52 YEARS AND COUNTING...

Back in 1972, the residents of the Elfin Forest Vacation Ranch had no fire service and yet, wildfires were commonplace in this very high fire severity zone. Neighbors and friends banded together to create the Volunteer Fire Brigade. As more people moved into the area, they realized that funding was needed and so a Fourth of July picnic was organized in 1973 that was intended to celebrate the community while raising funds for much needed equipment. The parade was added a year later in 74. In 1980 the Town Council was formed and the Fire Department became an official non-profit, the Elfin Forest/Harmony Grove Fire

The parade and picnic are a throwback to a simpler time. A parade with decorated vehicles, floats and farm animals that ends up at the fire house. The picnic features a live band with old timey carnival games, cake walk and pie-eating contest (for kids), great food options (pre-purchase to save time), a beer garden (courtesy of Lost Abbey Brewery), an egg toss, firefighter games (get wet) and a silent auction.

Come hang out with your neighbors and strengthen community bonds!

See you there!

HISTORY

THE NAME "ELFIN FOREST": is one of the terms used by naturalists to describe the vegetation, which formerly covered much of Southern California. elfin valley It is variously known as coastal scrub, bush-forest, elfin-wood, heath-scrub, and chaparral.

It was designed by nature as the best possible means for conservation of the land and supports many endangered plants and animals, including the gnatcatcher which is a small bird you might hear "meow" and an endangered specie.

This coastal scrub is now endangered and the State is studying ways to protect it. The Elfin Forest valley contains one of the largest areas of virgin coastal scrub in Southern California.A full analysis of the community's biological diversity can be found at : http://consbio.org/escondido-creek-crossroads-of-a-community-lifeline-for-a-lagoon

In the 1940’s a fire burned a portion of Questhaven Retreat. The retreat's founders, Flower and Lawrence Newhouse, invited the director of the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens to visit Questhaven to help plan for its replanting. yellow flowers

He described the characteristic growth of the area as "elfin forest", a name describing a number of dwarf trees and shrubs mingled together to form a particular variety of chaparral : toyon berry, white and blue wild lilac, manzanita, sumac, lemonade berry, elderberry, mountain mahogany, scrub oak and many more.

pink flowers
This combination was found in only three locations in southern California, he said, and the specimens at Questhaven were among the finest he'd ever seen. The name delighted Flower.
On the spot, she and Lawrence decided the hills and valley nestling Questhaven would be called Elfin Forest Canyon and they posted signs along the road using that name.

The naming of the area has also been attributed to the children of Dr. Harvey Urban, a prominent San Diego dentist who, along with Jack Donnelley and George Dew, purchased 20 acres for a vacation spot for their families and friends. While Dr. Urban's friends called the place "Tooth Acres", his five children named the spot Elfin Forest from the book Elfin Forest they had just finished reading.

2026 Independence Day Parade & Picnic

Fun, Sun and Community