ESCONDIDO

city, San Diego county, southern California, U.S. Once part of the Rancho Rincn del Diablo, it was laid out in 1885 and named Escondido (Spanish: Hidden) because of its secluded valley site. It became a processing-shipping point for fruits (especially avocados and grapes), wines, cereals, and dairy produce. After World War II there was light-industrial development. Immediately southeast, a state historical monument marks the site of the Battle of San Pasqual (1846), fought between the Californian forces of General Andrs Pico and the U.S. Army troops under Brigadier General Stephen W. Kearny. The Palomar Mountain Observatory is 20 miles (32 km) northeast in the Cleveland National Forest. Inc. 1888. Pop. (1991 est.) 110,897.