Sourcebook Volume 9, 2010

The Ultimate Urban Escape

When creating a picturesque, rural setting for a movie, Hollywood loves to create a world that is filled with small town wonder. A small town is usually depicted as filled with friendly, caring locals, a high school filled with students who have gone to school together since kindergarten, open spaces and a tight-knit network of local business owners. In movies, big city dwellers escape their concrete jungle to a small town in order to relax, gain strength and find calm. Typically, the city dweller realizes that he or she has fallen in love with their new community and cannot part with the lifestyle only a small town can provide.

The joint communities of Fallbrook, Rainbow, De Luz and Bonsall are such urban escapes. While other rural communities have grown in size and slowly become more urban in setting, the residents of Fallbrook have worked hard to keep the quiet, tranquil neighborhoods that comprise the village from spreading out over the hillsides, thus preserving the country setting of the community. In many ways, Fallbrook is the epitome of the Hollywood small town.

For instance, it is not uncommon for children in the Fallbrook and Bonsall education systems to grow up going to the same classes together and keep in touch while at college. Doctors, dentists and other health care providers that serve the community watch as the children of their patients and customers grow, then bring in their own children to be taken care of. When younger siblings or relatives of Fallbrook residents move schools, they will still find themselves surrounded by familiar faces from church, from Little League and from around town.

Fallbrook Union High School’s events are attended by the entire town. Win or lose, the Fallbrook Warriors are supported with pride. Car washes, games and fundraisers are all supported by local businesses and residents. The various sport booster clubs are some of the largest community organizations, filled with parents bursting at the seams with pride for their Warriors. During sports games, the streets of Fallbrook are nearly empty, as the entire town roots for their children.

Fallbrook’s community is not only rich in support for their students, it is also filled with small town businesses that all support each other. Mechanics and electricians based out of Fallbrook can often be seen shopping in local grocery stores and dining at restaurants downtown, while familiar faces can be seen daily in Fallbrook’s cafes and shops. On any given day, locals can be found frequenting their favorite restaurants and shops, visiting with friends and family who might be working in the shop that day.

Among the shops in Downtown Fallbrook, passersby will find several art galleries that feature both local and national artwork. The thriving art community of Fallbrook prides itself on not only offering visitors a glimpse of some of the world’s most unique artists, but also encourages onlookers to partake in the art events that are constantly being presented. Special events, such as the Galaxy of Glass and Gourd Festival, draw thousands of art enthusiasts annually, while smaller venues host special events that bring in the most avid and dedicated art aficionados to enjoy art being created before them. The Fallbrook Art School encourages new artists to take steps to learn about the rich history of art around them, while teaching them to use the beautiful surrounding scenery as a muse.

Fallbrook’s art scene is not only found in the downtown galleries; it can also be found in the downtown Mission Theater or at various restaurants in town. Fallbrook’s very own CAST, Fallbrook Players and Curtain Call Company each put on various plays, musicals and performances to be enjoyed by the community. Children who have been taking acting and dance classes are showcased in these performances, and have found a love for the arts that never would have been instilled otherwise.

World-renowned musicians can also be found performing in Fallbrook. Classical, jazz, blues, rock and reggae are just a few of the genres that can be heard in town, depending on the special event. More informal events in JJ “Purdy” Landers’ Irish pub occur weekly, so diners and those looking to relax after a long week of work find themselves bobbing their head in time with the music’s beat.

Fallbrook’s dining is in a class of its own. There is a plethora of flavors to be enjoyed, from a fast meal on-the-go to a five-star meal with all the trimmings. Ingredients from local farms are infused with recipes from all over the world by chefs in restaurants across town. Japanese, Chinese, French, American, Mexican and European cuisine is found within blocks of each other.

Romantic dinner dates and casual lunch meetings are options that don’t have to be made out of town; the restaurants in town are more than happy to host.

Another element in which Fallbrook is vastly different from its urban counterparts is the large religious community it boasts. The dozens of churches found in this community have an impact on the families of Fallbrook and beyond. Fundraisers and special events to help the needy are evidence of the caring spirit found within this village. It is rare to find someone who does not feel blessed to be able to live in Fallbrook, where they have their choice of church, religious belief and affiliation. Every church welcomes newcomers to the village with open arms and allows all to feel the love that comes from such a happy environment.

A drastic difference between the urban sprawl found in other places and Fallbrook is our community’s dedication to large open spaces. The Fallbrook Land Conservancy has worked hard with other groups to ensure that parks and open land are maintained not only for the enjoyment of those who live in the community, but also for the fauna and wildlife that call the Fallbrook and Bonsall areas home.

This rural environment transforms the neighborhoods of this community into a serene country setting that is reminiscent of another time. Children can run on the rolling grassy hills in their own back yard; adults can hike down the Santa Margarita River Preserve, enjoying the tree canopy and trickling brook; everyone can enjoy the park with their family and friends.

Because Fallbrook has such a close community, it is only natural to show concern when one of the community’s families is in need. Special fundraisers, food drives and charities have been set up to help the community at large, but car washes, special services and events to help individuals who have been struck with illness or another tragedy are always well supported. In a stark contrast to urban living, this small community is brimming with caring, compassionate and loving individuals who are willing to do whatever is necessary to help their neighbor in need.

Being a community that borders one the nation’s largest military bases, Fallbrook is also filled with pride for its country. At nearly every opportunity, Main Avenue is lined with American flags to celebrate and honor those who have given their lives to protect this nation and the liberties it represents. Holidays, such as Memorial Day, Independence Day and Patriot Day, are all observed with the greatest reverence. A large portion of the community is comprised of veterans and military personnel, giving this community an American pride that is unrivaled.

The Fallbrook, Bonsall, De Luz and Rainbow communities are rich in beauty. They have elements that surprise residents who have lived here their entire lives, and even more for new residents or visitors to discover. Take a moment out of your day and discover all that this urban escape, this picturesque town, has to offer.

Greater Fallbrook Area Sourcebook
Volume 9 - 2010