A city with unique historic roots, Lemon Grove still exhibits community pride and spirit in our modern era, boasting about having the "Best Climate on Earth", its motto for more than 100 years.
Centrally located in the southwest portion of San Diego County, Lemon Grove is only nine miles from downtown San Diego, and only 12 miles from the airport.
The community was settled in 1869 by its first known permanent resident, sheep rancher Robert Allison. From the 1860s to 1900 the area was known for sheep and poultry ranching and vegetable crops. In the early 1900s the community acquired its name when large citrus groves were planted and lemon and orange growing and shipping became the area's major industry. By World War II, most of the citrus groves had disappeared and suburbanization had begun.