OVERVIEW
Poway, also known as "The City in the Country" is a beautiful rural community located in North San Diego County. Over the years Poway has transformed itself into a thriving bedroom community adjacent to San Diego while preserving much of its rural appeal. Poway is renowned for its excellent schools, and it has the lowest crime rate in the region; because of this it's deemed a perfect place to raise a family.

The area's commercial development lies mostly along Poway Road and the remainder of the community is defined by landscaping, trees, and open spaces. The area is also renowned and zoned for horses and stables.

Due to its centralized location in San Diego County, businesses are strategically situating themselves in Poway. As a matter of fact, Outlook Magazine ranked Poway #6 in business development in California. The South Poway Business Park features 313 companies and is connected to Interstate 15 by Scripps Poway Pkwy. The park encompasses 700 acres and over eleven thousand employees travel here daily. It was recently rezoned from light industrial to commercial which would allow large-scale retail businesses to locate themselves here.

HISTORY
The name “Poway”  (Pau-wi) comes from the idiom of the Diegueno and Luiseno Indians. The  time-honored translation means: “the meeting of little valleys” or “end of the  valley”. The region was first documented in the Mission San Diego de Alcala  files as “Paguay”, and this name appeared on maps up until 1869.  However, when the area’s application was  approved by the Postmaster General, he deleted the name that had been  recommended and replaced it with “Poway”  fixing the existing spelling once and for all. It was the first post office  centrally located between San Diego and San Bernardino.

In 1839 the land was granted to  Rosario Aguilar; however he did nothing to improve it and or inhabit it for  that matter. The first settler, Philip Crosthwaite, built his home in the area  in 1859 when he started ranching. The area demonstrated to be ideal cattle  range and was sold by Crosthwaite to others who continued cattle ranching.  The area also attracted farmers and  eventually the valley’s terrain became an agricultural area planted with  peaches, grapes and produce.

There were eight hundred people  residing in the valley by the year 1887 and subdivisions were assigned in  expectation of a rail connection through the valley. However, this never came  to pass and the subdivisions were never fully developed. This area is currently  known as Old Poway. In the 1950s, water and sewers came to the valley and this  stimulated the expansion of the area.

RECREATION
Old Poway Park is the  heart of the community features numerous events yearly with craft shows,  farmer's markets and blacksmith displays. The park also features a vintage train that every  weekend provides rides to visitors.

Amidst the groves of Eucalyptus  and California chapparal is picturesque Lake Poway.  Created during the construction of the Poway  Dam, is a great place to go fishing, boating, hiking, and picnicking with your  family. At the base of the dam is Wilderness Campground. Its four acres equipped  with eight camping grounds, restrooms, an amphitheatre and areas to tie up your  horses.

Residents and visitors seeking to  partake in come culture should visit The Poway Center for the Performing  Arts. This center was created to portray fine arts together with performing  arts and instructive programming.

History buffs will enjoy an  afternoon at The  Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive Center of Pauwai which features exhibits about  the local American Indian history and the city of Poway. This 5-acre area features interpretive  tours to teach the public about the customs of the ancient Kumeyaay.

For some everyday recreation,  visit Poway Community  Park. It features many athletic grounds, swim center, a Boys and Girls Club, and a Dog Park  for romps with Fido.