With summer just around the corner, now is a great time to start planning your summer experiences. At Oak Island Heating and Air Conditioning, we love helping our customers in any way we can. As proud residents of San Marcos, one way we can do that is by pointing out some great local attractions so that you can add them to your summer to-do list. San Marcos is packed with great things to do so that every member of your family can find something they enjoy. Whether you’re a visitor or a long-time resident, you can use this list to plan a great experience that will leave you with lasting memories.
Take In Beautiful Gardens
If you enjoy manicured gardens, you’ll love Buena Creek Gardens. Here you can shop for unique varieties of plants, watch goats playing together in their habitat, or simply relax in the shade of large ornamental trees. This one-of-a-kind attraction is a nursery, botanical garden, and small-scale zoo. You can take in the property yourself or schedule a guided tour to learn more about all the special features that make this place special. There’s even an outdoor event venue if you and some friends want to plan a soirée while you visit.
Enjoy a Round of Golf
Located adjacent to breathtaking hills, the St. Mark Golf Club is far more than just a golf course. The course itself, which is called The Links at Lakehouse, sets itself apart with its stunning vistas, links-style play, and a layout that is both challenging and accessible. Several golf professionals are available for hire to help you up your game, and once you’re done golfing, you can relax at The Lodge at San Marcos, the stunning lakefront lodge. At Lake San Marcos, you can engage in any number of activities, from kayaking and fishing to swimming, tennis, and pool.
Take In a Show
In nearby Escondido, you’ll find a venue where you can take in art in various forms. The California Center for the Arts, Escondido, is a performing arts venue, art museum, event space, educational center, and so much more. The visual art museum has both permanent and rotating collections. Its permanent collection boasts works from artists including Farrell Brickhouse, David Ortins, Richard Ross, and many other talented individuals working in various mediums. You can enjoy plays, musicals, concerts, and other types of performances at the performing arts venue. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can sign up for one of the classes offered at the venue and try your hand at some improv.
Explore Mountain Vistas
Just a few minutes from the headquarters of Oak Island Heating and Air Conditioning lies one of the jewels of San Marcos: Double Peak Park. This local park offers countless recreational activities and a breathtaking viewing area that overlooks two mountain peaks that appear to be nearly identical. If you like hiking, this park has trails of various difficulties that allow you to view some truly stunning scenery, including one that takes you up more than 1,700 feet. A small amphitheater is built into the side of a mountain overlooking the valley below. Plus, you can get an up-close view of nearby cities and attractions through the park’s telescope. Finally, if you have kids with you, they can release some energy at the on-site playground.
Experience All Things LEGO
While not within the city limits of San Marcos, Legoland California is close enough to warrant a mention. This immersive amusement park allows you and your family to connect with all things LEGO. You can take in a 4D movie featuring your favorite LEGO characters, take a boat ride to view amazing LEGO structures, or brave a trip on a roller coaster that weaves in and out of LEGO creations. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities to load up on your favorite LEGO sets and other unique LEGO souvenirs. To extend your visit, you can enjoy the Legoland water park or get tickets to the nearby SEA LIFE Aquarium.
Enjoy Water Activities
Closer to home, you can spend time relaxing at one of the hidden gems of San Marcos: Discovery Lake. While not nearly as large as the more famous Lake San Marcos, Discovery Lake offers many of the same amenities without the crowds. One favorite activity for many visitors is the paved path that circles the lake and covers a distance of 0.8 miles. This path makes for a great morning walk for people of any age and ability. If you’re an angler, you can do some catch-and-release fishing in the lake with a permit. There’s a splash pad and a playground for kids, while everyone in the family can enjoy the picnic shelter for an afternoon picnic by the lake.
Savor a Glass of Wine
While San Marcos isn’t well-known for its wineries like Napa Valley is, the Sunshine Mountain Vineyard is working hard to change that. Nestled atop some beautiful mountains, Sunshine Mountain Vineyard has all the charm and class to rival any of the more popular wineries in California. There’s a grand on-site tasting room to allow you to enjoy the delicious wine made possible by the unique soil conditions. There are also fireside tasting sessions with a more laid-back feel. If you’re hungry for more than wine, you can find many tasty offerings at the on-site cafe. Plus, you can check out other activities, such as vineyard tours, regular live music performances, and a wine shop to round out your day at this relaxing venue.
Get Away to a Beach
The city of San Marcos is strikingly close to California’s coast, meaning that no trip to San Marcos is complete without a visit to a local beach. While there are many great beaches to choose from, one of the closest and most beautiful is South Carlsbad State Beach. This charming state park has plenty of amenities to keep you and your family busy. In the warm waters off the coast, you can go snorkeling or SCUBA diving, fishing, swimming, windsurfing, wading, and more. Since the beach is part of a larger park, there are also opportunities for biking, geocaching, hiking, and other land-based activities. You can even go camping in a tent or trailer at the family-friendly campsite. Plus, there’s an on-site store offering snacks, beach rentals, and souvenirs.
We’re Here For You
As you can tell, we really love our community at Oak Island Heating and Air Conditioning. We want to do all we can to help make our community a better place to call home. That’s why we go to great lengths to offer top-notch maintenance, ac repair, and installation services for furnaces and air conditioners. We also install humidifiers, whole-house fans, thermostats, and other home comfort equipment. We’ve been serving San Marcos for over 20 years, and our consistent professionalism continues to earn us five-star reviews from our customers. We’re also rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau. To learn more about our range of services, feel free to contact us at Oak Island Heating and Air Conditioning.
