
East County Magazine

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: MARY’S DONUTS CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY
East County News Service Photos by Karen Pearlman March 29, 2025 (Santee) – Mary Hennessy, the 90-something owner of Mary’s Donuts, grabs a sweet treat during her business’s 40th anniversary bash Saturday morning, March 29. Hennessy, who plied the donut trade at a Winchell’s Donuts, bought the former Zona’s Donut Shop with her husband, and opened the original Mary’s Donuts and

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: TREED!
East County News Service March 28, 2025 (San Carlos) – San Carlos resident and ECM reporter Karen Pearlman snapped this photo of a pair of raccoons chased up a tree by her dog,Charlie. Printer-friendly version

Our guide to local farms and farm-fresh products sold directly to consumers
Find farm-fresh meats, eggs, fruits and veggies, flowers, herbs, honey, nuts, soaps, wool and fiber goods, pumpkin patches, nursery plants, trees, wineries and more By Miriam Raftery Photos by Miriam Raftery and creative commons images via Bing East County Magazine has compiled our region’s most comprehensive guide to local farms, ranches, nurseries and wineries offering direct-to-consumer sales

SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK LAUNCHES SAFARI EXCURSIONS, A GATEWAY TO A SAFARI ADVENTURE
Source: San Diego Zoo Safari Park 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

DOGS AND THEIR OWNERS ATTENDED FIDO FEST 2025 IN SANTEE
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

JAMUL’S HAPPY PLACE FOR ANIMAL LOVERS
Ranch offers petting zoo, summer camp and Airbnb experiences By Mimi 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

FREE FEBRUARY ADMISSION FOR SENIORS AT SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK
Source: San Diego Zoo and Safari Park 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

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: BORDER 2 FIRE
East County News Service January 28, 2025 (Jamul) — Robert Hobbs sent in these images of the Border 2 Fire, which burned over 6,500 acres after starting on Otay Mountain in San Diego County on Jan. 23. These photos were taken Jan. 23 and 24 from Jamul.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: PALISIDES FIRE IN LOS ANGELES
East County News Service January 8, 2025 (Los Angeles) – No, that’s not a tornado or mother ship descending. Henri Migala snapped this apocalyptic image of the Palisades Fire which is devastating Los Angeles. This photo was taken from the Westin Hotel near Los Angeles International Airport. As of today, the fire has burned 15,832 acres, has destroyed many homes

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: BOBCAT ON THE PROWL
East County News Service January 6, 2025 (Deerhorn Valley) – Jordan Valladares snapped this close-up portrait of a bobcat near his home on Deerhorn Valley Road south of Jamul on Sunday. “I spotted the little guy sneaking about while I was enjoying some warm morning sunshine,” he writes. “So I ran in, grabbed my camera and a 300mm lens
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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.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: RACCOONS IN SAN CARLOS
June 30, 2025 (San Diego) – Diana Rozenshteyn snapped this photos of masked intruders– a raccoon family– in the backyard of her San Carlos home near Cowles Mountain. You can

INTERVIEW WITH CAL FIRE CAPTAIN ON MONTE FIRE
June 22, 2025 (Lakeside) — Cal Fire Captain Robert Johnson discusses firefighting efforts in the Monte Fire in Lakeside, during an interview yesterday with Shiloh Ireland. View video. At the

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: LAKESIDE RESIDENTS THANK FIREFIGHTERS
East County News Service June 23, 2025 — Photographer Shiloh Ireland provided this video of Lakeside residents Sarah Ann WIlson and BIlly Ortiz unfurling a banner to thank firefighters who

ANZA-BORREGO NAMED BEST STATE PARK FOR WILDFLOWERS
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
VIDEO OF THE WEEK: ELEPHANTS’ POOL PARTY!
East County News Service May 11, 2025 (Escondido) — Elephants at the the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park in Escondido found a cool way to beat the heat during this
ENGAGED COUPLE SEEKS PHOTOGRAPHER WHO SHOT THIS PHOTO IN BORREGO ON MARCH 16, 2024
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Our guide to restaurants in San Diego’s inland region
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

BUTTERFLY JUNGLE AT SAFARI PARK OPEN NOW THROUGH APRIL 20
East County News Service 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

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: PLAYING POSSUM
East County News Service April 4, 2025 (La Mesa) – Cailin Acosta spotted these playful opossums on the fence in her La Mesa yard. “I was super excited, but

COTTONWOOD SITE TO BECOME METAMORPHOSIS CENTER FOR HOMELESS, INSTEAD OF SAND MINE
April Fools! By Hope Rising April 1,2025 (Rancho San Diego) – Today, the County of San Diego made a surprising announcement it has acquired the former Cottonwood Golf Course site
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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.



