San Marcos Seeks Community Partner to Transform Rancho Tesoro Parkland

San Marcos is taking the first steps toward turning one of its last large undeveloped parcels into a destination for recreation. The city has officially begun the process of finding a private partner to help bring new amenities to the 40-acre Rancho Tesoro parkland, a sprawling stretch of open space tucked along Santa Barbara Drive near Discovery Lake.

A Vast Space with Big Potential

Right now, the Rancho Tesoro site is mostly undeveloped — a mix of trails for hiking and mountain biking, a soccer field, a dirt parking area, and conservation zones blocked off by fencing. It was dedicated to the city back in 2021 by Brookfield Residential, the master developer of the 250-acre Rancho Tesoro neighborhood, with the understanding that it would stay as open space and parkland. The land was also graded at the time to make future development easier.

City staff estimate that building a full recreation facility here would run about $40 million, covering site prep, utility work, construction, and environmental mitigation. That is a price tag San Marcos cannot shoulder alone, which is why officials are now looking for a community-minded partner to help make it happen.

How the Partnership Would Work

On Tuesday, the City Council passed a resolution declaring the availability of leasehold interests in the Rancho Tesoro parkland under California's Surplus Land Act. This is a procedural step — it does not mean the city is selling the land or abandoning its park use. Instead, it opens the door for proposals from organizations that could invest private funds to build and operate recreational amenities the city could not otherwise afford.

Councilmember Mike Sannella, who represents District 2 where the park sits, said he is excited about the possibilities. "Really, it's kind of underutilized right now from a parks and rec standpoint," he noted. "I'm excited about the possibilities that we might be able to bring something really special to the community."

The city will give priority to proposals that fit the property's zoned purpose — park and recreation activities. Ideas could include public leisure facilities, athletic fields, or other community-focused amenities. Any proposal that advances will go before the City Council for a final review.

What Happens Next

San Marcos will issue a Notice of Availability to interested parties, kicking off the preliminary regulatory work required by the state. City spokesperson Faith Barrett emphasized that this is just the starting line: "No partner has been selected, and no development proposal is currently under consideration."

For now, neighbors can still enjoy the trails, the open space, and the soccer field at Rancho Tesoro (the field is temporarily closed for maintenance). But the vision of something bigger is beginning to take shape.

Questions You Might Have

Will the city sell Rancho Tesoro to a developer?
No. The city is not selling the property or abandoning its park use. It is exploring a long-term lease or partnership to develop recreational amenities.

What kind of facilities could be built?
Proposals could include public recreation spaces, athletic facilities, or leisure amenities consistent with the park's zoned use.

How much would development cost?
City staff estimate roughly $40 million for full development, including site prep, utilities, construction, and environmental work.

When will a partner be selected?
No timeline has been announced yet. The city is in the early stages of the regulatory process.

Social hook suggestion: A new community park space could be coming to San Marcos — and the city wants your input on what goes there. Share this with a neighbor who loves Rancho Tesoro trails!