Home › California › San Marcos

San Marcos, California

Located in San Diego County, California, San Marcos was established in 1963. Cal State San Marcos was established in 1989, one of CSU's newest campuses. San Marcos is one of the fastest-growing cities in San Diego County.

Founded 1963 | Population 103,700 | Peak 103,700 (2024) | County San Diego County

Top 10 Most Important Events for San Marcos, California

undefined

1963 CSUSM Predecessor: Palomar College serves region.

undefined

1989 Higher Education: Educational institutions helped define San Marcos's character and economy.

undefined

1994 Incorporated: Fast-growing North County community.

undefined

2000 Restaurant Row: Dining and retail hub for North County.

🧠

How Well Do You Know San Marcos?

5 questions • 2 minutes

Take the Quiz →

Latest News in San Marcos

Wheel of Fortune Contestant Misses Out On $61,000 Over This Tough Puzzle

A Wheel of Fortune contestant saw $61,000 slip away in the Bonus Round last week, leaving fans stunned over what many called one o…

Dead or Missing Scientists Pose “National Security Threat,” Top House Republican Warns as Oversight Committee Launches Probe

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has declared a series of deaths and disappearances involving at least 11 Am…

Trump’s Psychedelic Pivot: Executive Order Accelerates Review of Mind-Altering Drugs for Mental Health Crisis

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday directing federal agencies to fast-track the review and potential app…

White House Signals Review of Mysterious Deaths and Disappearances Among U.S. Scientists in Sensitive Fields

The Trump administration has indicated it will examine a cluster of unexplained deaths and disappearances involving at least 10 Am…

California’s “Stop Nick Shirley Act”: Privacy Measure or Assault on Investigative Journalism?

California lawmakers advanced a controversial bill Monday that critics have dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” raising sharp …

Sexual Assault Probe and Staff Revolt Threaten to End Congressman’s California Gubernatorial Bid

Rep. Eric Swalwell’s once-promising campaign for California governor has unraveled with breathtaking speed. In little more than …

Complete Historical Timeline

1963 Culture

CSUSM Predecessor

1989 Culture

Higher Education

1994 Government

Incorporated

2000 Business

Restaurant Row

Did You Know?

1

Cal State San Marcos was established in 1989, one of CSU's newest campuses.

2

San Marcos is one of the fastest-growing cities in San Diego County.

3

Restaurant Row along S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd is a popular dining destination.

4

San Marcos was founded in 1963.

5

San Marcos has a population of approximately 103,700.

Famous People from San Marcos, California

LM

Liliana Mumy

Actor, Voice Actor · Born Apr 16, 1994 · Age 31

FW

Fred Warner

American Football Player · Born Nov 19, 1996 · Age 29

Other Cities in California

View all California cities →

Pop. 3,898,747

Pop. 1,386,932

Pop. 1,013,240

Pop. 873,965

Pop. 542,107

Pop. 524,943

See something that needs correcting?

We take accuracy seriously. Help us keep San Marcos's history right.