Valley Center is a census-designated place (CDP) in San Diego County, California, United States.

In 1866, the largest grizzly ever recorded in California was shot and killed in Valley Center.

[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 98.7 square miles (256 km2), all land.

On March 30, 2023, a tornado warning was issued by the National Weather Service which is extremely rare for this part of the US.

The racial makeup of Valley Center was 2,285 (73.1%) White with 64.0% of the population non-Hispanic whites, 58 (0.9%) African American, 188 (2.0%) Native American, 295 (3.2%) Asian, 16 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 584 (16.0%) from other races, and 425 (4.6%) from two or more races.

Exhibits include a stagecoach which served as a Civil War ambulance, provided local transportation, and was featured in a number of Western motion pictures; a preserved California Grizzly Bear; and memorabilia.

[9][10] On Memorial Day weekend, the town remembers fallen veterans at the Valley Center Stampede Rodeo and Festival.

[12] In the California State Legislature, Valley Center is in the 38th Senate District, represented by Democrat Catherine Blakespear, and in the 75th Assembly District, represented by Republican Carl DeMaio.

[14] Valley Center also serves as the seat of the tribal governments of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians and the San Pasqual Band of Diegueno Mission Indians reservations, east of the CDP area.