A master-planned town located in Southern California, Carmel Valley is one of the most popular communities in San Diego County. The popularity of the community is due to its unique features such as proximity to the beaches, wonderful climate, affordable housing and closeness to major employment centers. Situated in Northern San Diego County at the intersection of I-5 and SR-56, Carmel Valley is bordered to the north by the community of Rancho Santa Fe, to the south by Mira Mesa, to the west by Del Mar and Torrey Pines, and to the east by Carmel Mountain Ranch and Rancho Bernardo.
The early history of Carmel Valley dates back to the time when Native Americans, especially Diegueño Indians, inhabited the region. Native American artifacts, such as metates (grinding stones), have been found along the banks of the Carmel Creek, which provides evidence of the life of these early inhabitants.
The name of the area now known has Carmel Valley has changed over time. In the late 1800s and early 1900s (known as the Rancho Period), the region was called “Cordero,” which was named after a Spanish 'leather-jacket' soldier. Ranching was the major occupation of the region during the Rancho period, and the region flourished by producing and trading cattle hides and tallow. The Rancho period was followed by a period in which agriculture became the primary occupation, and many drought-tolerant crops such as lima beans were grown.
The California Gold Rush period (1848–1855) saw many miners settle in the Carmel Valley region. Among the early American settlers was the McGonigle family, who had the largest ranch in the area, which was located near the 2040-acres Carmel Mountain Preserve. The area soon thereafter became known as 'McGonigle Valley'.
In the 1890s, the Sisters of Mercy came to the Carmel Valley region from San Francisco, California. They were Carmelite Nuns who founded Mercy Hospital, and also provided medical care for a member of the McGonigle family. In 1899, the McGonigles sold about 1000 acres of their land to the Sisters of Mercy, in return for continued medical services.
The Sisters established a dairy farm and also grew a vegetable garden with the help of a skillful gardener. They supplied the diary products and vegetables to the hospital. The Sisters also ran an orphanage at the three-story Victorian house that they had constructed on the land. Even to this day, visitors can see the Victorian house located between Carmel Creek Road and Carmel Country Road.
The Carmelite Sisters were instrumental in naming the region Carmel Valley. They gave the name Carmel Mountain to a steep mesa located behind their new setting and also called their property Mount Carmel Ranch after it. This was the origin of the name 'Carmel Valley' as the area is known today.
In 1975, the first master plan for urban development, called the 'North City West Community Plan,' was commissioned to develop the Carmel Valley region. Although the area was now known as Carmel Valley, the name was changed again to 'North City West' in the plan. But since the old name stuck, the area was renamed as 'Carmel Valley' by the local Planning Board in the early 1990s.
Construction of the planned community of Carmel Valley began in the fall of 1983 with the first homes being built by the Baldwin Company, followed by Pardee Homes in the spring of 1984. The first phase of construction started closer to the Del Mar area and later expanded to the remaining areas ranging to the south till SR-56, and to the east where there used to be open spaces.
Since 1983, Carmel Valley has grown over the years into a wider expanse that covers the 92130 Zip code, and includes many neighborhoods and subdivisions. Today, the community offers residents a variety of housing options, recreational centers, entertainment venues, prestigious schools, shopping centers, vast open spaces and employment zones. Carmel Valley continues to be one of the most popular communities in San Diego County. |
