Between San Diego And Riverside Is A Laid-Back City With Scenic Parks, Lakes, & Family Fun

Whether you're exploring Southern California or looking to relax in a laid-back city, there is a location you may want to consider for your next vacation, with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities for the entire family to enjoy. Just 36 miles north of San Diego and about 68 miles south of Riverside, San Marcos is close to the beach, home to two lakes, and features some gorgeous scenery. This is a relaxed, suburban spot, with easy access to hiking, boating, fishing, and family-friendly attractions. You'll find a charming vineyard on a hill with stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains, and a giant entertainment complex with an arcade, a golf simulator, TVs, and a full restaurant and bar. 

The city is the home of California State University San Marcos, where you can catch some musical acts and theater performances or explore the grounds. You can visit the tasting room for Mediocrity Mead to try out some honey wine, or take the kids to a public pool or playground in the local parks. The nearest travel hub is San Diego International Airport (SAN), which is around 37 miles away. While you may want to rent a car to venture out beyond San Marcos, it's a doable distance for a taxi or rideshare.

There are over 40 parks in San Marcos, including Bradley Bike Park, where you can enjoy obstacles and trails if you bring your wheels along with you. Alternatively, you can take the kids to the public Cerro de las Posas Pool and splash pad, or do some hiking in Double Peak Park. The latter is a gorgeous recreation area with some beautiful views, as well as an amphitheater, restrooms, and a telescope for getting a better look at the scenery. While you're there, you can hike the moderately challenging Double Peak Trail from Discovery Lake, a 4-mile loop with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. (You may want to look into these highly rated trekking poles before your trip.)

There are lots of water sports available at the two lakes in San Marcos. Discovery Lake allows catch-and-release fishing from the docks and shoreline (with a valid license) and has a seasonal splash pad, a picnic area, a playground, and a kid- and dog-friendly trail around the lake that is under a mile long with very little elevation gain. According to AllTrails, it's also appropriate for strollers and wheelchairs.

The other lake, Lake San Marcos, is set in a residential neighborhood and perfect for boating. You can visit its waterside Lakehouse Resort for activities, and you can stay there overnight as well. The marina has stand-up paddleboards, pontoon boats, kayaks, Duffy boats, and other watercraft available. However, note that you can't swim in the lake. Instead, you can take a short drive to Carlsbad State Beach for some swimming, or go through ResortPass to get a day pass for the Lakehouse Resort's pools.

When the weather is nice in San Marcos — average highs are between the 60s and 80s Fahrenheit throughout the year, with around 280 days of sunshine — sitting outside with a glass of wine is the perfect activity. San Marcos has Sunshine Mountain Vineyard, set in the hills with a pretty outdoor space and a view of the surrounding area and mountains. This is a kid- and pet-friendly spot, and it's open Friday through Sunday from noon until 7 p.m. One reviewer on Google Maps says, "Priceless outdoor mountain top vibes! ... Never disappoints."

Another fun-filled place in San Marcos for the whole family is Draft Republic, a 28,000-square-foot restaurant and entertainment facility that has all sorts of activities. There is a large dining area serving dishes like pizza, fish and chips, sandwiches, and burgers (and options for vegetarians and vegans) and an enormous beer menu, as well as TVs to watch the game. However, that's just the start: The venue also has a golf simulator, a bowling alley, and an arcade, as well as a patio with games and live music.

San Marcos is only around 12 miles from the Legoland theme park, which is an option for a day trip. If you're considering a visit, check out Costco, which sometimes has discount theme park tickets to help with your vacation budget. You're also less than an hour away from the world-famous San Diego Zoo, one of California's top tourist hot spots worth visiting.