San Marcos is located in the foothills of the northern part of San Diego County; it is a beautiful small city filled with a lot of opportunities.
There are quite some fun things to do in San Marcos, CA, as this city has all the necessary attractions and amenities for an amazing vacation. The city takes pride in its natural preserve areas and other incredible places.
San Marcos is a wonderful location for anyone searching for both history and adventure; certainly, they won’t be disappointed.
Amongst San Marcos activities include outdoor time at parks, fun entertainment, interesting and educational activities, and even unique dining experiences.
Are you planning an exploration of San Marcos? Here are the best things to do in San Marcos, CA.
Things to Do in San Marcos
1. Double Peak Park
Double Peak Park
Double Peak Park has a summit of about 1,646 feet high which offers breathtaking views of the Downtown San Diego, Catalina Island, and the San Bernardino Mountains.
The park is a favorite destination for many tourists and locals searching for adventure that will send adrenaline rushing through their veins.
Double Peak Park features several trails excellent for both hikers and bikers; the south trail is the only trail using the double peak drive that can accommodate vehicles.
You can also go jogging here; note that the east side rock and trail is the most challenging consisting of a steep incline and rugged excursions.
Once you reach the peak, you will be fascinated and mesmerized by the spectacular sights in front of your eyes.
Address: 900 Double Peak Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078-2805 United States
2. Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Sky Zone Trampoline Park is a family-friendly park making it a perfect place to spend the day with your family and friends.
The park offers several fun amenities and activities such as sky slam basketball, open jump, dodgeball, and trampoline programs.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park also offers camps and private group events of different sizes for kids, teens, and adults.
This is the perfect venue to plan that special birthday party without you stressing about you; their birthday package includes party invitations, a party host, your own private party area, supplies, and more.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park is always open from Monday to Thursday from 10am-9pm, Friday & Saturday from 10am-11pm, and Sunday from 1pm-7pm.
Address: 860 Los Vallecitos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92069, United States
3. Jack’s Pond Park & Nature Center
One of the fun things to do in San Marcos is visiting the Jack’s Pond Park & Nature Center for an intimate experience with nature.
Jack’s Pond Park & Nature Center is a twenty-three acres of natural preserve that offers visitors a chance to learn about their surroundings.
The park is open to everyone regardless of age, providing numerous exciting activities and events.
Jack’s Pond Park & Nature Center offers hands-on nature studies, hikes, and several other innovative outdoor educational programs.
Visitors, including adults and children, can participate in the educational tours to increase the creativity and curiosity in their minds, respectively.
Jack’s Pond Park & Nature Center contains lots of picnic areas and showcases bird species, local wildlife, the ocean, and so on.
Address: 986 La Moree Road San Marcos, San Marcos, CA 92069, United States
4. Sabaidee Thai Massage and Spa
A place that makes the world feel so quiet and makes you feel relaxed is Sabaidee Thai Massage and Spa.
Sabaidee Thai Massage and Spa was established exclusively to make you feel great, refreshed, and relieved from stress.
The wonderful atmosphere is filled with Thailand’s sounds, smells, and sights, using the typical traditional Thai massage techniques and skills to provide healing and rejuvenate their customers.
Sabaidee Thai Massage and Spa offers the best hot stone treatment, facial treatment, massage therapy, and more.
Their staff is competent and professional, state-certified graduates of the massage program created by the Thailand consulate of Los Angeles.
Address: 819 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States
5. The Antique Village
If, in case you are searching for a place to shop for unique items in San Marcos, you just found one, the Antique Village is the perfect place.
The Antique Village is a 10, 000 square-foot space packed with a wide variety of beautiful treasures that will draw your attention.
The store offers a constantly rotating array of merchandise; they solely deal on contemporary products, ensuring there is always something new for the customers.
The Antique Village offers amazing deals on glass, tools, collectibles, pottery, antique furniture, china, and more.
Be rest assured that you might spend more time browsing through the unique displayed items than intended.
Visit The Antique Village and shop for gifts for your family and friends, including souvenirs for yourself.
Address: 850 Los Vallecitos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92069, United States
6. Twin Oaks Golf Course
For an incredibly fun experience, include a visit to Twin Oaks Golf Course in your San Marcos to-do list.
Twin Oaks Golf Course features a scenic golf course that is a little challenging but not difficult suitable for novices and experts.
There is a driving range with 20 grass or mat tees and an on-site weather station that measures evapotranspiration for water conservation.
Twin Oaks Golf Course comprises a full-service golf shop with contemporary golf equipment and golf attire.
You will also find two oaks pub that offers wonderful dining experience serving delicious meals featuring an outdoor patio and casual indoor.
Twin Oaks Golf Course consists of a banquet space that can contain groups of up to two hundred and twenty-five persons open for any occasion.
Twin Oaks Golf Course is fully equipped and well maintained, consisting of all the essential facilities that offer visitors great fun when they visit.
Address: 1425 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069, United States
7. Locked Adventures
An awesome way to spend the day is by playing games at Locked Adventures with friends and family.
Locked Adventures features several escape rooms with different levels of difficulty for optimum fun and excitement.
This game requires a certain number of persons to form a team to be able to play; you and your teammates will be locked up in a room.
You’re given a period of time to search for clues, ideas, perform tasks, and solve puzzles to find a way to escape the room in time.
Locked Adventures comprises five escape rooms with sixty minutes intervals each for you to pick from, including ‘the Quest for the Throne,’ which has to do with fighting to inherit the throne your younger stole from you and the rest.
This game helps strengthen the bond between friends, colleagues, families, and spouses for them to work better together.
Address: 844 W San Marcos Blvd Suite 103, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States
8. Dos Desperados Brewery
Amongst the top things to do in San Marcos, CA, is visiting Dos Desperados Brewery, a family-owned and operated brewery.
Dos Desperados Brewery was built out of a hobby; when the founder, Steve Munson, made his first brew, a Mexican style ale which was the neighborhood favorite.
He decided to open this brewery in 2014 when he could no longer keep up with the high demand at this backyard cookout.
Dos Desperados Brewery offers some of its best breweries, such as double dealer brown ale, Habeerneros IPA, homicidal manic stout, etc.
The brewery is open on Monday & Tuesday from 2pm-7pm, Wednesday to Friday from 2pm-9pm, Saturday from 12pm-9pm, and Sunday from 1pm-8pm.
Dos Desperados Brewery is an excellent location to meet and hang out with your friends or colleagues.
Address: 1241 Linda Vista Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States
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9. St. Mark Golf Club
St. Mark Golf Club has one of the best golf courses in the state, with a six thousand four hundred yards golf facility.
It features an 18-hole, par-17 golf course suitable for golfers of all skill levels; it is somewhat challenging, making playing here more fun.
St. Mark Golf Club is well designed, and a fantastic way to sink into its beauty is by taking advantage of other facilities or features, including the driving range and more.
The golf club also hosts a variety of tournaments and offers private lectures by well-experienced golf instructors as well as clinics for women and men of all ages.
Walking around the facility is a perfect way of relaxing; it is definitely worth it, and you also get a clearer view of the scenic foothills of San Marcos.
Address: 1750 San Pablo Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States
10. Invasion Laser Tag
When you’re in the mood to have incredible fun with your family and friends, visiting Invasion Laser Tag is one of the fun things to do in San Marcos, CA.
Invasion Laser Tag is a family-friendly fun Center that assures guests an awesome experience through the provided fun amenities.
This center features a 5 000 square foot multi-level laser tag arena; the laser tag game is a high-tech game, basically a computerized version of hide and seek.
The game’s main objective is to gain points while protecting yourself and your territory from your competitor.
The laser tag arena is technologically sophisticated with intermittent light flashes, music, thematic props, and more.
Invasion Laser Tag features several arcade games, and the facility is available for different types of events like birthday parties, family outings, group functions, corporate events, and more.
The Fun Center is open Wednesday and Thursday from 3pm-7pm, Friday from 3pm-11pm, Saturday from 12pm-11pm, Sunday from 12pm-7pm.
Address: 1290 W San Marcos Blvd #101, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States
11. Albertsons
A visit to Albertsons has to be on your list of things to do in San Marcos. This store caters to almost, if not all your needs.
Albertsons offers you a fulfilled and stress-free experience when grocery shopping, offering several fresh produce.
Their bakery offers amazing treats such as cupcakes, customizable cakes, and many other baked foods perfect for any occasion, including their party trays.
Albertsons also offer floral and decor, including a large variety of fresh bouquets that offer beautiful blooms to your homes, offices, and anywhere else.
If you can’t go to the store to pick up your items yourself may be due to your busy schedule or tiredness, you don’t have to worry as Albertsons offers delivery and drive-up.
Address:1929 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States
12. Bowlero Bowling Alley
How does bowling in one of the best bowling facilities in San Marcos sound? Bowlero Bowling Alley is the perfect bowling center.
Bowlero Bowling Alley offers you bowling lanes to show off your bowling skills; Bowlero Corporation owns this bowling center.
There are forty contemporary bowling lanes coupled with the many billiard tables and an arcade for more fun.
Bowlero Bowling Alley hosts local tournaments open for everyone who feels up to the task to score a strike.
Bowlero Bowling Alley offers a lane-side menu for you to pick from, including pizza, sandwiches, spring rolls, lamb chops, mozzarella sticks, and more.
Address: 945 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92069, United States
13. Regal Edwards San Marcos
Don’t leave Sam Marcos without watching that your favorite blockbuster movie at the Regal Edwards San Marcos.
Regal Edwards San Marcos consists of a theater with eighteen screens and approximately four thousand two hundred seats.
The theater is well designed and equipped with amazing sound and Tv systems for the people to enjoy their movies.
Regal Edwards San Marcos features concession stands that offer delicious hot popcorn, chilled drinks, and so on.
The movie facility is constantly clean and adequately maintained with clean restrooms and the entire environment.
Address: 1180 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92069, United States
14. Sunshine Mountain Vineyard
Sunshine Mountain Vineyard is one of the attractions that has tried to remain as natural as possible, offering picturesque views of the Southern California landscape.
The vineyard has a well-experienced winemaker assigned to it to organize and supervise all their step-by-step activities throughout the year.
Starting from harvesting, de-stemming, crushing, barrelling, fermentation, storage, filtration, and the bottling of the wines.
Sunshine Mountain Vineyard stretches to ten acres of hillside land with wonderful soil features that inculcate the authentic taste of California wilderness in every production.
The vineyard offers visitors an impressive selection of wines with unique flavors you can’t get elsewhere, excellent for any occasion.
Sunshine Mountain Vineyard offers wine tasting for visitors with their friendly and well-mannered staff available to guide you all through.
Address: 2286 Sunshine Mountain Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069, United States
15. Stumblefoot Brewery
Stumblefoot Brewery is one of the best places to hang out and chat with your friends in San Marcos, providing a friendly atmosphere for its visitors.
The brewery’s motto is ‘ every beer should share a beer and every story should share a beer; they believe the beer is their own story.
Stumblefoot Brewery has changed a lot due to the changes in ownership, but the bar manager and Brewer still remain.
Usually, after a change in ownership, people expect a decline in goods and services, but Stumblefoot Brewery is still ahead in producing quality beers.
Stumblefoot Brewery staff is nice and highly knowledgable about the drinks they offer with cool music for the customers to enjoy.
Address: 1784 La Costa Meadows Dr #103, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States
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16. Discovery Lake
Discovery Lake
For an extraordinary experience, add a visit to Discovery Lake to your list of things to do in San Marcos.
Discovery Lake is a place that truly describes how beautiful nature is, offering several opportunities for you to get outside and have fun.
The lake welcomes hundreds of hikers, bikers, and joggers; if you’re searching for an easy stroll instead of a strenuous climb, this lake is an excellent place.
Discovery Lake features a lovely playground for children with lots of fun equipment, with benches available throughout the property.
The lake is open for fishing; if you enjoy casting lines and waiting for a perfect catch, this place is for you.
Address: 650 Foxhall Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States
17. Meadiocrity Mead
Amongst the fun things to do in San Marcos, CA, is having a drink at Meadiocrity Mead; they are beekeepers caring for more than six million bees.
Meadiocrity Mead is popular for producing award-winning mead, also known as honey wine, made solely from honey and water.
Mead is an ancient beverage best produced by Meadiocrity Mead using the best quality honey by caring for its bees in the best ways.
Meadiocrity Mead is in partnership with the Diego farmers and ranchers to select and collect unique nectar that is mainly responsible for producing the award-winning mead.
Whether you’re a fan of seltzers, beer, spirits, or wines, they have something for everyone. Meadiocrity Mead features cozy indoor seating and an outdoor mead garden.
Meadiocrity Mead drinks like sangria punch, blueberry waffle, pomegranate, fire berry, the one with strawberry, meadavesa, hibiscus tamarind, mango ginger, and more.
Address: 1365 Grand Ave Ste 100 San Marcos, CA, United States
18. Rip Current Brewing
Rip Current Brewing is the realization of the dreams of two friends, Paul Sangster and Guy Shobe, through their undying passion for producing tasty lagers and ales with high quality.
The brewery owners began as homebrewers until they decided to share their passion for craft beer with the world.
Rip Current Brewing has grown and gained so much recognition over the years, including being listed among the”Top 10 breweries in San Diego County”.
This brewery has won multiple awards due to its craft beers composed of unique tastes and excellent quality.
Rip Current Brewing offers drinks like the Deep Reef Dry Stout, Barrel-aged Black Lagoon, the Choppy Surf Czech-style Pilsner, and more.
They offer guided tours where visitors don’t only get to learn about the history of the brewery but see closely how the amazing drinks are made.
Address: 1325 Grand Ave #100, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States
19. Mama Kat’s Restaurant
Mama Kat’s Restaurant
For an amazing dining experience in San Marcos, add a visit to Mama Kat’s Restaurant to your list of things to do in San Marcos.
Mama Kat’s Restaurant is a family-owned and operated business established in 2005, and they are well known in the city for their delicious and quality meals.
It is also a pie shop that serves different kinds of pie, including strawberry rhubarb pie, Apple pie, whiskey pie, and more.
Mama Kat’s Restaurant offers an extensive food menu, including chubby chicken burgers, cold turkey sandwiches, buttermilk pancakes, chicken fried steak, cinnamon rolls, chicken trips baskets, and more.
They also serve cold drinks such as kombucha on tap, vanilla sweet cream cold brew, aisukohi iced coffee, black kat, mexi-kat mocha, dirty chai, strawberry lemonade, and so on.
Mama Kat’s Restaurant also features a beautiful boutique and succulent garden with local artists and vendors displaying and selling lovely items.
Address: 950 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States
20. Levante Jewelers
Levante Jewelers offers you a stress-free experience in San Marcos as you shop for beautiful and authentic jewelry.
This retail jewelry store offers multiple jewelry services, and it is owned by a Goldsmith with more than forty years of experience.
Levante Jewelers offers fine jewelry quality repairs, fixing broken chains, polish rings, solder chains, resizing rings, laser welding, watch services, restoring old vintage jewelry to its original form, and many other services.
The store also offers services like redesigning, stone setting, casting, customizing jewelry, and more; Levante Jewelers can transform your yellow gold jewelry into white gold with great quality.
Address:1921 W San Marcos Blvd UNIT 130, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States
21. California State University
California State University
If you are interested in learning more about the city of San Marcos, add a visit to California State University to your list of things to do in San Marcos, CA.
California State University is a three hundred-acre public university established in 1989 and plays a significant role in improving the University of California system.
The public university enrolls twelve thousand students studying over sixty bachelor’s degree programs per year.
California State University usually hosts art shows, theater performances, athletic competitions, and many more, so you could just breeze in and witness some of the events.
Address: 333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos, CA 92096, United States
22. Fish House Vera Cruz
Fish House Vera Cruz
If you’re a lover of seafood, Fish House Vera Cruz is the number one restaurant that serves delicious seafood in San Marcos.
Fish House Vera Cruz is a reputable restaurant that has been in existence for over thirty years, dating back to 1979.
The main objective of this restaurant was to have the biggest array of fresh fish in the whole country, and it has accomplished this goal over the years.
Fish House Vera Cruz offers meals like Smoked Albacore, Smoked Salmon, Little Neck Clam Steamers, Steamed Mussels, Oysters On The ½, Snapper Ceviche, shrimp tacos, Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad, Pacific Rockfish, Atlantic Cod, crab cakes, and more.
The staff is friendly and professional when attending to customers and creating a peaceful and comfortable ambiance for its customers.
Address: 360 Via Vera Cruz, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States
23. Buena Creek Gardens
Buena Creek Gardens
Buena Creek Gardens has been in existence for over thirty years in San Marcos and is home to over five thousand ornamental flowers, trees, and plants.
This four acres garden is a favorite location for those who love growing and collecting plants, so do well to visit if you’re into the collection of plants and flowers.
Buena Creek Gardens started as an iris flower farm and nursery before it was fully transformed into a beautiful garden.
The garden is a top source for retailing rare plants; it propagates and grows Southern California’s most large selection of exotic and familiar plants and flowers.
Buena Creek Gardens offers guided tours to the visitors, with staff available to answer every question.
The garden is usually open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am-5pm, and Sunday from 9am-3pm( closed on Monday)
This answers what to do in San Marcos, do add to your bucket list of things to do in San Marcos, CA.
Address: 418 Buena Creek Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069, United States
24. Wild Barrel Brewing Company
Enjoy a variety of excellent pints of delicious hand-crafted beers at Wild Barrel Brewing Company with your friends and family.
In 2016, two friends who enjoy fine craft beers and cigars came up with the idea for Wild Barrel Brewing Company. After much planning, they finally welcomed customers on September 30, 2017.
Three months after its debut, Wild Barrel was named one of San Diego County’s Top 3 New Breweries for 2017. While in 2018, Wild Barrel was listed among the Top 50 Breweries to Watch in North America by Beer Advocate magazine.
The facility is a 15-barrel brewery with a large, airy tasting area, a knowledgeable, welcoming staff, and superb craft beers in a range of flavors.
Big Pastry Stouts, “West Coast” & “Hazy Juicy” IPAs, and the “Vice” series of fruited kettle sours from Wild Barrel are some of its best-known products that enabled them to take home a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2020!
Wild Barrel is well-known all over the nation for its focus on customer experience and the production of high-quality beers using only the best ingredients.
Address: 692 Rancheros Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069, United States
25. Black Swan Gondola Company
The Black Swan Gondola Company, which offers gondola tours in San Diego, was established to showcase San Diego’s beauty by fusing Venetian tradition with Lake San Marcos.
The popular idea of Venice, Italy, as the city of romance is among the first that enters your mind. The beautiful and charming San Diego lake town has similar glamour to Italy’s.
You will get a sense of the Italian canals as you cruise along the lake, with magnificent sunsets and a water-based ambiance.
The facility combines the beauty of San Diego with the glamour of Italy.
You get the best of both worlds when the two are together. In a memorable experience, Black Swan will provide you with only love.
Address: 1035 La Bonita Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States
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Plan your trip to San Marcos
San Marcos has a lot more to it, there is a combination of different eateries, shops, museums, and entertainment centers. The city also hosts several festivals throughout the year
Whether you just want to chill with your friends or go on exciting adventures, San Marcos is the right place for you.
Start planning your trip to San Marcos!