Between San Diego And Palm Springs Is A Charming Getaway With Beautiful Vineyards And Wineries

Whether you're heading to the coast for a fun-filled weekend in San Diego or escaping the winter cold to a relaxing Palm Springs resort, the small rural town of Ramona in the vineyard-covered foothills of the Laguna Mountains makes a pleasant detour en route if you're traveling between the two. Located where Route 67 meets Highway 78, only 35 miles from San Diego, Ramona may look like another drive-straight-through town, but it has more than enough going on to make it a destination in its own right. 

Light years away from the bright lights and big city, the rural landscape here is known as the Valley of the Sun and has the highest concentration of wineries in San Diego County. In fact, Ramona Valley was designated an official American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2006, covering 89,000 acres. Today, the broader Ramona wine region has more than 45 wineries and more than 60 vineyards scattered across its 89,000 acres. That may be reason enough to spend some time here, but this charming town will also draw you in with its thriving music scene, variety of hiking trails, and a culture strongly tied to its horses.

Named after the popular 1884 novel by Helen Hunt Jackson, Ramona was originally called Nuevo. It sat on the route from San Diego to Julian, which was once a thriving gold-rush town and is now known as the apple capital of Southern California. During the 1930s and '40s, turkey farming became a major industry, and Ramona was, for a while, known as the "Turkey Capital of the World." These days, you might still spot wild turkeys wandering the backcountry or the large neon turkey sign above the Turkey Inn, a longstanding local drinking spot.

It may be a fairly recent arrival on the wine scene, but there are those who saw the potential of Ramona's Mediterranean-like climate as far back as the 1870s. Dr. M.C. Woodson, for whom nearby Mount Woodson is named, used the hot days and cool nights to his advantage and planted vines on the foothills below the mountain. Today, a variety of grapes thrive throughout the region's changing elevations. European grape varieties do particularly well here and, although the vineyards around Ramona may not be quite on the same scale as Napa's larger estates, where you'll find some of the best wine tasting in the U.S., the more intimate setting is part of their charm.

One of the best ways to experience the local syrah, sangiovese, and cabernet sauvignon, and meet the winemakers, is to explore the Ramona Valley Wine Trail. Many wineries are within easy reach of one another and are generally grouped under West End, East End, and Highland Valley regions. Principe di Tricase Winery in the west has a large selection of Italian wines, while Ramona Ranch Winery in the east is San Diego County's first certified sustainable vineyard and winery. Both offer scenic settings for wine tasting, as does The Succulent Cellar along Highland Valley Road, the county's only certified organic winery. 

If you have trouble choosing, take an organized wine-tasting tour with Let's Go Vino. Its sample six-hour Ramona Valley itinerary visits three wineries, with pick-up and drop-off at a San Diego-area residence or hotel included. Some wineries require appointments, while others have limited opening hours, so organize your wine-trail hopping well in advance.

As lovely as it is to go gallivanting across the countryside in search of a full-bodied red, there's more to Ramona than its vineyards. The town has a strong equestrian culture with horse-related events, rodeos, and country shows held throughout the year. An astonishing 10,000 or so horses live in the area, with many ranches and equestrian facilities to accommodate them. Walking through town, you'll even notice there are still hitching posts outside some storefronts. In summer, both the Ramona Country Fair and Ramona Rodeo bring festivities to town, but you don't need to wait until then, as there are live-music venues to cater to fans of country and rock.

Head into the hills to explore the trails in Ramona. The Woodson Mountain and Potato Chip Rock Trail leads you to one of the area's most famous landmarks. At just over 4 miles and around 1,200 feet of elevation gain, it's a fairly challenging hike, but you'll be rewarded with wonderful views toward the ocean and Palomar Mountain. For flatter hiking, cycling, or horseback riding, Ramona Grasslands Preserve has several trails passing through open grasslands, wildflower meadows, and oak woodlands, which is home to protected wildlife such as the burrowing owl and Stephens' kangaroo rat.

Back in town, you'll find a selection of eateries on Main Street, like Marinade on Main, with its farm-to-table menu, and Ramona Cafe, whose famous cinnamon rolls alone are worth popping in for. While there, take the time to wander downtown to look at the colorful murals celebrating Ramona's history and culture. For some ranch-style luxury, WestWynd Ranch has several rooms and houses on its sprawling property, which also has its own private vineyard.