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According to historical legend, the San Luis Rey Mission flocks were robbed by a small band of Indians on April 25, “St. Mark’s Day,” in 1797. Fleeing the Spanish troops, the Indians escaped to the hills. In pursuit, the Spaniards came upon a fertile valley which they named Los Vallecitos de San Marcos (Little Valleys of Saint Mark) to honor the day of discovery. In the late 1850s Major Gustavus French Merriam from Topeka, Kansas made the first permanent settlement. Merriam homesteaded 160 acres in the north Twin Oaks Valley, producing wine and honey.

In 1887 the San Marcos Land Company bought almost all of the San Marcos land and promptly divided the land into tracts. Soon the beautiful hills began attracting home-seekers. By 1896, San Marcos was a community with its own stores, post office, blacksmith and railroad depot. In 1905, the town had every convenience, including rural mail delivery and telephone service.

The City incorporated on January 28, 1963. Within a decade, San Marcos was the third fastest growing city in the state and the population almost doubled its population in the 80s. Growth has continued to boom in San Marcos, and the present population of the City is at 67,426.

With an average rainfall of 10 inches per year and the average temperature range being a high of 77 degrees and a low of 47 degrees, San Marcos - just 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean and in the direct path of an ocean breeze - has beautiful weather on a daily basis, accommodating almost any recreational pursuit. San Marcos residents can take advantage of a wealth of recreational opportunities, including swimming, surfing, water-skiing and boating at some of the finest public beaches in America. Golf is available year-round on 22 golf courses within a 30-minute drive, including world-renowned Torrey Pines.