All About Vista, CA

Historically, the Vista area was inhabited by the Payómkawichum or Luseño, who established a village called Tovalum. Spanish exploration brought missions to that part of California, but missions declined by the 1830s when Mexico gained independence from Spain, and the ranchos era replaced them. The oldest building in Vista is the Guajome Adobe at Rancho Guajome, built in 1852.

More and more settlers came once California became a state in 1850. The settler who opened the first post office in the emerging town in 1882, John Frazier, eventually chose the name Vista (but only because Frazier’s Crossing and Buena Vista were taken). From 1870 until Prohibition, Vista was home to several hundred acres of grapes and the country’s first successful winery.

Vista grew slowly (with less than 1000 people) until a vote in 1923 secured funding for the construction of a new water supply from Lake Henshaw. Almost immediately, new buildings sprang up downtown and agriculture began to flourish. By 1948, Vista had become the avocado capital of the world. The city shifted away from agriculture and towards housing after World War II, and light manufacturing business started moving in during the ‘80s.

Santa Fe Dental Group in Vista, CA

We love serving the people of Vista and helping them achieve their healthy smile goals. Whether that means essential preventative dentistry through regular cleaning appointments, something more advanced like a root canal or laser therapy for gum disease, or even cosmetic treatments like veneers to give your smile a pearly white gleam, we look forward to being your partners in lifelong dental health.

See What Vista, CA Has to Offer

After you’ve finished your dental appointment, why not enjoy some of the best of Vista? We recommend checking out the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens. They aren’t just a museum of plants like a lot of botanical gardens; they’re also a gathering place for the Vista community, with art integrated throughout in the form of sculptures and beautifully designed walkways and walls, as well as platforms for performances and yoga classes.

If you’re interested in mechanical things, make sure to check out the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, where examples of mechanical ingenuity and crafts from the early days of the community are preserved and displayed. The collection is kept in operating condition and used in a wide range of events.

Maybe you’re just looking for a fun afternoon at the pool? Vista has a whole water park! The Wave Waterpark has four slides, the Crazy River for tubing in relaxing circles, and the Flow Rider where you can blast off and try to break the wave. Smaller kids can play in the Spray Park and competitive swimmers can practice their strokes in the lap pool. It’s the perfect place to beat the heat in summer!