Rancho Peñasquitos is one of the premier historic and archaeological sites in San Diego County. People lived here for over 7000 years and left much behind for researchers to find and interpret. Archaeologists and historians spent over 20 years conducting research to uncover the Peñasquitos story. This research continues even today. These explorations uncovered exciting and intriguing results. How do we know people lived here for over 7000 years? What was found beneath the ranch house that proved it was the oldest in Peñasquitos Canyon? What study proved it was the first Rancho in San Diego County? What made Rancho Peñasquitos a typical example of economic and cuiltural life in early San Diego? This book provides results for most of this research and details the lifeways of the people who lived at Rancho Peñasquitos. Color excavation maps noted in the book are available at www.penasquitos.org, as are two videos showing the historic rancho and an archaeological dig in progress.