Colleges
- Cal State San Marcos: a 304-acre hillside campus with about 14,000 students
- Palomar College: a two-year college with a 200-acre main campus
- University District: a growing area near North City and the Cal State campus
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Living in San Marcos.
What it's like to live here.
San Marcos is an inland North County city along Highway 78, between Vista and Escondido. It's set among hills and canyons, and it's home to Cal State San Marcos and Palomar College, which give the city a younger, active feel.
With around 95,000 residents, it has a mix of older neighborhoods, newer planned communities and the lakeside area around Lake San Marcos. Most people choose San Marcos for its trails, central location and range of housing options.
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Living in San Marcos California Is It Still Worth It?
Median sale price$957,044
Median days on market33 days
Source: Redfin
San Marcos at a glance.
LocationInland North County, along Highway 78
ZIP codes92069 and 92078
PopulationAbout 95,000
Land areaAbout 24 square miles
School districtSan Marcos Unified
Train serviceSprinter, with four stops
Population and land area from the 2020 U.S. Census.
Things to do around town.
Amenities
- North City: a newer area with shops and restaurants near the university
- Restaurant Row: a stretch of restaurants along San Marcos Boulevard
- Lake San Marcos: a lakeside community within the southwest part of the city
- Discovery Lake: a local park with a one-mile nature walk
Parks and hiking
- City trails: a 72-mile network
- Double Peak Park: a hilltop park with views toward the ocean on clear days
- Discovery trails: a five-mile scenic loop through South Lake
- Ridgeline Trail: a six-mile equestrian route
Schools
- San Marcos Unified: the city's main public school district
- High schools: San Marcos High and Mission Hills High
School assignments vary by address, so confirm them with the district.
Getting around.
Highway 78 has six interchanges serving the city, and it connects you to both I-5 and I-15. The Sprinter also stops four times in San Marcos, including at Cal State San Marcos and Palomar College.
VistaAbout 10 minutes
EscondidoAbout 10 minutes
CarlsbadAbout 15 minutes
Downtown San DiegoAbout 40 minutes
San Diego airportAbout 40 minutes
SprinterOceanside to Escondido
Drive times are estimates and change with traffic.
Who San Marcos is right for.
San Marcos is a strong fit if you want to live in a central part of North County. You're between the coast and I-15, so Carlsbad, Vista and Escondido are all a short drive away, and the beach is still an easy day trip.
It's also a great match if you love being outside. The city's 72-mile trail network gives you plenty of options, from an easy walk around Discovery Lake to the climb up Double Peak, where you can see the ocean on a clear day. The Ridgeline and Discovery trails add even more room to ride, run or hike.
If you like a city with some energy, San Marcos has a lot going on. Cal State San Marcos and Palomar College bring events and activity to the area, North City adds new places to eat and shop, and Restaurant Row gives you plenty of choices for dinner.
San Marcos also works well if you commute around North County. Highway 78 has six interchanges serving the city, and the Sprinter makes four stops here, with connections to Oceanside and Escondido. At Oceanside, you can connect to the Coaster, Metrolink and Amtrak.
Before you decide, keep in mind that Highway 78 can get busy at rush hour, and being inland usually means warmer summers than the coast. Homes, lot sizes and homeowners association costs also vary across the city, from the hills to the area around Lake San Marcos. If you're not sure where you'd fit best, I'm happy to walk you through the options and show you around.
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