October 17, 2025 (Jamul) - San Diego’s premier new luxury destination, Jamul Casino Resort, recently welcomed guests to the official grand opening of its state-of-the-art boutique hotel tower, marking a new era in Southern California hospitality. The stunning 16-story property features a premium spa with a full-service salon, a rooftop pool with sweeping mountain views, and a signature dining venue. With 200 spacious, Alexa-enabled rooms including multiple high-tech luxury suites, a speakeasy and invite-only gaming spaces, it creates an unparalleled stay and play experience.
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October 13, 2025 (El Cajon) -- Don't let the name fool you -- Family Christmas Tree Farm is geared up for Halloween, too.
As autumn settles in over San Diego County, El Cajon's Family Christmas Tree Farm has rolled out its pumpkins and fall flavors even as it prepares for the winter holidays. It's been rated the 4th best Christmas tree farm in the nation by Yelp.
The 10-acre Christmas Tree Farm at 300 Pepper Drive has been serving the community since 1972, when it started its dedication to cultivating the Christmas spirit in East County.
For 50 years, the Stokes family has nurtured the land, the trees and the local tradition that draws families year after year.
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October 1, 2025 (Julian) - For anyone interested in exploring the historic aspect of weaving on a loom, or buying hand-woven products, you won’t want to miss Julian Weaving Works in Santa Ysabel. Julian Weaving Works is a weaving academy and store created and run by Beryl Warnes. She has been in this weaving business for 30 years.
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Photo of people checking out the Anza Borrego Desert courtesy Anza Borrego Foundation
East County News Service
Sept. 10, 2025 (Borrego Springs) -- It's September -- and that means the heat is on in the Anza-Borrego Desert.
With average daily high temperatures in the mid-90s°F and above, Borrego Springs will likely be too hot for comfortable outdoor activities, but the Anza-Borrego Foundation has two education events in the second part of the month.
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July 4, 2025 (Ramona) -- A nice place to retreat from the hustle and bustle of San Diego and escape to the countryside is Ramona, especially when you are walking around and enjoying the lavender fields at the new Camel Valley Lavender Farm on Old Julian Highway.
It is next to the Oasis Camel Dairy and getting to see many of the 21 camels that live there is an added bonus!
Gil Riegler founded Oasis Camel Dairy twenty years ago with his wife, Nancy. They opened up Camel Valley Lavender last year.
According to the website, Camel Valley Lavender gets its name from its spectacular view. Camels graze on their native grass pasture while beautiful views of the Santa Ysabel mountains rise in the background, making the lavender fields a serene experience.
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Three other state parks in San Diego County also recognized
East County News Service
Photos. left and right by Bob Kutschner: Wildflower fields at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
May 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has been named the best California state park for wildflower viewing in a new “Best of California State Parks” poll released by the California State Parks Foundation. Anza-Borrego also won an honorable mention for best camping location.
Three other state parks in San Diego County also made the list.
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San Diego’s East County is a wonderful destination for discovering dining adventures. For decades, our region has taken in refugees and immigrants from around the world, bringing culinary delights with international flair to our local restaurant scene.
Our inland region has a wide assortment of restaurants and eateries to choose form, including cuisines from around 40 countries spanning six continents, as well as many varieties of American cuisine such as barbecue, Cajun, soul food, steaks and seafood, burgers, salads and more.
East County Magazine's dining guide also includes specialties such as bakeries, healthy and vegan options, ice cream and frozen yogurt shops, and more.
You can search by cuisine type, location, or alphabetical listings. Bon appétit!
Find great restaurants by clicking the headlines below for all restaurants (arranged alphabetically), restaurants specializing in American cuisine, those serving international cuisine, or sweets and treats for delicious desserts--all in San Diego's inland communities.
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Photo: Blue Morpho butterfly, by Amanda Martinez, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
April 6, 2025 (Escondido) – The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is offered a “butterfly safari” at its Butterfly Jungle open now through April 20.
Become immersed in the vibrant world of pollinators as you explore the Safari Park's Butterfly Jungle. Once a year, this aviary transforms into a world of color. As butterflies fly around you, snap amazing photos and experience wonder while discovering the important role butterflies play in nature.
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Photo, left by Claire Sweeney: new Safari Adventure check-in area, courtesy of San Diego Zoo Safari Park
March 6, 2025 (San Pasqual) — The San Diego Zoo Safari Park announces the opening of Safari Excursions, a check-in spot and gathering place for your safari. Designed with comfort and inspiration in mind, Safari Excursions serves as the hub for all safari departures. Guests can check in, meet their guides, and take in the stunning surroundings before their excursion begins.
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Many people and their dogs came together at Town Center Community Park East for the ninth annual Fido Fest in Santee.
By G.A. McNeeley
Photos by Scott Lagace and G.A. McNeeley
February 26, 2025 (Santee) - The city of Santee invited lots of people (and their dogs) for fun times at this year’s Fido Fest. People were also able to adopt their own furry friend from one of the many rescue groups present at the event hosted by the city of Santee on February 22 at Town Center Community Park East in Santee.
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Ranch offers petting zoo, summer camp and Airbnb experiences
ByMimi Pollack
Photo: baby goats named Daisy Duke and Billy the Kid
February 18, 2025 (Jamul) -- With his friendly smile and warm blue eyes, Farmer Pat [as he likes to be called] welcomes you to Jamul Trails Ranch,a little oasis in Jamul. Pat and Kim Dillon have built a nice life for themselves and now want to share it with others.
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January 29, 2025 (San Diego) - The San Diego Zoo Safari Park welcomes guests aged 65 and older to enjoy free admission throughout February during Seniors Free Month. To participate, guests 65 and older simply need to present a valid photo ID upon arrival. Visitors can immerse themselves in the Safari Park’s vast 1,800-acre landscape, home to over 3,000 animals representing more than 300 species, alongside a botanical collection featuring over 1.3 million plants. This unique experience provides educational opportunities and unforgettable moments for all ages.
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August 11, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Nine years ago, I wrote an article on the all-breed dog rescue, the Animal Pad, which was then headed by Rebecca Weinrib and Stephanie Nisan. A lot has changed since then, and this non-profit dog rescue based in La Mesa has really grown as it continues to save the lives of many dogs. TAP (The Animal Pad) rescues dogs from other shelters, dogs that are owner surrendered, and dogs from various [and sometimes perilous] situations in Tijuana and Baja California.
Nisan and Weinrib have passed on the torch, with Nisan remaining on the Board of Directors. The present Executive Director and woman of many hats is the formidable Lauren Botticelli, who came in seven years ago. In addition, in 2020, TAP acquired a physical building on Avocado Blvd to run the day-to-day operations and house a kennel for up to 40 dogs.
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Photo credit: Wieghorst Museum courtesy City of El Cajon
July 25, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center in El Cajon honors the accomplished artist Olaf who lived in our community for 44 years.
You can also arrange private tours and classroom visits, Tuesday through Saturday. By becoming a supporting member of the museum, you can enjoy many benefits such as free year-round admission to the Museum, 10% discount at our Museum Store, and invitations to their exclusive exhibitions, artist’s receptions, and other community events.
Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
July 6, 2024 (Ramona) -- In the United States, there is a problem with people acquiring exotic animals without really doing their research. People bring these pets home as tiny babies, not realizing that they can grow to be quite large as adults. For example black and white Argentine Tegu lizards, which start out as tiny babies, can grow to be up to four feet long. In addition, there are animals that are hit by cars, which unfortunately can be a frequent occurrence in rural areas such as Ramona.
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June 21, 2024 (Lakeside) — In honor of National Canoe and Kayak Day, Lake Jennings in Lakeside is offering guided kayak tours on Wednesday, June 26 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The hour-and-a-half tour costs $30 per person and includes a kayak rental. Learn about the lake’s history, biodiversity, conservation efforts and operations. Reserve space by calling (619) 596-1306.
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June 21, 2024 (Ramona) -- A couple of weeks ago, I went paintballing with a friend in a fun day-out at Giant Paintball Park in Ramona, celebrating the return of spring to the San Diego backcountry. Paintballing is a fun experience for all ages, an activity in which everyone can have fun shooting the opposing teammates while running around and breaking a sweat.
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Photos courtesy: Roy Toft, Teri Kerns, and Mimi Pollack
June 18, 2024 (Ramona) – Ramona photographer Roy Toft, has always had an affinity for animals. This photographer has had many adventures in his life, photographing wildlife and leading tours around the world, but he calls Ramona home. He lives there with his wife, Stella, and their cat. Now he is giving a gift back to the Ramona community with the release of his new coffee table book, Wild Ramona.
When he was a student at Polytechnic State University, his major was wildlife biology, but a camera, a Canon AE1, given as a graduation gift by his father, changed the course of his life. Photography became his passion and his degree in biology also came in handy.
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May 29, 2024 (Rancho San Diego) – Two of East County’s most unique attractions, both at Cuyamaca College, are offering free admission on the second Friday each month: Heritage of the Americas Museum and the Water Conservation Garden.
Visitors can enjoy tours of the garden and museum, participate in scavenger hunts, and pack a picnic lunch. The Garden is dog-friendly.
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May 26, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Just fifteen minutes from Downtown San Diego lies El Cajon, bustling with small businesses, delicious eateries, and more to make any day or night well-spent. Offering an insider perspective, here’s what we’d recommend doing for the ultimate day on Main Street in El Cajon:
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May 25, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- Beautify your desktop with our "Four Seasons in East County" screensavers! Donate $20 or more and we'll email these beautiful images to you to use as screensavers on your computer monitor.
Give now at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to support East County Magazine's nonprofit public interest news reporting and/or our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts, and receive your "Four Seasons in East County" screensavers.
The costs of everything has gone up, including our operations costs, even as demand for news is on the rise as other local news outlets have closed down or cut content. Soyour support is needed to help assure that we can be there to cover news that matters most in your community.
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May 24, 2024 (Borrego Springs) – Astronomy writer and night sky photographer Dennis Mammana snapped these stunning photos of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, which made a rare appearance over our region on May 11. The photo, left, taken from his backyard in the Anza-Borrego Desert, also shows the Milky Way.
“I aimed my camera with 14mm lens toward the east-southeast. The right (south) side of the frame shows the Milky Way as it appears on a normal night. The left (north) side shows how far southward the aurora extended that night, and how it nearly overwhelmed the Milky Way,” Mammana told East County Magazine.
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May 14, 2024 (Lakeside) — Over 100 cars, along with their friendly and informative owners, turned out on May 4 at the Dianne Jacob Equestrian Center in Lakeside for a car show—all part of the mixed uses planned for the new facility. East County Magazine interviewed Charger Steve, who explained the East County Cruisers club, highlighting the muscle cars and classic cars.
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FUNBOX, a 25,000 sq ft inflatable playground, takes residence at the Parkway Plaza for a limited time
May 8, 2024 (El Cajon) -- FUNBOX®, a unique entertainment and amusement experience consisting of 25,000 square feet of inflatable fun, is bringing the ultimate adventure to the San Diego area again, with a new Funbox park filled with new attractions and endless fun. Located outside in the parking lot at Parkway Plaza, 415 Fletcher Parkway, Funbox is filled with 10 thrilling play zones including the Tumble Temple, Marshmallow Mountain, Gumball’s Gallop and an obstacle course that exceeds all expectations.
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March 16, 2024 (Borrego Springs) – Those heavy winter rains have resulted in one of the most beautiful bloom seasons in recent memory in the Anza-Borrego Desert. I visited earlier this month, finding the desert floor along Henderson Canyon Road bursting with colorful purple verbena, white primroses and yellow sunflowers.
Many of the most spectacular wildflower fields are not in the Anza-Borrego State Park, but just outside it on the outskirts of Borrego Springs.
Tips for your visit:
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Photo: New Allied Gardens Off-Leash Dog Park; screen shot, @AGGCcouncil via Facebook
February 19, 2024 (Allied Gardens) – A new dog park opened last weekend in San Diego’s Allied Gardens neighborhood for pet owners to bring their dogs to frolic off-leash. The new park, next to the Allied Gardens Pool at 6707 Glenroy Street in San Diego, is larger than most other local dog parks.
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February 5, 2024 (Borrego Springs) -- The 18th Annual Plein Air Invitational in Borrego Springs, California promises to be a captivating celebration of art and nature. The event runs from March 4 to April 14, 2024.
While wildflowers typically start popping up halfway through February, the peak blooming usually occurs in March and continues through April. Given all this winter's rain this year's floral blooms in the Anza Borrego should be early and quite exceptional.
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February 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- Looking for some creative ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your special someone? East County has some great getaways and romantic rendezvous retreats, winetasting events, adventures to remember and culinary experiences to savor.
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January 5, 2024 -- We still have a few calendars left! Back by popular demand, our "Beautiful East County" calendar for 2024 showcases our region's scenic attractions and wildlife.
The calendars are available as our thank you gift to you, with any tax-deductible donation of $50 or more this month. To donate, please visit www.EastCountyMedia.org/donate.
Your donation will help sustain our independent reporting for San Diego's East County.
We thank you for your generosity, and thanks to our many readers who have already contributed.
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December 31 2023 (Lakeside) – County Parks and Recreation held a grand opening of the $16.9 million Dianne Jacob Equestrian Park on December 12 in Lakeside. Several hundred people attended, with Jacob as the guest of honor.
Jacob served 28 years as District 2 County Supervisor and is an avid equestrian. Her dream of a premier facility was unveiled to an enthusiastic crowd and local officials. Jacob was an advocate for many park projects during her tenure of 28 years in public office.
The excitement was obvious in Jacob’s demeanor as she cut the long red ribbon to open the beautiful facility. “This is awesome...It’s one-of-a-kind and it’s going to bring in events from all over the state of California,” said Jacob. “This is going to put Lakeside on the map.”
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San Diego’s newest boutique hotel now open
Photo courtesy Family Christmas Tree Farm
By Heidi Hope
By Mimi Pollack
East County News Service
Photos. left and right by Bob Kutschner: Wildflower fields at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
East County News Service
Source: San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Many people and their dogs came together at Town Center Community Park East for the ninth annual Fido Fest in Santee. 
Ranch offers petting zoo, summer camp and Airbnb experiences
Source: San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
By Mimi Pollack
East County News Service
By Bransen P. Harper
By Mimi Pollack
East County News Service
By Alyssa Hiestand
By Shiloh Ireland
By Jillian Irizarry, 2 Moms Media
East County News Service
Story and photos by Shiloh Ireland
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