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Fallbrook California Attractions and Activities
Rich with rural charm and strengthened by solid community values, the Fallbrook area is picturesque, and boasts a rich history spanning over one hundred years.
The Fallbrook Story
The Greater Fallbrook and Bonsall areas have come to be viewed as model communities in endeavors such as art, land conservation, health care, business enhancement, Christian unity, and much more.
Fallbrook History
Fallbrook, California boasts a rich history spanning over one hundred years.
Landscape and Nature
If the green, rolling hills don’t inspire you, the large ancient oaks that inhabit the area will!
Fallbrook Agriculture
While the area is known internationally for its robust avocado crop, flower fields, greenhouses, and other nursery growing grounds have steadily gained in presence.
Churches
Churches of all faiths are found in Fallbrook. There are so many churches located on Stage Coach Lane alone that residents humorously refer to the street as “church row.”
Education
Fallbrook and Bonsall offer eight public elementary schools as well as Potter Junior High, Sullivan Middle School, Vallecitos School, and Fallbrook High School.
Activities
Fallbrook offers many interesting activities, including the performing arts, organized sports, equestrian, and vintage and race car activities.
Youth Activities
Young people receive a lot of support from adults in this community and kids are encouraged to start participating early in worthy endeavors.
Real Estate
Fallbrook has a wide range of homes available—from condos to estates with a great deal of acreage.
Revitalization
The Village Association, Revitalization Committee and Land Conservancy are groups working to redevelop and beautify the historic downtown.
Retirement
Many seniors choose to retire in Fallbrook because of the temperate Southern California climate, combined with the charming village atmosphere.
With rural beauty serving as the perfect backdrop, it is the warmth of human spirit and solid community values that have allowed the Greater Fallbrook and Bonsall areas to be viewed as model communities in endeavors such as art, land conservation, health care, business enhancement, Christian unity, and much more. As a result of clearly focused and specialized efforts by teams of dedicated volunteers and service organizations, the quality of life in these picturesque communities is deemed highly desirable for many reasons.
Revitalization efforts—combined with a twist of art and culture—have proven immensely successful in many aspects of village life. Building on a historic past that dates back over a century, residents have linked arms to guide Fallbrook wisely into the 21st Century. With an influx of highly acclaimed artists and a growing art foundry that offers an assortment of classes, the area reflects a distinct richness of talent in its residents. Many shows at the Art Center at Fallbrook now draw nationwide attention, and a variety of local galleries display the work of approximately 150 local artists. The Fallbrook Village Association has been instrumental in developing the Village into a community venue that not only welcomes artists of all types, but diligently works towards developing additional resources for them locally. The organization, funded by generous members of the community, contributes time and funds to the Art in Public Places program, which regularly places magnificent bronzes and colorful murals throughout the charming downtown area for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.
In an effort to enrich local children’s lives with art, Rally for Children, a non-profit organization, joins with the Fallbrook Elementary School District to host an annual event at Live Oak Park entitled “Arts in the Park.” Thousands of children, accompanied by their parents, spend a delightful day at the park learning about all types of art from community volunteers. Children delight in hands-on activities that include painting, papier-mâché, clay work, mask making, hat making, puppetry, experimentation with musical instruments, and more—all completely free of charge!
A short 18-mile drive from the Pacific Ocean, the greater Fallbrook area is well known for its gently rolling hills, lush groves, ancient oak trees, equestrian and walking trails, riparian areas, nature preserves, and Mediterranean climate. Stepping forward to protect this sought-after environment are the volunteers who comprise the Fallbrook Land Conservancy and its specialized committees. The Fallbrook Land Conservancy diligently pursues donations of land to protect open spaces. The Save Our Forest and Treescape arm of the organization carefully plants hundreds of trees annually to enhance the environment. In addition to stately oaks, you will see varieties of eucalyptus, magnolia, sycamore, and pepper trees adding beauty to the area. Dedicated volunteers care for these picturesque trees, many of which line the downtown village.
The Trails Committee has worked steadily for years to create a fantastic network of equestrian and walking trails. Horse enthusiasts can be seen regularly enjoying the Santa Margarita River trail, meandering through nature’s bounty.
One of nature’s greatest gifts to Fallbrook is Live Oak Park. Accessible by either Gird or Reche Road, you can enjoy the journey to this jewel of a destination by traveling under the protective canopy of ancient oaks to the 16-square-mile park that features barbeques, playgrounds, baseball diamonds, a sand volleyball court, and more. Nestled amongst the oaks, with gentle streams nearby, the park is a local favorite for festive family picnics, restful breaks, and popular community events. In order to protect Live Oak Park, community volunteers established the Live Oak Park Coalition. This organization focuses on the many aspects of conservation that are vital to keeping this resource available to area residents and visitors. In an effort that has served as a model for other communities, the Coalition partnered with the County of San Diego and Supervisor Bill Horn to build a visitor’s center in the park. The Coalition rallied help from local building contractors who donated their time and expertise, cutting costs significantly. The organization continues its good work by protecting and preserving this historic, one-of-a-kind outdoor haven.
A group of concerned community volunteers have recently formed Keep Fallbrook Clean and Green, an organization that works hand-in-hand with Mission Resource Conservation District to promote a cleaner community. Punctuating the pride that these residents have in their community, this group has made great strides in protecting the beautiful environment by organizing teams of enthusiastic volunteers and increasing public awareness. A large-scale event is held annually in the fall, but volunteers can regularly be seen removing debris along roadways throughout the year.
The Fallbrook Healthcare District was established in 1998 to administer hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual property tax revenues to fund health-related programs that help area residents maintain a healthy, happy lifestyle. The board of directors continues its commitment to manage tax-revenue dollars in a trustworthy, professional, and prudent manner. While numerous programs that address medical, dental, rehabilitation, and preventative needs are funded through grants bestowed by this organization, the annual Celebrate Your Health Fair is the signature event that garners a great deal of public participation. At this annual event, residents are able to obtain free testing in the areas of bone density, body fat, vision, blood pressure, and more. Healthy food samples are offered for the enjoyment of all, and there is an abundance of educational information that can benefit the entire family.
Fallbrook Hospital, currently leased to Community Health Systems, offers a full range of services—including an emergency center—and is a patient-oriented facility. The Fallbrook Hospital Auxiliary, in existence for almost 50 years, is a dynamic volunteer organization that provides an extraordinary level of support to the hospital, including a service for those with transportation difficulties. The auxiliary also welcomes young people into its Student Volunteer program, which gives them an opportunity to serve the community. The Fallbrook Healthcare Foundation supports the local health care effort by encouraging, obtaining, and administering funds to be used for charitable purposes such as adult day-care centers, Health Care Resources (information services), SeniorNET (computer classes taught to seniors at their own pace), Project CARE (support for the frail, elderly, and disabled), and more. The foundation is a non-profit organization funded by bequests, wills, estates, and private donations.
Keeping the business community strong and prosperous is the focus of the Fallbrook and Bonsall Chambers of Commerce. Using strategic destination-marketing techniques such as the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce’s Fantasy Wedding promotion, these organizations work diligently to create more opportunities for local businesses to succeed. By providing networking opportunities such as the monthly Sundowners and annual recognition events—as well as special community functions—they successfully connect the business community with the consumer in a multitude of ways.
Operating solely on donations and assisted by volunteers, Fallbrook’s People to People Services, a non-profit charitable organization, offers a free employment and counseling service to residents. Whether the individual who is looking for work is a first-time worker, a young mother, or physically disadvantaged, they are assisted in a personalized way. Local businesses and individuals regularly utilize this resource to find employees.
One of the greatest models the community sets forth is that of Christian unity. The Fallbrook Ministerial Association and Fallbrook Christian Council continue to make real strides in connecting the Christian community. The “sharing of pulpits” by local pastors has made Fallbrook a uniquely respected community. Close to one hundred volunteers from a variety of churches work side-by-side to feed the hungry at the Fallbrook Community Project, which receives substantial financial support from the congregations as well. Christian events throughout the community such as the CROP Walk to combat hunger, Cross Walk to commemorate Good Friday, Easter Sunrise Service, and The Room Upstairs—a play that is a re-creation of The Last Supper—bring members from different congregations together.
The Angel Society of Fallbrook, Fallbrook Senior Center, and area churches (including St. John’s Episcopal and St. Peter’s Catholic) operate thrift stores in town that not only provide a wonderful source of “gently-used” items and “fabulous finds,” but do this so that money can be put back into the community for worthy projects. Large teams of volunteers donate their time to these shops so that thousands of dollars can be generated each year to fund programs for youth, adults, and the elderly. It is indeed staggering to see how many projects and programs are funded through the sales of items at these shops—all because of the dedication of the volunteers and community members who donate items to benefit the effort and give their time to work in the shops.
As visitors meander along the picturesque, winding roads that lead into the Friendly Village, there are many wonderful discoveries to explore along the way. Antique shops are nestled along the roads—some quaint, filled with remembrances of days gone by; and some elegant, featuring elaborate pieces from national and international sources. A visit to Fallbrook’s Historical Society Museum, at 260 Rockycrest Road, is well worth your time. A group of knowledgeable docents have spent numerous hours setting up interesting displays that are rich with Fallbrook history. Fascinating miniatures, periodicals, pictures, artifacts, and even classic automobiles are available for your perusal. A visit to the museum is vital for insight into the rich past of the Greater Fallbrook area.
When you arrive in the downtown village area, you will be delighted to stroll along an old-fashioned Main Street lined with unique and intriguing gift shops, exquisite and satisfying restaurants, and art galleries. Volunteers who have worked diligently with county and state officials on the Fallbrook Revitalization Plan have put considerable time and effort into protecting the intrinsic beauty of the downtown atmosphere. Whether you are interested in estate jewelry, home décor accents, art of all types, delightful gifts for all occasions, or whimsical garden enhancements, you can shop to your heart’s delight in these quaint stores with historic storefronts. Although the Santa Fe Railroad ceased running through Fallbrook three decades ago, there are still pictures around town that depict the old railway depot when the train was responsible for ferrying visitors to the area to enjoy the annual Avocado Festival.
Each spring, the Avocado Festival is a showcase of Fallbrook’s rich agricultural heritage. While olives were a significant crop in Fallbrook’s early days, nursery plants account for the greatest revenue numbers today. However, it is the immensely popular avocado that has become Fallbrook’s trademark product. While the local avocado industry accounts for millions annually, the nursery-related products, including freshly cut ornamental flowers, account for the greatest revenue. A wide variety of citrus and exotic fruits, macadamia nuts, kiwi, persimmons, pomegranates, wine grapes, and more comprise the remainder of the agricultural industry here. With several packing plants in the area, Fallbrook and Bonsall offer ideal climate conditions for large-scale growing operations as well as for gentlemen farmers.
Recognized in California as an event that shouldn’t be missed, the 2005 Avocado Festival will be held on Sunday, April 17. Tens of thousands of visitors converge on Fallbrook to sample one of the avocado’s most famous dishes—guacamole. Colorful booths line Main and Alvarado Street featuring unique clothing, hats, arts, crafts, jewelry, and farm-fresh produce for purchase. A variety of bands and other live entertainment are offered for the pleasure of festival-goers. Beer gardens and numerous food vendors cater to every whim. Reigning over the Avocado Festival is Miss Fallbrook, who helps interview young contestants for the positions of “Little Miss and Mister Avocado.” In addition to enjoying the festival, residents and visitors can also visit the Fallbrook Garden Club’s Annual Flower Show that runs the same weekend. Rounding out the activities for the weekend is an opportunity to learn about airplanes at the Fallbrook Airpark.
The annual Fallbrook Christmas Parade is another large-scale event held for the benefit of the community. A gift from the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce, this beautiful evening parade is held each year at the beginning of December. The more than 100 entries range from small, sweet entries to very elaborate illuminated floats. The parade is an excellent showcase for all of the organizations that play key roles in Fallbrook’s well-being. Bring warm jackets, caps, and mittens for the family—it’s chilly, but a night you won’t forget. Steaming hot cocoa, homemade cookies, and other special treats are offered for sale along the route by youths to benefit programs they are involved in. Bright, shiny fire engines carry high-spirited cheerleaders, and high school bands fill the air with music. The Marines from Camp Pendleton always play an important role in the Fallbrook Christmas Parade, and it is heartwarming to see them marching down Main Street in their crisp uniforms.
While enjoying the sights of the surrounding agriculture and landscape, you will notice a large number of equestrian properties in the community. While there are a significant number of private horse breeders, trainers, and boarding centers, Bonsall also boasts the prestigious Vessels Stallion Farm, which is responsible for some of the most desirable Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses on both the national and international level. The widely respected San Luis Rey Downs Training Center can also be found in Bonsall. It is the only auxiliary training track that has been continuously approved since 1984 by the California Horse Racing Board. This widely acclaimed facility offers a one-mile track and a smaller training track, as well as an equine pool and many other amenities. Fallbrook also offers a unique program to help youths and adults who have physical challenges by giving them an opportunity for improvement through a horse’s strong, rhythmic motion in the REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship Program. This worthy, non-profit effort is assisted by teams of volunteers of all ages that help the disabled riders as well as care for the horses.
The beauty of the area is complemented by hundreds of species of birds and wildlife including rabbits, coyotes, squirrels, opossums, and more. Children and adults alike can be seen sitting alongside area creeks observing frogs and other species that favor riparian areas.
The rich soil of the area has also produced some beautiful gems and minerals in local mines. Gem experts have shipped billions of dollars of beautifully colored tourmaline worldwide from these mines, which are now primarily inactive. Pink and green tourmaline—unique to San Diego County and which was carved in the years of the Chinese Manchu dynasty—came from our local mines, as did rubies and other gems. The fascinating displays at the Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Society Museum on Alvarado Street tell the story of this interesting aspect of the area’s history. Worthy of your visit, museum docents are well informed and enjoy sharing this aspect of Fallbrook’s history with visitors.
Fallbrook Library has the distinction of being the first branch in the San Diego County library system, and was established over 90 years ago. Back in 1963, a handful of members from the local chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) started the Friends of the Fallbrook Library to provide ongoing community support for the library. Today, the Friends are working diligently toward a new library for the community that is expected to double the amount of floor space.
While motoring around the community, don’t be surprised if you see people driving beautiful vintage automobiles throughout the countryside. Droves of car enthusiasts call Fallbrook and Bonsall home. Some 10,000 spectators from miles around travel to this area for the annual Fallbrook Vintage Car Club Show and Swap Meet, which will be held on May 30th this year. Whether you are enamored of Model A Fords, 1950’s T-Birds, classic Mustangs, or glossy hot rods, this is the show you don’t want to miss. Each year, close to 350 vehicles are entered into the show and over 50 vendors offer automotive-related swap meet items. Local youth organizations offer a pancake breakfast, hot dogs, and cold drinks for families enjoying the event. Meeting on a year-round basis, members of the Fallbrook Vintage Car Club are a friendly group that organizes outings, picnics, and more on a regular basis. New members are always welcome!
For the perfect weekend getaway, Fallbrook and Bonsall offer myriad choices. Golf enthusiasts will find several quality courses to choose from, and most resorts also offer tennis for those who desire a choice of activities. Local inns and bed and breakfast establishments cater to weekenders wishing to escape to a rural destination for rest and relaxation. Accommodations range from affordable motel rooms to high-end establishments complete with exquisite antiques.
Many visitors fall in love with the community on their first visit and make it a goal to purchase a home or property here in the future. Local real estate has proven to be not only a solid investment, but in recent years, a very lucrative one. While the average price of a home in 2003 was $480,264 in Fallbrook, the range is diverse and local Realtors are pleased to assist you in finding the perfect property to suit you and your family’s needs. Whether you desire a low-maintenance condominium, a traditional single-family home, a home in a privately gated community, or acreage on which to build a new custom home, this area offers a variety of options.
Upon learning of the many areas in which Fallbrook and Bonsall are model communities, many new residents enthusiastically lend their support to their favorite cause as a way to meet new friends and give back to their community. Residents find that this community attracts a quality of people that is unsurpassed, whether they are farm workers, educators, business owners, corporate executives or professionals, a sense of community spirit seems to be woven into the fabric of their very being.
The 2000 Census reports the median age in Fallbrook is 31 years, up 3 points from 1990’s 29 years. While the median income is $43,778 as compared to 1990’s $30,656, the earnings range is wide because of the diverse socio-economic makeup of the community. Current population figures are 45,707 for Fallbrook and 3,868 for Bonsall.
Young people account for a significant part of the population here and start participating in worthy endeavors at an early age. Due to the area’s rich agricultural heritage, the Fallbrook and Bonsall 4-H programs are popular, as is the Rainbow Valley Grange. Fallbrook High School’s FFA organization and Ag Department have garnered many awards on state and national levels. Youth have the opportunity to learn skills in the areas of raising and showing livestock as well as floriculture and home arts. A sense of personal responsibility and community pride are just two things the youth bring away from this valuable experience. Members regularly participate in the San Diego County Fair at Del Mar and earn top dollar at the Livestock Auction for cattle, swine, sheep, and poultry. The educational training ground for the “big show” is the annual Fallbrook Youth Fair, which has been sponsored by the Optimist Club since 1956. Held at the Fallbrook High School Ag Department, this community fair allows youth involved in the program an opportunity to practice showing their animals and other work. Delicious barbequed food, game booths, an art show, and more round out the rural goodness of this family-oriented event.
Providing quality education for area children is foremost in the minds of residents. Fallbrook and Bonsall offer eight public elementary schools as well as Potter Junior High, Sullivan Middle School, Vallecitos School, and Fallbrook High School. Both Fallbrook and Bonsall Districts offer homeschool programs and Bonsall offers two charter schools.
Music appreciation, opportunity, and education have been the focus of the Fallbrook Music Society. Through its youth education arm, Music By Volunteers, the organization has provided music enrichment for local schoolchildren. By offering year-round symphony concerts and the eagerly anticipated Concert on the Green each August, this organization and its volunteers have made Fallbrook a community of cultural opportunity.
Recreational opportunities abound for youth and adults in the Fallbrook and Bonsall area. Organizations such as the Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs of North County, Fallbrook Youth Baseball, Bonsall Valley Little League, Fallbrook Youth Soccer, and Fallbrook Pony Club provide a wide range of activities for youths of all ages. A complete schedule of adult team sports, individual instruction, and other recreational opportunities are offered through the Fallbrook Community Center. One distinct source of pride is the Ingold Community Sports Park, built through the generosity of private benefactors and community service groups.
A drive down Stage Coach Lane provides an overview of several of the local churches. The churches located on this road, along with those found in other parts of the community, provide outstanding opportunities for worship. A historic landmark in town is the First Christian Church, located at the corner of Fig Street and Mission Road, which boasts a wonderful, tall steeple. Known as a strong Faith community with a firm belief in Christian unity, residents are respectful and considerate of fellow congregations.
One neighbor we can be very proud of is the United States Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. While the Base has over 35,000 residents, many military families choose to reside off base in Fallbrook or Bonsall. When troops were deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom, residents of Fallbrook and Bonsall tied bright yellow ribbons along fences and other prominent structures to show support for their effort. Men, women, and children lined the streets waving American flags when various units returned from their deployment to the Middle East. Several area churches provide outreach programs to support families with mothers and fathers overseas. Operation United Families was formed by community volunteers to provide support, food, and gifts for military families during the holidays. Many local families welcome single Marines into their homes for holiday dinners, and it is with great pride and admiration that we call Camp Pendleton our neighbor and gladly include these members of the armed services in our community.
Serving and protecting area residents are the quality individuals affiliated with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, North County Fire Protection District, the California Department of Forestry, the California Highway Patrol, and the volunteer-driven De Luz Volunteer Fire Department. With state-of-the-art equipment capable of handling all types of emergencies, these individuals accept responsibility for providing exceptional emergency services to Fallbrook and Bonsall residents. The Fallbrook Firefighters Association regularly holds events and donates the proceeds to projects in the community. Dedicated volunteers with the Trauma Intervention Program make themselves available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist individuals and families in crisis.
The external beauty of the Fallbrook and Bonsall area is easily recognized, but when you look past the surface it is fascinating to see how many wonderful things about the area are a direct result of non-profit organizations and volunteers within the community. Whether we speak of the Rotary clubs, woman’s clubs, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Kiwanis, or Lion’s Club, each and every one has made their mark with significant contributions.
These Friendly Villages, viewed as models for other communities, did not happen on their own, but were built carefully and diligently by people that care, and who dared to make a difference.
