In 1797, the Spaniards discovered the valley in which San Marcos sits today and named it Los Vallecitos de San Marcos. In 1840, Juan B Alvarado, who was the governor at the time, granted the valley to his relative, Jose Alvarado. Jose was killed in 1846 during the Pauma Massacre, and the land was left to his wife. She sold the land to Lorenzo Soto, who then sold part of the land to Cave Couts in the 1850s, who used it to raise livestock. The first permanent settlement, however, was made by Major Gustavus Frech Merriam, who was from Kansas. He homesteaded 160 acres in the Twin Oaks Valley, where he began to produce wine and honey.
In the early 1880s, Dutch immigrants moved into the area, and by 1883, John H. Barham founded the first town on the corner of what is now San Marcos Boulevard and Rancho Sante Fe Road. San Marcos became an incorporated city in 1963 and currently has a population of just over 83,000.
You could spend a whole week just exploring the more than 20 restaurants in the area. You can find authentic Mexican cuisine, Peruvian food, one-of-a-kind pizzas, pie shops, and much more. The Craftsmanship Museum is nearby and features miniature models of vehicles, engines, and buildings made of wood and metal.
Seltzerland Hard Seltzer Festival – Celebrate your love of hard seltzer at this festival held in late January.
Escondido Water Lantern Festival – Experience the trance of thousands of lanterns lighting up the water at this winter festival held in mid-January.
San Diego Taco & Beer Festival – Held in mid-March, this festival is about all things tacos and beer.
Joshua Tree National Park is about 128 miles to the east of San Marcos. This park consists of more than 1,200 miles and is where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet. It's named after the "trees" that grow and thrive in the area. Joshua trees aren't actually trees, but a species of the yucca plant. You can spend time stargazing, hiking, backcountry camping, and mountain biking at this national park. Just be prepared for chilly nights and triple-digit days.
Channel Islands National Park is located off the coast of California in the Pacific Ocean. While you won't be able to take your RV with you to this park, it is a must-see stop on your itinerary. Consisting of more than 250,000 acres and a total of eight channel islands, this national park is home to an astounding number of unique plants and animals. You can enjoy many activities, including backcountry camping, canoeing and kayaking, snorkeling, diving, and hiking.
Death Valley National Park is about 250 miles to the north of San Marcos and can be one of the least hospitable places on the planet. This park is 282 feet below sea level. Summertime temperatures frequently soar above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The highest temperature ever recorded was 134 degrees Fahrenheit back in July of 1913 . Aside from the extreme temperatures, this park offers some of the most stunning and unique vistas you'll find anywhere. Early spring and winter are the best times to visit.
San Elijo State Beach offers warm temperatures all year, sandy beaches, and beautiful views of the ocean. This park is only 15 miles from San Marcos and offers opportunities for camping, swimming, picnicking, and surfing.
San Onofre State Beach is another great beach area that attracts surfers due to its warm water. This state park is 36 miles northwest of San Marcos and is great for exploring bluffs and tidal wetlands.
San Clemente State Beach is right next to San Onofre State Beach and is considered the most popular beach in the whole state. You can enjoy swimming, boating, snorkeling, surfing, and scuba diving at this state park.
California is full of landmarks and monuments to see. Near San Marcos, you'll find the Carlsbad Raceway Monument Project that pays tribute to the tens of thousands of racers and fans of times past. Encinitas Historical Tree is a place where you can walk on the original wood flooring of an 1883 schoolhouse and learn about the history of Encinitas.
There are several great campgrounds in nearby Escondido. Escondido RV Resort has full hookups and 127 sites. There is also a pool and dog park. Champagne Lakes RV Resort also has full hookups, a pool, and a manmade lake stocked with fish. All Seasons RV Park & Campground has 150 back-in and pull-through sites with full hookup, showers, and three laundry facilities.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in San Marcos, CA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in San Marcos?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in San Marcos from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in San Marcos?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
