Although San Marcos’ history goes back to when the Spaniards settled in the fertile valley in 1797, the young city has only been incorporated for scarcely 50 years. Known more as a residential community, it is situated surprisingly close to all the action—just 35 miles from downtown San Diego in the northern part of the county and bordered by Escondido, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Vista. Embraced by foothills dotted with mini-mansions and an abundance of hiking trails and golf courses, San Marcos is best defined as a country destination that feels far removed from city life.
Hidden deep within the residential confines of the city is Lake San Marcos, a playground for nature-lovers. Birdwatchers have a field day with migrating species that fill the banks and marsh areas; and graceful swans, added by the new resort, skim the calm waters. The resort takes full advantage of its lake centerpiece with catch-and-release fishing, boating, paddle boarding and kayaking.
The rebirth of a resort
The former hotel was originally constructed in the mid-1960s with only 75 rooms. Even then, the hotel was ahead of its day with underground utilities and seaplanes that once deposited guests on the lake. In 2004, a former owner tried to expand the resort, but did not complete a renovation. In 2013, new owners took over, transforming the 142-accommodation resort with sweeping upgrades throughout. The result was a hip, boutique hotel that keeps its 60’s roots intact while integrating modern touches, such as spa-like showers, indulgent beds, Restoration hardware and natural materials such as bleached wooden floors.
Additional property renovations include two saline pools and oversized Jacuzzis, barbecue picnic areas and state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces. Accommodations range from lake-fronting, spacious guest rooms to one- and two-bedroom cottages with kitchens and living room areas. The cottages, great for families or two couples, have their own cozy fire pits.
A luxurious camping feel permeates The Lakehouse. S’more roasting is offered every Saturday night, and fishing equipment is complimentary for those wanting to dangle a pole from a resort boat or the dock. Tennis, volleyball and golf are also on the “camp” agenda. The semi-private St. Marks Golf Club, owned by the resort, is right next door and is open to guests. Guests reserve rentals of electric Avalon boats, kayaks, two-person paddle boats and even romantic gondola rides for a fun-filled day or evening under the stars.
Decoy restaurant shares the same peaceful lake-side setting. The Bistro’s new American cuisine is definitely inspired by the great outdoors. The best part? Grabbing a stool at the floating lakefront bar for a drink. Or you can reserve a table in the dining room for a decadent meal. Find more information on the resort here.
Escape from the lake
To break up the tranquility, a multitude of opportunities are just a few miles away—from Legoland to the Wild Animal Park and myriad coastal pleasures. However, a huge draw to the area is the local brew scene. San Diego County is definitely one of the hottest spots for a “cold one.” Now home to more than 100 award-winning microbreweries that span the area from coast to inland areas, the brew scene offers a bounty of beer-related activities from festivals and food and beer pairing events to behind-the-scenes tours and, of course, foamy tastings.
In fact, there are fifteen breweries within just fifteen minutes of the resort. For visitors wanting to really pull back the curtain and see where the magic happens, a brewery tour is on tap. High on the list should be a 45-minute VIP tour of Stone Brewing in nearby Escondido, where the aroma of “baking bread” leads tour-goers into the impressive enclave of brewery components—from gift shop, sampling bar and bistro to the gardens and brewing factory.
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, with its distinctive gargoyle mascot, offers visitors a fresh, organic menu in the bistro paired with its signature beers that are known for bold and aggressive flavors. The Stone Brew pub is the site of regular tastings and tours, as well as interactive classes that transform visitors to beer connoisseurs. The Bistro & Gardens has another popular location in San Diego’s Point Loma area.
The nano-brewery doesn’t call their consumers “customers”—they are “fans.” According to Stone’s philosophy, what they do is “a culture, not just beer.” The Bistro does not serve typical brew food either and they challenge fans to find a bottle of catsup. Most of the greens on your plate come from Stone’s own organic garden nearby, which warrants a visit of its own.
