North County Inland

North San Diego County is known locally as “North County” and includes the northern suburbs and sometimes a selection of northern neighborhoods of the city of San Diego. The general boundaries for the area are the I-5 and State Route 78, inclusive of the cities located on those thoroughfares. The area is considered to be more socially conservative than the other portions of the county and has typically been known to be the most expensive region of San Diego County. Known as the ideal family destination, North County is a popular tourist attraction, notoriously for the number of fun amusement parks that call the northern area home. San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, Legoland California, the Birch Aquarium, and the Wave Waterpark are some of the region’s biggest attractions, scattered throughout the North County area.

The inland portion of North County includes the communities of Vista, San Marcos, Ramona, Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, Poway, Carmel Mt Ranch & Sabre Springs, 4S Ranch, Santaluz, Rancho Penasquitos, Torrey Highlands, Scripps Ranch, and Mira Mesa.

The inland portion of North County is much less populated, compared to North County Coastal. This is because of the beautiful shores that grace the county’s western shores, facing the Pacific Ocean and the relatively dry flatlands that make up the inland region. The I-15 interstate than runs the inland route from San Diego north to Los Angeles and surrounding areas connects the towns of the coastal portion of North County to downtown San Diego and the rest of California.

Golfing is one of North County Inland’s attractions because of the flat terrain, warm weather, and beautiful days throughout the majority of the year. Lush greens, rolling fairways, steep bunkers, and professionally-designed courses welcome avid golfers to a golfing paradise. Much like golfing in the coastal region, the inland courses are quite attractive and relatively affordable. The Buick Invitational is held every year in North County Coastal, as are many other PGA events. The Doubletree Golf Resort San Diego at Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course, San Vincente Golf Resort, Welk Resorts San Diego, Escondido Country Club, Torrey Highlands Golf Course, and Vineyard at Escondido are some of the more popular golf courses, although several other courses, exclusive private country clubs, and resort clubs thrive and exist in North County Inland.