Escondido, California

Weird Tourist Attractions

Bates Nut Farm

Have you ever wished you could hop in a machine and go back in time?

Escondido used to be a farming community.

Does a lazy Sunday-afternoon-back-on-the-farm type of feeling appeal?

Bates Nut Farm was a walnut grove way back when (in the 1920s!). The main attraction now is the Pumpkin Patch. Thousands of Southern California visitors choose their October pumpkins here. Sandwich boxed lunches are available for a relaxed picnic under the trees and don't forget-the farm animals in their petting zoo need to be petted!

And yes....they do have nuts for sale here.

Directions: Bates Nut Farm is at 15954 Woods Valley Road in Valley Center near Escondido. They're open every day from 9:00A.M-5:00 P.M. (760) 749-3333. Directions: From I-15 take the Gopher Canyon Road exit. Head east. Turn right on Old Highway 395/Champagne Boulevard. Turn left on Old Castle Road, which turns into Lilac Road. When it dead ends at Valley Center turn right. Turn left on Woods Valley Road. Bates Nut Farm is on the left, about 3 miles down Woods Valley Road.

Here's another trip back in time. Established as a bicentennial project in 1976, it used to be called Heritage Walk Museum. Old buildings from Escondido's past were moved from various locations to Grape Day Park.

There’s also a Victorian country home and tankhouse where they kept their water.

A blacksmith shop.

An outhouse. (Gotta have one of those!)

There’s the old Santa Fe Depot where you can try out the telegraph. (Dit dit dit dit (slight pause) dit dit--that's "hi" in Morse code!)

Plus an old Pullman railroad car. There were only three of this model made-a combination post office-smoker car. Inside is a model train layout showing the original run from Oceanside to Escondido.

Directions: Grape Day Park is in downtown Escondido, at 321 N. Broadway. From I-15 take 78 East to Broadway. Turn right. The park is on the right past the second light. The Escondido History Center is open Thursday-Saturday from 1-4 P.M.

A lot of people go to the Wild Animal Park. But for something different, try their Photo Caravan Safari. Safari trucks take you into the field exhibits, right up close to the wildlife.

Yeah, I'm all sorts of jealous--my cousin got to feed a rhinoceros last time he was there!

For something really different go on one of the Roar and Snore Camp-Overs available April-October. You camp in tents near a point overlooking the East Africa Exhibit.

Is that unusual lodgings or what?!!

How many times have you fallen asleep with the unfamiliar sounds of African animals filling your ears?

I think that would be way exciting. Some day I'm going to do it.

Some day I'm going to feed a rhinoceros, too.

Directions: There are signs to the Wild Animal Park on the I-15 freeway. Take Via Rancho Parkway east and follow them to the park. It is at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road. For information and reservations for a Photo Caravan Safari call (619) 718-3000. Reservations are required for Roar and Snore camp-over. Call the same number (619) 718-3000. The number for general information about the Wild Animal Park is (760) 747-8702.

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