Now and Then: Carmel Valley back in 2007

Many will remember 2007 as the year of the firestorm. 


As the Witch Creek Fire blazed in the neighboring communities of Rancho Bernardo and Rancho Santa Fe, many Carmel Valley residents were evacuated from their homes on Oct. 21. It was an exhausting and nerve-wracking few days as Carmel Valley was never specifically mentioned in TV fire coverage and people just weren’t sure if their homes would be safe or not. 

• Despite years of development and hopes as well as a $2.7 million fundraising campaign, the YMCA of Encinitas cancelled plans for a Torrey Hills facility, citing insufficient community support. The projected 38,000 square ft. facility was expected to be a recreation center and pool on a 4-acre parcel of Torrey Hills Neighborhood Park.

• Torrey Pines High School football coach Ed Burke announced his retirement after 21 years. During his 21 years, he recorded a 182-60-5 record, winning eight league championships — five Avocado and three Palomar titles — and four CIF San Diego section titles in 1992, 1997, 2003, and 2004.

• Carmel Valley’s Northwestern Division police station had a grand opening celebration on March 22. In June, Kathy Healey was named the captain of the station.

• An early morning fire destroyed the nearly completed Hilton Garden Inn on Vista Sorrento Parkway. The fire caused about $8.5 million in damages and destroyed 30 parked cars. It also damaged the Hilton Homewood Suites next door.

• Ocean Air School opens with Gary Wilson as principal.
• The Grand Del Mar Resort opened, a $270 million resort on 380 acres including a golf course designed by Tom Fazio.