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Escondido, California is a scenic retirement community in the San Diego area.

Escondido CA History

Escondido was originally inhabited by Native American tribes. Spain controlled the land from the late 1700's to the early 1800's. Juan Bautista de Anza, a Spanish explorer, identified and discovered the Escondido area in 1776. When Mexico gained its independence from Spain, the area became part of the Rancho Rincon del Diablo (the devil's corner) land grant bestowed to Juan Bautista Alvarado in 1843 by the Mexican Governor. In 1846, war broke out between the United States and Mexico and a key battle was fought 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 the Americans, which included Kit Carson.

In 1886, the Escondido Land and Title Company acquired the Rancho Rincon land grant of 12,814 acres. The company laid out the town site and divided the valley into small farms suitable for grapes or citrus. The city incorporated in 1888 and elected its first officers.

Escondido California – Quality Retirement Community

Today, the Escondido California area produces cereal products and has fruit-packing houses and one of the world's largest avocado processing plants. A wild animal park just south of the city draws numerous tourists to the area. To the east is San Pasqual Battlefield State Monument, which commemorates the battle fought December, 1846.