East County Magazine
Our guide to coffee shops in San Diego’s inland region
By Branda Gorgies, Miriam Raftery and Karen Pearlman Whether you’re looking for a quick cup of coffee or a jumping java joint complete with live music, poetry readings and delicious dishes, San Diego’s inland region has an array coffee houses brimming with both character and freshly-brewed coffee choices. Whether you’re seeking espressos, mixed coffee beverages, cold brews, or just
35TH ANNUAL VINTAGE ALPINE MAY 4 OFFERS TASTES OF LOCAL WINES, BEERS, AND FOOD
By Miriam Raftery April 8, 2025 (Alpine) –You’re invited to the 35th annual Vintage Alpine on May 4 at the beautiful Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs. The event features tastes of over 40 wines as well as beers, samples from fine local restaurants and live music—all for a good cause. Proceeds benefit the Kiwanis Club of Alpine Foundation,
Our guide to movie viewing options in San Diego’s inland region
By Miriam Raftery San Diego’s inland region has a variety of cinema options, including several movie theaters (some with upscale options), outdoor movies in the park for six months each year, summer “dive-in” movies at a pool, and a desert film festival. Beyond popcorn, many local theaters also offer a wide array of foods and even alcoholic beverages. Scroll down
HIMALAYAN RESTAURANT CELEBRATES 18TH ANNIVERSARY
By Miriam Raftery April 10, 2025 (La Mesa) – Khem Kharel, owner of Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa, pulled out all the stops to celebrate the popular restaurant’s 18th anniversary with a lavish party on March 26. The restaurant that first opened in 2007 and expanded in 2012 specializes in Nepalese, Indian and Tibetan dishes.
MANZANITA SPRING RENDEZVOUS: MOUNTAIN MEN, PIONEERS AND MORE
By Miriam Raftery (Click image above to view flyer with sign-up details) April 10, 2025 (Campo) – You’re invited to join mountain men, fur trappers and pioneer families from the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous for “Shinin’ Times” that rewind back to the 1820s. The organization’s spring camp will be held May 2-10 at Northcote Ranch,2402 Lake Morena Drive in Campo. Spread
Our guide to annual festivals in San Diego’s inland region
Each year, San Diego County’s inland communities host many special events and festivals that reflect our region’s colorful history, arts and music, cultural heritage, diversity, beautiful environment, and holiday celebrations. Parades, outdoor concerts and movies, country fairs, classic car shows, powwows, rodeos, Oktoberfests, ethnic events, wine and food tastings, seasonal and holiday festivities are just some of the many annual
LEMON GROVE HOSTS EGGSTRAVAGANZA APRIL 19
East County News Service April 8, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove invites you to hop on over to the Lemon Grove Recreation Center at 3131 School Lane, Lemon Grove for the city’s ninth annual Eggstravanza from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, April 19. Egg hunts with 10,000 eggs are scheduled by age group at the following times (age
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 “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,
STATE DECLARES CITRUS QUARANTINE EXPANSION IN VALLEY CENTER
By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office April 4, 2025 (San Diego) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) declared a citrus quarantine expansion in Valley Center on March 26, after detecting the fatal citrus tree disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening, in two citrus trees in residential neighborhoods in the Valley Center
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 my 12 year old twins were not impressed, ha,” she writes. “I did reach out and touch its fur. It was crispy, like a Bristol scrub, so interesting!” Printer-friendly
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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.
Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues
Boulevard Bazaar coming to backcountry May 17
East County Magazine May 9, 2026 (Boulevard) — Don’t look now (or maybe definitely look) but the Mountain Empire is about to get a little more eccentric. Community members in Boulevard on Sunday, May 17 will host the inaugural “Bizarre Bazaar.” The plan, according to Boulevard community spokesperson Mara Harris, is to continue this event and have a quarterly “Art
Use your pedal power on “Bike Anywhere Day” on May 21: free T-shirts and chance to win an e-bike
East County News Service Image via SANDAG May 8, 2026 (San Diego) – Bike Anywhere Day (formerly Bike to Work Day) is a free, annual event that SANDAG has hosted in the San Diego region for more than 30 years. It is an opportunity for everyone to bike to work, school, the beach, or anywhere. Register to participate in the
Women’s Wine Alliance and Ramona Valley Vineyard Association present “San Diego Wine Country at the Bay”
East County News Service May 8, 2026 (Ramona) – The Women’s Wine Alliance, in partnership with the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association, invites wine enthusiasts and industry professionals to experience San Diego Wine Country at the Bay, an evening dedicated to showcasing the depth, diversity and rising prominence of San Diego’s wine scene. Printer-friendly version
Lemon Grove Forward Club earns 13 prestigious awards and community honors
East County News Service May 7, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The Lemon Grove Forward Club received 11 prestigious awards this past April from the GFWC Southern District, recognizing the club as a leading intermediate-sized organization for its outstanding servicepeop and impact. The Lemon Grove Forward Club achieved 16,829 volunteer service hours as a collective, to achieve these top honors. The
Lakeside Fire’s Pancake Breakfast is May 9
East County News Service May 7, 2026 (Lakeside) — Lakeside Fire Protection District is holding a Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. until noon, Saturday, May 9 at Lakeside Fire Station 2. Visitors will have the chance to see the station’s fire engines, meet fire personnel, learn CPR and get tours of the fire station. Cost is $5 per person and
Spring Valley filmmakers featured in GI Film Festival
Screenshot still from “The Craftsman” East County News Service May 6, 2026 (San Diego) — The GI Film Festival San Diego returns for its 11th year this week, moving into the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art (MOPA @ SDMA) from today, May 6 through May 8. Among the 15 films scheduled is a high-profile
La Mesa Chamber to host 17th annual ‘Taste of San Diego – East’
East County News Service May 6, 2026 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will hold its 17th annual “Taste of San Diego – East” on Monday, June 15. The food and business showcase will go from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa in Mission Valley. The event features food samplings from a
How social media shapes SDSU student identity
Story and photos by Kevin A. Green May 5, 2026 (San Diego) — Social media plays a vital role in shaping individual identity. On any given day at San Diego State University, students can be seen scrolling through their phones in class, posting updates and watching short videos. For many, platforms such as TikTok and Instagram do more than entertain
San Diego River Days 2026: Conservation, culture and community exploration
Photo courtesy San Diego River Park Foundation By Karen Pearlman May 3, 2026 (San Diego County) — The 23rd annual San Diego River Days is officially underway, offering more than three dozen events designed to connect San Diego County residents with the 52-mile waterway that serves as the region’s ecological backbone. Organized by the nonprofit San Diego River Park Foundation
Scripps Research offers lecture on new drugs to tackle diseases May 20
East County News Service Join the community in person on the Scripps Research campus https://frontrow.scripps.edu/lectures/michael-erb or attend virtually via Zoom webinar. May 1, 2026 (San Diego) — Some of the most devastating diseases are driven by proteins that cannot be targeted with conventional drugs. Scientists are now discovering ways to control disease by recruiting the cell’s own machinery to tackle
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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.
Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues