Welcome to your Escondido Real Estate resource page provided by Realtor and Associate Broker Jeff Cole of "The Cole Group" at Windermere Exclusive Properties. Surrounded by avocado and citrus groves Escondido, which means "hidden" in Spanish, lies about 18 miles inland, 100 miles south of Los Angeles and 30 miles northeast of San Diego. Inland North San Diego County, of which Escondido is at the core, is emerging as a regional economic leader in the forefront of job development and new industries. More people are making Escondido their "City of Choice" because it is one of the few remaining communities where people of all income levels can enjoy the Southern California lifestyle. The City of Escondido is ranked number eight among the Top Ten Cities for Government by Ladies Home Journal and offers a diverse community of more than 133,559 people. The City's economic base is made up largely of successful small businesses, many of which are family owned. Escondido offers homes in a wide range of prices, 2 lakes, 8 parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, comprehensive health care facilities and the San Diego Wild Animal Park. The California Center fo the Arts brings world class entertainment to the area along with the Mingei gallery and Queen Califia's Magical Circle, a sculpture garden in Kit Carson Park donated by late internationally renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle. In recent years Escondido was named the Best Place in the West in which to retire by Money Magazine and was also named a Kid-friendly City for our broad range of youth programs.