Poway

Poway is a city in San Diego County, California, United States. Located in the northern inland region of the county, it lies about 22 miles north of downtown San Diego and covers roughly 39 square miles. Poway is known as “The City in the Country” and operates under a council-manager form of government. The city has a population in the tens of thousands, with estimates indicating around 50,000 residents.

Poway traces its history to the Kumeyaay people who inhabited the area long before European contact. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the land became part of Spanish and Mexican land grants and was settled as rural ranch and orchard farmland. The modern community developed through the 20th century and incorporated as a city in 1980.

Geographically, Poway is inland from the coastal San Diego area and features a mix of residential neighborhoods, open space, and foothill terrain. Lake Poway, a municipal reservoir, sits within the city and provides recreation such as fishing, boating, and hiking. The Blue Sky Ecological Reserve protects natural habitats at the northeastern edge of Poway. The climate is a warm-summer Mediterranean type, with mild, wet winters and dry summers.

Poway is served by the Poway Unified School District, which operates multiple elementary, middle, and high schools, including Poway High School. The city emphasizes family-friendly amenities and preserves historic sites, such as Old Poway Park, which houses a restored train station and local cultural attractions.