East County News Service

October 9, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features Matilda the Musical in Spring Valley, a production of On Golden Pond in La Mesa, a Chamber music series at Cuyamaca College, Fall at the farm in Julian, Ms. Smarty Plants Goes Batty at the Water Conservation Garden, a pumpkin patch at Summers Past Farms, a Fair Trade gift fair in La Mesa, concerts at the Magnolia Center, and the Julian Autumn Jubilee.

Plus, we have a preview of coming events including the Borrego Days Festival and Parade, Pints 4 the Park, a Green Homes Tour, Hauntfest on Main in El Cajon, costume contests for people and pets at Bates Nut Farm, spooky camp overs at Lake Jennings and at Lions, Tigers and Bears, Trunk or Treat in El Cajon, a Cultural Arts Expo in El Cajon, and the Mother Goose Parade.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Miriam Raftery

September 27, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features a bounty of fall festivities, including the season finale of El Cajon’s concert series, Chaldean-American Festival in El Cajon, a Johnny Appleseed celebration in Santa Ysabel, concerts by Grammy Award and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame stars at the Magnolia in El Cajon, and the start of Fall at the Farm harvest activities near Julian as well as a chamber music season launch at Cuyamaca College.

Plus, we have a preview of coming events including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, our own Fall Fiesta in Jamul, the Ramona Air Fair, Kids Care Fest in Lemon Grove, the Jacumba Fall Festival, Julian Autumn Jubilee, Ms. Smarty Plants Goes Batty at the Garden, a Fair Trade gift faire in La Mesa, vocalist Lillian Palmer at the Mission Trails Church, the Borrego Days Desert Festival and parade, Pints 4 the Park in Borrego Springs, a Green Homes Tour, HauntFest and Trunk or Treat in downtown El Cajon.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Miriam Raftery

September 4, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County features berry picking in Julian, the Sycuan powwow, Kids Care Fest, grape stomps in  Julian, Campo and Ramona and the grand opening of the Magnolia Center in El Cajon.

Plus, we have a preview of coming events including the Santee Bluegrass Festival, Fall at the Farm in Julian, Astronomy Night on Mt. Helix, Mean Mary in concert in Santee and concerts and classic cruises in El Cajon. 

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

August 6, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features the HeART of Mt. Helix food, wine and art festival, Mary Poppins Returns at MacArthur Park in La Mesa, a star party at Mission Trails, a twilight walk at Mission Trails, Beat the Heat activities at Stelzer Park in Lakeside, DJ nights at Viejas Roller Rink in Alpine, the Captain Marvel movie August 17 at Wells Park in EL Cajon, Elvis Tribute concerts in Lemon Grove and El Cajon, Queen Nation in concert in Santee, Cajon Speedway family night and more.

Plus, we have a preview of coming events including powwows at Barona and Sycuan, a sky hunters demonstration with birds of prey in Julian, a Laurel and Hardy comedy night in Spring Valley, the Campo Grape Picking and Stomping Party, and more.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

July 6, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features lots of fun and festive upcoming summertime events, including Watermelon Days at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, the Sunshine Boys at Lamplighters Theatre, in La Mesa, a Pacific Southwest Railway Museum meet and greet in La Mesa, the Pine Valley Days festival and parade, a Sip of Julian, Concert at the Lakes in Santee, a winetasting festival in Jamul, Herman’s Hermits live at Sycuan, the Ramona Country Fair, and the HeART of Mt. Helix.

There are also some all summer long events including outdoor concerts, movies in parks across our region, classic car shows and dive-in movies at the Kroc Center’s swimming pool.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

June 12, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- From Father’s Day to the Fourth of July, we’ve got lots of festive events coming up across East County. In late June, you can enjoy night fishing at Santee Lakes, the Bayou Brothers concert at Santee Lakes, Father’s day on artist James Hubbell’s Julian mountain retreat, a Father’s Day pit barbecue at the Santa Ysabel mission, and the Anomar Arts Festival in Ramona.

Plus, enjoy 4th of July parades in Julian and Alpine, the Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Festival as well as Independence Day celebrations in Santee, El Cajon and Poway. We’ll also have some all summer long events including outdoor concerts, movies in the park, classic car shows and dive-in movies at the Kroc Center’s swimming pool.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – This Memorial Day Weekend, events include the Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival, a Living History program on Mount Laguna, the Julian Fiddle and Pickin’  contest, a hike across the Santa Ysabel Preserve, an a-capella concert by Chamber Bravura in La Mesa, and a Warrior Hike Challenge at El Capitan County Preserve in Lakeside.  On the last weekend of May, Kidz Danz Kompany presents Visions of Broadway and the Musica En La Plaza series opens in Escondido.

Plus we’ll have a preview of some joyful June events including La Mesa’s flag day parade, Lavender Days at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs, night fishing at Santee Lakes, a Father’s Day pit barbecue in Santa Ysabel,  Fido Fest in Santee, the Anomar Arts Festival in Ramona, and some all summer long event series including outdoor concerts in La Mesa, Lemon Grove, El Cajon and Santee, classic cruises and movies in the park.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

April 24, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- May activities include El Cajon’s dinner and a concert season opener, the Coyote Music Festival at Cuyamaca College, Classic Cruise Night’s centennial season in downtown El Cajon, Vintage Alpine, the Lilac Festival in Santa Ysabel, Sky tours in Julian, A Taste of Julian, Open Farm Day at Oasis Camel Dairy, Wild in the Country at Lions Tigers and Bears, America on Main Street, a Gunsmoke fundraiser for a local Lions Club in El Cajon, a wine festival and the Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Contest.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

March 19, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the 1000 Lights water lantern festival at Santee Lakes, Les Miserables at Steele Canyon High School, Latin vocal star Roberto Carlos at San Diego State University, and Off Broadway Live’s The Bridge in Santee.

Plus we’ll have a preview of April activities including Julian Gold Rush Days, Meet the Winemaker Weekend, the Catfish Opener at Santee Lakes, Lake Jennings Spring Carnival, a Star Party at Mission Trails, a Spring EggStravaganza, a warbirds event in El Cajon, Cajon Class Cruise celebrating its centennial season, live music at the San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room in La Mesa, Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa, Earth Day celebrations in La Mesa and Jacumba Hot Springs,a heavenly harp concert near Mission Trails, Lakeside’s Rodeo and Western Days Parade, and a Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival at the Water Conservation Garden.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: CC by SA

February 27, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- Destination East County highlights March events including an Off Broadway Live production in Santee, a wildlife tracking walk at Mission Trails, a Borrego historical tour and living history presentation, Tomatomania at the Water Conservation Garden, and Quartet Luminosos at Mission Trails Church.

Plu, coming attractions include Arlo Guthrie on stage in Poway, a St. Patrick’s Day lucky adventure in Santa Ysabel, Sha Na Na at Sycuan, and the 1000 Lights Festival at Santee Lakes.

So scroll down for these events and many more.

East County News Service

December 2, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- The holiday season in East County has many fun and festive events coming up, including the Alpine Parade of Lights and Snow Festival, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, Breakfast with Santa in Alpine, San Diego Festival Chorus & Orchestra’s Christmas concert, an Enchanted Village in Spring Valley, North Pole Limited train rides in Campo, outdoor ice skating at Viejas and more.

Plus, there are some non-holiday happenings this season including concerts by such stellar performers as Fleetwood Mac, LeAnn Rimes, Barry Manilow, Tony Orlando and the Kingston Trio, a radio production of It’s a Wonderful Life, and a comedy  appearance by Trevor Noah.

So scroll down for all of these events and more!

East County News Service

November 12, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- The holiday season in East County has many fun and festive events coming up, including Santee’s holiday tree lighting, the Mother Goose Parade, Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy, a Julian Country Christmas, El Cajon’s Holiday Lights on Main Street, North Pole Limited train rides in Campo, the Spirit of Christmas in Lakeside, Ramona’s tree lighting with sleigh rides, outdoor ice skating at Viejas, the Alpine Parade of Lights and Snow Festival, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village and more.

Plus, there are some non-holiday happenings this season including concerts by such stellar performers as LeAnn Rimes, Tony Orlando and the Kingston Trio, a radio production of It’s a Wonderful Life, and a swingin’ holiday party with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

So scroll down for all of these events and more!

East County News Service

October 17, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, a Julian melodrama, Borrego Days Desert Festival, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, pumpkin patches filled with festive fall activities, a haunted amusement park, spooky camp overs, safe trick or treating options for children, and a haunted train ride.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a presentation of It’s a Wonderful Life by Pickwick Players in Santee, the Mother Goose Parade in downtown El Cajon, and Tony Orlando in concert at Sycuan.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Hank Williams Jr. in concert at Viejas, the Julian Country Fair, a star party at Mission Trails, a piano and guitar concert at a winery in Ramona, East County Dining Cub at Fourpenny House in La Mesa,and Siren’s Crush performing in downtown El Cajon.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, spooky campouts at Lake Jennings in Lakeside and Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, a masquerade ball in el Cajon, the Pumpkin Express at the Campo railway depot, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Borrego Days desert festival and parade, fair trade shopping in La Mesa, and HauntFest on Main in El Cajon.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Miriam Raftery

September 4, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes live music in downtown El Cajon, the Sycuan Pow-wow, star parties at Mission Trails, and the Ramona Grape Stomp.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including raspberry picking at Julian Farm and Orchard, Hank Williams Jr. at Viejas, Gregory Page and Sky Ladd in concert at Schwaesdall Winery in Ramona, Julian Music Festival, Santa Ysabel Mission’s Bicentennial Celebration, Oktoberfest in La Mesa, Alley Cat Art Walk in El Cajon, a masquerade ball in El Cajon, spooky camping at Lake Jennings, our East County Dining Club at Fourpenny House in La Mesa, fair trade shopping in La Mesa, the Pumpkin Express haunted train ride, HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, and the Borrego Days desert festival.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!