Am I missing something by not going EAST of The Coast ? (San Diego: motels, buying)

[CNYC]

I have been in SD for over a year and a half now but haven't really explored many places East of the Coast besides San Marcos and East Chula Vista (Sharp Hospital) Mira Mesa( Black Mountain Rd).

Am I missing something ? Are there areas East Of The Coast that are worth visiting and for what purposes ?

Thanks

[NYSD1995]

Ever hear of the mountains and desert? I go to those places far more than I go west of 5.

[T. Damon]

Absolutely!

San Diego County is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the country if not the world. There are vastly different environments to explore just a few miles from each other.

And certainly the culture of small outposts in the east county and mountain towns are something different to experience.

We are going camping in Cuyamaca tonight with our neighbors for a birthday party celebration.

[Ilovepahrump]

Mission Trails Regional Park
Anza Borrego State Park
Palomar Mountain State Park
Mount Laguna
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park / Lake Cuyamaca
SD Safari Park
Lake Morena
Agua Caliente
Julian
Lake Murray

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

Ever hear of the mountains and desert? I go to those places far more than I go west of 5.

Me too.

Some of the places I love east of the 15:

The village of La Mesa (not the suburban tracts north of the 8, but the actual "village" of La Mesa, which is getting new cafes and restaurants every day. You are from the NYC area, as am I, and the village of La Mesa feels to me like the closest thing I've found in San Diego to the place I grew up outside of NYC in Westchester County.

Ramona winery trail -- Sure, it's not Napa, or even Temecula, but there ARE some decent wineries out there, the scenery is beautiful, and it's a fun way to spend an afternoon. We'll often end at the Santa Ysabel Preserve for a hike.

Hiking the Big Laguna Trail -- beautiful hike through pine trees to a huge meadow. Nice any time of year, but especially beautiful if you can get there right after (or during) a snowfall and in the spring when the wild flowers are blooming).

Not into hiking? Drive the Sunrise Highway up into the Lagunas. Stop at Kwaaymii Point. You're actually standing on the Pacific Coast Trail at out the Point, and can see for 70+ miles on a clear day. Continue on Sunrise Highway through the highest points of Anza Borrego State Park, then on to Cuyamaca Lake and have a quick bite to eat at the cafe there. The food's nothing special, but it is great to eat overlooking the lake.

Alternately, take the 94 all the way to Boulevard. If you have a passport, you can stop at Tecate, Mexico for lunch (no long border waits there). You'll see mountain passes, small towns, some cool musuems (Campo Train Museum for instance), even some new wineries with tasting rooms. It's a whole different lifestyle out this way then you'll see at the beach.

McCain Valley -- It's a well maintained dirt road out to Corrizo Overlook. Once you get past the areas for off road vehicles, you'll feel like you are the only person alive. The view from Corrizo close to sunset rivals any view in the U.S. Simply amazing. There's a few picnic tables out there, so you can stay awhile if you so desire.

Anza Borrego State Park -- I've been exploring Anza for 30+ years and still haven't seen everything I want to see. I know people really like it when the wild flowers are blooming (I do too), but I have been out there at all times of the year and always find something new in each season. It IS hot during the summer, but that's when I do night photography. The stars are amazing. The little town of Borrego Springs is a great easy getaway from San Diego with a couple of decent inns and motels. But it's also close enough that you can make it as a day trip.

It's in Imperial County, not San Diego County, but everyone living in San Diego should visit the Salton Sea at least once. It is a crazy place that makes you reconsider everything about society and life. Don't miss Salvation Mountain and East Jesus, two "art" installations in Slab City. The folks at East Jesus are really welcoming and it is a fascinating place to spend an afternoon and talk about life and art if you are lucky enough to be invited for a drink in their "bar." But lots of other things to see and explore around the Sea. As I said, it will make you reassess life.

The Imperial County San Dunes, Glamis, and the little "town" of Felicity are also both in Imperial County, but well worth a visit --- best during the winter months. If it's raining or gloomy in San Diego, it's usually bright and sunny in the desert.

But, plenty of other great places east of the 15 too. These are just are some of my favorites. San Diego County has SO much more to offer than just "the Beach."

[futbol]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Me too.

Me too.

OP, try hiking Cuyamaca, Anza Borrego (it is big), Mt. Laguna, visiting Salton Sea or checking out Glamis (ok, that's way out east).

You can do a day trip to Palomar Observatory and have lunch on a mountain.

Don't forget, the Pacific Coast Trail starts here in San Diego near the border with Mexico.

[CNYC]

Wow I have been really ignorant. Thanks for all the replies.

I guess my lack of exploring East comes from my housing search prior to coming here. I was warned by a friend to stay away from East County.

Another friend told me the area around the casino (forget the name) is dead. Nothing to do out there.

I've got to sit down and find places on a map.

So would it be safe to say that 45 minutes East of i5 have new places to explore ? Any further and that would be a trip not an outing.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by CNYC

I guess my lack of exploring East comes from my housing search prior to coming here. I was warned by a friend to stay away from East County.

So would it be safe to say that 45 minutes East of i5 have new places to explore ? Any further and that would be a trip not an outing.

Depends on where you are starting from, the route you take, and how many stops you make along the way, of course, but 45 minutes to an hour East of I-5 from downtown will easily take you to:

Cuyamaca State Park
Cuyamaca Lake
Ramona Wineries
Santa Ysabel Preserve
La Mesa
Mission Trails Park
Sunrise Hwy.
Tecate
Palomar mountain
Julian
SD Safari Park
Penasquitos Canyon
Potato Chip Rock
Lake Hodges
Lake Poway
Lake Morena

Plus a ton of other great places and drives.

Anza Borrego, Borrego Springs, Salton Sea, Imperial County Sand Dunes, Temecula wineries would involve longer trips, but all still VERY do-able in a single day round trip.

East County is nothing to be afraid of (most of the folks on this board do live east of I-5 after all), and there is so much to see and do beyond the beach in San Diego County.

Your definition of "nothing to do" may be different than someone else's, of course. But we're not suggesting you move East of the 5, just visit.

[kettlepot]

I would like to add that if you choose the right highway and time of year, there are still orange groves out that way. You can buy GOOD oranges and other fruit alongside the highway. Definitely get some.

I found many stands on the highway out to Mt Palomar, but I'm sure other destinations will provide fruit buying opportunities.

[NJ Brazen_3133]

I have been to Calexico, and crossed over the Mexicali. The drive from SD city is quite nice. I found the rock formations peculiar. The stones looked to be almost spherical in shape. All stacked in pyramids. With a the sun setting, it makes the scenery even more dramatic.