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Are you thinking about moving to Ramona? Nestled between the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Pacific Ocean is the welcoming city of Ramona, California. This residential community, a quiet suburb of San Diego, offers residents a relaxed, rural lifestyle.
The town has a rich history. Initially dubbed “Nuevo,” Ramona started in the 1880s as a single store and post office along the route between San Diego and the gold-mining town of Julian, California. It's part of the original Rancho Valle de Pamo (or Rancho Santa Maria) Mexican land grant covering 17,709 acres. The first home built in Ramona was built in 1886 and is still there today; visitors can tour the home, which has been repurposed into the Ramona Pioneer Historical Society and Guy B. Woodward Museum.
The name Ramona is derived from Helen Hunt Jackson's 1884 novel of the same name. There was some confusion regarding the official name of the town, and there is evidence of it being referred to as Nuevo as late as the mid-1890s.
Before World War II, Ramona was famous as the “Turkey Capital of the World." It still celebrates this turkey farming history with an annual "Turkey Days" festival, complete with a Turkey Day Queen. Today, Ramona is known for its equestrian lifestyle, natural beauty, agriculture, and proximity to amazing vineyards. Living in Ramona CA is a great choice if you're looking for a more rural, laid-back lifestyle in a family-friendly small town. Here's what you should know ahead of relocating.
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Is Ramona CA a Good Place to Live?
Ramona San Diego is a great place to call home, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life while still being close to the conveniences of downtown. Known for its natural beauty, with rolling hills, vineyards, and wide-open spaces, this charming town is an ideal spot to raise a family in the San Diego area. With excellent schools, a strong sense of community, and plenty of outdoor activities, living in Ramona CA combines the best of rural and suburban living for those looking to enjoy a quieter, more scenic lifestyle.
Where Is Ramona California?
Ramona is a census-designated place (CDP) located in the North County region of San Diego County. The sprawling Ramona Community Plan Area (RCPA) covers 84,000 acres east of the city limits of Poway and 18 miles north of Lakeside. The town sits at the foothills of the Laguna Mountain, with Mount Woodson just west of town.
Other neighboring communities include Ballerna, Fernbrook, and the city of Escondido about 30 minutes away. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is midway between Escondido and Ramona.
The name Ramona refers both to the CDP of Ramona and the much larger unincorporated area. The town center is nestled in the Santa Maria Valley, while San Diego Country Estates is part of the San Vicente Valley. San Diego Country Estates is a separate CDP but part of the RCPA, and it's considered a subdivision of the town.
How Far Is Ramona, CA From the Beach?
While living in Ramona CA, you'll enjoy easy access to the beach just 45 minutes away. The closest beach is in Del Mar.
The population of Ramona CA is 31,863 if you include the neighboring San Diego Country Estates CDP. The Ramona CDP population alone is 21,468. In 2011, the estimated population in the entire Ramona Community Plan Area was 35,000.
The Ramona CDP covers 38.4 square miles, while San Diego Country Estates, or simply The Estates, covers 16.9 square miles.
Demographics of people living in Ramona CA:
Median age: 39.2 years
Senior population 65 and older: 17%
Sex ratio: 51% female to 49% male
Median household income: $101,023
Per capita income: $41,166
Homeownership rate: 68% (San Diego County: 55%)
Educational attainment: 24.7% bachelor's degree or higher (county: 42.1%)
Foreign-born population: 15.1% (county: 22.5%)
Veteran population: 9.2% (county: 7.6%)
Racial makeup: 69.4% White (54.7% non-Hispanic), 37.4% Hispanic, 1.5% Asian, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and 18.4% two or more races
Is Ramona CA Safe?
Ramona is a very safe small town with a crime rate of 6.38 crimes per 1,000 people. By comparison, the crime rate for the entire San Diego area was 19.88 per 1,000.
In 2021, the Ramona CA violent crime rate was 1.92 per 1,000 residents versus the county violent crime rate of 3.74.
In 2021, San Diego County had the second-lowest property crime rate in 42 years. Ramona had the lowest property crime rate in the county, with 4.46 property crimes per 1,000 residents compared to the county rate of 16.14 per 1,000. Since 1995, the San Diego region as a whole has had a lower property crime rate than the national average.
What Is the Cost of Living in Ramona CA?
The cost of living in Ramona CA is about 55% higher than the national average but very close to the average for California. However, it offers a more affordable lifestyle than you'll find in neighboring communities like Poway and the city of San Diego.
Most people living in Ramona CA are homeowners, with a homeownership rate 13% higher than in the metro area. The median price of Ramona houses for sale is $780,000 or $428 per square foot, down 8.6% year-over-year. Homes sell in a median of 32 days on the market. You can explore Ramona CA homes for sale on Redfin to see what's available within your budget.
By comparison, the median home price is $931,000 in San Diego and $1.295 million in Poway.
Shadow Glen Apartments: 2- and 3-bedroom homes starting at $2,100
Summer Hill Apartments: 1- and 2-bedroom units
Montecito Oaks: 1- and 2-bedroom units
Raymond Ritz Apartments: 2-bedroom units
Best Neighborhoods in Ramona CA
If you're relocating to Ramona, there are seven neighborhoods in Ramona to choose from, each with their own personality and appeal. The most popular neighborhoods in Ramona are:
Fernbrook/Irvings Crest: Great for families; medium and large single-family homes; real estate here is relatively new, having been constructed mostly between 1970-1999.
Main St./Ramona St.: Small and medium single-family homes; high-rise apartments
Julian Rd./Old Julian Hwy: Family-friendly neighborhood with medium-sized homes
Julian Rd./Sutherland Dam Rd.: Rural neighborhood with larger homes spread out on larger properties; popular with retirees
Pine St./Cedar St.: Traditional suburban neighborhood with smaller homes; apartment/condo options
Town Center: Small and medium single-family homes; high-rise apartments
San Diego Country Estates: Master-planned community great for families; medium and large townhomes and single-family homes; real estate here is relatively new. SDCE offers its own association and recreational center.
Ramona CA Weather & Climate
If you're planning to move to Ramona, you can look forward to sunny and warm southern California weather. The climate in Ramona is classified as Mediterranean (Köppen Csa), meaning hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The hottest month is August with an average daytime high temperature of 74.7°F and an average maximum temperature of 100°F.
However, even though temperatures are high during the days, Ramona experiences daily temperature variations of around 30°F! That means that even on the hottest days, the evenings and nights cool down dramatically. The coolest month is December, with an average hih of 50.6°F.
While living in Ramona CA, you'll get about 16" of annual rainfall, less than half the national average.
Things to Do in Ramona CA
While living in Ramona CA, you'll enjoy great family-friendly amenities and abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Most parks are managed by San Diego County Parks and Recreation. Ramona also has very convenient shopping nearby, including Sun Valley Shopping Center and San Vicente Shopping Center. Here are some fun things to do in Ramona, whether you're looking for fun in the sun, hiking trails to explore, or arts and cultural activities.
Potato Chip Rock
This rock has been the background of plenty of Instagram videos and pictures. With over two thousand reviews on Google, this is a town favorite! It's easily the most popular attraction in Ramona.
Residents of Ramona looking for a fun and unique activity will love Oasis Camel Dairy. The dairy offers interaction with their herd of dromedary camels, and a store with products made from camel milk. Featured on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmerman and Dirty J\obs with Mike Rowe, Oasis Camel Dairy is considered the top place to visit in Ramona.
Want to know what to do in Ramona CA this weekend? There's a good chance there's a fun event coming up! The Ramona Chamber of Commerce organizes many popular events that draw in thousands of visitors to this small town.
Some of the most popular events are the Taste of Ramona in May, 4th of July fireworks, the Ramona County Fair in July, and the Ramona Motorcycle Rally in October.
In 2006, Ramona's valley region was named an official viticultural region: the Ramona Valley American Viticultural Area. There are over 30 wineries and breweries in the area, and tastings and tours are a favorite activity for residents.
While living in Ramona CA, you'll also enjoy fantastic eateries from casual fare to fine dining. Many of the popular restaurants in Ramona are located on Main Street. Here are some of the best places to eat in the area.
Residents looking for modern American fare in a casual setting will love Marinade On Main. Often ranked as the top restaurant in Ramona, the seasonal menu features local produce and wine.
In the mood for a gourmet burger? Ramona Cafe is where you'll want to go. A casual setting with outdoor seating, this is one of the best restaurants in Ramona. With over 500 positive reviews on Google alone, you know that the food is going to be spectacular!
Before moving to Ramona, it's a good idea to explore job opportunities in the area. The main industry in Ramona is agriculture, with an emphasis on dairy ranching, egg ranching, horse breeding (including thoroughbred breeding), vineyards, avocados, and ornamental plants. About 10% of families are involved in commercial farming. Tourism, education, construction, light manufacturing, retail, and public administration are also important industries.
Many people living in Ramona CA work in the surrounding cities of Poway or Escondido, the latter of which has a thriving medical industry with the headquarters for several large companies.
Moving to Ramona? Get Started With a Free Moving Estimate!
Is Ramona calling your name? If living in Ramona CA seems like a dream come true, Republic Moving & Storage is ready to help with a smooth relocation process. Call the best movers in Ramona at (619) 591-0079 to get started with your free, personalized moving quote!
Bill Lovejoy
Bill Lovejoy is the president of Republic Moving and Storage. Purchasing the assets of Republic Relocations in May 2008. In 2008, Republic did $700K of business and today is over $15 Million. Republic was named AMSA’s 2010 Agent of the Year for Service Excellence after only two years in business.
Bill is proud that he grew up doing every facet of the business from a local mover, over the road driver, salesperson, operations manager, and general manager. (and just about everything else in between) Before purchasing Republic, Bill was with Bekins Moving and Storage where he served as a Senior Vice President and was a partner. He was responsible for three HHG companies as well as two logistics companies.
A proud Father of six children, and a lovely wife, Carol, Bill constantly works to keep a balance between work and family Life. Bills “stress relieving” hobbies include racket ball, basketball, tennis, and golf.
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