Rich in the arts, North County Inland boasts an abundance of ways to be creative and to enjoy the arts as a patron. With multiple theaters, museums, art associations, galleries and classes to better one’s own art, the possibilities are endless. It really comes down to what moves you.

With two performing art centers in Poway and Escondido and one in construction in San Marcos, there is no shortage of plays, musicals, concerts and more! And that’s not to mention the local festivals in the area!

The Escondido art community is extremely active with several groups dedicated to making art available to everyone. There are a number of thought-provoking murals to enjoy around town by renowned artists. The most recent art project includes residents painting the electrical boxes around the city. 

California Center for the Arts hosts concerts by internationally known artists and bands while their theater is host to professional plays, musicals and ballets. The CCAE museum is a beautiful facility that puts on art exhibitions that engage the community. Dedicated to being a community partner and for being a resource for all, CCAE supports a number of education programs and serves as the background to many community activities as it is next door to City Hall and Grape Day Park. (www.artcenter.org)

Opening its doors in 1937 originally, this beautiful facility has undergone an impressive renovation and is now host to events ranging from concerts and plays to the city’s pageant, comedy shows and wonderful summer nights on the rooftop. 

Wow! What can be said about this group? MAGEC, Museums and Arts Growing Escondido Culture is a powerhouse of art-loving participants that represent a wide variety of art-related organizations in Escondido. They are a force that is pushing the boundaries of art to invite, engage, and connect art enthusiasts of all kinds to beautify the city and expand the role of art in the local culture. They host Art in the Garden twice a year in May and October and the Monthly Art Walk. (https://visitescondido.com/magec/)

Every Second Saturday of the month is host to a number of exhibits, art installations, pop-ups and receptions at local galleries featuring local artists' work. This Art Walk treats attendees to a rich experience for all the senses, sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell. With local restaurants all along the way, you are bound to find something that meets your fancy, with food, drink, art, comedy, music and more. Hosted by MAGEC. (www.downtownescondido.com)

This project is dedicated to making art available to everyone in the alley behind Grand Avenue. Artists submit art to be put on the Alley walls. In 2023, Esco Alley Art was featured in the NY Times. Not too shabby! Take a walk and enjoy art that represents all kinds of artists, backgrounds, political views and more. This colorful walk will stay with you! 

(www.escoalleyart.com)

The Poway Art Center hosts theater productions, art exhibits, ballet, Grammy-winning musical artists and more. The center encourages art in the next generation by giving Poway Union School District a first class facility for their musical and theatrical performances. 

(www.powaycenter)

This community theater has a storied past, starting as a Vaudeville production to help the local firemen. Today, PowPAC is a great contribution to the theater community and is nows for challenging boundaries. They often produce controversial scripts, pushing the envoleop of community theater as a whole. They continue to grow and engage the community with topics worth discussion. (www.powpac.org)

Poway, originally Pauwai, was named by the Kumeyaay Native Americans that populated the area before the Spanish made their way to San Diego. At the Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive center, they share how the Kumeyaay lived their lives in the region with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. (www.poway.org)

The Rotating Art Gallery rotates art every 90 days. Artists are encouraged to enter their pieces of art for exhibition. (www.san-marcos.net)

Luminary Arts Stage Theater hosts multiple productions per year. Dedicated to education, they hold in-school and after-school programs for young thespians with programs in many of the local elementary schools in San Marcos. (www.luminaryarts.org)