Top 8 Reasons to Move to San Marcos, CA in 2024 | Move Central
Nearly perfect weather, easy access to amazing beaches, unique nature, fantastic nightlife, and amazing things to do are only a few perks that come along with living in California’s southernmost metro area.
Quite simply, people love living in San Diego.
And that statement includes many of the big city’s nearby suburbs like San Marcos. Located about 45 minutes north of San Diego, it still offers many of the same benefits and feelings.
If you’re on the fence about moving to San Marcos, make sure you read this list of eight reasons why we think it is an awesome place to live.
1. Secondary Education Hub of North County
San Marcos is home to some of the top colleges in the northern part of San Diego County. Palomar College is a 2-year school offering Associate Degrees in programs like Business, Architecture, Biology, and Health Professions like dental hygiene. California College San Diego has a campus in San Marcos offering specialized programs in business, IT, and healthcare.
The most prolific student population in the area can be found at California State University San Marcos with over 14,000 currently enrolled. The university has 4-year programs in everything from social sciences and marketing to human sciences and journalism. It is ranked among the top 100 universities in the western half of the United States.
2. Great Neighborhoods in San Marcos
Even with a population of over 96,000 people, San Marcos is often considered a neighborhood of San Diego. But a city with that many people is bound to have some great neighborhoods of its own as well. In fact, many associations like San Elijo Hills are communities with award-winning home designs that keep both comfort and beauty in mind.
Some of the top neighborhoods you’ll find in San Marcos include:
- Sage Canyon
- Coronado Hills
- San Elijo Hills
- Discovery Hills
- Twin Oaks Valley
- Rancho Coronado
- Buenavida
- Grandon Estates
- Richmar
- Stone Canyon
- Grandon Estates
By the way, San Marcos zip codes are 92069 and 92078
3. San Marcos, CA Restaurants and Places to Visit
Want something to do inside or do you prefer the great outdoors? Well, you can choose from both when it comes to things to do in San Marcos.
Outdoors adventurers will love visiting places like Double Peak Park for hiking and beautiful views or Sunset Park for sporting facilities, frisbee golf, as well as a place for dogs to run and play. You could also stop by Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park for a look at the beautiful landscapes and catch a peek at the local peacocks.
And when you’re in the mood for an indoor experience, stop by the Palomar College Planetarium for a fascinating show under the 50-foot Astrotec dome. Or if you’re up for a short drive, you can head north to the Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum in Escondido. Enjoy a drink while you check out the rows of old school cars.
- Double Peak Park, 900 Double Peak Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078 (760) 744-1050
- Sunset Park, 909 Puesta Del Sol, San Marcos, CA 92078Â (760) 744-9000
- Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Ln, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 476-1042
- Palomar College Planetarium, 1140 W Mission Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069 (760) 744-1150 ext. 2833
- Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum, 29013 Champagne Blvd, Escondido, CA 92026 (760) 749-1666
Now, it’s time for some food and luckily for you, San Marcos has some of the best places to eat in North County. At the top of your list should be to visit Old California Restaurant Row for over 15 different eateries to choose from. You can enjoy well-known spots like Buffalo Wild Wings and IHOP or try something new at places like Cocina Del Charro, Sublime Alehouse, 10-Twenty Prime, and over 10 others.
Even once you’ve had the chance to try every last one of the stops on Restaurant Row, you’ll still have numerous options for grub around town. Stop by Mama Kat’s for chicken & waffles, sandwiches, salads, and homemade pie for dessert. Or you can head over to The Bellows for wood-fired flatbreads, pasta, seafood, steaks, and more.
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Mama Kat’s, 950 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92078 (760) 591-4558
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The Bellows, 803 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd #107, San Marcos, CA 92078 (760) 290-3912
4. Some of the Best K-12 Schools Around
Though we mentioned the colleges in the area, the city of San Marcos is also known for its successful primary schools. Recognized as one of the top five school districts in San Diego County, San Marcos Unified School District serves over 20,000 students. Parents are proud to say their kids do very well at these schools and receive a solid education from kindergarten through their high school graduation.
Top elementary schools in the area include San Elijo Elementary, Discovery Elementary, and Paloma Elementary. The most popular middle schools are San Elijo and Woodland Park. While the top high school in the area is easily San Marcos High with its high test scores and a nearly perfect graduation rate.
5. Local and Nearby Jobs in San Marcos
With one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state at 2.7%, the residents are well educated and jobs are easier to come by in San Marcos. Within the city’s boundaries, many of the top employers include school programs such as San Marcos Unified School District, Palomar College, and California State University San Marcos. A couple of other major employers around town are Hunter Industries that manufacture irrigation systems, as well as four separate North County Health Services locations.
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Thanks to its convenient placement next to cities like Escondido, Vista, and Carlsbad, many people who live in San Marcos have simple commutes to their places of work. Some of the top employers in these surrounding areas include San Diego Safari Park, Palomar Medical Center, DJO Global, and many others.
6. It’s Easy to Get Around Town
While most people who live in San Marcos have their own car or truck, even those without will have an easy time traveling through the city. Conveniently connected to the SPRINTER commuter rail system, anyone can easily get to Escondido, Vista, Oceanside, and then back home. It is also part of the same network’s Breeze bus service that has routes all over the city.
If you’re looking at heading out of town, you’ll find a few airports nearby such as McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad or San Diego International Airport.
7. Only the Best Weather
It is difficult to compare the mild, comfortable climate San Marcos enjoys all year to any other place in the world. Cities around San Diego are simply blessed with great temperatures during both summer and winter seasons.
The area rarely sees more than 10-12 inches each year and summer temps average out to around 72 degrees. Even winter leaves you needing little more than a light sweater to keep warm. And less than 20 miles from the nearest beach, people living in San Marcos truly have it made.
Are You Ready to Move In?
This city’s award-winning neighborhoods, top-rated schools, and unbeatable weather are just a few of the many reasons worth moving to San Marcos. You’ll always have lots of fun things to do, delicious places to eat, and have a variety of awesome places to work.
It also offers a great San Diego feel without having to live in the crowded scene of such a big city. People living here quite simply love everything this awesome community has to offer. Home to new families, college students, and even retirees, there is something for everyone here.
Do you require assistance with your transition? The professional team of movers here at Move Central is fully staffed and prepared for any scenario. Each team member is trained to provide the best customer experience possible.
Feel free to fill out the Request a Quote form at the top of this page for a free moving estimate! Or give us a call today at (858) 230-8281 to learn more about our services.