The Santa Ysabel Valley, Mesa Grande, and the surrounding environs are a unique place. This area has always been sparsely inhabited since people first came to this area. There have been several waves of immigration to the place now known as San Diego county.  The first humans arrived, we believe, having crossed a land bridge from Asia. The scientists now believe that this "bridge " did not appear until about 30,0000 years ago, considerably later than first thought.  When humans reached southern California is unknown but the  archeological evidence of human habitation in the area has people living here about 10,000 years ago. We also believe people journeyed here by sea and by land and settled in the area over the  past thousand years. When the Spaniards colonized Alta and Baja California late in the 17th century, they established Presidios (military forts) and Missions. The first such fort and mission was established in San Diego in 1692. A mission was established in Santa Ysabel in 1818. Despite land grants and other inducements, people remained short on the ground in the San Diego backcountry. (See the article "Mesa Grande,  a place time has forgotten", at the journal tab of this site for more information.)

Rancho Santa Ysabel was established in 1844 when a Mexican land grant was given to Jose Joaquin Ortega and Edward Stokes.(See article entitled "Mesa Grande" under the Journal tab.) With the discovery of gold in Northern California in 1848 and later in 1865 at the end of the Civil War, Americans slowly headed west. The discovery of gold in Julian in 1869 brought miners to the area determined to get rich. Not many did and some of those who remained after the rush became the area's merchants, farmers and ranchers.

In the late 1870's and early 1880's, more people began to settle in the area, including Mesa Grande. By the end of the 19th century, the Santa Ysabel area had a major dairy industry and in the early part of the last century was supplying San Diego with most of its butter. A general store in Santa Ysabel was established in 1878 by C.R. Wellington and by 1889, Santa Ysabel had a hotel, blacksmith, and post office. A stagecoach operated from one of two general stores in Mesa Grande and delivered mail, supplies and people on Black Canyon road to and from Ramona.​ Many reminders of this rich history remain to be explored in the San Diego backcountry.

The following are some of the activities, educational experiences, restaurants, wineries, and cideries located near Questa Farms together with some suggested itineraries. A visit to Questa Farms will enable you to learn  about the "wild" west and the life of the early homesteaders and the evolution of this special place. Discover the numerous ongoing efforts to protect and preserve the wildlife  at the California Wolf Center or the Santa Ysabel Nature Center. Or perhaps investigate the art, architecture and crafts the locals are pursuing. You will also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature on any of numerous hiking trails in  the area. At the end of a busy day you can sit on your patio and listen to the wind in the trees or enjoy the dark sky. Whatever your interests may be you can enjoy them as part of the Santa Ysabel Experience.