San Pasqual Valley, San Diego

, fought between Californios and Americans in 1846, was a decisive battle of the U.S. Conquest of California. In pre-Hispanic times the Kumeyaay had lived for centuries in the San Pasqual Valley. Following the closing of the missions by the Mexican government in 1833, the Kumeyaay moved back to the San Pasqual Valley and the Kumeyaay pueblo of San Pasqual was established on November 16, 1835. The pueblo defended itself from Quechan (or Yuman) incursions in the mid 1800s. The Kumeyaay of San Pasqual were evicted from their land and homes in 1878 by San Diego County authorities. They have become known as the San Pasqual Band of Diegueno Mission Indians. In 1972, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park opened as the San Diego Wild Animal Park. ==Climate==

The San Pasqual Valley has a borderline semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: Bsh) and hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Csa) with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The diurnal temperature variation is large throughout the year, with every month having an average diurnal temperature range of around . Winter nights in the San Pasqual Valley are much colder than elsewhere in San Diego, with the lowest temperatures being well below freezing most winters. ==Places of interest==

Much of the valley is part of the San Pasqual Valley Agricultural Preserve and home to citrus, avocado, and dairy farms. It includes the San Pasqual Valley AVA, an area designated an American Viticultural Area by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The valley experiences very hot days and ocean-cooled nights. Rancho Guejito (pronounced wa-hee-to) is a Mexican land grant in Southern California, approximately seven miles east of Escondido. The ranch has expanded to a total of 22,359 acres through its purchases of adjacent land. It is among the last Mexican land grants (along with Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores) still a single parcel of land. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, formerly named the San Diego Wild Animal Park, occupies in the valley. The San Pasqual and Clevenger Canyon Open Space Park is located at the valley's eastern end. San Pasqual Academy, a first-in-the-nation residential education campus designed specifically for foster youth, serves as a placement option for dependents of the Juvenile Court, 12–17 years old, and Non-Minor Dependents (NMDs) up to age 19 years old. The residential area located in the mountains that border the valley, near the agricultural preserve, is officially named Rancho San Pasqual. Locals often refer to it as "Eagle Crest", the name of the 18-hole golf course that surrounds the neighborhood. == San Pasqual Valley AVA ==

Main Article: San Pasqual Valley AVA The San Pasqual Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area in northern San Diego County, California. It is located in the San Pasqual Valley of the Peninsular Ranges in Southern California. San Pasqual Valley was the fourth wine region to be designated an American Viticultural Area when the AVA was created in 1981. The AVA is encroached on by the cities of San Diego, Poway, and Escondido, resulting in relatively high land values but limited viticultural potential. The warm, dry climate is well suited to the traditional Rhône grape varieties of Syrah, Mourvedre and Viognier, Merlot, and some Italian and Spanish varieties. It was one of the first areas in California to be given AVA status (in 1981). Location and Climate It is situated about 30 miles north of the city of San Diego. The valley is nestled between two mountain ranges and benefits from its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The oceanic influence provides a Mediterranean-like climate with cool, foggy mornings and warm, sunny afternoons, which is very beneficial for growing a wide range of wine grape varieties. The valley also has a relatively long growing season and diverse soil types. Wine Production These wineries produce wines from grape varieties that thrive in this climate, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Sangiovese. Vineyards The area is planted with a wide range of Vitis vinifera with Grenache, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo and Viognier being some of the most widely planted. The AVA is defined roughly to include both coasts of San Dieguito River on the east side of I-15, between San Diego and Escondido, up to an elevation of 500 feet. • Rancho Guijito Vineyard • Forgotten Barrel Winery • San Pasqual Winery • Orfila Winery • Hungry Hawk Vineyard • Speckle Rock Vineyards • Espinosa Vineyards and Winery • Wicked Snakes Winery • Domain Artefact Vineyard & Winery • ZXQ Vineyards and Winery • Cordiano Winery ==References==