Hello El Cajon! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Classic cars at Cajon Cruise, a candle dipping workshop, and free garden admission with alpacas + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Backpacks for local students: SDCOE and SDCCU’s 12th annual Stuff the Bus is underway through July 31, raising funds for supplies for 24,000+ students. Donate online or in branch. $20 equips an elementary backpack -- see how to donate.
Budget plan moves forward: On Tuesday, the MTS board approved a fare freeze proposal for low-income riders, keeping transit prices steady. The plan awaits SANDAG approval to prevent increases and balance the budget -- see the fare freeze plan.
Pest response ramps up: Officials placed part of San Diego County under Mexican fruit fly quarantine after a female was found near Spring Valley, overlapping La Mesa. Sterile males will be released -- learn how officials are responding.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Easy family fun fix: Whether the kids are bouncing off the walls or your inner 12-year-old needs a field trip, Boardwalk packs rides, laser tag, a soft play gym, and a full arcade under one roof, plus Boardwalk Pizza and bowling next door at Parkway Bowl. Local pick for easy, zero-planning fun this week.
Neighborly nature escape: When you just need outside without the whole production, Hillside Park delivers a calm, close-to-home reset. Stroll a little, plop on the grass with coffee, let the kids burn energy, and head back feeling like you actually touched sunshine today.
Green-thumb refresher: Skip the box-store chaos this week and wander Rancho Valhalla Nursery, a legit East County favorite for everything from tough-as-nails succulents and fruit trees to pottery and soils. Friendly folks, plenty of inspiration, and plants that actually like our microclimate... your yard will thank you.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🚗 Cajon Cruise @ Prescott Promenade | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:00 PM – El Cajon's midweek tradition returns, turning Main Street and Prescott Promenade into a rolling museum of chrome, rumble, and new-school shine. Stroll under the neon, catch live music, grab something tasty, and chat with neighbors you like. Every Wednesday, because some routines are worth keeping.
📖 All-Ages Storytime @ La Mesa Library | Thursday (6/25) at 10:30 AM – Storytime goes all in here, with music, dance, letters, and tales that keep the wiggles busy and the brains buzzing. Bring the kids, the grandkids, or your inner five-year-old, and call it culture, cardio, and quiet car ride insurance.
🕯 Discovery Days (DD) - Day 11: Candle Dipping @ Heritage of the Americas Museum | Thursday (6/25) at 11:00 AM – Trade your screen glow for candle glow at this beeswax hand-dipping workshop, where you'll learn old-school techniques and leave with a pair of handsome tapers. It smells like a beekeeper's daydream, looks like autumn, and qualifies as both art, therapy, and practical prep.
🏊 Kid's Night Out Pool Party-FHC @ Fletcher Hills Recreation Center & Pool | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Drop the kids at this pool party, they splash and free play, you score a rare adult evening, and dinner is included. Think pizza, pool noodles, and staff who handle the cannonballs. El Cajon sanity saver, consider it childcare with chlorine, dinner, and zero cleanup.
💧 Water District Wave-In Day @ The Water Conservation Garden | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Wave-In Day at the Garden means free admission for all, courtesy of our neighbors at Heritage of the Americas Museum. Peruvian showcase with House of Peru, alpacas because why not, food, activities next door at the museum, and music in the amphitheater.
🎵 Sunday at Six @ Harry Griffen Park (La Mesa) | Sunday (6/28) at 6:00 PM – Sunday at Six is back at Harry Griffen Park, kicking off the summer series with Breezn, San Diego’s variety band. Expect an easy hour of sing-alongs, lawn chairs, and neighborly gossip, the good kind, then you’re home before the dog gets dramatic.
🌊 Ocean Adventure Class @ Confident Little Learners Tutoring Studio (La Mesa) | Tuesday (6/30) at 2:00 PM – Summer sanity check: let the kids deep dive into sea critters, habitats, and ocean-y crafts, while you enjoy a blessed hour of quiet. This six-week, one-hour-a-week class at Confident Little Learners is hands-on, curious, and gloriously glittery. Sharks, stories, new friends, low tide on your schedule.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The El Cajon report Weather forecastToday — High: 85°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. West wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. West wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 83°F — Low: 60°F — Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Later: Patchy fog after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. This house is wildThis 2,679 sq ft single-story Horizon Hills gem pairs timeless elegance with smart upgrades, including paid solar, dual-pane windows, wood plank tile flooring, and a gourmet kitchen. Three bedrooms and 2.5 baths sit beneath abundant natural light, while the art studio, possible ADU, and award-winning garden, complete with built-in BBQ, covered patio, fountains, and paver paths, steal the show.
Take a peek inside → |
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