Having taken its name from that of a fictional character from an 1890s bestselling novel, Ramona is San Diego County´s fastest-growing unincorporated region. Those who live in this backcountry community with a population of roughly 20,000 are treated to views of high desert scenery as well as the comfort of life in a small town.
Ramona Homes for Sale
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History
The semi-nomadic Digueno aboriginal people inhabited the Ramona area prior to the arrival of white settlers. In the mid-1800s, a Catholic expeditionary mission visited. Soon after a rancho was established. The California Gold Rush of 1870 spurred development of a stagecoach route between San Diego and Julian with a stop in the Ramona Valley, where a store and post office was soon built.
The town was originally named Nuevo. However, when a town to the north called Ramona failed to thrive, the residents of Nuevo took the name, made popular at the time by a novel by Helen Hunt Jackson. In the late 1800s, the residents of Ramona planted the edges of Main Street with eucalyptus trees, which they hand-watered. Those trees still stand today.
Economy
In the 1930s, Ramona was known as the ¨Turkey Capital of the World,” for its production of the fowl.
However, the industry slowed considerably after World War II, halting completely in 1959 to be replaced by the rise of the chicken egg business.
Having started in the 1920s, Ramona´s egg production thrived until the early 1970s, when the area was hit by an outbreak of the deadly Newcastle´s disease, which killed many chickens. Meanwhile, the human population mushroomed along with increasing land values, causing former egg ranchers to sell their property.
There remains one egg operation – the Pine Hills Egg Ranch – which, with more than 1 million chickens, is the fifth-largest chicken egg farm in the state. In addition to a few scattered dairies, Ramona is home to an increasing number of vineyards, s well as avocado and citrus orchards. These days, Ramona is known for its thoroughbred horse-breeding, with the Golden Eagle Farm having been home to Best Pal, second-place finisher of the 1991 Kentucky Derby.
Attractions
In recent years, Ramona has attracted a fair number of antique shops, which means people travel from near and far to shop for vintage pieces. The city offers four parks for picnicking, hiking, and relaxing, as well as the Lake Sutherland Reservoir for fishing. It also features two championship golf courses. Hikers will appreciate Mount Woodson and Iron Mountain, which offer steep, challenging trails.
The horse-friendly community makes it easy for equestrians to ride their horses in town. No one should miss seeing Ramona´s Hope Street mailboxes, all of which are unique and worth photographing. The Schwaesdall Winery produces estate bottled and cellared, classic European style red wines as well as traditional California white wines.
Real Estate
Ramona´s haciendas and Santa Fe-style homes are holding their value well. The average listing price of Ramona homes in November was $391,787, down only 1.8 percent from the same time last year, while the median sales price was $307,000, up 7.7 percent from last year.
Latest Homes for Sale:
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See more Real estate in the city of Ramona.
(all data current as of
5/19/2013)
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$439,000 : 24212 Sargeant Rd, Ramona3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$484,900 : 16208 Oak Springs Dr, Ramona3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$229,000 : 725 16th St, Ramona3 beds, 1 full bath
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$835,000 : 17210 Archie Moore Rd, Ramona3 beds, 2 full baths
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$975,000 : 16620 Highland Valley Rd, Ramona4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
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