Escondido, California, Websites

The City of Escondido, California - Official Web Site
Includes demographics, visitor information, government details and links.

Escondido, California, Airports

San Diego International airport (SAN / KSAN)

Escondido, California, Information

The location of Escondido, California was first identified and discovered by Juan Bautista de Anza, a Spanish explorer, in 1776. Later, the area became part of the Rancho Rincon del Diablo (the devil's corner) land grant bestowed to Juan Bautista Alvarado in 1843 by Mexican Governor Manuel Micheltoren. In 1886, the Escondido Land and Title Company acquired the land grant, laid out the town site, and divided the valley into small farms suitable for grapes or citrus.

On October 8, 1888, the city was incorporated and its voters elected a council, clerk, treasurer and marshal.

Today, Escondido is a full-service, general-law city with five council members elected at large. Escondido operates under the Council-Manager form of government. This is the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The Mayor presides at the City Council and Community Development Commission Board meetings.