San Marcos

A jewel-encrusted entrance gate leads guests through courtyards of meditative gardens and fountains at this world-renowned spa, a perennial winner of global “best of” honors. Golden Door's elegant amenities include exercise studios, swimming pools, tennis courts and a private hillside for hiking to the on-site restaurant, where chefs prepare gourmet meals with fresh ingredients from the spa’s organic gardens.

San Marcos is home to not one but two lakes — a relative rarity for a small community in arid Southern California. Discovery Lake is a peaceful spot with walking trails, birdwatching and catch-and-release fishing. Not far away, the more developed Lake San Marcos offers paddleboarding, fishing, boat rentals and waterfront dining at the popular Amalfi Cucina Italiana restaurant.

If you’re looking for a place to slake your thirst, play a few arcade games and even do some bowling, Draft Republic is your spot in San Marcos. Besides the eight-lane boutique bowling alley, Draft Republic offers a full menu of food and drink and a sprawling outdoor patio. On weekends there’s live music, too.

Fine wine with a view is the big draw of this San Marcos favorite, perched atop a rural hilltop with panoramic vistas. Sunshine Mountain Winery offers a full tasting experience Thursdays-Sundays, including wine samples and an expansive food menu.

One of the newest campuses in the California State University system, Cal State San Marcos is a center of cultural and intellectual life in the city. For visitors, it’s also a place to seek out music performances and stage productions as well as admire the campus’s impressive architecture and frequent special events.