Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

April 1, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes Mozart, an Old West Art Fest, the Garden Native Tour, Padre’s Opening Day and more.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including the Spring Garden Festival at Cuyamaca College, Chaldean Nights at Sycuan in El Cajon and an El Monte Flume Trail Hike.

So scroll down for all of these events and more.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

March 17, 2016 (San Diego's East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes unplugged at Parkway Plaza, open house at Oasis Camel Dairy, the Borrego Garden Tour, Snoopy the musical and an a cappella quartet at the Joan Kroc Theater.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including the Spring Harpfest, Santee Lakes Eggstravaganza and a Water-wise Garden tour.  So scroll down for all of these events and more!

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

By Miriam Raftery

This week’s Destination East County includes a night hike with stargazing at the Santa Ysabel preserve, a Pirate’s Cove run/walk at Lake Cuyamaca, live music in La Mesa, and the Julian Doves and Desperados performing wild west skits in Julian.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, egg hunts, garden tours, a desert art show, a backroom beer pairing, a harmonica festival, a spring carnival, Snoopy the musical, and a hike to the Valley of the Moon..

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

East County News Service

February 27, 2016 (San Diego) -- Join volunteer naturalist Don Endicott in the Visitor Center Theater at Mission Trails Regional Park on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. for a multi-media introduction to the natural history of the mountain lion, our region's seldom seen apex predator. 

His talk will describe the amazing attributes and signature behaviors of our big cats, show how relationships between mountain lions and people changed over time, and outline their key contributions to a healthy wilderness environment.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

By Miriam Raftery

February 18, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes a harpsichord and violin concert at Cuyamaca College by the San Diego Early Music Society, an author speaking on San Diego Legends, and an open artists’ studio tour in Borrego Springs.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a concert by country music stars the Gatlin Brothers, a moonlight hike in the Anza-Borrego desert, an all-night run/walk at Pirate’s Cove along Lake Cuyamaca’s shores, the La Mesa Chamber’s Mardi Gras and Salute to Local Heroes, plus a St. Patrick’s weekend run/walk in downtown El Cajon to benefit local charities.

So croll down for all of these events and more.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audo link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

January 27, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes hawk watching in Ramona,‘California Dreamin’ in Anza Borrego and “Visions” at Mission Trail Regional Park.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including  a Valentine’s food and wine pairing at Vineyard Grant James in Ramona, breakfast with Supervisor Dianne Jacob, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performing live at  Sycuan.

So scroll down for all of these events and more.

 We thank the County of San Diego for a Community  Enhancement Grant to help support Destination East County.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audion link.

January 6, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes Hawk Watch in Ramona, a Family Fun Fest at Kroc Center, an art show at Mission Trails, a hike into the Jacumba wilderness and a desert oasis, and a bluegrass open mike night in La Mesa. All month long, you can get free health and fitness classes and services as part of Santee’s Health Awareness Month.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including the opening of trout season at Santee Lakes,  a Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast, civil rights speaker and film showing, plus a hike to a garnet mine near Jacumba Hot Springs. So scroll down for all of these events and more.

Listen to Destination East County, originally aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes New Year’s celebrations across our region, from swanky soirees to a masquarade party. Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including some activities to start off the New Year, from a guided mountain bike ride with a ranger at Mission Trails to the opening of trout season at Santee Lakes, as well as live music featuring some hot local talent.

So stay tuned (and scroll down) for all of these events and more.

East County News Service

December 9, 2015 (Ramona)--The Ramona Valley Vineyard invites you to take a break from the holiday hustle and give yourself and and your friends a unique holiday wine experience.  You can join  Join 15 RVVA member wineries on December 12th & 13th for the second weekend of wine, fun and holiday spirits along the Holiday Wine Trail.

Your “Get Your Merry On” Holiday Wine Trail Passport is your ticket to great deals and festive fun over all four days of the wine trail.  Each participating winery is offering different holiday wine trail specials including heavily discounted tastings and pairings, bottle and merchandise discounts, unique holiday gift items featuring local artisans.

November 30, 2015 (Descanso) – You’re invited to a Holiday Open House at Alpacas of San Diego, located at 10499 Highway 79 in Descanso, on December 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Admission is free.

Learn all about alpacas and alpaca ownership see why these animals are so loveable and eco friendly, and you can do some holiday shopping for gift items such as luxurious alpaca scarves, throws, socks, yarn skeins and plush toys.  There will also be a craft table and activities for the kids, as well as a raffle gift basket giveaway.

East County News Service

Photo, left: historic buildings at the Guy B. Woodward Museum in Ramona's Old Town

November 23, 2015 (Ramona)--The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Christmas tree lighting event on December 5^th from 5-8 p.m. in Old Town Ramona. The event features sleigh rides, carolers, Santa’s Village, performers and Santa Claus.

The tree-lighting will be at the Guy B. Woodward Museum (645 Main St..),  which includes a collection of historical buildings form Ramona's western past. The Holiday Craft Village with Santa will be in Ramona’s Town Hall.  Around town, watch for other activities and shops competing for the best-dressed window contest.

In addition, Old Town Ramona shops invite you to join in a “Find the Elf” contest from 3 -8 p.m. on the same day.

By Robert Gehr © 2015

November 21, 2015 (El Cajon )—El Cajon’s first-ever Holiday Lights on Main celebration will be held November 28^th from 12 noon to 7 p.m.  Festivities take place at Prescott Promenade Park and in downtown El Cajon.

This special event features a Santa’s village complete with Santa Claus and an elf making an appearance just in time for Christmas! There will also be an ice skating rink, craft and food vendors, a train ride, community acts, plus live music featuring Danielle Tucker from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.

A special Christmas tree lighting at 6:00 p.m. in front of Starbucks and Urbn St. Brewing Co. at Main St. and Magnolia Ave. will coincide with all the lights throughout downtown and Prescott Promenade Park being turned on to brighten the holidays for everyone.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

By Miriam Raftery and Leon Thompson

November 18, 2015 (El Cajon)--This week’s Destination East County includes the Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon, cowboy and Indian tales along the Butterfield stage coach route, Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy, and the start of Parkway Plaza’s holiday music festival.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including Santa Claus and snow at Santee Lakes, a joyous holiday music concert by the San Diego Festival Chorus, the Christmas in Alpine homes tour, a production of Kracked Nutz, and a Christmas  festival at Lions, Tigers and Bears.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

By Miriam Raftery

November 12, 2015 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes a banjo jam at Grossmont Center, a famed harmonica performer in Ramona, a western dinner theater show in El Cajon, and a storytelling celebration in Santee.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including the Mother Goose Parade, Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy, and a holiday music festival at Parkway Plaza.

East County News Service

November 7, 2015 (Ramona) – One of East County’s most unique holiday traditions is Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona. 

Instead of battling crowds at the mall on the post-Thanksgiving weekend, why not head up to the Pomegranate Festival to enjoy feeding pomegranates to camels, camel rides for kids 3-14 (just print the coupon below)  watching a turkey stampede  (as seen at the county fair),  tropical bird show, and this year, circus performers as the high-flying McCandles family brings their aerial show to the site.

You can also buy holiday gift items such as a new product this year, Camel Milk Bath Bombs. Owners claim, “Cleopatra herself never had such a luxurious milk bath!”