El Cajon vacation rentals

A gem of a community in San Diego County

El Cajon, or the Big Box, makes for a vibrant base when you’re visiting San Diego County. What you’ll find here are El Cajon vacation rentals to tick all possible boxes, whether you’re after a small, cozy pad to call your own, or are seeking a larger property with multiple bedrooms and a shimmering swimming pool out the back. If you like your food, you’ll be well at home in El Cajon, thanks to its banquet of restaurant options, while you can work off the calories in one of the local outdoor spaces that provide a green escape from the urban sprawl.

Activities and attractions in El Cajon

Are you searching for attractions to visit in the city? Venture out of your cozy vacation rental and check out everything that El Cajon has to offer. These are some of the most popular attractions to put on your list, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:

• San Diego Zoo (11.7 mi / 18.8 km)
• Singing Hills Country Club - Willow Glen Course (4.6 mi / 7.4 km)
• Aquatica (14.6 mi / 23.5 km)
• Potato Chip Rock (14.8 mi / 23.9 km)
• Belmont Park (16.9 mi / 27.2 km)
• Maderas Golf Club (17 mi / 27.4 km)

Outdoor recreation, indoor culture in El Cajon

El Cajon vacation rentals will put you within strolling distance of a number of diverting outdoor spots. Amateur athletes will take to Albert Van Zanten Park, which has baseball fields and running tracks, while if you’re here with little ones in tow, Bill Beck Park’s playground provides a good way to let them expend excess energy. Elsewhere in the region, you’ll also find walking trails and unspoiled swathes of nature. If all of that leaves you ready to take a load off, check out the program at the East County Performing Arts Center – a favorite cultural hub which puts on cutting-edge comedy and big, crowd-pleasing musicals that’ll have you tapping right along.

Summer and fall escapes to El Cajon

Thanks to its proximity to San Diego, which is a city always worth visiting, there’s no “wrong” season for visiting El Cajon. Summers are certainly warm, with July and August particularly recommended for avoiding the overcast skies that can cause “June Gloom”. It’s worth checking if your visit coincides with major events like Comic-Con, which can cause vacation rentals to get snapped up in a hurry. The fall is a fine time to travel to El Cajon – not only are there typically fewer crowds, but you can also tuck in your napkin, grab the knife and fork, and get stuck into San Diego’s annual Restaurant Week.

Enter the valley in El Cajon

El Cajon got its name due to its location – “boxed in” by the surrounding mountains. That’s a misleading thought, though, as you certainly won’t feel boxed in while wandering the streets and looking up at the undulating, hilly horizon. While this is very much an urban landscape, just to the west you’ll find Mission Trails Regional Park, a dramatic expanse of mountains and gorges, featuring miles of trails, a boating lake, lush flowers, and colorful birds.

Traveling to and around El Cajon

The nearest airport is in San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN), located 14.3 mi (23.1 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you could also fly into San Diego, CA (SEE-Gillespie Field), which is 2.2 mi (3.6 km) away.

You can get around El Cajon by catching a ride on the metro at El Cajon Transit Center Station, Arnele Avenue Station or Gillespie Field Station.