Just when you think you’ve discovered all of the neighborhoods throughout San Diego, you’ll be surprised to find a few hidden gems along the way. Sometimes, you stumble upon small, planned communities that you never knew existed in your own city.

Nestled within the far west side of San Marcos on West San Marcos Boulevard, just before entering Carlsbad on Rancho Santa Fe Road, I discovered the “secret” neighborhood of Lake San Marcos in San Diego County. 

Lake San MArcos Community / Photo by Taylorj661 / CC0

A few months ago, I stumbled upon this small, planned resort-style community, which is actually its own community within the unincorporated area of North County San Diego. I discovered this neighborhood by accident while on a staycation at the Lakehouse Hotel and Resort. It was there that I got to experience many of the community’s amenities as well as its peaceful, lakeside vibe.

Lake San Marcos offers a self-sustained environment and provides everything residents need within walking distance of their home. The North County neighborhood is managed by the Lake San Marcos Community Association and each smaller neighborhood within Lake San Marcos is managed under its own homeowners’ association. Residents pay association fees for their properties as well as common areas, street resurfacing, and pool solar heating to be maintained.

The community features a resort-style vibe thanks to its manicured grounds, variety of recreational activities, numerous amenities, community events, suburban-style homes, and stunning golf courses. Residents can pay for a membership to join the community’s country club, which allows access to social clubs, a recreation center, a spa, billiards room, two swimming pools, three paddle tennis courts, four tennis courts, boating, fishing, and exclusive access to a lakeside picnic area. Members also receive a newsletter that keeps them informed about future community activities and special events. 

Courtesy of St. Mark Golf Club

No resort-style community is complete without a golf course. Lake San Marcos has two 18-hole golf courses located within the community. The semi-private, 18-hole St. Mark Golf Club is a 6,400-yard mature golf course that’s located at the Lakehouse Hotel and Resort. The 18-hole Lake San Marcos Executive Golf Course is a challenging Par 58 public course. 

For water lovers, the Lake San Marcos Marina is an ideal spot for boat owners as well as renters. The marina caters to visitors of the lake with pontoons, pedal boats, stand-up paddle boards, rentals, fishing kayaks, and the attractive sunset cruises.

Lake San Marcos has nearly 2,500 single-family homes, apartments, townhouses, and condos, many of which are available on or near the community’s pristine lake. Some of the lake houses have private docks for boats, and the lake itself offers fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing opportunities. One of the greatest things about Lake San Marcos is its variety of home prices. Whether you’re on a budget or looking for something a bit more opulent, there are options available on the low end due to foreclosures as well as luxury homes on the high end. 

Aerial view of homes in Varadero / Courtesy of Varadero Living

Within Lake San Marcos are a variety of distinct neighborhoods from gated communities to luxury senior living communities. Retirees can find luxury living at Chateau Lake San Marcos that features homes along with amenities like a fitness center, lap pool, on-site activities, and concierge and room service. The Meridian is another senior living option that offers one and two-bedroom apartment rentals with amenities like 24-hour assisted living services, a dog park, private clubhouse, and meditation garden.

The newest, all-ages community in Lake San Marcos is Varadero. The community offers single-story and two-story homes ranging in size from 2,481 to just under 4,000 square feet. The neighborhood features scenic views of the lake as well as the surrounding mountains and ocean.

There’s also no shortage of schools within Lake San Marcos. Elementary students can attend the San Marcos Unified School District, which consist of Discovery Elementary, La Costa Meadows, and San Elijo Middle School. High school students are within walking distance of High Tech High North County and the newly renovated San Marcos High School.

San MArcos High School / Courtesy of Lusardi

San Marcos also has three prominent colleges including the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Palomar College, and California State University San Marcos.

Though Lake San Marcos appears to be in a bubble, it’s only minutes away from an abundance of shopping and dining spots as well as various entertainment options in San Diego County.