, looms, and other equipment.

https://www.agsem.org

Wineries

Escondido is home to several wineries. Sarah doesn't drink much, and Derek doesn't drink at all, so unfortunately we can't give you any personal experience with them. They're probably good!

A Delight of France (Breakfast & Lunch)

This French bakery and café has been a community favorite for decades. The portions are generous, the croissants and pastries are to die for, and the coffee is outstanding. https://www.adelightoffrance.com/

Chito's Taco Shop (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

A Nichols family favorite. This is a casual strip mall stop for authentic Mexican food. Do not let the Yelp rating deter you.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/chitos-taco-shop-escondido-2

Peterson's Donut Corner (24 hrs)

Another favorite of Sarah's, this is a donut shop with a shockingly wide selection. Derek saw things there he'd never seen before, and hasn't seen since. Open 24-hours except when they don't want to be.

http://petersonsdonutcorner.menutoeat.com/

Chicken Lisa's (Lunch & Dinner)

A recent favorite of Chuck & Kate Nichols, this is a nice Mexican restaurant with a good variety of things to try.

https://www.chickenlisa.com/

Mikko Sushi (Lunch & Dinner)

Neat modern sushi place on Grand Avenue. We've eaten there and enjoyed it.

https://mikkosushi.com/

USS Midway Museum

Excellent Air and Naval museum inside the largest aircraft carrier open to the public, located in downtown San Diego. See if you can find the bench dedicated to Sarah's grandfather, who was a sailor on the ship!

https://www.midway.org/

The Shout! House

Part comedy show, part dueling piano bar. Get drunk on whatever the nightly special is, eat some reasonably good food, and get mercilessly roasted by the performers for being on your phone during the show. They also happily take songs by request.

https://theshouthouse.com/

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Outstanding museum dedicated to ships and all that goes with them. Chuck is a particular fan of the Star of India, the world's oldest active sailing ship (1863.) Derek likes to ogle the massive reciprocating steam engines on the ferry Berkeley. Good way to pass an afternoon if you like the water!

https://sdmaritime.org/

Balboa Park

San Diego's Urban Cultural Park, home to the city's zoo, museums, an artist's village, and a number of other attractions. It's worth seeing what's showing while you're here!

https://balboapark.org/

San Diego Model Railroad Museum

This is one of the attractions within Balboa Park but warrants its own entry. This is an outstanding set of model railroads that covers a huge area (two levels of the building) and is maintained and updated by an army of volunteers. Try and find the funny details that people have added to the layouts!

https://balboapark.org/arts-culture/san-diego-model-railroad-museum-balboa-park/

Morning Glory (Breakfast & Lunch)

Outstanding and cute breakfast place in downtown San Diego. Has breakfast dim sum, creative dishes, and coffee that can get you drunk if you want it to.

https://morningglorybreakfast.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MG_Summer_Food.png

The Taco Stand (Lunch & Dinner)

Unbelievably good tacos. Multiple people, including locals, swear it's the best they've ever had. Derek likes their churros. Several locations, including downtown and Ja Jolla.

https://www.letstaco.com/

Philz Coffee (Breakfast & Lunch)

A San Francisco-based chain that is endemic to California, this place produces some of the best damn coffee that Sarah has ever had. Derek has become an enthusiastic evangelist for the brand as well. There's one in Del Mar, one in Encinitas, and one in La Jolla. Go get some!!!

https://philzcoffee.com/

Born and Raised (Lunch & Dinner)

Fancy two-story steakhouse in Little Italy. Excellent food and sides, including tableside Caesar salad. Expensive, but worth it!

https://bornandraisedsteak.com/