Updated 17 Hours Ago
Highlights
Pet Friendly
Location
420 Smilax Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078, USA
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Management
CONAM Management
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Property Overview
Elan Northwoods is rated highly overall, with especially strong marks for price, amenities, and location, suggesting solid value and convenience. It also stands out for its detailed listing, strong value-for-money metrics, multiple photos, and access to public transportation and nearby schools.
This summary uses Zumper’s proprietary data. “Zumper Expert Ratings,” “Things you’ll love,” and “Great for” are based on our internal analyses of market trends and renter insights.
Things you’ll love
Less expensive- Elementary school nearby
- More space
Great for
Pet owners
Floor plans
| 1 Bedroom 1 Bath - 11A | 1 bed | 1 bath | 750 sqft | $2,347 /mo | 2 units available | 1 Bedroom 1 Bath Floor Plan - 11A - 750 Square Feet | |
| 2 Bedrooms 2 Baths - 22A | 2 bed | 2 bath | 896 sqft | $2,561 /mo | 4 units available |
Let's explore this property.
Amenities for Elan Northwoods
Apartment Amenities
| Air Conditioning | Balcony |
| Carpet | Ceiling Fan |
| Central Air Conditioning & Heat | Upgraded Lighting |
Building
| Additional Storage Available | Cats OK |
| Dogs OK | Onsite Laundry |
| Spacious 1 & 2 Bedroom Floorplans |
Grounds
| Garage Parking | Outdoor Barbecue & Picnic Areas |
| Outdoor Space | Playground |
| Sports Court | Storage |
| Swimming Pool | Swimming Pool & Spa |
Services
| On-Site Management | Professional & Responsive Management |
Units, floor plans, amenities, dimensions, details, availability, and prices may be approximate and subject to change. Please contact a community representative for more information.
Policies and fees
Applicants
Applicants
One-time.
Contact Property
REQUIRED FEES
Deposit
One-time. Refund Policy: 100%. Security Deposit.
$500
OPTIONAL FEES
Parking Policy
Garage Parking
Dog Policy
Allowed
Cat Policy
Allowed
Cat
Pet Terms
2 cats max. | Restrictions: None.
Dog
Pet Terms
2 dogs max. | Restrictions: None.
Questions about this property’s policies and fees?
Building details
Property details
| Units | 138 |
|---|
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About Elan Northwoods
Comfort meets contemporary in every apartment, from one- and two-bedroom homes with vaulted ceilings, gas kitchens, and private balconies, to three-bedroom homes with landscaped backyards. Enjoy a sparkling pool, relaxing spas, picnic areas with BBQ stations, and pet-friendly living. Nestled near Highway 78, Elan Northwoods in San Marcos, CA, puts attractions and cultural experiences within easy reach. Every detail is designed to create a true sense of home.
Zumper Expert Rating
Our expert rating is based on a weighted average score of property attributes that renters care about most: price, amenities, location, quality, and trust.
8.8
/10
Very GoodWith a solid 8.8 out of 10 overall, Elan Northwoods is a great option for renters. While some aspects, like Quality, might not be as distinguished as other properties nearby, Elan Northwoods has a number of attractive features—namely its Price— so you can be assured your rent will come with a high standard of living.
Price·10A score that weighs the cost and location of the property, which we calculate by comparing rent prices of recent units to the median price of nearby rentals, adjusting for overall quality and features.
Elan Northwoods offers an excellent balance between price and value. It's priced competitively for its amenities, location, and other key features. Compared to the median price per bedroom in the area, this property is less than, or about the same as, nearby rentals, so residents can expect great value without too many compromises on their desired standard of living.
Amenities·10A score based on the amenities offered at this property compared to other rentals in the area. We consider the quantity, quality, and popularity of features both on site and within the units.
Elan Northwoods stands out as a premier property with an impressive array of amenities and an excellent standard of living. Residents here have access to many of the most popular and desired perks—pets allowed—making this one of the top choices for renters seeking unparalleled comfort and convenience.
Location·9A score based on proximity and ease of access to shops, restaurants, schools, and public transportation while considering the desirability of the area.
Elan Northwoods is exceptional when it comes to location and conveniences. Communication with management or leasing staff is usually quick and easy and they often use advanced scheduling and communication tools to streamline the process. The location of this property offers easy access to popular points of interest in the area and options for getting around.
Quality·6A score based on what makes the property stand out, such as luxury features, unique offerings, age of the building, and our ability to verify the accuracy of these details.
While Elan Northwoods does not have many hallmark characteristics to highlight, it has some qualities and features that will resonate with a broad range of renters.
Trustworthiness·7A score based on the accuracy, completeness, recency, and usefulness of the information provided by this property, so you can trust that what you see is what you get.
Elan Northwoods provides some information about the features available in the community and its apartments, making it a reliable option for prospective renters. Renters should ask additional questions about amenities and non-negotiable items they are looking for.
Elan Northwoods is great for:
Property highlights
We compared every listing in the surrounding area to determine which amenities are most common. If a building lacks an amenity that most others in the area have, it is a con. If a building has an amenity most others in the area do not, it is a pro. Similarly, price, schools, and size are calculated relative to the size, price, and distance to schools of the other properties nearby.How Elan Northwoods compares to other nearby properties.
Positives
- Less expensive
- The 2-bedrooms are cheaper than other similar listings nearby
- Less expensive
- The 1-bedrooms are cheaper than other similar listings nearby
- Elementary school nearby
- There is an elementary school 0.3 mile away
- More space
- The 1-bedroom is 90 sqft larger than other listings nearby
- Images Available
- There are at least 10 photos of this address
- Laundry available on site
- Washers and dryers are available in-building or in-unit
Considerations
- Greater distance from high schools
- The nearest high school is farther than 2 miles away
- No in-unit dishwasher
- Dishwashers aren't available
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Rent trends in San Marcos
1-bedroom apartments here are priced about the same as 1-bedrooms in San Marcos.
If you decide to upgrade your space, you can expect 2-bedrooms at Elan Northwoods to be 15% less than the average for similarly sized apartments in San Marcos.
Median rents as of Aug 29 2026.
San Marcos
| Month | Median Rent |
|---|---|
| September 2024 | $2,348 |
| October 2024 | $2,330 |
| November 2024 | $2,457 |
| December 2024 | $2,496 |
| January 2025 | $2,418 |
| February 2025 | $2,109 |
| March 2025 | $2,357 |
| April 2025 | $2,390 |
| May 2025 | $2,399 |
| July 2025 | $1,856 |
| August 2025 | $2,116 |
| September 2025 | $2,008 |
| October 2025 | $1,701 |
| November 2025 | $2,261 |
| December 2025 | $2,284 |
| January 2026 | $2,424 |
| February 2026 | $2,403 |
| March 2026 | $2,178 |
| April 2026 | $2,023 |
| May 2026 | $2,142 |
| June 2026 | $2,292 |
| July 2026 | $2,396 |
| August 2026 | $2,391 |
Affordability calculator
Can I afford to live at 420 Smilax Rd?
Bedrooms
Rent-to-income ratio
30%
Slide to adjust the percentage of your monthly income you are willing to spend on rent.
The general rule of thumb is to spend around 30% or less of your income on rent.
Recommended income
$93,880/yr
With your selected rent-to-income ratio, you'd ideally want to make $93,880 annually to afford this 1-bedroom monthly rent price of $2,347.
For more information on rent affordability, visit our rent calculator.
Schools near Elan Northwoods
Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School
653 poinsettia ave
vista, CA, 92081
K-5Public
A-
North Coastal Consortium Schools
255 pico ave rm 220
san marcos, CA, 92069
K-12Public
Double Peak
111 san elijo rd
san marcos, CA, 92078
K-8Public
A
Limitless Learning Academy
1400 w ninth ave
escondido, CA, 92029
K-8Public
Surfside Academy
1125 s ditmar st
oceanside, CA, 92054
K-12Public
C+
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Internet available near Elan Northwoods
Neighborhood
Getting around San Marcos near 420 Smilax Rd
Walking
4/10
Some shops and stores are within a few minutes.
Driving
10/10
Commuting is easy with multiple accessible routes and plenty of parking.
Cycling
4/10
More spots are within biking distance and some roads are cyclist-friendly.
Transit
1/10
FYI, there are little to no public transit options within walking distance.
Points of interest for 420 Smilax Rd, San Marcos
Groceries
7/10
Wide variety of groceries within a short drive, including some within walking distance
Shopping
6/10
Wide variety of shops within a short drive, including some within walking distance
Cafes
5/10
Variety of cafés within a short drive
Restaurants
7/10
Wide variety of restaurants within a short drive, including some within walking distance
Primary schools
8/10
At least one elementary school within a 10-minute walk
High schools
7/10
At least one high school within a 15-minute walk
Parks
5/10
Moderate amount of park space nearby
Nightlife
4/10
Variety of bars within a short drive
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