Jamul & Dulzura

The two unincorporated towns with a population of 10,239 had a median household income of $101,448 in 2007

Once part of sprawling Spanish land grants, the Jamul and Dulzura areas of east San Diego County are now rural communities linked by the two-lane Highway 94. Part of the area is now a beautiful wildlife corridor with habitat protection for many species of animals. Biking, hiking and horseback trails are being discussed. Cooling Pacific Ocean breezes and blue skies with a median temperature of 76 degrees make both Jamul and Dulzura very livable and relaxing.

Jamul

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horsese riders Jamul, a growing “bedroom community” for San Diego-area work places, boasts the Steele Canyon County Park, a four-star golf course, two bed-and-breakfasts and a renowned landscaping nursery among its attractions and businesses. Every year the town’s Oktoberfest Gymkhana offers horse ring events. A parade and a pit barbecue with music and dancing are also featured.

The public elementary and middle schools for both communities are Jamul Primary, Oak Grove Middle, Jamul Intermediate and the Greater San Diego Academy, a free charter home school. The private schools are Taproot Montessori for preschoolers and kindergartners and Rocky Mountain Christian for kindergarten through high school. The annual golf tournament in family-oriented Jamul raises money for arts and music in the schools.

Dulzura

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Mountian view About eight miles away, Dulzura has the popular South Bay Gun Club with an outdoor range. There are also two café/restaurants and incredible star-gazing and moonrises under skies undimmed by city lights.

Area History

The Kumeyaay Indians were the original dwellers in the region that is now about 25 minutes southeast of San Diego. Spanish missionaries later used the land for cattle grazing. As the Spanish arrived, they established large land grants, including the Rancho Jamul one of 562,622 acres.

In 1852 U.S. Army Capt. Henry Burton took charge of the Army post at the Mission San Diego de Alcala in San Diego. Two years later Burton and his wife, Maria, also began homesteading the Rancho Jamul land grant. The Burtons ran cattle on the ranch while other settlers in the Jamul area grew olives. Olive oil was then taken to the San Diego Harbor to be sold to merchant ships.

What is now known as Highway 94 was originally a stage route to Imperial Valley. Workers were imported eventually to build Barrett Dam and many stayed in what became Dulzura.The John D. Spreckels family, which built a transportation and real estate empire in San Diego, bought the Pio Pico land grant in the Jamul region and later sold it in 1927 to George Daley. Daley ran cattle on the big ranch while breaking ground in San Diego’s construction industry.