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Known for its picturesque landscapes and near perfect weather, Escondido offers a range of activities and events for family fun this summer. Engaging in outdoor adventures, exploring artistic endeavors, and enjoying culinary escapades are just a few of the many activities that will make this summer truly unforgettable for the whole family.

Escondido’s Wine Region

Find yourself immersed in rich experiences in all that Escondido has to offer, beginning with touring our diverse group of wineries, each offering its own unique flavors, entertainment, and beautiful scenery. See the full list of Escondido wineries here.

Orfila Vineyards and Winery

The 70-acre estate offers a pastoral view from its tasting room and patio. Families can enjoy the tree-lined picnic area, complete with grassy knolls and picnic tables. Orfila is renowned for crafting exceptional wines, carefully curated from Italian and French varietals, including those hailing from the esteemed regions of the Rhône Valley, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. 

Forgotten Barrel

Experience the utmost delight at Forgotten Barrel’s charming and rustic tasting room, open Friday through Sunday. With ample outdoor seating, Forgotten Barrel offers an extensive array of meticulously crafted, premium wines.

Altipiano

Stroll through the vineyards, take a tour, and savor great wines at Altipiano, which is perched high above San Pasqual Valley’s San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido’s Highland Valley Wine Country. A cozy picnic area enables families to relax and enjoy a meal surrounded by nature. Learn more about the women-owned winery on this episode of Fresh Glass, the television series hosted by Cassandra Schaeg, owner of Escondido's SIP Wine & Beer, that shines a spotlight on the inspiring stories of women and BIPOC innovators in the realms of food, beverage, and entrepreneurship.

Rancho Guejito

Rancho Guejito offers a range of outdoor recreational activities in addition to sampling its sumptuous wines. Horseback on trails, hike and bike, birdwatch, and fish in the ranch's ponds. The tasting room is kid and dog-friendly and offers shade in the gardens and air conditioning inside for hot days.

Summer of Cultural Events

Enhance your family’s summer fun by pairing your vineyard adventure with exciting entertainment from the California Center for the Arts, Escondido’s hub for visual and performing arts.

“The key to any great city is its vibrant arts and culture scene,” shared Gina Lopez, CEO of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. “Escondido has championed this concept as a visual and performing arts destination with the California Center for the Arts, centrally located in the heart of downtown”.

This summer’s lineup includes:

• June 25: Juneteenth Celebration, Free educational and wellness activities

• July 2: Latin GRAMMY winning recording artist, Chiquis

• July 4: Independence Day Celebration - Free music and activities

• The Last Friday of each Month: Musica en la Plaza - Free

If you’d rather explore inside, discover the transformative power of colorful perspectives and storytelling as you and your family tour several new and dynamic museum exhibits opening on June 10:

• Frida Kahlo: Through the Lens of Nickolas Muray

• Nan Coffey: Positively Animated!

• Let’s Face It: Portraits from the Permanent Collection

From July 7-23, the California Center for the Arts is hosting the world premier of Bottle Shock, the Musical, fusing just two of Escondido's greatest assets, art and wine.

Of course, it would not be a true Escondido summer without attending the beloved Cruisin’ Grand event, kicking off on June 23 and running every Friday throughout the summer. Dubbed the No. 1 car cruise in the nation by Curbside TV, Cruisin’ Grand invites people to stroll through Grand Avenue and beyond to admire hundreds of high-end hotrods and vintage cars.

This year, embrace the season, embrace the joy, and embark on a summer of family fun in Escondido.