What’s Happening in Parks & Rec
January
Sat. 07 • San Marcos Hike
Wed. 11 • Ringin’ in the New Year
Wed. 18 • Nature Center Grand Re-Opening
Wed. 18 • Pop-Up Rec
Wed. 18 • Family Night Craft Pickup
Thu. 19 • Red Cross Blood Drive
Sun. 22 • Star Walk
Mon. 23 • Lunar New Year
…and more!
San Marcos Hike
Join us for the Bernardo Mountain/Lake Hodges hike. We’ll go under I-15 freeway, walk along the shoreline of the north side of Lake Hodges and cross Felicita Creek before we begin the ascent of Bernardo Mountain. Expect 7.6 miles on the trail and 800’ of elevation gain.
Saturday, January 7 • Sign-in starts at 8:30 a.m. with hike beginning at 9 a.m. • FREE
SDRP Parking Lot • 12655 Sunset Dr., Escondido 92025 (south of Via Rancho Parkway past The Hodges Golf Learning Center)
Ringin’ in the New Year
Celebrate 2023 with a delicious lunch and music by Ricky Rivas. Visit the Senior Center Lunch Desk or call (760) 744-5535 x3607 to make your reservation.
Wednesday, January 11 • 11 a.m. Senior Activity Center • 111 Richmar Avenue
Nature Center Grand Re-Opening
Jack’s Pond Nature Center promotes understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of nature. The Nature Center offers a two-hour curriculum-based program for grades K-5.
Each visit includes a nature walk exploring the native flora and fauna, take-home craft, and private Nature Center time. Field trips are offered every Thursday (Sept. 1 – June 15) from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
For more information, please email: Erin Rimmereid
Thanks to generous funding from the Friends of San Marcos, the Nature Center has been newly renovated! Join us for the grand re-opening and ribbon cutting at Jack’s Pond Nature Center. Participate in festivities and explore ten reimagined rooms about our local environment.
Wednesday, January 18 • 3:30-4:30 p.m. • FREE – Jack’s Pond Park • 986 La Moree Road
Compete in the Parks & Rec
Esports League
Registration for our winter league is now open! Compete in games like Madden, Mario Kart 8, Fortnite, Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros. to win fun prizes! Follow the link below to find out how to register for a league. Register for an esports league.
Sign up for the esports newsletter so you don’t miss out on important registration and league start dates. Sign up for the esports newsletter.
Pop-Up Rec
Winter Wreath
Kids can explore their creative side by making a winter wreath that they can take home and hang somewhere special to honor the winter season.
You bring the creativity, and we’ll bring all the supplies you need! While supplies last.
Wednesday, January 18 • 3 p.m. • FREE Jack’s Pond Park • 986 La Moree Road
Family Night Craft Pick-up
Pet Rock
Get creative with googly eyes, faux fur, buttons and more to customize your very own pet rock.
Family Night activities bring families together. Crafts/activities are intended for children ages three to ten. Each On-The-Go kit contains one craft or activity. Adjust quantity when registering for each child participating. Register your child here.
Wednesday, Wednesday 18 • 3:30-4:30 p.m. • $5 – Community Center • 3 Civic Center Drive
American Red Cross Blood Drive
The Red Cross is experiencing the worst blood shortage in over a decade. The dangerously low blood supply levels have forced some hospitals to defer patients from major surgery, including organ transplants. Your donation is desperately needed.
Thursday, January 19 • 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Dining Room • 3 Civic Center Drive
Star Walk XXI
Enjoy a night under the stars and learn basic astronomy concepts at a beginner’s level. Locate and understand featured celestial/astronomical events. Locate and identify common Constellations and Asterisms.
The Phases of the Moon; Where is the New Moon? Flying Horse, Flying Dragon, and Flying “W” constellations are brilliant; Quadrantids Meteor Shower is still around; All Visible Planets on Display.
Recommended Equipment:
LED flashlight with red filter or red lens cover, Binoculars,Warm clothes,Blanket and/or ground cloth.
Sunday, January 22 • 5:30–7 p.m. • FREE
Mahnita Boyden-Wofford Amphitheater – Double Peak Park • 910 Double Peak Drive
Lunar New Year
Celebrate the year of the rabbit with us. Visit the Senior Center Lunch Desk or call (760) 744-5535 x3607 to make your reservation.
Tuesday, January 24 • 11 a.m. Senior Activity Center • 111 Richmar Avenue
San Marcos Aquatics
Open Recreation Swim …Open Recreation Swim is for individuals or families to enjoy the pool and swim. Please visit www.san-marcos.net/watersafety for a list of pool rules.
Please note: if the projected high temperature for the day is below 65°F Open Rec Swim will be cancelled that day.
Swim Lessons … Swimming lessons save lives! Please click the registration link below for the most up to date listing of available classes. Swim lessons are subject to change. Please check the website for up-to-date times www.san-marcos.net/aquatics Register For Swim Lessons
Lap Swim … Purchase a Splash Pass membership for year-round access, or pay a drop-in fee for an intense or easy workout. Pool is heated and outdoors. Please bring your own equipment. Splash Pass Membership
San Marcos Recreation Guide
If you haven’t checked out the latest edition of our San Marcos Recreation Guide, we encourage you to take a peek and see all the fun happenings from San Marcos Parks & Recreation!
Recreation Scholarships Available!
The Friends of San Marcos Parks & Recreation have donated $10,000 this for recreation scholarships! These scholarships are available through the City of San Marcos Parks & Recreation and are contingent upon meeting certain financial eligibility requirements. To learn more and to apply visit
www.san-marcos.net/recpolicies
Park Shelter Reservations Available
The City has 21 designated reservable park picnic shelters at 12 different City parks that may be reserved to host your next celebration. A reservation must be made for groups of 25 people or more and groups who wish to have a inflatable or pony/petting zoo. Groups under 25 people can still make a reservation or choose to use the park on a first come first serve basis.
Reservable park picnic shelters can be reserved online a minimum of 8 days in advance and at the Parks and Recreation office 4 days in advance of your desired date. Reservations are paid in full at the time of booking.
For more information, please visit www.san-marcos.net/reserveapark or call the office at 760-744-9000.
San Marcos Parks & Recreation | 3 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069
