Just Outside San Diego Is A City With Fascinating Museums, Tasty Eateries, And A Botanical Garden

Southern California has plenty of destinations worthy of traveling to, whether you're living it up in La Jolla, an artsy and upscale beach town, or checking out the dining scene and cool wineries of Temecula. While most tourists have these places on their bucket list, El Cajon offers another kind of Golden State experience. This unsung city is brimming with attractions, from interesting museums to vast green spaces that the whole family can enjoy. When hunger strikes, El Cajon won't disappoint with its eateries. Catering to all sorts of foodies, the restaurants boast Italian crowd-pleasers, Mexican favorites, Middle Eastern fare, and every other cuisine you can think of. Even when you long for beach days, the Pacific is a short drive away.

Formally established in 1912, El Cajon was first settled by Spanish colonizers, followed by Mexican rule after gaining independence. With the expansion of the American West, the area became an agricultural hotspot for growing grapes, avocados, and citrus. After WWII, El Cajon's development continued to flourish, and visitors can learn more about its history at the many museums that cover various aspects of its past. When you're not viewing the artifacts, you're relishing the peace and quiet at the Water Conservation Garden. Complete with themed areas and wildlife encounters, this hidden gem is the best place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

El Cajon is located just 20 minutes east of San Diego. The drive from Carlsbad, an underrated beach town with family-friendly fun, takes 40 minutes. Los Angeles residents can expect to be on the road for two hours. As for where to stay in El Cajon, you can book a room at Hampton Inn and Suites, Days Inn by Wyndham, Super 8 by Wyndham, or Courtyard by Marriott. More vacation rentals are also available on Airbnb.

Aviation enthusiasts are in for a treat in El Cajon, as they can visit San Diego Air and Space Museum's Gillespie Field Annex. Although the main museum space is situated in Balboa Park, which is a cultural oasis of iconic museums, the El Cajon site holds additional aerospace exhibits such as sport and racing aircraft as well as jet planes. Some of the highlights include Baron Hilton's Staggerwing and the S-3 Viking — there's also a restoration area, where volunteers repair and reproduce airplanes. Don't miss the maritime P2 Neptune plane while wandering around the museum.

The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in western art and history. This attraction houses Danish-American artist Olaf Wieghorst's pieces that depict the American West. You can tour his living quarters, see his kitchen, admire the ranch life artworks, and stroll through the cactus garden — while you're there, the mural wall will catch your attention. The Heritage of the Americas Museum is another can't-miss, with relics that span from natural history and archaeology to anthropology and fine art. The natural history collection features fossil displays, quartz, meteorites, duckbill dinosaur eggs, and more. Over at the archaeology wing, you'll view artifacts like stone axes, pottery, ornaments, and other historic items dating back 600 B.C.

No trip to El Cajon is complete without the Water Conservation Garden. This picturesque botanical oasis is 6 acres of specialty gardens, each with its unique characteristics. Walking around the Cactus and Succulent Garden, you'll notice red aloes and purple prickly pears. The Sensory Garden, on the other hand, is where you'll savor the fresh scents. Meanwhile, the Native Habitat Garden has oaks, coastal sage scrubs, and wetlands. Swing by the Butterfly Pavillion, White Garden, and Mulch Exhibit, too.

Food is a universal love language, and El Cajon is fluent. Izzy's Cafe serves up delicious breakfast items and even tastier lunches. Visit in the morning, and you'll have a variety of options to choose from — one reviewer on Tripadvisor gave the cafe five stars, detailing, "Any kind of eggs or omelets. French toast, waffles, etc. Biscuits and gravy for the strong of heart. Lively place (diner) with excellent service and server coming back several times to check on our enjoyment." Antique Row Cafe is also a top choice for breakfast and brunch, with tasty American fare as your fuel. Another reviewer  specifically recommends getting the patty melt, which, according to him, is the best in San Diego: "I have tried multiple places for Patty Melts and haven't found one better yet."

Other times, Mexican food is all you want, and Por Favor always hits the spot. Get yourself a table in the courtyard to pair your meal with a lovely ambiance. As for what to expect at this eatery, one reviewer on Tripadvisor summarizes it well: "Beautiful restaurant on Main Street in El Cajon. We had 2 beef tacos and a carnitas quesadilla off their happy hour menu and they were delicious. The carnitas quesadilla was full of carnitas and not greasy like at some Mexican restaurants."

If you haven't had enough tacos and burritos, try the ones at Hacienda Casa Blanca. Your taste buds will love the dining experience no matter what you order, but you might want to follow the lead of this reviewer, who described their experience, stating: "Absolutely amazing entrees! Ordered the chicken mole enchilada and the chicken with mole. Plenty for leftovers." Foodies can then continue their journey toward Baldwin Park, a utopia full of authentic eats that's a little over two hours away.