Spring Valley

Although Spring Valley is the largest unincorporated community in San Diego County, it still offers a “small town flavor” to all its residents. The town gets its name from a lush natural spring found within its boundaries.

Spring Valley has a long and complex history. The original inhabitants of the town were the Kumeyaay people, who called the area Neti or Meti. However, the natives were driven away by Spanish conquerors who also called it El guaje de San Jorge (St. George’s Spring) and used the region for cattle. A claim for a 160-acre ranch, which included the spring, was filed by judge Augustus S. Ensworth of San Diego in 1863. However, local surveyor Rufus King Porter bought the ranch as well as the small adobe house which Augustus built and later sold it to Hubert Howe Bancroft, a historian. The adobe is now a National Historic Landmark.

Spring Valley is located just south of La Mesa, which is about a mile from Interstate 8. This ensures that the city’s roughly 30,000 residents have quick, convenient access to other parts of the region. The community is positioned between two other major roads – State Highways 94 and 125—and is bordered by Casa de Oro, Lemon Grove, Sweetwater Reservoir and La Mesa.