San Marcos, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Marcos, California
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| Nickname(s):
Valley of Discovery
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| Motto(s):
Discover Life's Possibilities
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Location of San Marcos in San Diego County and the state of California. (The white portion in the southwestern quadrant is unincorporated Lake San Marcos.)
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 San Marcos, California
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  California |
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| County |  San Diego |
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| Incorporated | January 28, 1963 | |
| Chartered | July 4, 1994 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Council/Manager | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 24.36 sq mi (63.08 km2) | |
| • Land | 24.34 sq mi (63.03 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) 0.08% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 94,833 | |
| • Rank | 80th in California | |
| • Density | 3,893.0/sq mi (1,503.38/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) | |
| ZIP Codes |
92069, 92078–92079, 92096
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| Area codes | 442/760 | |
| FIPS code | 06-68196 | |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1661388, 2411797 | |
San Marcos is a city in the North County part of San Diego County, California. Its name means "St. Mark" in Spanish. In 2020, about 94,833 people lived there.
San Marcos is home to two important schools: California State University San Marcos and Palomar College. The city is surrounded by other cities like Escondido to the east and Carlsbad to the west. Lake San Marcos is a community located inside the city, but it is not officially part of San Marcos.
Contents
History of San Marcos
The name San Marcos comes from a long time ago. In 1797, Spanish explorers found a fertile valley. They named it Los Vallecitos de San Marcos, which means "Little Valleys of Saint Mark." This was to honor St. Mark's Day, April 25.
In 1840, a large piece of land called Rancho Vallecitos de San Marcos was given to Jose María Alvarado. After he passed away, the land was sold. Later, in the 1850s, parts of the land were sold again. Major Gustavus French Merriam started the first lasting settlement. He began growing wine grapes and making honey.
German and Dutch immigrants started moving to the area in the early 1880s. In 1883, John H. Barham founded the first town nearby. It had a post office and a newspaper. In 1887, the San Marcos Land Company bought most of the land. They divided it into smaller plots for people to build homes.
The first town of San Marcos was about a mile north of Barham. In 1887, the Santa Fe Railroad built tracks through the valley. However, the tracks were a mile away from the town center. To be closer to the railroad, the people of San Marcos moved their homes a few miles east in 1903. By 1905, the town had mail delivery and phone service. Farming was the main business in the early days. Later, dairies and poultry farms became important.
San Marcos grew a lot after 1956 when water from the Colorado River arrived. Many small businesses started, and the number of people living there quickly increased. San Marcos officially became a city on January 28, 1963. In the 1970s, it was one of the fastest-growing cities in California. By 2020, the population was almost 100,000.
Geography and Climate
San Marcos covers about 24.4 square miles (63.2 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
Because it's close to the Pacific Ocean, San Marcos has mild weather. It rarely gets very cold in winter or very hot in summer. In May and June, it's often cloudy and cool. This is sometimes called "May gray" or "June gloom." The warmest months are usually July through September. Sometimes, hot, dry winds called Santa Ana winds can blow, which can increase the risk of wildfires. Most of the rain falls between November and March. The city gets about 13 inches (33 cm) of rain each year.
Neighborhoods in San Marcos
San Marcos has many different neighborhoods, including:
- Buenavida
- Coronado Hills
- Creek District
- Discovery Hills
- Discovery Meadows
- Grandon Estates
- Lake San Marcos (not officially part of the city)
- Old Creek Ranch
- Rancho Coronado/Rancho Tesoro
- Rancho Dorado
- Rancho Santalina
- Rancho Tesoro
- Richland
- Richmar
- Rock Springs/Bennett District
- Sage Canyon
- San Elijo Hills
- Santa Fe Hills
- Stone Canyon
- Twin Oaks Valley
- Village O
- University District/North City
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 3,896 | — | |
| 1980 | 17,479 | 348.6% | |
| 1990 | 38,974 | 123.0% | |
| 2000 | 54,977 | 41.1% | |
| 2010 | 83,781 | 52.4% | |
| 2020 | 94,833 | 13.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, San Marcos had a population of 94,833 people. The city has grown a lot over the years. For example, in 1970, only 3,896 people lived there.
San Marcos is a diverse city, meaning people from many different backgrounds live there. In 2020, about 44% of the people were White (not Hispanic), and about 37% were Hispanic or Latino. There are also many Asian, Black, and multiracial people living in San Marcos. This mix of cultures makes the city a vibrant place.
The average household in San Marcos has about three people. Many families with children live in the city. The median age in 2010 was 32.9 years, meaning half the people were younger and half were older than that.
Economy and Jobs
San Marcos has a strong economy with many job opportunities. Here are some of the top employers in the city:
| Rank | Employer | # of Employees |
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| 1 | San Marcos Unified School District | 2,464 |
| 2 | California State University San Marcos | 1,800 |
| 3 | Palomar Community College | 1,769 |
| 4 | Hunter Industries | 815 |
| 5 | United Parcel Service | 551 |
| 6 | So. CA Permanente Med Group | 449 |
| 7 | Costco Wholesale | 390 |
| 8 | TrueCare | 250 |
| 9 | Lusardi Construction Co. | 250 |
| 10 | Wal-Mart | 216 |
Arts and Culture
San Marcos has some special landmarks. An illuminated cross on a hill above Lake San Marcos can be seen at night from many parts of the city. It has been a community landmark for a long time.
Another important place is the Williams Barn, also known as the "Red Barn." It was built in 1952 and looks like a big red barn. It's now a community center in Walnut Grove Park. The park also has historic houses from around the city, cared for by the San Marcos Historical Society.
Education in San Marcos
San Marcos is known for its excellent schools, from kindergarten all the way to college.
San Marcos Unified School District
The San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD) is one of the biggest school districts in San Diego County. It has 20 schools with many different programs. SMUSD serves over 21,000 students. These students come from San Marcos and nearby areas like Vista, Escondido, and Carlsbad.
The district includes:
- 11 elementary schools
- 3 middle schools (San Elijo Hills, Woodland Park, and San Marcos middle schools)
- 2 K-8 schools (Double Peak, La Mirada Academy K-8)
- 2 main high schools (San Marcos High School and Mission Hills High School)
- Other schools like a charter high school, an independent study high school, and a continuation school.
The San Marcos Adult School helps adults get their high school diploma or GED. It also teaches English as a Second Language.
High Tech High, Middle and Elementary
High Tech High, Middle, and Elementary are charter schools in San Marcos. These schools focus on project-based learning. Students learn by working on projects, doing internships, and interacting with professionals. High Tech High is located across the street from San Marcos High School.
Palomar College
Palomar College is a public two-year college. Its main campus is in northern San Marcos and covers about 200 acres (81 hectares). About 30,000 students attend Palomar College. It offers over 250 different programs for associate degrees and certificates.
A giant letter "P" for "Palomar" is on the hillside above the campus. It is a well-known landmark in San Marcos.
California State University, San Marcos
California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) is part of the California State University system. It was founded in 1989. The campus is built on a 304-acre (123-hectare) hillside in southeastern San Marcos. About 14,000 students attend CSUSM. The university offers many different programs, including 44 undergraduate programs and 10 graduate programs.
Transportation
Roads and Highways
State Route 78 is a main freeway that runs through San Marcos. It has six exits that serve the city. Other important roads connect San Marcos to nearby cities like Vista, Carlsbad, and Escondido. These include Rancho Santa Fe Road, San Marcos Boulevard, Twin Oaks Valley Road, and Mission Road.
Public Transportation
The SPRINTER is a light rail train service in San Marcos. It is run by the North County Transit District (NCTD). The SPRINTER has stops at Palomar College, San Marcos Civic Center, Cal State San Marcos, and Nordahl Road. NCTD also operates BREEZE buses that serve the city.
Notable People
Many interesting people have connections to San Marcos, including:
- Joe Barton, a soccer player
- Terrell Burgess, an National Football League (NFL) player
- Greg Evans, a cartoonist who created the comic strip Luann
- Liliana Mumy, an actress
- Fred Warner, a professional football player
- Nia Jax, a professional wrestler with WWE
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See also
In Spanish: San Marcos (California) para niños
