San Diego county real estate
City: Valley Center

Valley Center prides itself on being a quiet rural community with easy access to city advantages. Located northeast of Escondido in North San Diego County, the area is known for avocado and citrus groves, rolling hills and spectacular sunsets. Residents occupy a 100 square mile planning area and custom homes are built on minimum two acre lots ensuring privacy and the rural lifestyle of the community.

Lake Wohlford and Lake Dixon provide trout and bass fishing as well as hiking and picnic opportunities. Valley View Casino offers opportunities for gaming and dining. The casino, run by the San Pasqual Band, offers slots and tables. There are numerous riding trails for equestrians.

Bates Nut Farm, founded in 1921 and run by the fifth generation of the Bates family, provides arts and crafts displays and holiday activities. Its pumpkin patch is the oldest in and largest in San Diego County. There are picnic facilities, a petting zoo and of course fresh nuts and homemade candy. There is also a gift shop located in the original barn.

Bell Gardens. created by Glen Bell founder of Taco Bell, is a full-scale working farm with displays of farm equipment, train rides and fresh local produce for sale. The train was originally built in the 1960s by retirees of the Convair Division of General Dynamics for an employee park. It is a 1/4 scale model of a 1950s locomotive and runs on a two-mile track to the delight of visitors of all ages.