Ranchita (Spanish for "small ranch") is an unincorporated community in San Diego County, California.

[2] A notable feature is the Rancheti, an 11-foot-tall (3.35 m), 300-pound (136.08 kg) fiberglass Yeti statue erected on Montezuma Valley Road in December 2007.

[4] Before present-day Ranchita was founded, it was known as Cañada de la Verruga, a Spanish name meaning "Valley of the Wart" that was used by Spaniards and Native Americans.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors denied a request to construct the road on April 5, 1937.

[7] The road was formally opened on June 24, 1964, and was celebrated for shortening the trip from Escondido to Borrego Springs by 14 miles.