The area was not settled until the late 1850s, when Maj. Gustavus French Merriam homesteaded 160 acres where he planted vineyards and produced honey. The town was platted in 1883, and a post office opened in 1884. The San Marcos Land Company purchased a large amount of land, subdivided it, and began to sell lots a few years later.
The fertile valley attracted farmers, and dairy farming later became popular in the mid-1900s. Water transported from the Colorado River would transform the prospects for the local economy in 1956 and beyond. San Marcos was incorporated in 1963.
San Marcos is a very welcoming community with great food, entertainment, and activities for all ages. It is an ideal place for individuals as well as families with safe neighborhoods and a great public school system. Plenty of diverse restaurants, shopping centers, and activities to do throughout the community. It is a classic suburban town nestled between the beach, mountains, and desert!
The relocating San Marcos home buyer will find hundreds of homes for sale in San Marcos. Many of these San Marcos CA homes will feature 1,600 to 2,400 sq-ft of living space. However, other San Marcos CA real estate will feature more than 4,000 sq-ft of living space and a variety of upscale amenities!
Sunset Park offers 19-acres of well-maintained space that includes an off-leash dog park, disc golf course, an amphitheater. Young children can play at the splash pad and the two tot lots. Athletes will enjoy the volleyball court, basketball court and the indoor soccer arena.
Lake San Marcos Marina offers boat access to Lake San Marcos, which is just to the west of the city. Kayaking, pontoon boating and fishing are all popular pastimes here.
The San Marcos Spring Festival has been an annual event in the city for over three decades. This family festival requires no admission charge, and over 250 vendors come to this event. This large street fair attracts over 15,000 attendees every year.
The San Marcos community has twenty-one high quality schools in the area as well as Palomar College and CSUSM.
• Public • Grades K-8
• 1,286 students • 25 student/teacher
• Public Charter • Grades 9-12
• 398 students • 14 student/teacher
• Public • Grades 6-8
• 1,838 students • 28 student/teacher
• Public • Grades K-5
• 1,053 students • 24 student/teacher