Stay with us at the San Vicente Resort and experience the best of everything Southern California has to offer with beautiful year-round weather perfect for checking out all the hidden gems in and around Ramona. There’s more than meets the eye with a surprising number of outdoor activities, nature preserves, wineries, family-friendly events, live music, and so much more just minutes away from your door. Visit the guest services desk for help with a fun-filled itinerary. Enjoy your stay…and enjoy Ramona!
Header page photo by Tim Connelly Photography.
Eat, Drink & Shop
There’s no shortage of wonderful places to dine and imbibe in and around Ramona. Be sure to take time to explore Main Street and our downtown area for everything from casual cafes to upscale fare, bars and tasting rooms, and a variety of shops with unique items from local artists and artisans. Here are just a few of our favorites.
Dudley’s Famous Bakery
Established in 1963, Dudley’s has built a strong reputation for its high-quality, artisan-style breads, pastries, and other baked goods. It’s a popular stop for both locals and visitors, beloved for their time-tested recipes incorporating only 100% wheat flour and ingredients that are always fresh, never frozen.
Nickel Beer Company
Founded in 2013, this well-regarded craft brewery in Julian is known for its charming mountain setting and variety of unique blends that are packed full of flavor. Be sure to try Apple Pie Ale, which captures the town’s ambience, and enjoy it in in the dog-friendly outdoor beer garden.
Ramona Valley Vineyard Association
Visit the more than 40 wineries and tasting rooms that are part of this association focusing on enhancing wine quality and encouraging sustainable practices. The area’s diverse climate and soil allow for a variety of grape varietals resulting in wines with unique characteristics that wine enthusiasts will appreciate.
Smoking Cannon Brewery
With a great selection of beers and even homemade root beer and ginger ale on tap, this well-known brewery hosts various events, including open mic nights for local musicians, poets, and performers to showcase their talents. It’s a relaxed and supportive atmosphere, allowing both seasoned artists and newcomers to take the stage.
Wynola and the Julian Station
Three unique tasting room experiences make this a worthwhile stop for eating, drinking, and perusing numerous unique shops and boutiques, local art, and antiques. Enjoy live music every Saturday & Sunday from 1-4 pm. Relax and play games on the patio and take in a stunning view of the Volcan Mountain Range.
Unique Experiences
Ramona may be a small town but it’s big on entertainment! Whether you want to stick close to the resort or take a short drive and make a day of it, there are plenty of fun things to do and interesting places to visit.
Happy Hens
Take a walking or wagon ride tour for a fun and educational farm experience where you can watch our happy hens foraging on pasture, see an egg washing demonstration, and learn about humane poultry farming. Enjoy the playground, petting zoo, picnic area, and farm store while you’re there.
Julian
Escape to a quaint town in the beautiful Cuyamaca Mountains famous for its apple orchards, antiques, and gold rush history. This mountain getaway is a popular destination with plenty of outdoor activities and cultural attractions. While you’re there, be sure to have a slice of their famous apple pie.
Oasis Camel Dairy
Meet real camels and the family owners who are mainstreaming camel milk. The farm hosts events, including camel rides and opportunities to interact with the animals, making it a fun destination for families and animal lovers. There are also private tours and camel rides available.
Old Poway Park and Railroad
Explore this beautiful park on foot or take a ride on the miniature steam train which will take you on a scenic route around the park on weekends. Step back in time with tours of the Heritage Museum and Nelson House, and check out the Saturday morning Farmers Market and seasonal Boardwalk Craft Market.
Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Murals
When driving or walking through Ramona, keep an eye out for vibrant murals by local artists that are part of the H.E.A.R.T. (Helping Elevate Art, Recreation, and Tourism) Mural Project. When you see one, stop, rest a spell, and enjoy Ramona’s beauty, charm, character, and heritage.
Ramona Mainstage
When this theater opened in 1947, it was comparable to any of the art deco cinematic palaces of the time. Now restored, it has been transformed into a vibrant performing arts facility, presenting a diverse range of live entertainment. While you’re here, check the schedule of theatrical, music, dance, and comedy performances.
Ramona Town Hall
This historic building hosts various community events, including movie nights and music events, aimed at bringing people together for fun and entertainment. Movie nights often feature family-friendly films. Music events include live performances by local artists and themed concerts. It’s a fun place to connect with the local community.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Formerly known as the San Diego Wild Animal Park, this 1,800-acre zoo in Escondido is one of the largest tourist attractions in San Diego County. It houses more than 2,600 animals, including giraffes, rhinos, and cheetahs, often in open-range exhibits. Also enjoy guided tours, safari tram rides, beautiful gardens, and walking trails.
Velocity Paintball Park
San Diego's largest paintball field since 1994 offers an organized and safe environment to experience the thrill and excitement of paintball. The park offers a variety of paintball fields and scenarios, and there are nine wooded fields to choose from. Walk-on games for beginners and advanced paintball enthusiasts are available.
Nature Preserves and Outdoor Recreation
While you’re here, take in the natural beauty of the back country and explore it on foot, bike, or horseback. You’re just minutes away from peaceful forests and breathtaking views.
Barnett Ranch Preserve
This 728-acre preserve has 4 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horse riding through a variety of habitats, including riparian forest, coastal sage scrub, chaparral and non-native grassland. Ideal for both casual walkers and experienced hikers.
Dos Picos County Park
Spanish for "two peaks," so named for the two prominent mountains nearby, it’s a great place to hike, picnic, camp and more. Rent a cabin or bring your tent or RV to one of the 75 campsites. This peaceful and family-friendly park includes a playground and lake for fishing.
Mount Gower Preserve
This nearly pristine wilderness area consists primarily of dense chaparral and showcases peaceful oak woodlands, shaded streamside arbors, and seldom-visited meadows. Hikers and equestrians can take in the view and look for native wildlife and birds at several outlooks along the 8 miles of multi-use trails.
Mount Woodson Mountain and Potato Chip Rock Hike
Popular for hiking, rock climbing, and running, this area is beautiful to visit any time of the year. Take the moderately challenging 4.1-mile in-and-out route to Potato Chip Rock (it takes an average of 2.5 hours roundtrip) and snap a picture—it’s a fun and phenomenal photo opportunity.
Pacific Crest Trail
Spanning 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada, and it symbolizes everything there is to love and protect in the Western United States. It traverses deserts, mountains, forests, and several national parks and protected areas such as the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range.
Santa Ysabel Preserves
This 3,800-acre sanctuary of oak woodlands, native grasslands, fields of wildflowers, and gently rolling hills is a popular destination for hikers, bikers, horseback riders, birdwatchers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts, with several trails of varying levels of difficulty and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve
Nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, photographers, and hikers will appreciate the conservation efforts and beauty of 2,200 acres of diverse ecosystems, stunning views, and conifer forests. In the summer, take a 5-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Volcan Mountain for spectacular panoramic views from the desert to the coast.
Special and Seasonal Events
A wonderful way to connect with the locals is at a special event where the mood is festive, the people are friendly, and the food is plentiful. Check with guest services for updated information about these annual and seasonal opportunities to immerse yourself in our small-town traditions.
Christmas Tree Lighting
This cherished annual event marks the start of the holiday season with a Christmas tree lighting, and festive activities like live music, caroling, and visits from Santa Clause. Eat good food from local vendors, buy gifts from local artists and crafters, and immerse yourself in a joyful atmosphere with the friendly locals.
Cruisin’ Ramona Thursday Nights
Enjoy a parade-style procession of motorists in classic and custom vehicles of all kinds on Thursday nights during the summer. Car enthusiasts love watching old and new cars cruising Main Street while listening to great music. Neighbors tailgate, food vendors serve up local fare, and many local stores and restaurants stay open late.
Merchants Safe Trick or Treat
Don’t miss this popular, family-friendly Halloween experience typically held on or around Halloween. Participating local businesses decorate their storefronts and provide treats to young trick-or-treaters, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the downtown area. Kids will love collecting candy, and you will love meeting our generous local business community.
Ramona 4th of July Family Picnic & Fireworks Show
A parade featuring floats, marching bands, and local organizations kicks off the annual Independence Day celebration. Afterward, various activities at local parks typically include games for kids, craft booths, live music, and food vendors. The evening culminates with a fireworks display, lighting up the sky and providing a grand finale to the day's festivities.
Ramona Art & Wine Festival
Experience the fall celebration of Ramona's fine art, award-winning wines and culinary delights. Each year, wineries present tastings, chefs prepare favorite foods, and local artists paint wine barrels that are auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project.
Ramona Rodeo
Every August, cowboys and cowgirls travel from near and far to show and compete in horse and bull riding contests, barrel racing, roping, and other classic rodeo competitions. In addition to thrilling performances, the event often includes a parade, live music, food and craft vendors, and various family activities, making it a festive atmosphere for all ages.