Blog

Located in the northern part of the San Diego metropolitan area, the city of Vista, CA is a popular base to explore the many nature reserves and state parks that the region has to offer. If you are planning a road trip around California in your new 2023 Ford Edge ST, here are three breathtaking destinations you can reach in less than two hours. Image obtained from Pexel 1. Palomar Mountain State Park Featuring plenty of campgrounds, picnic spots, and nature trails in an area of over 1,800 acres, Palomar Mountain State Park is the perfect destination to escape the urban bustle, spend some time outdoors, and breathe some fresh air. Located a little over 40 miles northeast of the Vista city center, this nature reserve can be reached in about one hour by car via route CA-76. Open every day from dawn to dusk, Palomar Mountain State Park boasts plenty of scenic viewpoints that offer panoramic views of the ocean and the surrounding mountain areas. Some of the most popular activities among visitors include hiking, birdwatching, and fishing on the waters of Doane Pond. Day passes cost $10 per vehicle and can be purchased at all official entrances. 2. Torrey Pines State Beach If you are searching for a scenic destination with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and a series of impressive sandstone cliffs, Torrey Pines State Beach is the place to be. Established in 1957 and located just over 25 miles south of the Vista downtown area, this place can be reached in less than half an hour by car via route I-5. Covering over 1,700 acres of seaside woodlands and offering several miles of pristine sand beaches, Torrey Pines State Beach is a well-known destination among surfers from all over the San Diego metropolitan area. This place also features a series of designated swimming spots that draw thousands of visitors every day during the summer months. Managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, this place is also a popular birdwatching destination. 3. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Boasting an area of nearly 25,000 acres, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park was established in 1933 and features an extensive network of meadows crisscrossed by hiking and mountain biking trails. Some of the amenities you can find here include campgrounds, picnic spots, and the ruins of a former gold mine. Located about 65 miles southeast of the Vista city center, this state park can be reached in about one hour and 45 minutes via route CA-78. If you are searching for a sedan, a pickup truck, or an SUV to travel around California and explore its most beautiful nature reserves, we've got your back! Stop by North County Ford today, check out our latest models, and ask our agents about the convenient financing plans we have available.

Vista, CA is a warm community and family-oriented town with plenty of fun cultural things to do. There are also some very nice coffee shops here and if you feel like a rich, silky-smooth latte, mocha, espresso, cappuccino, cortado, or Americano, you needn't look far. Here are three of the best coffee houses you'll find in Vista. Image obtained from Google Skybound Coffee and Dessert Lounge Skybound Coffee and Dessert Lounge is a top-notch coffee house that offers a very clean, modern, stylish interior and a broad selection of coffees, teas, smoothies, pastries, ice creams, and other goodies. From the professional, personable character of the servers to the fine visual presentation of their drinks and snacks, you can tell they care a great deal about quality. Their coffees are all organic and sourced from local specialty, small-batch coffee roasters. The red velvet frappe and Vietnamese pour-over come highly recommended. They have comfortable armchairs and sofa seating: a perfect place to relax for a few hours on a busy day. You'll find this trendy coffee bar at 1661-A S Melrose Drive. El Kafecito For a colorful local cafe with authentic Mexican coffee and treats combined with cheerful, prompt service, visit El Kafecito at 949 South Santa Fe Avenue. If you visit, be sure to check out the Mexican mocha, the Horchata Latte, the Cafe de Olla coffee, or the Mazapan Latte (Mazapan is a popular and very yummy Mexican peanut-flavored candy). All of these coffees are delicious, authentic, and super-popular with the regulars. They have plenty of parking all around the coffee hut and also a handy drive-thru. If you're passing by on the way to work in your nippy new 2022 Ford Escape SE, pause to pick up a flavorful Mazapan Latte, and why not buy a round of interesting coffees for your workmates too? You can safely settle your entire order on the passenger seat without worrying about spillage with your Ford's super-smooth handling. The Coffee House at North Coast Church This absolutely charming coffee house is spacious and brightly lit, with an abundance of comfortable sofa seating. The Coffee House at North Coast Church is the best coffee place you'll find in the northern part of Vista, situated at 2405 North Santa Fe Avenue beside North Coast Church. The peaceful, friendly atmosphere and frequent live music performances are worth the visit alone. Apart from the great vibe and coffee, they also have a sizable menu of scrumptious home-style cooked dishes. A few of the local favorites are the gluten-free avocado toast, the chicken wrap, and any of their excellent soup-of-the-day options. After enjoying a coffee at one of these terrific local cafes, pay a visit to North County Ford. We offer high-quality vehicles with great deals and courteous, helpful customer service.

Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world for many reasons, and luckily, most cities will have at least one reliable pizzeria when a craving hits. Our great area is no different, with plenty of options for a delicious slice. Please keep reading for our list of the best pizza joints near Vista, CA. Image obtained by Google 1. URBN Coal-Fired Pizza URBN Coal Fired Pizza is where you can find New Haven-style pizzas with various topping options, craft beers, and wine. At 203 Main St., URBN will make your pizza to order, including vegan. Remember to drink responsibly and with moderation and to never drink and drive. 2. Pizza On Tap Pizza On Tap, also known as P.O.T., is a family-owned restaurant offering made-from-scratch pizzas, subs, salads, and more. You can order from Pizza On Tap for delivery or pickup, but why not dine in and enjoy the big game? Located at 1825 W. Vista Way, P.O.T. is dedicated to the community and guarantees that every menu item is made with fresh ingredients and love. 3. Grand Slam Pizza On those family nights, when you load everyone into your Ford Explorer for a bite to eat, we recommend stopping by Grand Slam Pizza. Grand Slam is one of Vista's newest pizza joints whose aim is to support the community and give back to youth sports. Grand Slam Pizza is open seven days a week at 1910 Shadowridge Dr. #101, so stop in today to enjoy some delicious pizza and a good time. 4. Lupillozz Pizza Next up on our list is another local favorite, Lupillozz Pizza. Lupillozz offers more than some of the tastiest pizzas in Vista; its menu also offers fresh subs, pasta, salads, and wings. You can find Lupillozz Pizza at 328 Vista Village Dr., Suite G, to dine in or pick up; however, they also deliver. 5. Upper Crust Pizza Upper Crust Pizza is one of Vista's longest-running establishments, with locals having grown up eating pizza there. Upper Crust is where you'll find authentic and freshly made pizza, salads, and more at a reasonable price. Stop by to meet the friendly staff at Upper Crust Pizza at 1330 E. Vista Way any day of the week. Now that you've learned of some of our top pizza places, you will be ready for a hearty lunch or dinner. Once you've had your fill, stop by and visit us at North County Ford to look at our large selection of new and used vehicles. We look forward to setting you up on a test drive today.

Autumn is here, along with shorter days and cooler temperatures, yet that doesn't mean you should stay inside! If you live in Vista, CA, there are plenty of fun things to do during this time! Here are our top five favorite fall activities for you to enjoy! Image obtained from Google 1. Take a Scenic Hike Vista is home to the most beautiful hiking trails, complete with amazing views of the mountains and the ocean. If you're looking to enjoy the changing leaves this Fall, Vista's Guajome Regional Park is the perfect place to do it. The best part? You can camp overnight to make a weekend of it which means s'mores by the campfire! 2. Take a Scenic Drive If hiking's not your thing, consider driving to see the sights. With its rolling hills and picturesque farms, Vista's countryside is the perfect place to enjoy the autumn weather. The views are incredibly stunning in the early morning or evening light, so charge up your equipment and get ready to capture some fantastic photos! 3. Attend a Local Event Vista's got it all this Fall, and attending a local event is the perfect way to get out while supporting your community. From Festivals to Donut Fests and Trunk or Treats for the kids, there's sure to be something to suit everyone's fancy! So check out the city's website for a complete list of events, and mark your calendar for the ones you don't want to miss! While you're at it, invite a friend or two and make it a group outing! 4. Visit a Local Winery Vista offers more than a dozen wineries, making it a perfect place to sample some wine. And Fall is a terrific time to visit, as many of them host a plethora of festive events and activities this time of year. From wine tastings to live music, you're sure to have a great time! Just don't forget to designate a driver so you can fully enjoy your day! 5. Visit a Pumpkin Patch It just wouldn't be Autumn without a visit to a pumpkin patch. Several can be found in the area, including Tom's Adventures which has pumpkins and games, and events for the whole family to enjoy. The perfect pumpkin for carving or baking pies is sure to be found here. So round up the kids and get ready for a good time! The best part of Fall is discovering new activities to enjoy. And with its impressive engine power and performance, the new Ford Explorer is more than qualified to help you seek out new adventures. Visit us today at North County Ford to see our latest and greatest new and used vehicles! You never know what you may find!