Experience Ramona, California

Why Ramona? Known as the Valley of the Sun and the Heart of San Diego County, Ramona is approximately thirty six miles from San Diego, but a true world away. The hustle and bustle of the "big city" gives way as soon as you make your way onto Main Street and, somehow, you know you are about to have at least one foot in history.

 

Originally known as Nuevo, the current town of Ramona was founded in 1886 by Milton Santee who created the Santa Maria Land and Water Company and, as part of that effort, acquired the 3200 acres that would become the town site. Two years later, Theophole Verlaque, a French immigrant winemaker arrived in the valley and decided to settle. He built the first residence in Nuevo and his home, located on Main Street, serves as Ramona's historical museum.

The Verlaque residence is not the only moment of history to be found on Main Street. A walk or drive down the eucalyptus lined boulevard allows you to experience several moments of the past. There is he Santa Maria Masonic Lodge, built in 1926 with its Masonic emblems still clearly visible. On the opposite side of the street the Ramona Town Hall commands immediate attention. Donated to the town in 1894 by one of the area's earliest founders, William Augustus Barnett, the 115 year old town hall is one of the oldest and last original town halls in California and one of the last and original adobe structures in the entire Southwest. This historical building has served it community well...it was the town's first movie theater, first high school, first bank, first dance hall and first justice court.

 

Main Street's Guy B, Woodward Museum, (housed in the Verlaque residence), offers visitors a glimpse of Ramona's colorful past. Memories of miners, cowboys, vaqueros, Kit Carson, confederate soldiers, Diegueno Indians and much, much more have been preserved by the Ramona Pioneer Historical Society for your viewing pleasure!

 

In spite of all of its history, Ramona is not living in the past. Ramona mixes its history with its present to make for a great place to visit and live. Rodeos, horseback riding, farming, country fairs, Oktoberfest, Farmer's Markets, wine tasting , hiking, antiquing, quilt shows, dog shows, barn dances, golf tournaments, concerts, Fourth of July celebrations, art shows, air shows and just soaking up the rural vistas are all part of today's Ramona.