Escondido is a city located in California, just north of the
city of San Diego. The name means "hidden" in Spanish—it
occupies a shallow valley ringed by rocky hills. Founded in
1888, it is one of the oldest cities in San Diego County. The
city has an estimated population of 144,831. The city is growing
at a rapid rate with new communities like Hidden Trails
appearing at the east end of East Valley Parkway. The city
proper is surrounded by several sparsely populated
unincorporated communities. These include Jesmond Dene and
Hidden Meadows to the north; Felicita Park to the southwest; and
Rincon Del Diablo to the southeast The city contains several
neighborhoods including: - Downtown Escondido centers around
Grand Avenue between Centre City Parkway and Palomar Hospital.
The city's general plan defines the Downtown Specific Plan Area
as approximately 460 acres bounded by Centre City Parkway on the
west, Hickory and Ivy Streets on the east, Washington Avenue on
the north, and Fifth Avenue on the south, with an a