San Diego California Events. Area focus - Bonita

City: Unincorporated area of San Diego County
Area Population: 17,379
Elevation: 203 feet above sea level
Distance from downtown SD: 14.7 miles southeast

Bonita is an unincorporated community in southern San Diego County, California, nestled between the cities of Chula Vista, National City, and San Diego.

The climate in Bonita is a combination of the coastal and inland valley climates of San Diego County. Warmer (and sunnier during the May Gray and June Gloom periods) than areas directly adjacent to San Diego Bay or the coast, but not as hot as inland valleys such as El Cajon, or even nearby Spring Valley. In summer, Bonita's climate is pleasant.

In 1888, the Sweetwater Dam was built, creating the Sweetwater Reservoir and forever changing the geography of the region. Soon after, in 1906, the dam broke as a result of extensive rains which overfilled the reservoir, and the Lower Sweetwater Valley was completely flooded.

Bonita has experienced minor flooding throughout history, generally as a result of high seasonal rains attributed to El Niño. The floods most affect the Central Avenue river crossing, as no bridge has ever been built, unlike the Bonita Road and Willow Road crossings which are bridges, the former of which was rebuilt in the late 1990s.

In the 1990s and 2000s, the development of State Route 125 (The South Bay Expressway) became a major issue to Bonita residents, much as Interstate 805 and State Route 54 did during their development. Opponents argued that Bonita's rural nature would be compromised without benefit while proponents argued that the highway would reduce the significant increase in surface-street car traffic the community had seen since the 1980s when the eastern Chula Vista communities surrounding Eastlake were developed. The tollway opened in November 2007.

The Bonita Historical Museum is the principal repository of historical information for the Lower Sweetwater Valley.

Parks and recreation

To visitors and residents alike, one of the most visible features of Bonita recreational life is the walking trail which loops the Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course in central Bonita. Hundreds of residents walk, run, and ride this trail every day for pleasure and fitness, and the trail has become a vital component of Bonita life for many residents.

In the late 1990s the Sweetwater Regional Park was expanded and significantly improved, extending the walking and equestrian trails to an even greater number, and introducing a camping area at Summit Meadow Road. Now, virtually the entire valley from the reservoir to I-805 formally serve recreational purposes as either park or golf course.

Equestrianism has long been a part of the Bonita community, and many trails exist throughout the Lower Sweetwater Valley. There are a number of connections to trails external to Bonita as well. In fact many residents still keep their own horses and can be seen riding the trails regularly. The Bonita Valley Trails organization monitors and supports the network of trails throughout the valley.

The following parks serve the Bonita community:

Fred H. Rohr Park
Sweetwater Regional Park
Sweetwater Reservoir Riding and Hiking Trail
Bonita Golf Course
Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course

Sweetwater County Park
3218 Summit Meadow Road
Bonita, CA 91902 Map - Park Map - Campground

To the west you can see San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Eastward lie Sweetwater Reservoir and rugged backcountry mountains. In the distance to the south sprawl the hillsides of Tijuana. You’re standing at the Summit Site of Sweetwater Regional Park, and surrounding you is a unique county park.

At the hub of South Bay recreation
Visitors to this 540-acre regional park have quite a palette of activities to choose from. The Summit Site, atop a hill overlooking the Sweetwater Valley, offers modern campsites – including some with corrals for equestrians who want to bring their horses and explore the 15 miles of trails in the area. Below the summit are hundreds of acres of streamside vegetation, grassland, and open areas that provide a variety of habitats for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers.

Sweetwater Regional Park is especially attractive for people who want to get away -- but not too far away. It’s only ten miles southeast of downtown San Diego, so in a matter of minutes you can get from your campsite to the Gaslamp District and its fine dining, or to the world famous San Diego Zoo, or to the museums and promenades of Balboa Park. The Chula Vista Nature Center, close by on the shore of south San Diego Bay, is worth a visit. The exciting metropolis of Tijuana is a mere 15 minutes away. There are several golf courses nearby, and boating and fishing opportunities abound.

Facilities
Campers, trailers, motor homes, and tent camping are all options at the sites, all of which have water and electricity. Trailers as long as 45 feet will find plenty of room here. Hot showers are available for all campers. One of the major attractions at the park is the pavilion. This covered structure and its kitchen facilities are especially suited for group campers. An adjacent local park features a lawn area and picnic tables with panoramic views of the countryside.

East View Local Park
3218 Summit Meadow Road
Bonita, CA 91902 Map

Library
4375 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902
(619-475-4642) Map - Website

Post Office
5073 Central Avenue, Bonita, CA 91902
(800-275-8777) Map

Allen-Ann Daly Elementary School (K-6)
4300 Allen School Lane, Bonita, CA 91902
(619-479-3662) Map - Website

Sunnyside Elementary School (K-6)
5430 San Miguel Road, Bonita, CA 91902
(619-479-0571) Map - Website

Valley Vista Elementary School (K-6)
3724 Valley Vista Way, Bonita, CA 91902
(619-479-7171) Map - Website

San Diego County Website
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
Bonita Demographic Profile - Fact Sheet
Bonita Demographic Profile - Map

Bonita Weather - NOAA
Air Quality Forecast
Moon Phases & Astronomical Events
Recent Earthquakes

Bonita Homes For Sale
Bonita Condominiums For Sale
Bonita Multi-Family Properties For Sale
Bonita Rentals

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Chula Vista Elementary School District
East County Magazine
San Diego County Branch Libraries
San Diego County Business Directory - Bonita
San Diego County Parks and Recreation
Wikipedia - Bonita, California

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