December 17, 2024

The City of San Marcos made this adventurous family outing guide.

San Marcos boasts a collection of offerings, including an exceptional education system, resources for all ages, general wellness and high-quality amenities – just to name a few – that are a critical part of its unique community character and enviable quality of life. The City’s community amenities are accessible to all and help cultivate an ideal environment to raise a family. We hope that this family-friendly weekend guide will make you eager to plan your second visit – or better yet, make San Marcos your forever home!

DAY 1

View of South Lake

Grab your fishing pole and some fresh bait because nothing starts off a sunny San Marcos day like an early morning catch at South Lake Park at 975 Sunstone Drive. Built in 1959, the South Lake reservoir features a unique and functioning natural habitat with a variety of flora and fauna. The lake is filled with natural runoff from rain, so its levels fluctuate throughout the year. If you decide to visit South Lake during the springtime, get ready for a beautiful and vibrant super bloom of California Lilacs. It’s the perfect spot for a family photo to capture the park’s beauty.

A morning full of fishing is sure to make your stomach growl. Pop over to Sapporo Sushi at 1640 San Elijo Road, Suite 103, for a taste of freshly cut salmon, yellow tail tuna and more. Start off with classic edamame or shrimp tempura and then treat your tastebuds with their wide selection of specialty hand rolls. Before leaving San Elijo Hills, get dessert from Yogurt Utopia located at 1523 San Elijo Road. Purchase your favorite swirl of frozen yogurt and enjoy it at the San Elijo Hills Fountain.

After enjoying your sweet treat, it’s time to pop a wheelie and show off your best moves at Bradely Bike Park, San Marcos’s newest addition located at 1587 Linda Vista Drive. Open every day but Monday, this 3.4-acre bike park features three jump lines ranging from beginner to advanced and a pump track for all ages and experience levels. Be sure to wear a helmet and elbow/knee pads for extra protection.

If you’re visiting from out of town, now is the time to make your family visits to San Marcos an annual trip. With a family, traveling by car can have its limitations. But don’t worry because in San Marcos you can make a pit stop at Airstream of San Diego on 251 Travelers Way. With a variety of styles and sizes, your family can ease the travel journey with a new airstream. Open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Airstream of San Diego desires to make travel more meaningful and comfortable for the family. See which airstream is the best fit for your family, and your next trip to San Marcos.

If you’re local, hop on over to a college sports game instead at Palomar College and Cal State University of San Marcos. Go support the City’s local Comet and Cougar athletes as they compete with their opponents to secure a win. Choose from a selection of seasonal games in baseball, football, volleyball, basketball and so much more. It’s the perfect time to dust off that foam finger and show your school pride.

It has been a long day of adventure, and the sun is finally setting. To end the day on a delicious note, come satisfy your taste buds at Draft Republic San Marcos, located at 255 Redel Road. Draft Republic stays true to their slogan “come for the food, stay for the games” with their wide variety of snacks, meals and activities, including bowling, a Full Swing golf simulator and classic arcade games. Start with some soft pretzel sticks as an appetizer, a classic burger or baja fish tacos and then get ready to score some strikes on the bowling lane. Be sure to make a reservation to secure your spot for an exciting family outing.  

DAY 2 

Wake up early and head over to Everbowl to begin the day with a refreshing smoothie or acai bowl. At 710 South Rancho Santa Fe Road, your family can satisfy their fruit cravings and choose between a Blue Lagoon bowl, Berry Boost bowl and more, with delicious toppings like hearty granola and freshly cut fruit.

View of Discovery Lake

After a refreshing breakfast, the family is ready to enjoy a morning nature walk at Discovery Lake on 650 Foxhall Drive. The Discovery Lake trail is 0.75 miles and connects to the Discovery Creek Trail, a two-mile loop trail. Choose between a short or long stroll with beautiful views of the lake and surrounding habitat. Along the way, stop by the Lakeview Park play equipment to release those endorphins and enjoy the outdoors. If your family has more energy to emit, check out the San Marcos Trails guide for more trail options throughout the City.

With lunch time approaching, a popular San Marcos spot is Pita Guys located at 133 North Twin Oaks Valley Road. Pita Guys offers a wide menu selection of Middle Eastern cuisine that includes chicken, beef, falafel and veggie which can be ordered as a sandwich, bowl, salad or plate. Top off your order with creamy tzatziki sauce and an order of kabobs for the full Mediterranean experience.

Family in the pool at San Marcos aquatics facility

Now that your family has fueled up, you’re ready to make a trip to Innovation Park located at 1151 Armorlite Drive for a friendly game of pickleball. Don’t worry if you’re new to pickleball, learn how to play together and visit the courts any time from 9 a.m. to sunset to advance your skills. Other entertaining activities are available as well like the Woodland Park pool located at 671 Woodland Parkway. Open for recreational swimming on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., the 25-meter lap pool includes a small slide, diving board and picnic area to make a splash of fun. To prioritize water safety, take advantage of the swim lessons offered by the City and review the swim lessons guide for more information.

Whether your family decides to make a few backhand swings on the pickleball court or practice cannon balls at Woodland Park pool, it’s safe to say that dinner time is calling. A hotspot in San Marcos enjoyed by many families is My Yard Live located at 288 Rancheros Drive. This dinner spot is a triple threat with delicious American signature dishes, outdoor and arcade games and live music all in one place for families to make great memories. My Yard Live also includes an outdoor fire pit to keep your family warm during those breezy San Marcos nights. Don’t forget to catch happy hour from 4-5:30 p.m. for the best meal deals. Oh, and leave some room for a big dessert because they offer a rich brownie or house strudel skillet, Bavarian crème churros and a classic house Sunday for your family to devour. Aerial view of My Yard Live

In San Marcos, there is so much more to explore and discover with your family. The City looks forward to your visit and encourages you to come back anytime. For more information about things to do in San Marcos, visit san-marcos.net.

Source https://www.san-marcos.net/Home/Components/News/News/6041/24