E l Cajon is a growing Southern California community within San Diego County. El Cajon is located just 15 minutes east of San Diego on Interstate-8. Just 14 square miles and a population of nearly 100,000 residents, the town sits at the foot of Mt. Helix. It is a bedroom community with a downtown that's making a successful effort to renew itself in the footsteps of other hip and trendy San Diego neighborhoods.

The Downtown El Cajon district is the historic crossroads of the vast East County region. In 1880, Amaziah L. Knox built a seven-room hotel at the intersection of two wagon trails in this rural valley surrounded by mountains. Today, that intersection is the corner of Main Street and Magnolia Avenue, the heart of El Cajon's Historic Downtown. Knox's hotel still stands now at Park & Magnolia, and is one of the many historic buildings and museums in the Downtown area. Today, independent shops and coffee bars rub elbows with pharmacies and convenience stores. On the street, a beautifully diverse community shares cultures from all over the world. With a daily high that seldom drops below 68 degrees and a friendly vibe, this town is becoming a popular zip code for living and playing.

El Cajon is a diverse business community that includes a downtown that bills itself as "East County's Cultural Zone," Parkway Plaza, a leading shopping area with over 200 stores and restaurants as well as a number of light manufacturing companies. El Cajon's manufacturing base includes companies such as American Metal Processing, Taylor Guitars, Certified Metal Craft, Inc.,Windowmaster Products, Tora AG, True Temper and many more. Gillespie Field, located in El Cajon, is the oldest and largest of San Diego County's eight airports. Two business parks adjoin the airport and provide over 2,000 jobs to the area. The airport area is close to hotels and is home to flight schools, repair and maintenance shops, rental cars and aircraft sales facilities.The goal of the city is to build a vital economy from this diversity that will offer opportunities to all income and age levels. The median household income in El Cajon is $35,566 per year.

Another area close to El Cajon that is seeing steady growth is Spring Valley. It is located just under five miles from El Cajon and enjoys a population of more than 100,000 residents. The median household income is $48,271 and the average price for a home is $420,000. Spring Valley is the largest un-incorporated community in the county of San Diego, covering thirteen and a half square miles. Located 11 miles east of the city of San Diego, Spring Valley is bordered by La Mesa and El Cajon to the North, Jamul and Dulzura to the East, Sweetwater and Bonita to the South, and Paradise Hills and Lemon Grove to the West. Within Spring Valley's boundaries can be found a variety of smaller communities - Casa de Oro, Rancho San Diego, La Presa, Dictionary Hill, Mt. Helix, and Bancroft.

Unlike some other areas of the County, El Cajon is built out and does not have large tracts of open land available for development. New construction is either built on vacant lots or involves the rehabilitation of older buildings and sections of the city. El Cajon comprises several communities including Fletcher Hills, Granite Hills, Dehesa, Bostonia, Crest, Grossmont, and others. Many of these, including Crest, Dehesa, Flinn Springs, and Harbison Canyon feature a rural small-town feel with smaller homes on large lots and horse properties. Fletcher Hills has a large number of apartment complexes, many of which are being turned into condominiums. Newer planned communities such as Singing Hills Estates, Monarch Ridge, and Canyon View Estates offer luxury ranch and Spanish style homes within close proximity to El Cajon's business and shopping districts such as Grossmont Center. The average sales price of homes is $494,000.

Recently recognized as "Best Concert Series" during the Eastie Awards program presented by the East County Californian Concerts on the Green are weekly, family oriented concerts performed in the Prescott Promenade in Downtown El Cajon. Located in this outdoor park setting, Concerts on the Green brings families together for a relaxing, entertaining evening, while showcasing the best in local, live music. Bring a picnic, or purchase some of the culinary delights at the food booths.

Rated as the best concert venue in San Diego County, East County Performing Arts Center regularly offers leading names in the entertainment industry and attracts audiences throughout San Diego County. The intimate 1,140-seat theater is a favorite among top performers like Tony Bennett, Steve and Eydie, and Herbie Hancock, while offering a large range of shows from the Diavolo dance troupe and to the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

C ajon Valley Union School District serves the kindergarten through eighth grade educational needs of the City of El Cajon and the unincorporated communities of Crest, Mount Helix, and Rancho San Diego. The District has 21 elementary, 5 middle, and 2 special program schools with a student population of approximately 18,850. Over 965 certificated and 925 classified staff are employed by CVUSD to ensure the students receive the best education possible. Grossmont Union High District serves the 9th-12th grade students. There are over 24,000 students and 18 schools in the district. For higher educational choices Grossmont College is located in El Cajon as well as Cuyamaca College and Christian Heritage College.

El Cajon is a wonderful San Diego suburb. It is an ideal place to live, work, retire or raise a family! If you are considering moving to El Cajon or would like more information, please feel free to request a "free relocation package" today!