It's not something you see every day. Hidden in Escondido, a winery and auto museum combine at Deer Park. And, visitors can get half off admission all month for San Diego Museum Month!

Since 1979, Deer Park Escondido has been showcasing cars and pouring wine. The family-owned place is run by Clark Knapp, who took over from his parents.

"It was different branches of the family, one was into collecting, some were in the farming, ranching, and eventually came into winemaking," Knapp said.
Knapp said it is too unique of a place not to keep it going.

"Yeah there's not a lot of winery and auto museums, but it's the classic feel of it you know. Classic style wines, classic automobiles- everything's vintage," Knapp said.

Founders Lisa and Robert Knapp with current owner Clark Knapp
Vintage is exactly what you see stepping into any of the three buildings at Deep Park. Years of collecting and harvesting is what makes this place a must-see.

Plus, Knapp says it's home to the largest collection of American convertibles in the world. Aside from more than 100 automobiles, there's a number of collectors items, like an entire room of Barbies dating back to the 50s.

Besides vintage collectibles and cars, Deer Park is also a place to relax, have lunch and taste wine.

"People should come out here to enjoy a day. It's a step back in time, you can relive some American industrial excellence, it's a very beautiful valley out here," Knapp said. "Just relax, get out of the daily grind, and enjoy the day."

You can check out the vineyards that produce the wine served inside, or just sit at a table in a room full of vintage automobiles.

"Here it's a little bit different. We try to set an atmosphere that kinda takes them back to the past a little bit," Employee Jaorge Castillo said. "We try to play some old- timer music, and they're surrounded by the classic cars and neon signs so it kind of transports them a little bit to the past. So its not just a regular wine tasting experience."

Deer Park Winery and Auto Museum is open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults but only $6 if you use your Museum Month pass! Tickets for military and seniors are $10 and kids 9 and under are free. Tickets are available to purchase at the marketplace and no reservations are needed.

Author: Alex Lai / CBS 8 News
Published: 9:17 AM PST February 20, 2024