1797

According to legend, in 1797, as Spanish troops pursued a small band of Native Americans accused of stealing livestock, they came upon a fertile valley. They named it Los Vallecitos de San Marcos (Little Valleys of Saint Mark) to honor the day of discovery: April 25, or “St. Mark’s Day.”

1850s

Major Gustavus French Merriam from Topeka, Kansas, homesteaded 160 acres in the north Twin Oaks Valley area and began wine and honey production.

1883

A few miles south of the settlement, John H. Barham founded the first town in the area, with a post office, blacksmith, feed store and weekly newspaper.

1887

Soon the beautiful hills began attracting home-seekers. The original town of San Marcos was at the intersection of what is now Grand Avenue and Rancho Santa Fe Road.

Mid-1900s

Dairies and poultry production became a big part of the economy in the town. In 1956, the first water from the Colorado River arrived.

1950

The first dirt was turned for construction of what is now State Route 78.

Jan. 28, 1963

San Marcos incorporated as a City.

1989

California State University, San Marcos founded, joining Palomar Community College, and several private higher education institutes specializing in the high technology and medical fields.

The City of San Marcos was incorporated on January 28, 1963, and became a charter city July 4, 1994. The City operates under a Council-Manager form of government. As a municipal corporation, the City Council, the City’s chief policy-making body, enacts laws known as ordinances, sets policies known as resolutions and adopts an annual budget. The City Manager serves as the City's chief administrative officer and sees to it the council's programs are implemented.

The Mayor is elected at-large and four City Council members are elected by-district by the residents of San Marcos. All members serve a four-year term and are allowed to serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. The City Council also oversees a variety of commissions that deal with specific City-related issues. These advisory commission members are appointed by the City Council.

The mission of the City of San Marcos is to improve the quality of life of those who live, work or visit San Marcos by providing a safe family atmosphere that is rich and diverse in cultural and natural resources and promotes economic and educational opportunities.

We the people of San Marcos imagine a vibrant community, rich in its ethnic and cultural diversity, working cooperatively to build a center for commerce, economic development and job growth built upon a broad foundation of high-quality educational institutions. We imagine an ecologically balanced, well-planned community that promotes the interest of all its citizens young and old, rich and poor, newcomers and old timers. We imagine a community that values its quality of life, which is preserved by its citizen-oriented government committed to opportunity, while preserving the community’s small-town suburban atmosphere and maintaining a safe and secure environment.

The City of San Marcos employees, in striving to provide community service through responsive government, adopt the following Core Values:

• Provide a safe community with a high quality of life.
• Deliver consistent and responsive service.
• Ensure ethical, professional conduct by City employees.
• Provide quality service to residents.
• Provide for housing opportunities to all income groups.
• Strive to be proactive, innovative and solution orientation.
• Plan and build for the future.
• Be business friendly but citizen-oriented government.
• Protect the financial health of the City and promote the economic viability of the City and region.
• Protect the environment.
• Offer open, inclusive government.
• Operate the City as an efficient business entity.

Valley of Discovery