City of Escondido

The Escondido Hotel. A horse stable. A meat market. And a combination furniture store-mortuary. These are just a few of the businesses that made up the streets of Downtown Escondido shortly after its 1888 incorporation, when a trip to San Diego was a day-long journey. During Escondido’s formative years, the businesses on Grand Avenue were the go-to spots for locals to get groceries, visit the blacksmith, or pick up a newspaper.