Ramona | |
---|---|
Census designated place | |
Location in San Diego County and the state of California |
|
Location in the United States | |
Coordinates: 33°2′9″N 116°52′14″W / 33.03583°N 116.87056°WCoordinates: 33°2′9″N 116°52′14″W / 33.03583°N 116.87056°W | |
Country | United States |
State | California |
County | San Diego |
Area | |
• Total | 38.433 sq mi (99.539 km2) |
• Land | 38.412 sq mi (99.485 km2) |
• Water | 0.021 sq mi (0.054 km2) 0.05% |
Elevation | 1,430 ft (436 m) |
Population (April 1, 2010) | |
• Total | 20,292 |
• Density | 530/sq mi (200/km2) |
Time zone | Pacific (UTC-8) |
• Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
ZIP code | 92065 |
Area codes | 442/760 |
FIPS code | 06-59346 |
GNIS feature ID | 1652781 |
Ramona is a census-designated place (CDP) in San Diego County, California. The population was 20,292 at the 2010 census.
The term Ramona also refers to an unincorporated community (with some plans to incorporate) that includes both the Ramona CDP and the adjacent CDP of San Diego Country Estates. The population of the two CDPs, which does not include the fringe areas surrounding the CDPs, was 30,301 at the 2010 census, up from 25,223 at the 2000 census. The Ramona Community Planning Area had a population of 33,404 at the 2000 census. The January 1, 2006, population of the Ramona Community Planning Area is estimated to be 36,405 by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). USDA Hardiness Zones are 9b and 10a.
Before it was permanently settled, the Ramona area was inhabited by Digueno semi-nomadic people, who established temporary settlements there as they moved between coastal and inland grounds. Their presence is indicated by archeological evidence such as rock paintings, etchings, and grinding stones used to grind acorns into meal for bread.
In 1775 Spanish soldiers came to the Ramona area and attacked a native village ("Pamo") in retaliation for the destruction of a nearby mission. This is the first recorded interaction between indigenous groups and Europeans in the area.
The next recorded foray of Europeans into the area was a Catholic expeditionary mission (Father Sanchez and six Spanish soldiers), who stopped for a meal in the valley. Sanchez recorded that the valley appeared well-suited for raising hay.
In 1843 José Joaquín Ortega and his son-in-law, Edward Stokes, received the Rancho Valle de Pamo Mexican land grant. In 1846 Ortega's rancho was visited by US Army General Stephen W. Kearny, on his way to the Battle of San Pasqual.