San Diego California Events. Area focus - Ramona

City: Unincorporated area of San Diego County
Area Population: 33,087
Elevation: 1,597 feet above sea level
Distance from downtown SD: 40.3 miles northeast

Dos Picos County Park
17953 Dos Picos Park Road
Ramona, CA 92065
(760-789-2220) Map - Day Use - Park - Campground

Steep, boulder-strewn mountain slopes surround this 78-acre regional park. Three reservable picnic areas are shaded by oak groves, and a nearby pond adds to the scenic attractiveness. Besides the reservable areas, there are additional picnic areas for walk-in use. All will enjoy the large open play areas, playground, and beauty of this county park.

Two words characterize Dos Picos County Park: oaks and mountains. Its name, Spanish for "two peaks," is derived from two prominent mountains nearby. In the shelter of these mountains, the small valley harbors a park filled with oak trees, some of them up to 300 years old. Dos Picos is surrounded by ranchland and steep rocky slopes, which help preserve its secluded atmosphere. The peaceful, shady park is particularly well suited for campers and picnickers. It is located 46 miles northeast of San Diego.

The First Inhabitants
Twentieth-century visitors have enjoyed Dos Picos for two decades, but they are by no means the first to be attracted to the area. Native Americans were living here 7000 years ago, lured by the abundant oak trees. These people, the Ipai, gathered their food from what nature provided – in this case a bountiful supply of acorns. Meal ground from these acorns was a staple of their diet.

Modern Residents
Dos Picos was home to much animal and plant life back then, and – fortunately for us – it has remained a natural haven. Coyote, fox, possum, skunk, and raccoon are all seen in the park. The wide range of habitats supports a large number of birds. Great blue herons, great egrets, and several species of ducks can be found on the pond. The oaks are home to red-shouldered hawks, woodpeckers, scrub jays, and western bluebirds, among others. California quail are afoot in the early mornings, while the evening skies are filled with the sounds of resident barn, screech, and great horned owls.

Not all the winged creatures are birds: many butterflies and moths live in or pass through the park. Especially interesting is the huge cecropia moth. This colorful member of the silkworm family feeds at night on the native ceanothus, or California lilac. Supporting the abundant wildlife is a mixture of chaparral, open grassland, and oak woodland. Coast live oak is the predominant tree, although Engelmann oaks occur throughout the park. The chaparral consists of scrub oak, California buckwheat, chamise, manzanita, ceanothus, and white and black sage. Visitors often remark on the huge boulders that dot the hillsides. These were formed when the granitic rock that makes up the mountains was brought to the surface by the movements of the earth’s crust. Over eons, exposure to the wind and rain has worn the granite to its present configuration.

Facilities
Dos Picos County Park was designed for campers and picnickers. Each campsite and picnic bench is fitted into the 78-acre area as naturally as possible. Tent sites, RV sites with partial hookups, and a caravan area offer alternatives for overnight stays. A holding tank disposal station and hot showers are additional amenities for campers. Visitors will enjoy the nature trail, horseshoe pits, play areas, and soccer field. Anglers might visit Lake Poway or Lake Sutherland, both a short distance away. Hikers often visit nearby Mt. Woodson. In the town of Ramona are the Guy B. Woodward Museum and Collier Park. The world-famous Wild Animal Park is 30 minutes away.

Barnett Ranch
1500 Deviney Lane and San Vicente Road
Ramona, CA 92065
(619-838-7215)

Hours: Friday-Monday, 8 a.m.-sunset. Directions to Barnett Ranch: From 78, take left on San Vicente/10th St. Right on Deviney Ln into staging area.

Luelf Pond
3000 Duck Pond Lane
Ramona, CA 92065
(619-838-7215) Map

Directions: From 67, take a right onto Dye Road, right onto Southern Oaks Road, right onto Willow.

Mount Gower
17090 Gunn Stage Road
Ramona, CA 92065
(619-838-7215) Map

Hours: 8 a.m. to Sunset Daily, Directions: From 78, take San Vicente Road/10th Street south past Wildcat Canyon and left.

Ramona Grasslands and Santa Maria Creek
Highland Valley and Rangeland Road
Ramona, CA 92065
(619-838-7215) Map

Directions: Take CA-67, Turn left onto Archie Moore Road

Simon Open Space Preserve
23500 Bassett Way
Ramona, CA 92065
(619-838-7215) Map

Hours; 8 a.m. to sunset daily. Directions: From 78, take San Vicente Road/10th Street south/left on Arena, left on Spangler Peak, right on Bassett Way.

Collier Park Boys and Girls Club
626 E Street
Ramona, CA 92065
(760-789-6002) Map

Holly Oaks Park
Corner of Dye Road and Southern Oak Road
Ramona, CA 92065
(619-838-7215) Map

Ramona Airport
2926 Montecito Road
Ramona, CA 92065
(760-788-3366) Map

Two miles west of Ramona on Montecito Road. Ramona is rural. Just ask the residents of San Diego County ’s Valley of the Sun and they’ll tell you. They like it that way. Surrounded by rock-strewn coastal mountains, the valley was first inhabited by Native Americans and then the Spanish who named it "Nuevo," meaning New. Milton Santee, who helped develop the area, changed the name to Ramona in 1884 after a popular book of the era.

With a population of over 40,000, spread over 154 square miles, the community attracts many new residents and businesses each year. It’s only 40 minutes from downtown San Diego and the beach and a half-hour away from Cuyamaca and Laguna Mountain resorts.

In 1943 the U.S. Navy built a small, dusty airstrip at what is now the Ramona Airport . In 1956, the facility was conveyed to San Diego County and the airport has now grown to become the aviation center for community service to San Diego 's inland and mountain communities. The Ramona Airport is the third busiest facility in the County’s system with just over 155,000 operations each year.

As Ramona's second largest employment center, the airport is home to the California Division of Forestry's (CDF) and U.S. Forest Service's "Air Attack Base". This facility is the area's first responder when a fire erupts. The airport actually serves as one of Ramona's 5 fire stations.

Uncomplicated airspace, available services, ideal climate and proximity to North County business and recreation centers make Ramona Airport an ideal destination for work or pleasure.

If you are familiar with the sport of Drag Racing, it will interest you to know that the very first, official 1/4-mile drag strip was opened at the Ramona Airport nearly 60 years ago. Now just an airport service road, remnants of the old strip still remain.

Serving every type aircraft from home build experimentals to corporate jets, the Ramona Airport is home to a fully staffed Air Traffic Control Tower, 3 full service FBOs, an avionics center, an aircraft service center, 9 aviation businesses, a full time Airport Manager and the world's only Helicopter museum with operational helicopters. One of the community's biggest events is the Ramona Air Show, benefiting the families of fallen CDF pilots and firefighters. The Ramona Air Show will typically host between 10,000 and 20,000 visitors.

San Diego County Website
Ramona Chamber of Commerce
Ramona Demographic Profile - Fact Sheet
Ramona Demographic Profile - Map

Ramona Weather - NOAA
Air Quality Forecast
Moon Phases & Astronomical Events
Recent Earthquakes

Ramona Homes For Sale
Ramona Condominiums For Sale
Ramona Mobile Homes For Sale
Ramona Vacant Land For Sale

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Services
Ramona

Library
1406 Montecito Road, Ramona, CA 92065
(760-738-2434) Map - Website

Post Office
1444 Main Street, Ramona, CA 92065
(800-275-8777) Map

Sheriff
1424 Montecito Road, Ramona, CA 92065
(760-789-9157) Map

Schools
Ramona

Barnett Elementary School (K-6)
23925 Couna Way, Ramona, CA 92065
(760-788-5333) Map - Website

Hanson Lane Elementary School (K-6)
1825 Hanson Lane, Ramona, CA 92065
(760-788-5030) Map - Website

James Dukes Elementary School (K-6)
24908 Abalar Way, Ramona, CA 92065
(760-788-5060) Map - Website

Mount Woodson Elementary School (K-6)
17427 Archie Moore Road, Ramona, CA 92065
(760-788-5120) Map - Website

Ramona Elementary School (K-6)
415 8th Street, Ramona, CA 92065
(760-788-5010) Map - Website

Olive Pierce Middle School (4-8/7-8)
1521 Hanson Lane, Ramona, CA 92065
(760-788-5050) Map - Website

Sun Valley Charter School (7-9)
2102 Main Street, Ramona, CA 92065
(760-788-8008) Map

Montecito High School (9-12)
720 9th Street, Ramona, CA 92065
(760-788-5070) Map - Website

Ramona High School (9-12)
1401 Hanson Lane, Ramona, CA 92065
(760-787-4000) Map - Website

Ramona Community School (Alternative Education)
1710 Montecito Road, Ramona, CA 92065
(760-788-5130) Map - Website

Useful Links
Ramona

East County Magazine
Ramona Unified School District
San Diego County Airports
San Diego County Branch Libraries
San Diego County Business Directory - Ramona
San Diego County Parks and Recreation
Wikipedia - Ramona, California

Ramona is an unincorporated community (with plans of incorporation) in San Diego County, California, USA. The United States Census Bureau had divided Ramona into two census-designated places, the Ramona CDP and the San Diego Country Estates CDP.

The historical town center of Ramona, California is located in the Santa Maria Valley. This valley was the Rancho Santa Maria, a Mexican land grant. The San Vicente Valley was formerly part of the Rancho San Vicente y Padre Barona Mexican land grant. The San Diego County Estates subdivision in Ramona, California, is located in the San Vicente Valley. The Barona Indian Reservation, not part of the RCPA, is also within part of the Rancho San Vicente y Padre Barona Mexican land grant.

Agriculture

At one time Ramona was known as the "Turkey Capital of the World." Turkey production flourished during the 1930s, and the industry was featured with popular annual Turkey Days celebrations. Turkey production went into decline following World War II, and ended completely by 1959.

The decline of the Turkey industry was followed by rapid growth in the chicken egg business. Egg production, which began in the 1920s, thrived into the 1970s. In 1970, there were about 50 egg ranches in Ramona. Today, most of the chicken ranches are gone. By 2003, only four remained. A notable exception to the decline is the Pine Hills Egg Ranch, which at 1,100,000 birds is the 58th largest nationally, and the 5th largest in the state of California. The demise of the egg industry was, in part, due to population growth and increased land values. It was also caused by an outbreak of deadly exotic Newcastle's Disease in 1971, which took three years to stem, and another outbreak in late 2002.

Dairies used to be common in Ramona, particularly along contiguous Dye Road, Ramona Street and Warnock Road. Today, one dairy remains on Dye Road, and one on Warnock.

Notable among current agricultural pursuits in Ramona is rapidly growing wine grape production. The 89,000-acre (360 km²) Ramona Valley American Viticultural Area surrounds the town. An aerial photograph depicting the Ramona Valley Viticultural Area may be viewed at the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association's website.

Although the cost of imported water has been a negative issue in recent years, Avocado and Citrus orchards are also prominent.

Perhaps Ramona's greatest recent claim to fame comes from Thoroughbred horse breeding. The Golden Eagle Farm in eastern Ramona's Ballena Valley was the home of Best Pal, the second-place finisher of the 1991 Kentucky Derby. No California bred race horse has earned more than the US$5.6 million in purses he won. Best Pal is buried on the Golden Eagle Farm.

History

Early Times. The current town of Ramona was founded in 1886, when a land speculation syndicate, headed by Milton Santee, "organized the Santa Maria Land & Water Company and acquired 3,200 acres (13 km²) for a town site in the Santa Maria Valley and named it Ramona". Previously the area was known as Nuevo, and was dotted by a few ranches and homesteads. Settlement of the Ramona town site began in 1883 when Amos Verlaque built a store and post office on the wagon road to Julian, California. In 1886, Theophile Verlaque built the town's first house next to Amos' store. The Verlaque house, located at 645 Main Street in Ramona, is now home to the Ramona Pioneer Historical Society and its Guy B. Woodward Museum, and in 1991 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Santa Maria Land & Water Company called its project "Ramona". When the name of the town changed from Nuevo to Ramona is subject to dispute. In The Glory Years, by Frank F. Pourade (1964, Copley Press, republished by the San Diego Historical Society), the author indicates that the Santa Maria Land & Water Company syndicate changed the name in 1886. However, the San Diego City and County Directory for 1886-87 lists the town as Nuevo. And the Ramona Town Hall website says this concerning the dedication of the building:

It was donated to the towns people of Nuevo, on Washington's Birthday, February 22, 1894, by Augustus and Martha Barnett. Later that year, at the insistence of Milton Santee, the town was renamed Ramona, to capitalize on the popularity of the fictional character from the best seller by Helen Hunt Jackson.

Concerned about the plight of native Americans in southern California (and elsewhere), and inspired by her friend Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, Helen Hunt Jackson's novel Ramona was published in November, 1884. It was an instant success.

The Ramona Town Hall, now 113 years old, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. It has also been known as Town Hall of Nuevo, and Barnett Hall. The Hall was built on two lots donated by Milton Santee, who as noted above headed up the Santa Maria Land & Water Company syndicate. Augustus and Martha Barnett donated the $17,000 "to the towns people of Nuevo, on Washington's Birthday, February 22, 1894." Ramona Town Hall was designed by architect William S. Hebbard, who later, with his partner, Irving Gill, "produced San Diego's best architecture until its break up in 1907". The building is one of the largest, and oldest, adobe structures in southern California.

As noted in this Ramona Home Journal article:

In the past, the Town Hall was home to Ramona’s first high school. Classes met upstairs from 1894 to 1898. The town’s first bank and first library also started in the building, and several religious groups met there before their churches were built. Other organizations that met in the Town Hall included Ramona Grange, Santa Maria Masonic Lodge, Ramona Pioneer Historical Society, Ramona Chamber of Commerce, Ramona Art Guild, Town Hall Players and Ramona Council of Arts, Unlimited. The Town Hall was used as a theater in the 1940s, with Harry Miles running the movie projector. It also was known as the community dance hall and the site of costume balls.

Recent History

On Mother's Day, May 13, 1973, Ramona entered the America national spotlight. 55 year old former tennis great turned hustler, Bobby Riggs, challenged the then 30 year old women's world number one player, Margaret Court, to a match. The match was staged at Ramona's San Diego Country Estates. Riggs won easily, 6-2, 6-1. He later lost to Billie Jean King in The Battle of the Sexes at the Houston, Texas, Astrodome, on September 20, 1973.

The Cedar Fire began in Ramona approximately 3 miles (5 km) east of the San Diego Country Estates area, on October 25, 2003. The fire would eventually consume 280,278 acres (1,134 km²), burn 2,820 buildings (including 2,232 homes), and take 15 lives. The Cedar Fire is the largest fire in California history.

The Witch Fire began near Ramona near the area called Witch Creek on October 21, 2007. It burned approximately 195,000 acres (790 km²) in San Diego County with over 640 homes destroyed, 250 damaged, and 12 firefighters injured according to the San Diego Union Tribune. On October 24th the Witch Fire merged with another fire called the Poomacha which had originated in the area of the La Jolla Indian Reservation. Along with more than 10 other fires burning in San Diego County at the same time, the Witch-Poomacha fire helped cause the largest mandatory evacuations in U.S. history, with over 500,000 people displaced.

On January 2006, Ramona Valley was designated the country's 162nd American Viticultural Area (AVA) by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which recognized the area for its distinctive microclimate, elevation, and soil attributes.


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