Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which Escondido-area hikes made this list of 44 East County trails?

Be sure to catch Kids Science Camp Dec. 29-30th - Fizzing Bath Bombs & Slime Transformation Lab on the Escondido Patch calendar

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What's up Escondido! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which Escondido-area hikes made this list of 44 East County trails?
  • How one Escondido holiday event helped 343 struggling local families
  • How could new state housing rules reshape growth in Escondido?

Also on today's calendar: Kids Science Camp Dec. 29-30th - Fizzing Bath Bombs & Slime Transformation Lab and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Escondidofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Escondidofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Beautiful with periods of sun, with a high of 72 and low of 43 degrees.
  • Monday: Low clouds, then some sun, temps: high: 69, low: 48.
  • Tuesday: A couple of afternoon showers, with a high of 69 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Mountains, lakes, grasslands and desert: 44 East County hikes (sandiegouniontribune.com) — If you’re looking to get outside close to home, this roundup highlights several Escondido-area hikes, including Daley Ranch’s Boulder Loop, Elfin Forest’s Way Up Trail, and Felicita County Park’s shady creekside paths. It also points you to dozens more East County routes, from desert canyons to mountain summits, all within a reasonable drive of Escondido.
   

• Interfaith Community Services holiday event helps 343 families, clients (northcoastcurrent.com) — Hundreds of local families in need just received holiday support through Interfaith Community Services’ Sponsor-A-Family event held in Escondido on Dec. 13. Powered by over $100,000 in donations and 150 volunteers, the Winterfaith Wonderland let parents shop with dignity for gifts while also providing presents to residential clients across North County.
   

• Roundtable Wrapped: A year of reporting in review (kpbs.org) — San Diego’s year in immigration and housing policy brought tougher federal enforcement, local legal pushback, and new state housing laws that will eventually require suburbs like Escondido to add more homes near transit. KPBS reporters also detailed how AI is reshaping jobs and education, and how emerging nuclear fusion research in San Diego could meet soaring energy needs, all framed as changes locals will feel in coming years.
   

📸 Around Escondido

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Escondido

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📣 Escondido Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Tess is Your Rancho Coastal Humane Society Pet This Week —John Van Zante Read on Patch
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
    Boots was LOST on December 17, 2025 in Escondido, CA 92027 near Valley parkway Citrus Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor Oak Hill)
  • Looking to TEMPORARILY rehome our sweet dog, Hawks.
    We just moved back here and our current living situation isn’t for for a dog, and none of our family or friends will take us in with a big dog. He… (Nextdoor 78 - 15)
  • Government Jobs posted a job opening for Recreation Leader II (Sports Center - Soccer Referee) in Escondido. Apply here.
  • Arby's Restaurant posted a job opening for Team Member in Escondido. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Escondido here.

🗞 Nearby News

San Marcos

  • Supervisors Approve Affordability Covenant for 236-Unit San Marcos Ranch Project (noozhawk.com)
  • More Than 22,000 Cartons of Juice Have Been Recalled Due to Contamination From a Cleaning Solution (thehealthy.com)
  • Digital 101: Are my marketing tactics already outdated? (thecoastnews.com)

Valley Center

Ok Escondido! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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