Escondido is a city located in San Diego County, California. Founded in 1888, it’s known for its avocado production, vineyards, and cultural attractions like the California Center for the Arts. Located about 30 miles north of downtown San Diego, Escondido has a fascinating history and culture just waiting to be explored.
Riddles about Escondido’s history
Let’s start with some riddles about the history of Escondido:
Riddle 1
I’m the year that Escondido was founded, a leap year with 29 days in February. The US President was Grover Cleveland. What year am I?
Answer: 1888
Riddle 2
I’m a Mexican landowner who originally owned the land that became Escondido. My name translates to “hidden spring”. Who am I?
Answer: Juan Bautista Alvarado
Riddle 3
I’m a lawyer who purchased the land from Juan Bautista Alvarado in 1883 and founded the city of Escondido. My first name was Samuel? What is my last name?
Answer: Parsons
Riddle 4
I’m the first hotel built in Escondido in 1887, originally called the “Grand Central Hotel”. What am I called today?
Answer: Escondido Grand Avenue Historic District
Riddle 5
I’m an agricultural organization founded in Escondido in 1894 to promote local citrus growers. My initials are SEC. What’s my full name?
Answer: Sunkist Growers, Incorporated (formerly the Southern California Fruit Exchange)
Riddles about landmarks and geography
How well do you know the landmarks and geography of Escondido? Try these riddles:
Riddle 6
I’m a 1,513-foot tall mountain peak overlooking Escondido to the north. What peak am I?
Answer: Mount Whitney
Riddle 7
I’m a 15-mile long river that cuts through Escondido and supplies its drinking water. What river am I?
Answer: Escondido Creek
Riddle 8
I’m a 125-acre zoo founded in Escondido in 1963. California’s best zoo! What am I?
Answer: San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Riddle 9
I’m an arts center in downtown Escondido. My huge copper dome is an architectural landmark. What am I?
Answer: California Center for the Arts
Riddle 10
I’m a lush public garden located in the hills east of Escondido. What garden am I?
Answer: San Diego Botanic Garden
Riddles about culture and entertainment
How’s your knowledge of Escondido’s culture and entertainment options? Try these brain teasers:
Riddle 11
I’m one of the largest antique car shows in the nation, held yearly in Escondido since 1983. Over 1,500 vintage vehicles on display! What am I?
Answer: Cruisin’ Grand
Riddle 12
I’m a free summer concert series held on Friday evenings in Escondido. You can bring a picnic and listen to live music in Grape Day Park! What am I?
Answer: Hot Summer Nights
Riddle 13
I’m a family-friendly holiday evening event held annually in Escondido. You can sip hot cocoa, go ice skating, and enjoy carriage rides! What’s the name of this beloved event?
Answer: Christmas in the Park
Riddle 14
I’m a Mexican-style rodeo held yearly at the Escondido Sports Center. Cowboys, bull riding, mariachi music – ole! What’s my name?
Answer: Charros Days
Riddle 15
I’m a culinary event held in September that celebrates Escondido’s craft beer, wine, and restuarant scene. What’s my name?
Answer: Escondido Wine and Culinary Arts Festival
Riddles about famous residents
Think you know which famous people have called Escondido home? Solve these riddles:
Riddle 16
I’m a children’s book author who lived in Escondido. My bestselling books featured a young wizard named Harry Potter. Who am I?
Answer: J.K. Rowling
Riddle 17
I’m a comedian and actor who was born in Escondido in 1964. I voiced Donkey in the Shrek films. Who am I?
Answer: Eddie Murphy
Riddle 18
I’m a rock musician who grew up in Escondido and was the lead singer of blink-182. Who am I?
Answer: Tom DeLonge
Riddle 19
I’m an actress born in Escondido in 1964. I played Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch Movie. Who am I?
Answer: Shelley Long
Riddle 20
I’m a pro football player born in Escondido who holds the NFL record for most receptions in a season. My nickname was “World”. Who am I?
Answer: Lionel James
Riddles about agriculture and industry
How well do you know the agriculture and industries that have shaped Escondido? Try these brain teasers:
Riddle 21
I’m a citrus fruit, commonly grown in Escondido, that’s been called “the grapefruit’s sweeter cousin”. What fruit am I?
Answer: Pomelo
Riddle 22
I’m an organization founded in 1976 to represent Escondido’s agricultural community. My initials are EPC. What’s my full name?
Answer: Escondido Growers for Agricultural Preservation
Riddle 23
I’m a major tech company that operated a large campus in Escondido from 1964 to 2006. My name starts with “N”. Who am I?
Answer: Nokia
Riddle 24
I’m a Japanese automaker that operated its North American headquarters in Escondido from 1987 to 2003. What company am I?
Answer: Mitsubishi Motors
Riddle 25
I’m a food company headquartered in Escondido that produces soups, broths, and canned tomato products. My name starts with an “H”. What company am I?
Answer: Hunt’s
Riddles about city government
Let’s wrap things up with some riddles about Escondido’s city government and services:
Riddle 26
I’m the current mayor of Escondido, first elected in 2014. My first name is Paul? What’s my last name?
Answer: McNamara
Riddle 27
I’m the police department of Escondido, providing law enforcement services since 1888! What are my initials?
Answer: EPD (Escondido Police Department)
Riddle 28
I’m the public library system of Escondido, with a 30,000 square foot main branch downtown. What’s my two-word name?
Answer: Escondido Public Library
Riddle 29
I’m the unified school district serving Escondido. I have 20 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 4 high schools. What’s my name?
Answer: Escondido Union School District
Riddle 30
I’m the city’s wastewater treatment facility located near the Escondido Creek. I can process 18 million gallons per day! What am I called?
Answer: Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility (HARRF)
Fun facts riddles about Escondido
Think you know some fun facts about Escondido? Try these fun fact riddles:
Riddle 31
I’m the name of the world’s oldest man, a title I received at age 111 in 2017. I’ve lived in Escondido since 1980! What’s my name?
Answer: Francisco Nunez Olivera
Riddle 32
I’m the number of parks and public spaces managed by the City of Escondido. Over 1,600 acres for you to explore and enjoy!
Answer: 37
Riddle 33
I’m the percentage of Escondido residents that identified as Hispanic or Latino in the 2020 census.
Answer: 49%
Riddle 34
I’m the length in miles of the Daley Ranch recreational trail network winding through Escondido.
Answer: 10
Riddle 35
I’m the year that Grape Day was first celebrated in Escondido, a tradition that continues today with the annual Grape Day Festival.
Answer: 1908
Tricky riddles about Escondido
Think you’re an expert on Escondido? Try to solve these tricky riddles:
Riddle 36
I’m a crop grown in Escondido that’s worth more than gold ounce for ounce. What am I?
Answer: Saffron
Riddle 37
I’m the nickname Escondido earned in the 1980s for having more restaurants per capita than anywhere else in the country.
Answer: Dine-O-Mite City
Riddle 38
Take away my first letter and I’m a crime. Take away my last letter and I’m an animal. Keep both letters and I’m a Escondido neighborhood. What am I?
Answer: Felicita
Riddle 39
The more of me you take, the more you leave behind. Look closely – I’m all around Escondido! What am I?
Answer: Footsteps
Riddle 40
I’m something everyone in Escondido uses daily. You’ve probably looked at me frequently, but never seen me. What am I?
Answer: Their future
Silly riddles about Escondido
Here are some silly riddles about Escondido – just for fun!
Riddle 41
What do you call an avocado that got in trouble?
Answer: A guac in the doghouse!
Riddle 42
How does Escondido City Hall keep employees productive?
Answer: They work round the clock!
Riddle 43
Why don’t eggs tell jokes in Escondido?
Answer: They’d crack each other up!
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 43 riddles about Escondido! Our city has such a rich history and fun facts just waiting to be discovered. How many riddles could you correctly solve? Let me know if you have any other brain teasers about Escondido. Now get out there and explore this amazing city!