Guajome Regional Park
Our stay at Guajome Regional Park, just outside of Oceanside, CA, was a brief one and even though we didn’t explore all of this 557 acre park we loved it. The park was established in the 1970s but it has a much longer history. The land was once part of Rancho Guajome, 
a land grant given to two Native Americans (interesting that Park literature neglects to mention them by name, surely they had names) in 1845 by the Mexican governor.
They sold the land to a Los Angeles merchant who gifted it to his sister-in-law as a wedding present. Ysidora Bandini and her husband, Cave Johnson Couts, built an “adobe rancho” house which is now a National Historic Landmark because of its exemplary architecture. The property switched hands several more times before being sculpted into the Buteyn Bird Farm. The last private owner, Jerry Buteyn, constructed a spring fed lake and marsh, terraced the grounds, and planted olives and palms in order to create an environment for his passion- exotic birds.
Our campsite was close to the lake and we wandered along one of many paths through the park. In the early evening we could hear the haunting calls of peacocks (descendants of the bird farm?) wafting through the cool, damp air. As we ventured away from the lake area we entered the native chaparral vegetation.
With all the diversity in environments it is no surprise that the park is home to almost 200 species of birds not to mention the many mammals that live there, including bobcats and long-tailed weasels. Which unfortunately we did not glimpse. 
I think Rookie and Bailey would freak at seeing a cat bigger than themselves. Of course, at 19 pounds Rookie could almost be a bobcat. Except that he isn’t tough, can’t hunt and is afraid of the dark (we had to get him a nightlight). Other than that…
Since the park is inland from the coast and isolated from the cooling ocean breezes it can be quite warm during the day but we stayed in the shade near the lake and didn’t suffer one bit. I find it absolutely amazing that San Diego County had the foresight to purchase this land and preserve it.
I also really appreciate that they developed camping areas in some of their parks. Besides being such a convenient location for out-of-towners visiting in the area, it provides local residents a chance to get away from it all without having to go that far. We don’t have anything like these parks back home and I think it’s a shame.
Notes: We were guests of Guajome Regional Park from 07/14/06 – 07/15/06.
Hello,
I’m the granddaughter of the late Jerry (Jerome) Buteyn and I spent many weekends at Guajome with my 3 brothers and 3 sisters when we were growing up in the early 50’s through the 60’s. I’t s shame that the county demolished his beautiful home (which could have easily been converted into a B & B, restaurant , banquet hall or even a museum to display his incredible Palo Indian artifact collection which is now on display in a museum near the Palo Casino) and I was heartbroken that they filled in the grand olympic size swimming pool and leveled the cabana which could still be in use today. The fountain that still exists was in the beautiful courtyard that surrounded his personal residence which was very “mission-like.” Many famous and everlyday people were invited as guests to enjoy the 2200 acres of lush beauty and visit his museum (also gone) that originally housed his prized collection. There used to also be a boathouse at the edge of the lake and we had lots of fun boating over and playing on the island. However, in order to make it by the ostrich’s, emu’s and deer we’d have to run like to wind to avoid getting trampled. We would stay in a guesthouse by the lake which was also demolished to make room for the parkiing. The ranger quarters were originally homes built by my 2 aunts in the 40’s who lived there until their own families outgrew them. My family still contiunes to come down and camp in the campgrounds, but it’s quite a shock to see all the housing developments and traffic signals that surround the property now and to hear all the highway traffic at night. It used to be pitch-black there in the evenings and you’d hear all the aminal sounds at night and the stars looked so close that you could almost touch them. It was very frightening because it felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. I was always happy to see the monirning sunrise. But most are not aware that in addition to having a bird farm, there were also monkeys of all breeds, a bear, many varieties of wild game, etc.. My Grandfather also traveled the world with his best buddy Conrad Hilton (yes, the Hotel Big Shot) who was also a bird fancier. I, as well as most, remember when we arrived during each visit being greated by numerous proud fanning peacocks (reminding you that they’re the boss) and the loud mouthed black bird with the orange beak who loved to sing “Pancho…Pancho Villa…blah, blah, blah (can’t remember all the birds lyrics – sorry). Anyway, thought you’d might enjoy this little tidbit of history. Please continue to enjoy your time at Guajome. Although it will never be the same, I feel fortunate that there is something left of the “shan-gri-la” that I so fondly remember.
Sincerely,
Dolores I. Buteyn Rota
Los Angeles (Westchester), California
Delores Buteyn Rota, Thank you for your comments above regarding your grandfather’s Guajome Lake.
My wife and I are just now being accepted as Resident Volunteers, and I was pleased to learn some of the history as provided by you.
My wife and I enjoy history, and Guajome Lake. I cleaned the fountain this morning for a wedding, and this evening from your comments, I learned that it is from the old homestead. Thank you for sharing your information.
Jesse Gray…
Hi Jesse, How cool that you are working at Guajome. It is an amazing place with a wonderful story. We were blown away to hear from Dolores, so thankful that she shared her memories with us.
We’re glad that most of it was preserved and not bulldozed for a subdivision. We wish that we had been able to stay longer and explore more of the park, perhaps next time. We heard peacocks when we stayed there, it makes us wonder if they are descendants of Buteyn’s flock… Best of luck to you, enjoy your time there.
Hi Jesse Gray, you’re not going to believe this, but my family was camping at Guajome for a mini reunion while you were cleaning out the fountain for the wedding. In fact, Ranger Rusty asked my father Roger (Jerry Buteyn’s only surviving son) to give a lecture at 4pm that same day to talk about the history of the park. I even got to hear things that I never knew before. I’m sorry you didn’t know to join us. I also want to thank you and your wife for loving Guajome as my family does. We were so distraught about what had happened to most of the land that it took us years to finally get up the courage to come down and camp there and to see of what was left. We have been camping there for the last 4 years and now we just feel grateful to have any of it left.
Hi Erin, yes, most likely the peacocks are descendants as they were free roaming and not in cages as some of the other species. The swans, ducks, geese, etc. on the lake are also descendants and some of the breeds have since mixed their species. The peacocks were a favorite at the bird farm and always performing on cue. We used to get so excited when they would fan their tails and on occasion drop us a feather to take home as a souvenir. I hope you will visit Guajome again soon and explore more of the park.
It’s Pala not Palo, sorry for the typo. And when you come by Guajome make sure you allow time to hike up to the upper pond which is much more than what it sounds like. It’s actually an small lake oasis hidden in the hills and we recently verified that there are fish in there. My father said that they used to catch the fish below and then transfer them to the other ponds on the property. Enjoy your hike (it gets hot – have protection) and I hope the biting is good!
Hi Dolores, Thank you for all the information. How wonderful that your family still spends time at the park. It really is a beautiful, special place. Thank you for sharing your memories with us!