July 1, 2021

Escondido Welcomes New City Manager

Last month the City welcomed our new City Manager, Sean McGlynn. Sean stepped into his new role on Tuesday, June 29 and greeted staff with a warm welcome and is excited to settle in and lead the team. Sean shared the following with the City staff, "I am looking forward to serving with you as we support and assist our wonderful community. I believe together we can continue the excellent work underway and leave a lasting legacy for Escondido."

Fourth of July Fireworks

The City of Escondido is excited to bring fireworks back to celebrate Independence Day on July 4. While we will not have our traditional large-scale event, there will be a spectacular fireworks show at 9 p.m. The community is welcome to enjoy the fireworks show from anywhere in central Escondido including Grape Day Park. The fireworks will be launched from their typical location in the Woodward Avenue parking lot. Grape Day Park will be open past dusk with traditional regulations in place - no dogs, BBQs, or alcohol. Please remember, all unpermitted fireworks are illegal in the City of Escondido.

Escondido Library Mural Project

Thank you to everyone who submitted comments about the proposed designs for the Library mural. The Escondido Library Foundation has selected option #1. Based on community feedback, artist Julia Anthony will include more people, more flora and fauna native to Escondido, and much more details in the vineyard among other tweaks. Famed Library Cat, LC, will also be included on the steps of the historic library building. Stop by and check out the artist in action to see how this beautiful piece unfolds.

Parks and Recreation Month

Join us and the National Recreation and Park Association to celebrate #OurParkAndRecStory during Park and Recreation Month! We will be hosting free events throughout the month of July to celebrate. More information can be found here .

Washington Park Cleanup

On Saturday, June 26 almost 80 volunteers from the WeLoveU foundation partnered with the City of Escondido's Public Works staff and the Volunteer Escondido program to help beautify Washington Park by picking up trash, trimming up landscaping, spreading out playground chips, and painting the restroom building. Learn how you can get involved in future volunteer efforts by visiting volunteer.escondido.org.

COVID-19 Vaccinations for Youth 12+

Free COVID-19 vaccinations will be available for youth 12 years and older on Saturdays at the Neighborhood Healthcare Vaccine Clinic at the Palomar College Escondido Campus. Appointments from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. are available and can be made by visiting myturn.ca.gov. Walk ups are also available. The vaccine clinic is scheduled every Saturday, with the exception of July 3 through July 17. Free transportation is available through North County Transit District , Uber, and Lyft.

Summer Nutrition for Children Under 18

Through August 2, anyone 18 and under may take advantage of free weekly meal kits containing breakfast and lunch. Meal kits will be available every Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Escondido, Orange Glen, and San Pasqual High Schools. All locations will be closed on Monday July 5 in observance of the July 4 holiday. Meal kits for that week can be picked up on Tuesday, July 6. No application or registration is necessary. See flyer for more details.

June 24, 2021

City Manager, Jeffrey Epp Retires

The City of Escondido is saying farewell to City Manager, Jeffrey Epp as he retires at the end of June. We would like to thank him for his 36 years of dedicated service to our City and community. Jeffrey Epp started working for the City of Escondido in August of 1985 as a legal intern. He was appointed as City Attorney in 1996, and in July 2017 he was asked to become the City Manager. Over the last 35+ years, he has served under 8 different mayors and 22 councilmembers. Last week, the City Council proclaimed June 29, 2021, Jeffrey R. Epp Day. Enjoy your retirement, Jeff!

Escondido Alley Art

There is new art in Downtown Escondido! Esco Alley Art was unveiled on Saturday, June 12 as part of this month's Second Saturday. The alley is located between Grand and 2^nd Avenue and Broadway and Maple Street.

The project is made up of local artists and organized by the Escondido Art Association and the Downtown Business Association. More art will continue to be added to this outdoor exhibit in the coming months. Check them out during your next visit downtown, or during Cruisin' Grand. Read more in the San Diego Union Tribune article .

Escondido, Report It!

The Report It! app provides a free and simple way to report community problems such as graffiti, potholes, water violations, shopping carts and more directly to City staff.

A picture is worth a thousand words and Report It! makes it a snap. Download it from your phone's app store today.

If you do not have a smartphone, you can report an issue to the City Manager's Office by calling 760-839-4631.

June 17, 2021

Cruisin' Grand 2021

Cruisin' Grand returns this Friday night, June 18 in downtown Escondido! SoCal Productions and the City of Escondido are excited to welcome this event back for its 21st season.

All of your favorites will return including live music, DJs, kettle corn, and of course, the best display of pre-1974 hotrods in the country! Something a little different this year is the closure of additional streets to allow enough room for street-side dining and retail as well as plenty of space to display the vehicles and allow for spectators. Each Friday, Grand Avenue will be closed from Escondido Blvd. to Ivy St. and the side streets (Maple St., Broadway, Kalmia, and Juniper) from Second Ave. to Valley Parkway. Read the San Diego Union Tribune article on the event here .

More information about the event at: www.cruisingrand.net.

SDG&E's Bear Valley Parkway Replacement Project Update

On November 9, 2020, San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E) began construction on the Bear Valley Parkway Replacement Project along Bear Valley between San Pasqual Valley Road/Highway 78 and Beethoven Drive.

The natural gas pipeline safety project will replace 3.6 miles of 1949-vintage pipe in Escondido and the County of San Diego. The project is now more than 95 percent complete.

Over the next week, reduced traffic lanes may be necessary at the following locations:

Location #1: Bear Valley Parkway near Beethoven Drive
Workdays: Monday - Friday
Time Frame: June 14 - June 21
Hours: 9:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. (overnight hours)

Location #2: Bear Valley Parkway near San Pasqual Valley Road
Workdays: Monday - Friday
Time Frame: June 14 - June 21
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Residents and businesses along Bear Valley Parkway will have ingress/egress access during this time. Please plan accordingly and anticipate delays. For more information about this SDG&E project, visit: https://www.sdge.com/major-projects/major-projects-pipeline-safety-enhancement-plan

Mobile Recreation Programs for Teens!

Join our Recreation Staff for summer fun! The free POWER Mobile Recreation Program for teens includes games, arts and crafts, contests and more. Programs will take place at Grove Park from June 22 - July 29.

For more information call Escondido Community Services at 760-839-4692

June 10, 2021

Escondido Creek Trail Update

The City continues to make progress on the Escondido Creek Trail Expansion and Renovation Project. Join us on Tuesday, June 22 from 6 - 8 p.m. for an in-person informational session.

The meeting will be held in the Vineyard Room at the East Valley Community Center. Drop in anytime for project updates and to ask questions. Learn more about the project at: escondido.org/ECT

North County Job Fair

Join the Escondido Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, June 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., for their North County Job Fair! This all-day event will take place in the Chamber parking lot with socially distanced booths/tents, and all attendees and participants will be required to wear masks.

Come meet dozens of employers looking to fill hundreds of positions, and learn about the various industries looking to hire staff. For more information, click here.

Recycling Webinar

Join our Recycling Staff and representatives from Escondido Disposal for an informational session and an overview of the new Organics Program. Tune in and ask any questions you may have.

• Monday, June 14 at noon
• Zoom Link: http://ow.ly/ln4B50F6MPX

License to Love

Do you have a License to Love? All through the month of June, San Diego Humane Society is waiving all fees (including late fees) on dog licenses! Dog owners within San Diego Humane Society's jurisdiction will receive a FREE license for their pup when they complete the process by June 30. Get started at sdhumane.org/licensing and use promo code: FREELICENSE

Licensing your dog is the law, and it comes with many benefits. Dogs with a valid license receive a free ride home if they are found running stray: skipping a trip to the shelter and reducing reclaim fees. License QR-codes can also store phone numbers and medical information, which can help in case of emergency. We know you love your dog, so make it official with a license!