North City San Marcos, CA: Restaurants, Block C Apartments, Parking, Farmers Market / Carmen Varner // Food, Lifestyle, and Travel Writer

Located in San Marcos, California, North City has restaurants, a farmers market, live music, apartment living, and retail shopping opportunities. Whether you're looking for urban apartment townhomes or a coffee shop to get some work done, North City is your North County San Diego downtown public community hub.

North City San Marcos is near the Cal State University San Marcos main campus as well as Pima Medical Institute and CSUSM Extended Learning. You'll find a mix of retail and residential leasing opportunities. Learn more on the North City website.

In this post, I share details about North City San Marcos CA, the restaurants, Block C apartments, parking, and businesses in the downtown area.

Farmers Market

Stop by North City's open-air market every Tuesday. It features local fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh-baked bread, seafood, dairy, nuts, fresh flowers, handcrafted gifts, prepared hot foods, and more. The market is open year-round Tuesdays 3 pm – 7 pm.

North City Restaurants

Buona Forchetta

The Buona Forchetta restaurant chain is known for its award-winning Neapolitan-style pizzas and Northern Italian upscale entrees. The San Marcos location is family-friendly with indoor seating as well as large patio options.

Address: 250 North City Drive Suite 3, San Marcos, CA

Copa Vida

Copa Vida has multiple locations throughout San Diego County. Drinks are tasty and ingredient-forward. The shop is pretty big, with bright open windows, plenty of chargers for your laptop. Over the years, this spot in North City used to be Halcyon, then GRIT, now it's Copa Vida.

Address: 250 North City Dr. Suite 1, San Marcos, CA 92078

Draft Republic - Not Open Yet

Draft Republic boasts 36 craft beers on tap, an on-site brewery, comfort food, full cocktail bar, 8 lane bowling alley, video wall, retro arcade, live music, private party rooms, outdoor patios, and more.

Fresh Healthy Cafe

Get your health-forward smoothies, fresh-squeezed juice, wraps, salads, or crunchy, warm, and melty paninis at Fresh Healthy Cafe. They also offer catering for your next event.

Address: 250 N City Dr Suite 5, San Marcos, CA 92078

Mason Ale Works - Temporarily Closed

Address: 255 Redel Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078

Tapioca Express

Parched? Searching for teas, boba, and maybe a snack? Tapioca Express offers milk tea, mangonada, juice, hot teas, and loads of beverage options to whet your appetite. Snacks include chicken wings, fried tofu, French fries, fried dumpling, among other items.

Address: 200 E Barham Dr Suite 104, San Marcos, CA 92078

Urge Gastropub & Common House - Permanently Closed

Address: 255 Redel Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078

Umami Japanese

Umami Japanese serves rich, delicious cuisine in North City. They have a pet-friendly patio, perfect for bringing the whole family. The extensive menu boasts draft beer, Japanese beer, hot sake, wine, appetizers, salads, lunch specials, dinner bento, and so much more.

Address: 251 N City Dr Suite 122, San Marcos, CA 92078

Wynston's Ice Cream Co.

The flavors at Wynston's Ice Cream (formerly called Wynn's Ice Cream) will leave your mouth watering for more options. They have classic, nostalgic favorites always on the menu such as cookies in cream, mint chocolate chunk, peanut butter chocolate as well as rotating fun seasonal flavors. They also have vegan/dairy-free options.

Address: 251 N City Dr Suite 128E, San Marcos, CA 92078

Block C Apartments

Live in North City at the Block C Apartments - now leasing built-to-suit or spec units. You'll find modern, pet-friendly lofts and townhome apartments with state-of-the-art neighborhood amenities. It's walkable and you're right next to a bunch of restaurants, dining options, the university, and more. Perfect for campus-affiliated housing.

Other Businesses

North City has offices and commercial spaces to boot. If you're a local business, perhaps you're seeking retail, commercial office, or medical office spaces. These are available at North City as well. Join the party. Make sure to check online or call ahead to learn each business's current hours.

Mesa Rim

There's climbing, yoga, and fitness right in the heart of North City. Mesa Rim is an indoor rock climbing gym and fitness center. Bring friends, kids, family, and have fun.

Address: 285 Industrial Street San Marcos

Union Cowork

Get your cowork on at Union Cowork. They have flexible desks, dedicated desks, private offices, virtual offices, conference rooms, podcast rooms, and more.

Address: Address: 251 N City Dr #128F, San Marcos

CSUSM Extended Learning

Address: 288 Campus Way, San Marcos

Pima Medical Institute

Address: 111 Campus Way, San Marcos

Parking

Structure 1 – 201 Campus Way

7 days a week – Retail Parking Rules

Level 1. 90 min from 5 am - 2 am.

Level 2-5. No limit, just don’t park in Reserved Residential.

Structure 2 – 295 June Way

Mon – Fri – Retail Parking Rules

Level 1-2. 90 min from 5 am to 6 pm, then no time limit until 2 am.

Level 2-6. No Parking (CSUSM only) from 5am to 6pm, then no time limit until 2 am.

Sat & Sun – Retail Parking Rules

Level 1-2. 90 min from 5 am to 6 pm, then no time limit until 2 am.

Level 2-6. No time limit from 5 am to 2 am.

Located in San Marcos, North City's restaurant, retail, and residential options make it a thriving community development and neighborhood in North County San Diego. San Marcos is close to Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Vista, and Oceanside.

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