San Diego county real estate
City: Pauma Valley


Pauma Valley is a lush agricultural center located in North San Diego County off I-15 and SR 76. It is well worth the hour plus drive from San Diego. There are several casinos located in valley or close to it. So bring along some spare change.

For starters, enjoy the miles and miles of citrus trees, the valley is home to some of the best orange groves in Southern California with most of its fruit going to Sunkist packing houses for distribution to markets all over the world. Also located in the valley are avocado groves and one of the largest nursery operations in the country.

Pala Casino
The first casino on the drive in from I-!5 is run by the Pala Indians. Pala Casino has six restaurants, two lounges, 2000 slot machines, 50 Vegas-style tables’ games including Black Jack, Mini-Baccarat, Pai-Gow Poker and more. There are also two well-ventilated two non-smoking rooms. The action goes on 24 hours a day.

Pala Mission
The Pala reservation is also home to the third and smallest of San Diego's missions. It is the only mission in California still serving in its original parishioners--the Indians of the Pala reservation. The mission is reached from a well-marked cut-off on Rt. 76 across the highway from the casino.

Surrounded by walls, gardens and its cemetery, the mission drowses in the sun much as it must of when it was first built in the valley. Tours are self-guided, be sure to notice the wall paintings and the charming choir loft. There is a museum containing many of the original fittings of the church as well as other artifacts. There is also a gift shop.

Another Casino
Continue along SR 76 and Casino Pauma is on the left--slots, black jack, restaurants and entertainment in a tropical setting. Further down the road is a small shopping center with a grocery store and the El Rey restaurant (formerly Peg Henry's)where the elite meet in the valley.

The food is good, and the customers tend to be a mix of the valley's farmers and the golf set from across the road at the Pauma Valley Country Club--a private residential community with a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. course and estate homes.

More Attractions
The Lazy H is a rustic small hotel and restaurant. The food is continental and the ambiance is Western dude ranch.

Past the Lazy H, go right and climb up to the top of Palomar mountain or go left to the Harrah's Rincon Casino and Resort. The drive up Palomar is spectacular with expansive views of the valley. The top is home to the famous Palomar Observatory run by CalTech. View the 200-inch telescope as well as the smaller ones. There is a museum and gift shop.

Turn left to go to Harrah's Rincon Casino and Resort. It the newest attraction in the area with a resort hotel and brand new casino.Continuing past Rincon, onto the Valley Center road. Go through that community and into Escondido. From there return to I-15 and home.