Overview
El Cajon is a city in San Diego County in Southern California. The city is nicknamed "The Big Box".
1 sights · 3 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about El Cajon
San Diego Air & Space Museum Gillespie Field Annex
Aircraft museum and displays.
Water Conservation Garden
Beautifully curated, features informative displays for children and adults
Mother Goose Parade
El Cajon's annual Mother Goose Parade is the largest parade in San Diego County and the largest of its type west of the Mississippi.
The Magnolia
Concert venue.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 42°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SAN San Diego International Airport, San Diego — 14 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CLD McClellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad — 29 mi away. Directions
The local San Diego Trolley light rail system serves El Cajon with two lines: the Orange Line, which travels through La Mesa and Lemon Grove to Downtown San Diego, and the Green Line which heads past SDSU and through Mission Valley to San Diego's Old Town and Downtown.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Magnolia, San Diego Air & Space Museum Gillespie Field Annex
- Lunch Ali Baba Restaurant
- Afternoon Water Conservation Garden, Mother Goose Parade
- Dinner Barbeque Pit
- Evening Hooleys Irish Pub
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By train
The local San Diego Trolley light rail system serves El Cajon with two lines: the Orange Line, which travels through La Mesa and Lemon Grove to Downtown San Diego, and the Green Line which heads past SDSU and through Mission Valley to San Diego's Old Town and Downtown.
El Cajon has two stations, which are served by both lines:
Go El Cajon Transit Center
Go Arnele Avenue station
By plane
See
Do
Buy
Eat
Eat Ali Baba Restaurant
Great Middle Eastern food at a great price, a good thing to get with groups is the feast
Drink
Sleep
Nearby
La Mesa
City / town · 10 listings · 4 mi away
National City
City / town · 13 listings · 12 mi away
Poway
City / town · 4 listings · 12 mi away
San Diego
City / town · 25 listings · 13 mi away
Chula Vista
City / town · 43 listings · 13 mi away
Coronado
City / town · 30 listings · 15 mi away
Imperial Beach
City / town · 11 listings · 17 mi away
Ramona
City / town · 18 mi away
My experience
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