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
San Diego County has free parking perks for seniors
San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson holds up his senior parking pass at Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve in Ramona. (Photo courtesy Joel Anderson Facebook page) East County News Service April 10, 2026 (San Diego County) — While parking prices across the region seem to be climbing faster than a fit hiker scaling Iron Mountain, local seniors can count on
Historic landmark to anchor new travel center in Jamul
Artist’s rendering of coming Barretts Travel Center in Jamul (Photo courtesy Kirvin Doak Communications ) East County News Service April 7, 2026 (Jamul) — The…
Photo of the Week: Jacumba Sunset
April 6, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Martin Eder sent in this photo, taken along Interstate 8 just west of Jacumba near the San Diego-Imperial County line, after he attended the Magical Mystery Beatles tribute music festival at De Anza Springs Resort. The setting sun illuminated a plume in the sky, creating a magical effect. Printer-friendly version
Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival April 18 in Ramona
East County News Service April 5, 2026 (Ramona) – The Ramona Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to savor the 2026 Cheers to the…
Destination East County: Festive events in mid-April and May 2026
By Miriam Raftery April 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – As April continues, drifting into the merry month of May, there are many unique…
County urges residents to throw out cheese linked to E.coli outbreak
East County News Service April 4, 2026 (San Diego County) — San Diego County health officials are urging consumers to purge their refrigerators of specific…
County hosts International Dark Sky Celebration April 18 at Santa Ysabel Nature Center
East County News Service April 3, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) – Reach for the stars at San Diego County’s International Dark Sky Week Celebration on Saturday,…
Mild desert weather promised for hot weekend events in Jacumba Hot Springs – April 4, 5
By Rebecca Person April 3, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Sunny, mild desert weather sets the stage April 4 and 5th, for a stellar weekend full of music, outdoor fun and fantastic food, a new shop opening and more. The weekend’s events include a Beatles tribute music fest and campout, bathhouse bazaar, Easter Brunch, and an herbalist’s new shop opening.
Mild desert weather promised for hot weekend events in Jacumba Hot Springs – April 4, 5
By Rebecca Person April 3, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Sunny, mild desert weather sets the stage April 4 and 5th, for a stellar weekend…
San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus brings “HERstory — Icons, Rebels and Trailblazers” to The Magnolia April 25-26
East County News Service April 3, 2026 (El Cajon) — The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus will take center stage at The Magnolia later this…
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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