Local guidesSouth Bay San DiegoBonita
Bonita
Bonita is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in southern San Diego County, California, between Chula Vista, National City and San Diego, with a population of 12,917 at the 2020 census.
Where is Bonita, and what is it like?
Bonita is not a city. It is politically an unincorporated community, so it is run by San Diego County and has no city council of its own. It was first listed as a census-designated place in the 1980 census. Bonita is the Spanish word for beautiful.
The 2020 census counted 12,917 people, up from 12,538 in 2010. The community covers 5.15 square miles (13.35 km2), of which 5.02 square miles is land. Elevation is 118 feet (36 m).
Bonita fills about a five-mile stretch of the Sweetwater River valley and the hills around it. Sweetwater Reservoir bounds it on the east and Interstate 805 on the west. State Route 54 forms the northern edge. Much of the community is housing tracts built from the 1960s to the 1980s.
How did Bonita begin?
The Kumeyaay called the Sweetwater Valley area Apusquel. After Mission San Diego de Alcalá was founded the valley was used for cattle, and it later became part of a land grant to John Forster.
The name Bonita came from a ranch owned by Henry Ernest Cooper Sr. in 1884, and the nearby post office used the same name. Lemons were grown here from 1871, and the area is where the Bonnie Brae lemon variety began.
What happened to Bonita's valley over time?
Sweetwater Dam was built in 1888 and created Sweetwater Reservoir. In 1906 the dam broke after heavy rain overfilled the reservoir, and the lower Sweetwater Valley flooded.
Floods linked to El Niño years still mainly affect the Central Avenue crossing, which has no bridge. Glen Abbey Memorial Park was declared a historic district in 2007.
What is Bonita known for?
Bonita is described as a rural and equestrian enclave in the middle of suburbia. Local wildlife includes coyotes, raccoons, foxes, bobcats and skunks.
The Bonita Historical Society runs the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center.
What parks and open space are in Bonita?
Parks and recreation areas include Rohr Park, Sweetwater Regional Park, Sweetwater County Park and the Sweetwater Reservoir Riding and Hiking Trail. Sweetwater Regional Park was expanded in the late 1990s and has a camping area.
Two golf courses are listed for the community, Bonita Golf Course and Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course.
How do you get around Bonita?
Interstate 805, State Route 54 and State Route 125 border or cross the area. The South Bay Expressway, which is State Route 125, opened in November 2007. It went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010, and in 2011 SANDAG voted to buy the lease for about $345 million.
Bonita Road, Willow Road and Central Avenue are the main crossings of the Sweetwater River.
What schools serve Bonita?
Elementary schools in the Chula Vista Elementary School District include Ella B. Allen, Sunnyside, Tiffany and Valley Vista. The Sweetwater Union High School District runs Bonita Vista Middle School and Bonita Vista High School.
Southwestern College is the nearest community college. Bonita falls in District 1 of the county Board of Supervisors and in California's 52nd congressional district.
Find a local business in Bonita
Bonita is covered by the South Bay San Diego guide. Start with the businesses in Bonita itself, or look across the whole guide by what they do.
Businesses in BonitaQuestions about Bonita
- Is Bonita a city?
- No. Bonita is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in San Diego County.
- How many people live in Bonita?
- The 2020 census counted 12,917 residents.
- Where does the name Bonita come from?
- It came from a ranch owned by Henry Ernest Cooper Sr. in 1884, and the nearby post office used the name too. Bonita is Spanish for beautiful.
- Which school districts serve Bonita?
- The Chula Vista Elementary School District serves elementary schools and the Sweetwater Union High School District serves middle and high schools.
- Is there a local business directory for Bonita?
- Yes. Bonita is covered by the South Bay San Diego guide from Local Business America. It lists local businesses in Bonita and the towns around it, and it is free to read.
- How do I list my business in Bonita?
- Open the South Bay San Diego guide and choose Claim your listing. If your business is not there yet, choose List your business. Claiming is free, and a person checks each claim.
- What does a business listing in Bonita cost?
- Every business has a free listing with opening hours, a map and a link to your website. Essentials is $19 a month and adds a photo gallery, an enquiry form and your Google reviews. Premium is $39 a month and adds a boost to the top of your category and a do-follow link to your website.