Escondido deals and free things to do
Situated about 30 miles north of San Diego, Escondido is home to a wide array of attractions to make your vacation a memorable one. In fact, the city is known for its stunning views, excellent golf courses and array of boutique wineries. Unlike many of California's cities, this locale is ideal for vacationing on a budget. You can find low-price accommodations, affordable eateries and Escondido deals on Thrifty Car Rental's variety of Escondido rental cars. You can also save some money by adding these free attractions to your agenda:
Keys Creek Lavender Farm
Drive your Escondido car rental to nearby Valley Center for a visit to the Keys Creek Lavender Farm. This estate focuses on organic production techniques and lets visitors take free, self-guided tours of the 6-acre site. You'll come across 28 different varieties of the aromatic plant and be able to explore a lavender oil plant. Feel free to browse the gift shop after your tour, and arrive on Sunday to take advantage of free tea and snacks.
Daley Ranch
Make your way along La Honda Drive and you'll find the a more than 3,000-acre conservation area known as Daley Ranch. This historic site is speckled with about 20 miles of hiking, biking and horse trails. For example, you can set off on the Boulder Loop, which runs for 2.4 miles and offers up breathtaking views of the city. Visitors can also take the Ranch House Loop, a 2.5-mile path that exposes walkers to two tranquil ponds, a traditional log cabin and the original Daley family ranch house, which dates back to 1928. Note that you'll have to park your Escondido car rental in the off-site lot, since vehicles are not allowed on the ranch grounds.