Santee Real Estate Information on Homes for Sale, Neighborhoods, Relocating to Santee, California


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Santee

Santee is built on land that was originally part of a Spanish land grant. George A. Cowles bought 4,000 acres of the land grant in 1877 for vineyards and planted magnolia trees and pomegranate trees, both of which were new to the area. The Cuyamaca Railroad served what Cowles referred to this area as Cowleston, later renamed to Santee in 1893. Cowles Mountain, at the south end of the Santee Valley, is named in honor of this founding father. The area called Fanita Ranch was originally 9,500 acres and was owned by Hosmer P. McKoon. McKoon sold parcels of his land to new arrivals and eventually 7,000 acres were bought by the Scripps family in 1898. The land changed hands and was developed by 1950 with a population of 2,000. 20 years later, the population had grown to 25,000. Santee celebrated 25 years as a municipality in 2005.

Not far from Santee is the world-renowned Balboa Park, home to 15 museums, various arts and international cultural associations and the famous San Diego Zoo. Art treasures, exotic animal species, model railroads, world folk art, sports memorabilia and rare aircraft are just a few of the many unique items on display at Balboa Park. The museum collections are housed in magnificent Spanish Revival Colonial buildings, the likes of which had not been seen in the United States before prior to the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The 1,200-acre urban park is filled with seasonal flowers, groves of trees, lush and verdant lawns, fountains and miles of paths and trails. The botanical building, the Japanese Friendship Garden and the Marston House gardens contain rare and interesting plants. The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego's largest arts organization, is located in Balboa Park. The Globe presents at least 12 productions annually on its three stages.

Balboa Park's sports complex is named after John Morley, who was Park Superintendent from 1911–1939. The sports complex includes tennis courts, a velodrome, where master’s world cup championships are held, a swimming pool and a disc golf course along with the 18-hole Balboa Park Golf Course. Morley Field also has playgrounds and picnic areas, a recreation center and a senior center.

San Diego Mission de Alcalà, located in Presidio Park, was founded in 1769. It was the first Spanish mission built in California. Artifacts found in archaeological digs in the area are on display at the mission’s museum. San Diego’s heritage can also be seen at nearby Old Town San Diego State Historic Park where buildings date from as far back as the early 1800s. Stables, shops, adobes, schools, banks and the town’s first fired-brick building can be seen here. Museums contain displays that depict life in early California. Today, Old Town is filled with shops and restaurants and dancers perform native routines while live music fills the air.

Other things to do in San Diego include San Diego Harbor excursions, taking in a professional baseball, football or hockey game, visiting the maritime museums, or wagering on the ponies at Del Mar Race Track. Hot air balloon rides are available as are trolley tours and walking tours of the city. Adult and youth recreational leagues cater to a wide variety of sports enthusiasts and senior citizens have access to various activities, trips and classes as well.