Bonita, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bonita, California
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Location in San Diego County and the state of California
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 Bonita, California
Location in California
Bonita, California
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | San Diego |
| Year founded | 1884 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.16 sq mi (13.35 km2) |
| • Land | 5.02 sq mi (12.99 km2) |
| • Water | 0.14 sq mi (0.36 km2) 2.71% |
| Elevation | 118 ft (36 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 12,917 |
| • Density | 2,574.65/sq mi (994.10/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
91902, 91908
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| Area code(s) | 619 |
| FIPS code | 06-07414 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1660356 |
Bonita is a lovely community in southern San Diego County, California. Its name means "Beautiful" in Spanish. It is located between the cities of Chula Vista, National City, and San Diego. In 2020, about 12,917 people lived there.
Contents
What is Bonita Like?
Bonita is a special place that feels like a quiet, country area. It's surrounded by bigger cities. The community is found in the Sweetwater River valley. This valley stretches for about 5 miles (8 kilometers).
How Big is Bonita?
Bonita covers a total area of about 5.1 square miles (13.3 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. A small part, about 0.1 square miles (0.36 square kilometers), is water.
What Animals Live Here?
You might see different kinds of wildlife in Bonita. These include coyotes, raccoons, foxes, rabbits, and squirrels. You might also spot bobcats, opossums, and skunks.
What are the Neighborhoods?
Many homes in Bonita were built in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Some of the neighborhoods include:
- Bonita Verde Estates
- Bonita Downs
- Bonita Fairways
- Bonita Glen
- Bonita Highlands
- Bonita Long Canyon
- Bonita Woods
- Bonita Woods Park
- Emerald Ranch
- Lynwood Hills
- Ames Ranch
- Villas de Bonita
- Rancho Robinhood
A Look Back: Bonita's History
Before Spanish settlers arrived, the Kumeyaay people lived in the Sweetwater Valley. They called the area Apusquel. Later, the valley was used for raising cattle.
How Bonita Got Its Name
The name Bonita comes from a ranch owned by Henry Ernest Cooper, Sr., in 1884. This ranch grew lemons. The first lemons were planted here in 1871. The area even created a special type of lemon called the Bonnie Brae Lemon.
The Sweetwater Dam
In 1888, the Sweetwater Dam was built. This created the Sweetwater Reservoir. It changed the valley's geography forever. In 1906, heavy rains caused the dam to break. The Lower Sweetwater Valley was completely flooded. Bonita has had minor floods since then, usually from heavy rains.
Roads and Development
Building major roads like State Route 125 was a big topic for Bonita residents. Some worried it would change the quiet, rural feel of the community. Others thought it would help with traffic. The toll road opened in 2007.
Historic Places
In 2007, Glen Abbey Memorial Park became a historic district. It was designed by the same architects who worked on Balboa Park. It is one of only three historic districts in unincorporated San Diego County.
The Bonita Historical Society helps preserve the history of the Sweetwater Valley. They run the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center.
What's the Weather Like?
Bonita's weather is a mix of coastal and inland valley climates. It's often warmer and sunnier than areas right by the coast. But it's not as hot as some inland towns. Summers in Bonita are usually very pleasant.
Schools in Bonita
Students in Bonita attend schools in different districts.
Elementary Schools
These schools are part of the Chula Vista Elementary School District:
- Ella B. Allen Elementary School
- Sunnyside Elementary School
- Tiffany Elementary School (in Chula Vista)
- Valley Vista Elementary School
Middle and High Schools
These schools are part of the Sweetwater Union High School District:
- Bonita Vista Middle School (in Chula Vista)
- Bonita Vista High School (in Chula Vista)
Community College
For higher education, students can attend:
- Southwestern College (in Chula Vista), part of the Southwestern Community College District.
Fun Things to Do in Bonita
Bonita is known for its rural feel and love for horses. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
Walking and Golfing
A popular spot is the walking trail around the Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course. Many people walk, run, or ride bikes here every day. This trail is a big part of life for residents. Sometimes, during heavy rains, the golf course and trails can flood.
Parks and Trails
The Sweetwater Regional Park has been improved with more walking and horse riding trails. There's even a camping area. Most of the valley is now used for parks or golf courses. Sweetwater County Park is a wildlife preserve with a small pond for fishing.
Horse Riding
Horse riding is a big part of Bonita's culture. There are many trails throughout the valley. You can also connect to trails outside Bonita. Many residents own horses and ride them regularly. The Bonita Valley Trails organization helps take care of these trails.
Local Parks and Courses
Here are some places to enjoy the outdoors in Bonita:
- Rohr Park
- Sweetwater Regional Park
- Sweetwater County Park
- Sweetwater Reservoir Riding and Hiking Trail
- Bonita Golf Course
- Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course
Community Events
Bonitafest
Bonitafest is a yearly community event held in early autumn. It features a parade and a street fair along Bonita Road. You can find crafts, music, entertainment, and food. The Kiwanis Club also hosts a golf tournament during this time. There's also a community play called the Bonitafest Melodrama.
How Many People Live in Bonita?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1980 | 6,257 | — | |
| 1990 | 12,542 | 100.4% | |
| 2000 | 12,401 | −1.1% | |
| 2010 | 12,538 | 1.1% | |
| 2020 | 12,917 | 3.0% | |
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Population in 2010
In 2010, Bonita had 12,538 people. Most people lived in homes. There were 4,288 households. About 32.7% of these homes had children under 18. The average household had about 2.92 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 20.8% were under 18. About 18.7% were 65 or older. The average age was 43.9 years.
Population in 2000
In 2000, Bonita had 12,401 people. There were 4,179 households. About 35.3% of homes had children under 18. The average household had 2.94 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 24.4% were under 18. About 14.5% were 65 or older. The average age was 41 years.
See also
In Spanish: Bonita (California) para niños
