Sourcebook Volume 7, 2008

The Friendly Villages... a gem of a lifestyle enjoyed by generations

The gem of North San Diego County, the greater Fallbrook/Bonsall area is recognized for its beauty, rarity and multi-faceted personality. Young adults that have grown up here will tell you that these villages, carefully nestled in rolling hills a mere twenty-five minutes from the Pacific ocean, are more than just towns - they are a way of life, a culture, that emits a sense of community that is held forever in their hearts, a precious keepsake. Comprised of residents who interact and connect on many different levels, like multiple sparkling jewels woven into an intricate design, the area has an unrivaled bounty that provides a high quality of life.

A young adult raised in the Fallbrook/Bonsall area is usually met with a unique challenge when they try to explain to someone raised in the city that the kids they went to school with are some of the same ones they played youth baseball with, several of the same ones they attended church with, a few of the same ones they were in 4H with, a couple of dozen of the same ones they played mud football with, and a handful of the same ones they acted in community theatre with. When they describe how, in the past, the parents of these various friends watched over them, cheered them, scolded them, cried with them, and praised them, just like they were their own, people are amazed that such a place could exist.

Like the color impression of a gemstone, dependent on a number of influencing factors, it is not commercial offerings, like the glittering lights of arcades, that young people have available here, but rather, activities and endeavors associated with country living, designed to build the body and mind - academic activities, agricultural education, community sports, horseback riding, the exploration of parks, preserves and trails, just to name a few.

In Fallbrook, youth and adults alike treasure annual community events like Safe Halloween, where the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses provide free treats, old-fashioned games, and prizes for the community costume-party style event. Machines spinning frothy swirls of melt-in-your-mouth cotton candy are operated by generous business owners in the community and friendly McGruff the Crime Dog talks with children about making good, safe decisions.

Arts in the Park is presented in the Spring by the non-profit organization Rally for Children and the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District. Under the shady canopy of ancient oak trees at Live Oak Park, local children enjoy an amazing selection of intriguing hands-on art experiences and enjoy art, cultural and musical exploration. When they leave the event, they typically take with them puppets, paintings, and even a rainstick they have made.

On the first Saturday evening in December each year, the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce presents its annual holiday gift to the community - the Fallbrook Christmas Parade. Thousands of families look forward to the event each year and make plans well in advance. They eagerly line Main Street for the evening, bundled up in warm winter jackets, hats, scarves and mittens for the festivities. Many prepare their own hot cocoa or warm apple cider and bring it along in a thermos to sip on throughout the parade. If one doesn't have time or inclination to do that, many youth groups sell these beverages and other treats at the event to earn money for their endeavors. An event where neighbors greet neighbors and friends and family enjoy a magical evening together, the parade is considered the official beginning of the holiday season for the village. Normally comprised of over 130 entries, the parade typically features floats with twinkling Christmas lights, numerous marching bands, horseback riders, foot troops leading live animals (or toting small ones in wagons), and an assortment of costumed characters.

At Hot Summer Nites and Warm Winter Nites, sponsored by Connections Networking Group in the heart of downtown, families enjoy strolling and partaking in the easy community camaraderie, getting out in the fresh air to enjoy what's offered. Both series of events are geared to the season with entertaining activities, food, and music guaranteed to create lasting memories. Whether the theme is a chili cook-off, classic cars, family nights, or Christmas, it's all part of the Fallbrook/Bonsall community experience that leaves an everlasting impression on youth and adults alike.

Car enthusiasts from near and far flood into Fallbrook the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend to visit the Fallbrook Vintage Car Show, now held at Potter Junior High School's field. Between 300 and 400 of the most beautifully restored classic cars in the state are on display at the event. With vehicles gleaming and ready to view, the event begins early in the morning with a pancake breakfast, transitioning into a barbeque lunch, and continuing until 3 p.m. Like colorful and unique gems, where beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there is sure to be a favorite whether one's specific interest is in the earliest vehicles produced, muscle cars of the 60s, Corvettes, or customized classic trucks.

Some of the wholesome opportunities available to Fallbrook/Bonsall area youth include multiple award-winning 4H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs, designed to build leadership in our young citizens and celebrate agricultural and earth science achievements in our society. Whether they choose to raise and care for an animal, learn the many intricacies of horticulture, or specialize in public speaking, students find the talents and responsibilities they gain in participating in these programs go on to add a positive dimension to their lives.

Like fine jewelers who begin with a gem in the rough and finish with brilliant showpieces, seasoned mentors, many of whom are retired, share time and expertise with local youth through programs such as the Junior Garden Club, sponsored by the Fallbrook Garden Club. Students at La Paloma Elementary School enthusiastically take advantage of the opportunity to participate in a garden project and learn all the important components of successfully cultivating a crop of vegetables and flowers. The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has a long-standing commitment to the AVID program at Fallbrook High School, helping students in the community achieve academic success and providing opportunities for them to succeed. Mentoring Associates is an organization that secures tutors for young people and helps them achieve their successful scholastic goals.

Art endeavors in both adults and children are carefully nurtured by both local and visiting artists and the resulting achievements are celebrated in local exhibitions. Now with a number of unique art galleries and the Art Center at Fallbrook, a wide variety of shows can be held each year. The Art Campus at Fallbrook includes a foundry and a wide range of workshops and classes in multiple mediums with a good selection offered for youth as well. There is no doubt this growing part of the community provides enrichment in many ways. Over the years, more and more artists are relocating to the village and finding the peace, tranquility and appreciation of the arts that feeds their soul.

Just as gemstones are carefully shaped and polished to create the finest result possible, over the past two decades Fallbrook visionaries have designed and implemented a revitalization effort in the downtown area, putting great thought into a successful long-term plan that would provide multiple art venues.

Tourism efforts promote the fact that Fallbrook is one of the `100 Best Art towns in America,' evidenced by it being listed in John Villani's book of the same name. Fine art in the form of music is another heralded feature of this town.

World-class music is a regular feature and feather in the cap of this quiet town. With Fallbrook Music Society's series of dynamic presentations each year, one can enjoy internationally renowned symphony ensembles and numerous other highly regarded talents, quality cultural enrichment in the comfort of a rural community. Spectacular opportunities like this lessen the need to fight the traffic associated with an urban venue.

Because musical enrichment for youth is taken very seriously, devoted patrons of the society not only present a quality series of musical performances for the community each year, but also fund music enrichment programs at the public schools.

Known far and wide as the `Avocado Capitol,' because of the number of groves maintained here, Fallbrook and Bonsall's mild Mediterranean climate provides an ideal growing ground for a wide range of crops, from citrus to exotic fruits, ornamental flowers and palm trees. While the avocado can easily be considered the community's favored mascot, it is the ornamental flower and nursery industry that produces the highest amount of agricultural revenue in our area.

Like a brilliant gem in a crown of jewels, Fallbrook's annual Avocado Festival draws the most visitors to town each year - an average of 70,000 people. Visitors happily stream in to partake of the street festival that spans many blocks. Add in foods of every ethnic interest and the ability to tour interesting museums and view vintage aircraft, and it's a day that can't be beat. Booths offer a mecca of shopping - from farm-fresh fruit to unique clothing, whimsical garden signs, and jewelry.

The Annual Flower Show, sponsored by the Fallbrook Garden Club, highlights the most talented green thumbs in the area, with blooms so picture-perfect and colors so intense it is easy to ponder if they are real or not. Traditional and container gardening are popular pastimes for residents who truly embrace the philosophy of `taking time to smell the roses.'

Like the various hues a gemstone can reflect, a variety of unique bronze sculptures can be found in strategic, public locations throughout Fallbrook, to help further identify the town as art-friendly. These pieces have been donated by various individuals and groups as part of the Art in Public Places program coordinated by the Fallbrook Village Association.

While big business is not easy to spot in the Fallbrook/Bonsall area, and those in some career lines find the need to commute out of this quiet town for the type of employment they require, certain industries have strong roots here and enjoy notable success.

One of the industries that continues to grow and prosper here is the happy business of weddings. With a variety of desirable venues to choose from, the collection of indoor and outdoor wedding facilities report increased business with each passing year. As a wedding destination that draws couples from all over San Diego County, as well as Orange and Los Angeles Counties, there is much to choose from in the Friendly Village, from the fairy tale setting of a Victorian mansion, to picturesque and contemporary outdoor venues with cascading water falls, to quiet country-style facilities surrounded by native oaks. Couples say it is the privacy and uniqueness of the wedding venues that they find enticing, making any one of them the perfect choice for their special day.

Agriculture remains the area's biggest industry, with commercial growers and gentleman farmers both involved in a business that keeps the area green and beautiful.

Packing houses receive and ship large quantities of avocados, known as the green gold. Bright yellow lemons, vivid oranges, furry kiwi fruit, and buttery macadamia nuts are just a few examples of the local flavors.

Just as gems can be treated to enhance the color or clarity of the stone, many area residents have successfully established and cultivated home-based businesses, utilizing state-of-the-art communication systems, the Internet, or incorporating work-at-home days in their weekly schedule. Because many residents conduct business on a national or international level, Fallbrook Airpark is utilized by those with private planes, if driving to their destination is time prohibitive. Using innovative ideas, many actively involved in the business world elect to use a multitude of options in order to keep Fallbrook as their home base, their valued respite from the world.

The Fallbrook/Bonsall area cannot be considered a megalopolis of restaurants, but does offer a fine cross-selection of quality dining opportunities - American, Italian, Asian, French, Polynesian, Irish, Mexican, and more. The number of restaurants available can easily be explained by the immense enjoyment residents get from cooking and entertaining at home. Many residents typically and graciously entertain friends, family, and neighbors in the privacy of their own homes. Whether it is a gourmet dinner, outdoor barbeque, patio or pool party, or potluck affair, it is the camaraderie and laid-back environment that is treasured here. The moderate Southern California weather makes outdoor entertaining and dining alfresco just as desirable as indoor. One exceptional example can easily be seen each year at the Music Society's `Pops on the Green,' where residents carefully pack delicious and sometimes quite extravagant picnic dinners to enjoy with and/or alongside their fellow members of the community, as they listen to quality entertainment and visit amongst themselves.

Healthy living is in the forefront of many residents' minds, regardless of which point they are at in their life's journey. As a result, the community has numerous resources dedicated to that effort. Just as gemstones must be respectfully tended, programs exist that identify and assist youth that may be at risk here and are sponsored by non-profit community groups that wish to protect our leaders of tomorrow. Senior citizens have a comprehensive list of health-related services at their disposal thanks to various organizations, and Fallbrook's Food Pantry provides sustenance for the needy as a result of the dedicated support it receives from numerous individuals, organizations and churches.

Volunteers have worked long and hard to provide over 1,380 acres of public land trails for the enjoyment of walkers, joggers, and equestrians. The meandering trails follow river beds and provide glorious outings to enjoy views only accessible by physical exploration. A bevy of indigenous trees and brightly blooming wildflowers can be seen as one enjoys the fresh air and sunshine while seeing the area from a wilderness perspective.

Newcomers to the area have a quality opportunity to become quickly acclimatized to everything Fallbrook and Bonsall have to offer through a large club specifically established for that purpose. The Newcomers Club offers an impressive menu of special interest groups for every interest, and better yet, serves as the gateway to new friendships.

Like gems that have been treasured since early civilization and newer discoveries that have made their mark in the industry, the aspects of Fallbrook's history and growth is well documented. To learn and explore the historical and geological past of this village, so as to understand how it has evolved over time, the Fallbrook Historical Society offers a museum with many artifacts, displays and records. The bounty found within these rolling hills is available for review and will fascinate young and old alike.

It is not unusual for individuals nearing retirement age to make their home in one of the villages. Many have discovered the secret treasure of the area on a weekend visit, by word-of-mouth from a friend or acquaintance, or, perhaps, when they served in the military and were stationed at neighboring Camp Pendleton.

From whatever walk of life a resident comes, there are myriad ways to keep as busy as one wishes given the impressive line-up of non-profit organizations within this community. Whether they feel most at home in Rotary, women's clubs, literary groups, knitting circles, art pursuits, Christian organizations, or working to benefit numerous charities, there is indeed something for everyone.

Known for decades as a hidden gem of a hideaway for movie industry notables, the area has provided both weekend retreats and permanent homes for numerous actors, actresses, filmmakers, professional athletes, and other personalities. Known as a community that is not intrusive and respectful of one's privacy, it is possible for those constantly followed by admirers or the media to be at peace here.

The beautiful rolling hills of Fallbrook and Bonsall frame several quality golf courses, drawing enthusiasts from throughout California and neighboring states. With lodging and meals available, it is the perfect golf getaway for individuals or groups.

In equestrian circles, the famed San Luis Rey Downs Training Center in Bonsall draws praise as does Vessels Stallion Farm and some other notable ranches. A number of national winners reside or have been trained here, enjoying the ideal setting for their workouts and relaxation between high stakes races.

When they make their way out of the nest, and move on to the next phase of their life, it is common for young people to see with increasing clarity how unique their hometown really is and realize the magic contained within its gently rolling hills. Some stay and make their adult home here; others relocate; and many return to raise their own children in these special villages. They know that the fabric of this area is woven of people, activities and natural pleasures that are second to none.

Like the beauty and complexity of a gemstone - from the original cut and polish, to the optimum light and style in which it is worn - it isn't just the geographic location, it's the lifestyle and sense of community that gives the area multi-faceted shine.

Greater Fallbrook Area Sourcebook
Volume 7 - 2008