Scripps Ranch

E.W. Scripps came to California in 1890. With his half-sister Ellen Browning Scripps, he bought about 400 acres of land for $5,000. He named his home Miramar, after a castle in Trieste, Italy, and eventually acquired 2,100 acres.

The ranch was meant as a winter retreat and a self-sufficient family compound. By 1900 it had become the Scripps family's California base and a year-round home. Ellen lived there until 1897, and E.W. Scripps until 1917.

The Scripps family's land took its name from the home E.W. Scripps called Miramar. The city's Miramar Lake and the nearby Marine Corps Air Station Miramar carry the same name.

Miramar Lake, also called Miramar Reservoir, lies within Scripps Ranch. The City of San Diego owns and runs it. The surface covers 162 acres and the maximum depth is 114 feet (35 m). The earthen dam is 165 feet tall.

The reservoir and dam were finished in 1960 as part of the second San Diego Aqueduct project. The water comes from the Colorado River Aqueduct and the California Aqueduct. The Miramar Water Treatment Plant was completed in 1962 and serves about 500,000 customers in northern San Diego.

A trail of over 5 miles wraps around Miramar Lake. The section over the dam was closed after the September 11 attacks and reopened in 2007. From that section there are views of Mira Mesa, Miramar, University City and other northern communities.

The lake is used for boating, fishing and picnics.

In October 2003 the Cedar Fire devastated part of southern Scripps Ranch. It destroyed more than 300 homes.

The fire struck the southern part of the neighborhood.

Two elected planning groups advise the City of San Diego on land use here. They are the Scripps Ranch Planning Group and the Miramar Ranch North Planning Committee.

The Scripps Ranch Civic Association also publishes a newsletter for residents.

The neighborhood is served by San Diego Unified, the city's school district. Scripps Ranch High School and Thurgood Marshall Middle School are in the community. Elementary schools here include Dingeman, E.B. Scripps, Jerabek and Miramar Ranch.

Several colleges and universities have campuses or offices in the area as well, including Alliant International University, John Paul the Great Catholic University and National University.