North County history

Acquired in 1973, Wilderness Gardens Preserve is the oldest County Parks and Recreation open space preserve.

Station 3 opened in 1976, serving the Olive Hill area.

In 1979, Station 4 opened in the Monserate Mobile Home Park to serve the Pala Mesa area.

North San Diego Business Chamber was first incorporated in 1980 as Rancho Bernardo Chamber of Commerce.

Station 5 opened in 1982 in the Bonsall area.

In 1987, the Fallbrook Fire Protection District reorganized with the Rainbow Volunteer Fire District (CSA-7) to form the North County Fire Protection District.

The San Dieguito Heritage Museum was founded in 1988 to collect, preserve and interpret the local history of the San Dieguito River area, including Leucadia, Encinitas, Olivenhain, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and Rancho Santa Fe.

Fire Chief Abbott started his career in 1990 as one of the first Paramedics serving the District.

Chief Vanderlaan retired from the District in 1996 to head up the Western Fire Chiefs Association.

In July 2003, the Board of Directors authorized Chief Metcalf to proceed with a comprehensive assessment and strategic planning effort to guide the future of the District.

One immediate outcome of the strategic planning process was a July 2004 decision to close the District’s small dispatch center and join the regional dispatch center located in Rancho Santa Fe.

In 2005, Rancho Bernardo Chamber merged with Diamond Gateway Chamber to form San Diego North Chamber of Commerce.

During his tenure with the District, Chief Metcalf rebuilt an aging Station 3 in 2008.

In 2009, SDNCC gained regional stature and the area of coverage grew to encompass many of the cities and communities of North County San Diego.

In May 2014, the Chamber re-branded itself with a new logo, name and look to become North San Diego Business Chamber.

Located on 55 acres of rolling farm ground, 2015 will mark the 39th year the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum has been in Vista, CA. Over that period our Museum has grown to become one of the premier educational and recreational facilities in North San Diego County.