The words "El Cajon" translate from Spanish to English as "the box" or "drawer." The city was named this because of the surrounding foothills boxing in the El Cajon Valley. The history of this small town dates back to the California Gold Rush. One of the oldest buildings still standing today is the Knox Hotel. When it was built in 1876, the city became a resting area for those coming to the area to find their fortunes. In 1889, the railroad finally made it to the site, and the town began to thrive.
However, El Cajon was not incorporated until 1912. Once the town was incorporated, the townspeople saw many advancements. One advancement was that 19 streetlights were installed in 1914. By 1917, Main Street had the first cement sidewalks and curbs. El Cajon got its first fire chief, Rexford Hall, in 1924. Edward Menke, the first chief of police, accepted his position in 1931.
Today, El Cajon has grown to a city with over 103,000 residents. Locals enjoy grabbing a bite to eat at locally owned restaurants such as Por Favor El Cajon, Black Bear Diner El Cajon, and Mamma Rosa Italian Restaurant. After eating, you may enjoy a stop at Summers Past Farms or the Water Conservation Garden. You can enjoy the nursery, Barn Shoppe, and Coffee Bar at Summers Past Farms. The Water Conservation Garden provides a beautiful world of flowers while teaching about water conservation. You may also want to visit the Heritage of the Americas Museum or the Parkway Plaza Mall.
Fall Festival – Every November, this festival offers games where tickets are $1. You can participate in a cake walk, airbrush tattoos, face painting, food, and more.
Pacific Islander Festival – Melanesian, Polynesian, and Micronesian cultures are celebrated during this September festival. The cultures are showcased with music, entertainment, food, and specialty crafts.
Doggie Street Festival – This adopt-a-thon celebrates our furry pals every November. You can enjoy yummy treats, music, auction prizes, and more.
Joshua Tree National Park is a short 145 miles from El Cajon, California. This national park is famous for its twisted, bristled Joshua trees. In the Mojave Desert, this park and trees provide a safe habitat for various animals, including lizards, insects, birds, and mammals. At 1,242 square miles, Joshua Tree is one of the largest national parks. You can enjoy camping, hiking, ranger programs, birding, biking, and rock climbing while in the park.
The 329-mile drive to Sequoia National Park is well worth it. You can enjoy the huge mountains, extensive caverns, gaping canyons, and foothills associated with this park. However, people worldwide come to this national park to experience the awe-inspiring giant sequoia trees. These world’s largest trees are a treasure trove of information about how fires play a vital role in giant sequoia groves. You can also hike, bike, rock climb, camp, watch wildlife, and more.
With a 196-mile drive, you can reach the visitor center at Channel Islands National Park. The park contains plants, animals, and archeological resources. Because of the island’s isolation over thousands of years, these resources are not found anywhere else in the world. This park consists of five amazing islands, each with unique characteristics. Each of these islands offers a variety of fun activities, including hiking, camping, and water sports.
The popular San Elijo State Beach has 165 camping sites with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. This park has fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, windsurfing, surfing, biking, and more.
Silver Strand State Beach is named for the silvery oyster shells dusting the beach and dunes. You can also find clams buried in the sand if you are looking. The park offers camping, swimming, surfing, boating, fishing, and much more.
Unlike other California state parks, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park sits on an oak woodland forest. It has beautiful meadows, creeks, and a dotting of pine trees. It has over 100 miles of hiking trails to experience the beauty of nature. You can also camp, bike, fish, watch birds, and ride horses in this park.
One of California's top landmarks is Balboa Park. This 1,200-acre park is similar to New York's Central Park in that it sits in the middle of San Diego. It offers museums, theaters, and the San Diego Zoo.
Another fabulous landmark is the Cabrillo National Monument. This coastal area celebrates Juan Cabrillo landing at San Diego Bay in 1542. Be sure to check out the amazing tide pools in this area.
The Knox House Museum was built in 1876 and was the town's first hotel and commercial building. Today, it shows the lifestyle of the area during the Civil War.
The top picks for RV parks and campgrounds near El Cajon, California include Oceanside RV Park. This park is located directly on the beach and is the closest RV park to Legoland. It offers daily and monthly rates and has a pool and a Jacuzzi.
Another excellent site is Santa Fe Park RV Resort. It has daily, weekly, and monthly rates and offers sites with 30- and 50-amp connections and full hookups. It is close to the beach, various parks, and Costco.
Rancho Los Coches RV Park has a large pool and hot tub. It also offers daily, monthly, and weekly rates for sites with full hookups and 30- and 50-amp connections. You will have excellent cellphone reception and Wi-Fi.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in El Cajon, CA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in El Cajon?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in El Cajon from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in El Cajon?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
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