Farm Stand West

George Hillebrecht purchased his first parcel of land in Escondido in 1924, eventually expanding to 150 acres. Initially planting valencia oranges and lemons, he later added fuerte avocados. His son Ben continued the tradition, planting Hass avocados and muscat grapes. The farm stand began in the late 1970s as a necessity to sell muscat grapes. Over the years, the farm diversified its crops and attended multiple farmers' markets, although they eventually scaled back to focus on their farm stands and some wholesale business. The farm now spans 80 acres, including a ranch in San Pasqual Valley.

The farm has transitioned some of its older citrus plantings to a variety of crops, including deciduous fruit trees, raspberries, asparagus, strawberries, and tomatoes. They employ integrated pest management, with Mike Hillebrecht serving as the licensed pest control operator. The farm also focuses on improving water well capacity to support hillside Hass avocado plantings.

The farm stand offers a wide range of produce, including white sweet corn, melons, and potatoes. They also have a gluten-free deli and host seasonal events such as Fran’s Pumpkin Patch and a Christmas Tree lot. The farm's history and practices reflect the broader agricultural changes in San Diego County, which has shifted from food crops to ornamental plants as the primary source of agricultural income.