Our Guides

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Miriam Raftery, Branda Gorgies and Karen Pearlman

 Whether you’re looking for a quick cup of coffee or a jumping java joint complete with live music, poetry readings and delicious dishes, San Diego’s inland region has an array coffee houses brimming with both character and freshly-brewed coffee choices.

Whether you're seeking espressos, mixed coffee beverages, cold brews, or just a good cup of freshly ground java, you'll find plenty of tempting choices, including many that also serve up foods ranging from pastries and snacks to full breakfasts, lunches, healthy options and more.

Here's our guide to the best places to find a great cup of coffee and other coffee-related options:

There are plenty of greens to tee off from in San Diego County’s eastern areas 

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By Karen Pearlman

With more than two dozen golf courses scattered across the foothills and valleys of inland San Diego County, players of all skill levels will find affordable and diverse landscapes away from the coast for putting and driving amid scenic mountain, valley, and desert views.

From resort-style championship courses to local public links, the variety is as vast as the terrain with greens on hillsides, fairways framed by boulders or lined with mature oak and eucalyptus trees, tranquil ponds and waterscapes, as well as challenging elevation changes, the eastern portion of San Diego County provides a unique and diverse blend of golfing environments for swings of beginners and experts alike, as well as everyone in between.

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San Diego County has become a thriving wine region, home to well over 100 wineries.  Unlike wine hubs in Napa or Temecula, our county’s wineries are mostly small, boutique and family-owned, offering visitors the opportunity to meet the winemakers and savor a range of experiences in scenic rural and mountain areas, as well as some urban wineries. Many are producing wines that are winning awards in regional and even international competitions.

You’ll find an array of red, white and rosé varietals from around the world, as well as sparkling wines, apertifs, dessert wines, and even mead, a honey-based wine, to suit your palate. 

Some wineries also offer food, as well as other experiences ranging from live music to hayrides through the vineyards.

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Each year, San Diego County’s inland communities host many special events and festivals that reflect our region’s colorful history, arts and music, cultural heritage, diversity, beautiful environment, and holiday celebrations. 

Parades, outdoor concerts and movies, country fairs, classic car shows, powwows, rodeos, Oktoberfests, ethnic events, wine and food tastings, seasonal and holiday festivities are just some of the many annual events held in our inland region.

For current and complete calendar listings, visit http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/calendar . Also see our seasonal articles on major festivals and our Destination East County column listing top festivals and events.

Some of the major annual festive events in East County include the following. Actual dates vary from year to year, and  new events are frequently added:

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By Miriam Raftery

East County has long been called the playground of San Diego County. Visitors and residents alike will find many unique adventures to experience in our inland region, from tours of rugged desert terrain and wineries to activities such as zip-lining, sky sailing, scenic hikes, trail rides, vintage railway rides, wildlife safaris, fishing, boating, beautiful gardens, and more. There are also unique classes such as falconry, rock climbing, pioneer skills such as axe-throwing, star gazing and more, as well as visits to wildlife preserves, soothing hot springs, farms, flower fields, and even a gold mine.

Some are free, while others have fees ranging from very affordable to more extravagant splurges. There are activities for solo adventurers, couples, and families, many of which you won't find anywhere else.  

Here are a few of our East County guide’s favorite local adventures: