By Mike Allen

Cancelling Magnolia extension, as proposed, would remove key evacuation route for wildfires, critic says

August 30, 2020 (Santee) -- Fanita Ranch, the 3,000 unit residential project planned for Santee’s northwest quadrant, is being delayed by developer HomeFed Corp. to make some significant changes, including removing an extension of a key arterial serving the project.

In a letter posted on the Fanita Ranch Facebook page last week, Jeff O’Connor, the company’s vice president, said HomeFed requested the delay “to remove the extension of Magnolia Avenue from the project in order to direct those funds towards the improvements to SR-52.”

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

February 8, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Good Samaritans pulled the injured driver of a pickup truck out to safety moments before the vehicle caught on fire early this morning following a four-vehicle collision on State Route 52 just west of Santee.

East County News Service

October 4, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—Caltrans is weighing whether or not to grant state scenic highway designation of State Route 52 from Mast Boulevard in Santee to Santo Road in San Diego, where the highway passes through Mission Trails Regional Park.  Preserve Wild Santee began seeking the designation in 2012 and the San Diego City Council passed a unanimous resolution in support in 2013, yet Caltrans has not yet taken action.

Save Mission Trails and Preserve Wild Santee are both asking the public to send letters urging support of the scenic highway designation to preserve the natural beauty of this area from projects such a power plant proposal recently withdrawn by the developer.  Save Mission Trails has provided a sample letter that you can sign and send to those listed below.

Note to our readers: Please send us your best photos taken alone highway 52 between Mast and Santos Road! We will publish the most scenic and beauitful photos.

Photos by Van Collinsworth and Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2014 (San Diego) – State Route Highway 52 travels through Mission Gorge and Santee, offering motorists views of the San Diego River and Mission Trails Regional Park.  Now the City of San Diego is applying for Scenic Highway designation from the state for  the section of  State Route 52 from Santo Road to Mast Boulevard, through Mission Trails Regional Park.

The measure passed unanimously.  Van Collinsworth at Preserve Wild Santee urges the public to send letters of support for recognizing the scenic value of these resources. Letters should be received by February 28 and may be sent to:

By Nadin Abbott; photos by Tom and Nadin Abbott

June 17, 2018 (San Diego)—Aerial and ground firefighting efforts, including bulldozers, held yesterday’s brush fire to 110 acres.  The blaze started around 4:30 off the shoulder of State Route 52 just east of Santo Road. Flames spread quickly in light to medium fuels into the boundary of Mission Trails Regional Park, precipitating a multi-agency responses.

When we first arrived on scene at Highway 52 and Santo Road, the highway was clogged with a hard closure of the on ramp.

March 18, 2011 (Santee)—Thousands of East County residents are expected to party hearty at Saturday's “52 from Sea to Santee” grand opening festival being held right on top of the new freeway connector, State Route 52, on March 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The long-awaited stretch of freeway will connect to State Route 67, creating a straight route to Santee from I-5 and the sea.

This one-of-a-kind community festival will include a three-mile run/walk/ride, music, ribbon cutting ceremony, sponsor/vendor booths, and fun for all ages. East County Magazine will have a booth there, along with many local businesses. See below for location and parking details.