Escondido, CA 1 of 6 Best North Count San Diego Bicycling Retirement Locations

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Ivan Gillis

18 Retirement Locations for Bicyclists

STATE: California

CITY: San Diego North County--Escondido (See videos at end of article)

Escondido is a city located in San Diego North County, California, just north of the city of San Diego. The name means "hidden" in Spanish--it occupies a shallow valley ringed by rocky hills. Founded in 1888, it is one of the oldest cities in San Diego County. The city has a mild climate, a diverse economy and an estimated population of 128,819. A nationwide study in 2005 ranked Escondido #11 out of 25 of the most conservative cities in America.

In 1846, war broke out between the United States and Mexico, and a key battle was fought in the area just south of Escondido. Known as the Battle of San Pasqual, it pitted Mexican Andrés Pico (the brother of then California governor Pío Pico) against Americans Kearny, Gillespie, and Kit Carson. A large park in Escondido is named for Carson.

Escondido was primarily an agricultural community, growing muscat grapes initially. After a dam was built in 1894-5 to form what is known today as Lake Wohlford, oranges and lemons were planted in large quantity, as well as a number of olives and walnuts. By the 1960s avocados became the largest local crop. Since the 1970s, Escondido has lost most of its agricultural landscape to new housing developments.

Through the 20th century the community grew and the economy diversified. Today the community has approximately 140,000 residents, and an economy based on agriculture, tourism, retail, services, light industry, and high tech. Escondido no longer has a large lower-middle-class population as it once had: most of this socioeconomic group had to move elsewhere when housing prices soared and older neighborhoods were bulldozed or renovated. Escondido has a high real estate appraisal rating, a phenomenon in North San Diego County since the population began to rise steadily in the 1970s.

A major tourist attraction just outside Escondido is the San Diego Wild Animal Park, sister park of the San Diego Zoo. The Wild Animal Park shows world animals in open habitat, where they can roam, graze, and fly.

Escondido is also known for having three large lakes. Dixon Lake is located in the north and is well known for fishing and has a number of boating opportunities. Lake Wohlford is located on the north eastern fringe of the city limits, and also offers boating and fishing. Lake Hodges is located in the south western portion of the city, and also offers boating and fishing. A part of Lake Hodges is crossed by Interstate 15, Escondido's most heavily traveled freeway, via the Lake Hodges Bridge.

Bicycling Overview & Links:

http://www.mapmyride.com/find-ride/united-states/ca/escondido

http://mtbike.mountainzone.com/bikeshops/list-bikeshops.asp?dest=Escondido+CA

http://www.active.com/page/Active_CRM_details.htm?assetId=1EC8D140-963C-4100-9687-9FF15A0C95BF

Income & Housing Costs Numbers:

Estimated median household income in 2007: $49,424 (it was $42,567 in 2000)

Escondido:

$49,424

California:

$59,948

Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $469,600 (it was $178,000 in 2000)

Escondido:

$469,600

California:

$532,300

Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $485,195; Detached houses: $549,332; Townhouses or other attached units: $364,536; In 2-unit structures: $342,635; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $320,085; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $320,679; Mobile homes: $46,302

Median gross rent in 2007: $1,029.

2008 cost of living index in Escondido: 146.3 (very high, U.S. average is 100)

Geographic:

Elevation: 684 feet

Land area: 36.3 square miles.

Population density: 3755 people per square mile

(average).

In-Depth Facts and Figures as listed below, plus other information:

· Climate Charts

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