OVERVIEW
Rancho Bernardo has become the prime example for what master-planned communities should be. While being a part of the City of San Diego, the distinctive atmosphere of the community differentiates Rancho Bernardo from other parts of the San Diego County, almost like a city in its own right. Its geographic location is twenty miles NE of downtown San Diego, directly NW of the City of Poway and South of Escondido.
Cozily situated within a valley, more than 45,000 residents call this 7,000-acre area home. Primarily a bedroom community but it has also been transformed into a vital commercial hub for businesses, predominantly electronics-related. Industry leaders like Sony Electronics, Hewlett-Packard, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, NCR Corporation, SAIC, and Eastman Kodak Company find themselves at home in one of San Diego’s largest business parks.
Rancho Bernardo, or widely known as RB, features every style of housing from apartments to great, custom homes. The community went through a sudden housing expansion from the 1960s through the 1980s. Rancho Bernardo is currently a predominately a residential area with an intermittent plots of land being built-up. Neighborhoods lie outstretched throughout the rolling hills of the region, contoured with crimson tile roofed, stucco homes. The schools of Rancho Bernardo belong to the prominent Poway Unified School District. Many of the schools in the region have been acknowledged as Blue Ribbon Schools, which are celebrated as being among America’s best. The community features quite a few elementary schools, and then there is also Bernardo Heights Middle School, and finally Rancho Bernardo High School.
HISTORY
Rancho Bernardo originated in 1789 as a 17,763-acre land grant from the King of Spain. At that moment, the region was known as “La Cañada de San Bernardo”. The original land proprietor of San Bernardo on record was an English sea captain named Joseph Snooks. After establishing himself in California, Snooks became a Mexican citizen and wed Maria Antonia Alvarado. He chose to change his name to Don Jose Francisco Snook and transformed the land into a working cattle ranch. Once Snook passed away, the land experienced many changes in ownership, constantly being separated into smaller lots. Ultimately, John and Laurence Daley acquired the land for the grazing of cattle. In the year 1961, the Daleys together with W.R. Hawn and Harry L. Summers founded Rancho Bernardo, Inc. Later on, AVCO Community Developers acquired the corporation and commenced expanding the area. Rancho Bernardo shortly materialized as one of the choice communities in the nation.
RECREATION
Residents and visitors of Rancho Bernardo can select from an assortment of community golf courses. A community favorite is the executive Oaks North Golf Course. Championship golf courses are featured at Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course and Country Club of Rancho Bernardo. The Bernardo Winery is a welcoming locale to engage is some wine tasting, dining, or some shopping in the quaint village shops. Your furry family members will enjoy a romp at the Rancho Bernardo Dog Park. Dogs can romp freely in a wonderful grassy setting and you can sit on a comfortable bench and connect with other animal-loving neighbors. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking and fishing just minutes away at both Lake Hodges and Lake Poway. The world-famous San Diego Wild Animal Park, located just north of Rancho Bernardo, is where customers of all ages can enjoy wildlife in natural environments. Residents seeking knowledge of the area’s history will enjoy an afternoon at the Rancho Bernardo Historical Society Museum. They have wonderful exhibits and as a non-profit organization depend the support of the Rancho Bernardo community.
