Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. Please treat both businesses and trails with the utmost respect. We here at Hidden San Diego follow the 'Leave no Trace' mantra, meaning whatever you bring with you comes back with you. If you see trash on a trail, please do your part to help remove it. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Happy adventures!
33.358280, -117.229994
Dog-Friendly: Outside, yes   Kid-Friendly: Yes
The Palomares House is one of the oldest standing homes in Fallbrook. Built in 1888, it was once part of a rancho called Rancho Monserate. The rancho received its name from an ancient monastery in Monserate, Spain. In 1874 the land was divided among the heirs of Ysidro Alvarado. Governor Pio Pico granted the land to Ysidro in 1846 as a reward for his father’s long military service.
Alvarado's daughter, Lugarda de Palomares, received 4500 acres of land with a handful of ranch homes. In 1892, a smallpox outbreak killed hundreds of people in Northern San Diego. Ysidro and Manuela caught the disease which eventually killed them both.
Today, only the Palomares House remains. Ranching and a Christmas tree farm are among the past uses of the property and surrounding land. In 1990, the house and surrounding 1.5 acres of land were donated to the FLC by Otis and Linda Heald, Al and Flo Pinamonti, and Vince and Joy Ross. The house has been restored and a beautiful park now fills the rest of the property with an arboretum, wildlife sculptures and a memorial tile path through lovely gardens.
The FLC has received hundreds of donations over the past 25 years in memory or in honor of loved ones. You'll see tags on trees and plaques on benches throughout the preserves and along downtown Fallbrook streets.
The homes sits directly across the street from Dinwiddie Preserve so if you do head over here, make sure to do the short loop hike as well!
Fallbrook Land Conservancy
Please contact our office at 760-728-0889 to arrange a time to see the inside of the Palomares House.
March 9, 2022