Ramona, California

With a population of nearly 40,000, Ramona is said to be the fastest growing unincorporated area in San Diego County. It encompasses an area of 156 square miles, and is located at an elevation of 1,450 feet, at the crossroads of Highways 67 and 78 in the geographic center of the County.  Because of this geographic position on the Map of San Diego County, it is referred to as The H.E.A.R.T. of San Diego County.

The area was first inhabited by the Diegueno Indians thousands of years ago, with first contact with white men thought to be in 1775, with Spanish soldiers.  Read and learn more about Ramona’s history on the Guy B. Woodward Museum Facebook page.

Tree Moon

Ramona, was once known as The Turkey Capital of the World, is currently well known for:

  • An Annual Bluegrass Festival
  • The nation’s only camel dairy, Oasis Camel Dairy with tours and featured in 2010 on Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, at www.cameldairy.com
  • A blossoming wine industry, with the 89,000 acre wine grape growing area officially designated by the Federal government as the Ramona Valley American Viticulture Area (AVA) in 2006, www.ramonavalleyvineyards.org
  • Agricultural pursuits of many kinds including but not limited to raising camels, emus, alpacas, buffalo, goats, llamas, sheep, cattle, ducks, field crops and organic produce.
  • The Ramona Junior Fair and Ramona Country Fair featuring carnival games, rides, beer and wine gardens, animals, and entertainment.
  • The Ramona Grasslands Preserve, consisting of over 5000 acres, where many rare animals and plants make their homes in this area.
  • Ramona Art & Wine Festival, the first Saturday in November at the Begent Ranch, 18528 Highland Valley Road, Ramona, CA 92065. For more information go to www.ramonaartandwinefest.net.
  • Please note, the Ramona Pageant (the outdoor play adapted from the 1884 novel Ramona) does not take place in Ramona, but approximately 60 miles north in the town of Hemet.