About Ramona    
Located in San Diego County, Ramona is sun-filled valley surrounded by the Cuyamaca and Laguna Mountains. There is a strong sense of community and a refreshing country hospitality that is apparent to those passing through Ramona traveling to and from the desert or mountains.

Native American Indians dubbed the area the "Big Valley". Later, the name was changed by Mexican inhabitants to Valley De Pamo Santa Maria, "Warm Valley of St. Mary." In the late 1800s settlers called the area Santa Maria Valley. Ramona itself was called Nuevo, meaning new. In 1884 Milton Santee named the town Ramona after the beautiful Indian maiden in Helen Hunt Jackson’s famous novel. Ramona was also once known as the "Turkey Capital of the World" from the days when thousands of the birds were raised here and shipped worldwide. To find out more about the area’s history and early western culture, visit the Guy B. Woodward Museum.

Visitors and residents alike enjoy antique and specialty shopping, and dining in the heart of Ramona’s downtown district. The region has blossomed into a wine region with wineries and vineyards including Schwaesdall Winery, Hacienda de las Rosas, Lenora Winery, Eagle Nest Winery, Mahogany Mountain Vineyards & Winery, and Pamo Valley Winery.

For those who enjoy outdoor adventure, there are challenging hikes at Mount Woodson & Iron Mountain to experience; Lake Sutherland Reservoir is a great place to enjoy nature, boating, fishing and picnicking; and Mt. Gower Open Space Preserve offers eight miles of hiking trails in its 1590 acres. There are also several community parks with historic Collier Park being the first county park in San Diego and Dos Picos Park inhabited by beautiful oak trees and a pond full of ducks just waiting for visitors to feed them. Being a horse-friendly community, there are many horse trails in the area plus a Western Equestrian Center, and a Thoroughbred and English Equestrian Center. Ramona also has two championship golf courses, Mt. Woodson and San Vicente country clubs.

Nearby Cities & Towns
Alpine, Escondido, Julian, Lakeside