| Group: | Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians |
| Flag: | Bandera Ranxeria barona.PNG |
| Flag Caption: | Tribal flag |
| Total: | 490 |
| Total Ref: | [1] |
| Regions: | United States (California) |
| Languages: | Ipai,[2] Tipai,[3] English |
| Religions: | Traditional tribal religion, Christianity (Roman Catholicism)[4] |
| Related Groups: | other Kumeyaay tribes, Cocopa, Quechan, Paipai, and Kiliwa |
| Barona Reservation | |
| Settlement Type: | Reservation |
| Coordinates: | 32.95°N -166°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | California |
| Established Date: | 1932 |
| Unit Pref: | US |
| Population As Of: | 1973 |
| Population Total: | 125 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | auto |
The Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians of the Barona Reservation is a federally recognized tribe of Kumeyaay Indians,[4] who are sometimes known as Mission Indians.
In 1875, the tribe, along with the Viejas Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians, controlled the Capitan Grande Reservation, which consisted of barren, uninhabitable mountain lands. The El Capitan Reservoir, forcibly purchased from the two tribes to provide water for San Diego, submerged what habitable land existed on the reservation. The two tribes jointly control this reservation. It is undeveloped but serves as an ecological preserve.[5]
The Barona Reservation (32.9553°N -116.8442°W) is a federal Indian reservation located in San Diego County, California, near Lakeside[1] and the Cleveland National Forest. It takes its name from the Mexican land grant Cañada de San Vicente y Mesa del Padre Barona, named in turn after Padre José Barona, a friar at Mission San Diego de Alcalá from 1798 until he transferred to Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1811.[6] Founded in 1932, the reservation covers 5181acres. Much of the highland valley has good farmland. The reservation hosts several ranches, a chapel, tribal offices, a community center, and a ballpark created by the tribe.[3] In 1973, 125 of the 156 enrolled members lived on the reservation.[2] The nearest community is San Diego Country Estates, which adjoins the reservation's northeast side.
The Barona Band of Mission Indians is headquartered in Lakeside, California.[7] They are governed by a democratically elected, seven-person tribal council, who serve four-year terms. As of May 2024, the council members are:[8]
The tribe owns and operates the Barona Resort and Casino, Barona Creek Golf Club, Barona Steakhouse, Sage Café, HoWan Noodle Shop, and several other restaurants, all in Lakeside.[9] The tribe is developing an energy project for 2026, partially funded by the California Energy Commission.[10]