The name Poway is derived from the language of the Diegueno and Luiseno natives who called this area home before the first Spanish settlers arrived. Its original native name, Paguay, eventually morphed into the modern version, but the translated meaning of the term is said to be “the meeting of little valleys.”
After the Spanish discovery of the area, the land had gone mostly unsettled until the 1850s when Phillip Crosthwaite built his family’s ranch in the area. This happened in 1859, but soon after, others began to move into the area and call its beautiful valley home. About a decade after Crosthwaite settled here, the area had become populous enough to warrant a post office. It was the relative of Phillip Crosthwaite, Castanos Crosthwaite, who would become the area's first postmaster. It was Castanos who actually established the modern spelling of the town.
Towards the end of the 19th century, Poway continued to thrive. Families in the area would begin to plant orchards and vineyards, and alfalfa became a key crop for many of the earliest residents. As people settled, there was also the rise of the local dairy farm, which further enriched the lives of Poway citizens.
Despite the early successes, it wasn’t until the 1950s that Poway would really take off. Modern Poway is much more like a traditional city with nightlife and more than a few shopping opportunities. While here, consider a trip to the Paint and Glow by Davina, the Subscape Escape Rooms, or play a set at the Bowlero San Marcos.
The Wonderfront Music and Arts Festival is an annual three-day event that takes place at the end of November in San Diego. You can experience 80 bands across seven stages during the event.
If you enjoy Mardi Gras, make sure to attend the Gator by the Bay - Zydeco, Blues, and Crawfish Festival. This four-day music festival is held in mid-May in San Diego. The seven stages will showcase over 100 musical acts, and there will be quite a lot of Cajun and Creole Louisiana-inspired food to try.
The San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival is another festival where San Diego food is a highlight. It is a six-day event held at the beginning of November each year. Both domestic and international wineries will be present at the event.
Here are the most scenic attractions in Poway, California:
Potato Chip Rock is a rock outcropping located in the northern region of Death Valley National Park. It's near Badwater, which is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. Potato Chip Rock got its name because it has a shape that resembles a potato chip, and it was an important landmark for Native Americans who traveled through the area on trade routes. It's a popular site for photographers and rock climbers alike.
Founded in 1889, Bernardo Winery is one of the largest wineries in San Diego County. It produces millions of cases annually and sells its products throughout the world. Bernardo Winery is a great place to spend an afternoon enjoying the views and sampling local wines.
The Blue Sky Basin is a unique geological formation that has been inhabited by humans for over thousands years, and the area is now protected as a natural reserve. It is a wildlife preserve and research area that is home to a variety of different species, including mountain lions, bobcats, bighorn sheep, deer, and more. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, and camping. It's where you'll find the ruins of an old silver mine, a ghost town, and miles of hiking trails. There are many miles of trails in reserve, including trails accessible year-round and others that are open only to hikers during certain times of the year.
Joshua Tree National Park, located in the Mojave Desert, contains more than 350 vertebrate species. More than 52 types of mammals call this park home. The Joshua tree is the only tree that grows in this region. If you're traveling from San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park, you can take a detour to Channel Islands National Park for a quick visit. This national park is home to rare species of animals such as the island fox and island scrub jay.
The Mojave Desert is a climatic transition zone between the high, cold deserts of the Great Basin and the low, hot deserts of the Colorado Plateau. It's also home to Death Valley National Park, one of America's most popular national parks.
Joshua Tree is a very popular park for rock climbers, while Death Valley is known as the hottest place on earth.
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is a perfect destination for RV enthusiasts looking to be near Poway, California. It is a popular destination for RV campers who want to spend time in the San Diego area. Campers can fish, hike, and view wildlife. With stunning views of the Cuyamaca Mountains, this state park offers camping and cabins that are pet friendly. Pets are not allowed on trails or in the campground, but they are welcome at the visitor center and picnic area. Pets should be leashed at all times when outside of these areas. Each camp site in the park has a fire pit and picnic table. There's a dump station on-site for RVers, but no hookups or showers available.
On a clear day, visitors can see the ocean from this park. The park is home to two lakes: Lake Cuyamaca and Lake Jennings. Rancho State Park is one of the most popular parks in California for winter sports, with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating available. The trail system here is extensive, with several miles of trails for hikers and bikers.
Cabrillo National Monument is a must-see site near Poway, California. This monument commemorates the first European explorer to land in the present-day United States. Visitors can learn about this explorer and see some of his personal items. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is another great landmark to see. This recreation area offers stunning views of the Santa Monica Mountains, as well as opportunities for hiking and camping that make it worth the trip.
If you're looking for an RV Park in Santa Cruz, California, you'll have multiple options to choose from. Oceanside RV Park, Santa Fe Park RV Resort, Mission Bay RV Resort, Rancho Los Coches RV Park, Admiral Baker RV Campground and the Surf & Turf RV Park. All of these parks offer amenities like full hookups, Wi-Fi, propane, and a dump station.
There are multiple dump stations near Poway, California. You’ll find dump stations at CubeSmart Self Storage and Mini Storage Rancho Bernardo, Dos Picos County Park, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, and Kumeyaay Lake Campground. See RVshare’s guide to RV dump stations near Poway for dump station addresses and details.
If you want to discover new places and make new memories, consider renting an RV in Poway, California. Class A motorhomes are the largest vehicles in this category, so they're ideal for long road trips with your family or friends. You can also rent Class C motorhomes, which are a great option if you're traveling solo or a couple. If you prefer to travel in your own towable vehicle, there are plenty of models to choose from.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Poway, CA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Poway?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Poway from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Poway?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
