Santa Margarita District History

Santa Margarita District is named in part for the Santa Margarita River that flows through the northern end of the district and also for the historic Rancho Santa Margarita on who’s land the present site of Camp Pendleton Marine Base resides. Our district serves the communities of Bonsall, Fallbrook, Camp Pendleton, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista and in the scenic North San Diego County. This area of the county has a rich tradition of Scouting in San Diego, first being the Palomar District, then reforming as the San Luis Rey District and then reforming again into the Coastal Mountain District. In 1993, what was then known as the San Diego County Council combined with the Desert Trails Council to form the Desert Pacific Council. At that time the district structure of both councils was realigned. in 2004 Our Council has again underwent changes, as Desert Pacific Council combined with Imperial County Council to form San Diego Imperial County Council.

District Santa Margarita was formed in 1994 and included 4 more communities (Escondido, San Marcos and Valley Center). To better handle the growing numbers of Scout units in all of these communities, two separate districts were formed in 1996. As painful as it was to see our friends to the east depart from our family, they are right next door and doing well.

The patch of the Santa Margarita District indicates the heritage of the Luiseño and other indigenous Native American peoples of the Santa Margarita River Valley. The feather circle indicating their influence and strength all around us. The heritage of the Rancho Santa Margarita is shown through the brand of the Rancho in the center of the patch. The Scout emblem in the opening of the brand indicates our small influence in this historic area.