HIDDEN GEMS OF VISTA
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**THIS IS AN ONGOING PAGE OF UNIQUE HIKES AND PLACES TO EXPLORE IN VISTA**
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Vista is one of San Diego’s lusher towns. It is more rare to not have a yard filled with fruit trees and a veggie garden than it is. There is a large emphasis on agriculture and the working with the land.
This is traditionally Luiseño territory whom lived freely on the land until the Mission period. During this time Spanish colonizers forced the Natives into slave-labor to build the Missions, which were used to eradicate the tribe’s culture and force them into Catholicism.
Once the Mission period died down, land grants were given out. Today, there are three historic adobe houses in Vista which have been turned into museums that you can visit.
Although most of the lush fields in Vista are private property, there are still some lovely public hiking trails as well. Below is our ever-growing list of hidden gems in Vista:
1. Vista Conservancy Walking Trail
This Vista trail blew our minds the entire hike. So much lushness in these woods, which takes you right along a creek. There are bridges and dams to find along the way and plenty of shade making this a great hike all year long.
2. Buena Vista Park
This hike was a surprising one. I had no clue how beautiful or extensive it is! All-trails and other blogs are saying it’s only a 1.3 mile loop, but I feel like that is only one of the options here. It is quite extensive looking at Google Satellite and the type of place you could return to many times.
3. Exotica Rare Fruit Farm
If you are a plant-lover and have a special spot in your heart for exotic fruits like I do, then Exotica Rare Fruit Farm will be heaven on earth to you. Set on 4 acres, the owner of this nursery originally began planting what now looks like a tropical paradise over 30 years ago.
The owner, Steve Spangler, used to travel the world when he was younger, gathering rare fruit seeds from each spot which he then planted on this land. You can find fruit trees from places such as Mexico, Hawaii, Florida, Guatemala, Ecuador, Fiji and Burma.
4. Rancho Guajome Adobe
Rancho Guajome Adobe is an historic 19th-century hacienda (and now a historic house museum) located in Vista. Built in 1852-53, it is a well-preserved but late example of Spanish-Mexican colonial architecture and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970.
The adobe has a dark history though, built in forced-Indigenous slavery. Although the adobe is a beautiful place to visit, it is important to have a good understanding of its history and those who actually sacrificed their blood, sweat and tears to build it.
5. Alta Vista Garden
The Alta Vista Botanical Garden is an interactive botanical garden that uses up-to-date technology in an interactive atmosphere. This a place that all ages can appreciate. There are different zones such as sub-tropical, an herbal labyrinth, the Children’s Musical garden. ponds, prehistoric gardens and more.
6. Yellow Deli
The Deli serves fresh, organic and local produce some of which comes from their own ranch. The deli is hand-crafted by the commune that owns it and has a very light, almost Disneyland-vibe to it. They’re open 24/5 (Closed Friday evening-Sunday) and boy is their food delicious!
7. Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum
The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, a non-profit corporation, collects, preserves and displays examples of mechanical ingenuity and crafts associated with the early days of the American farm and rural community. The Museum offers educational and recreational opportunities to the public through exhibits, demonstrations, activities and programs displaying the art of invention fulfilling necessity. Acknowledging the past provides direction for the future.
8. Rancho Buena Vista Adobe
This is another Mexican rancho that was built in 1845. At one point MGM director Harry A. Pollard and his wife, silent film actress Margarita Fischer, lived here. People like Joan Crawford, who donated the magnolia tree that is in the front of the courtyard, were frequent guests. Margarita was the epitome of a silent screen actress from that time.
We were told when we visited that this home is allegedly haunted with many creepy stories. There is said to be a body buried in the walls of one of the rooms! That leaves a whole other list of unanswered questions such as WHO is buried in the wall and WHY were they put there?
