Numerous gem mines were established in 1890s, of which more than twenty are listed in the Mindat database. Pala is at an altitude of 404 feet, located at 33☂1′55″N 117☀4′36″W / 33.36528°N 117.07667°W / 33.36528 -117.07667 (latitude 33.365N, longitude 117.075W).Īfter United States annexation of California following its victory in the Mexican–American War, Pala became known for its mineral resources, including gold and tourmaline. The community is in the Pacific time zone. The community name may be derived from the Native American Cupeño or Luiseño language term pal, meaning 'water.' Another possible origin of the name is the Spanish word pala, which means 'shovel.' The community is in ZIP Code 92059, and inside area code 760. In the National Geographic Names Database, it is officially catalogued as feature number 1661174. The community is north of Escondido in the San Diego-Carlsbad metro area. For centuries a traditional gathering place of native peoples, it was selected in the early 19th century by Spanish Franciscan missionaries as the site of a mission to indoctrinate the Native Americans. Pala is a small, mostly Native American, community and CDP located in the Pala Indian Reservation, located within San Diego County, California.