Weekend Getaways

Photo, right, Sycuan pow-wow dancer

East County News Service

March 20, 2025 (San Diego) - San Diego’s inland region is home to 19 Native American tribes and 18 reservations—more than any other county in America. Local tribes trace their history here back more than 12,000 years.

Many of our local tribes welcome visitors to enjoy facilities on tribal lands, which are each sovereign nations. Attractions include casinos, hotels, golf courses, spas, concerts and other live entertainment, restaurants, an outlet shopping mall, restaurants, buffets and bars, a speedway, a paintball range, a museum, Native American pow-wows, a brewery, a vineyard, a dispensary, hiking trails, campgrounds, a water park, bike park, and a zip line.

All local tribal lands are in San Diego County’s inland areas, including northeast, southeast, and central east locations. View map here, or scroll to the bottom of this article.

Reservations that currently offer facilities or activities for visitors:

Barona Indian Reservation: Casino resort, hotel, golf, day spa, restaurants, bars, lake, and speedway

The Barona Band of Mission Indians operates the Barona Resort & Casino on its reservation off Wildcat Canyon Road in Lakeside, accessible from State Route 67, approximately 28 miles from downtown San Diego. The resort includes a 400-room hotel, award-winning golf course, day spa,  and beautiful landscaped grounds including a lake.  There are five restaurants ranging from the Barona Oaks Steakhouse to restaurants offering Italian, Asian, and California cuisine, plus a food court. You can also watch auto racing at the nearby Barona Speedway in season. Barona also hosts an annual powwow at the sports fields just north of the casino.

Campo Indian Reservation:  Casino, restaurants, and travel center

The Campo Indian Reservation is home to the Campo band of the Kumeyaay Nation . They operate the Golden Acorn Casino and Travel Center south of Interstate 8 in Campo, 60 miles east of San Diego. The casino also has live entertainment. The casino restaurants include a grill with prime rib specials and other entrees, a deli, ice cream shop and bakery, bar, and more. The travel center has snacks, gas and amenities to service travelers.

Jamul Indian Village:  Casino resort, hotel, spa, restaurants, live entertainment

The Jamul Indian Village, a tribe of the Kumeyaay Nation, operates the Jamul Casino and Resort. It’s located 23 miles southeast of San Diego alone State Route 94.Campo Road.  The tribe has expanded its original casino to include a 16-story hotel opening in May 2025, which will also include a day spa and other amenities. The property has several restaurants ranging from a steakhouse with mountain views to the Tony Gwynn sports bar, as well as live entertainment and an events venue.

La Jolla Indian Reservation: Adventure park, camping, bike park, water park, zipline

Home to the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, the La Jolla Reservation spans 8,541 acres along the southern slopes of Mount Palomar and descends through forests to the San Luis Rey River. The reservation is located off State Highway 76, 25 miles east of Escondido and 60 miles northeast of San Diego. The tribe operates an adventure park which includes a campground,  bike park, water park zipline through the forest.

Los Coyotes Reservation: hiking to Hot Springs Mountain and primitive tent camping

The Los Coyotes Reservation operated by the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuillo and Cupeño Indians is located 70 miles northeast of San Diego and encompasses Hot Springs Mountain, the tallest peak in San Diego County at 6,533 feet in elevation. It borders Cleveland National Forest and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The tribe has a campground with primitive tent sites; visitors can hike 10 miles to the mountaintop. You can purchase a hiking permit and make campground reservations on their website.

Pala Reservation: Casino resort, hotel, RV park, indoor/outdoor live entertainment, pool with waterfalls and firepit, cultural center

The Pala Band of Mission Indians reservation is located 54 miles northeast of San Diego, accessible via State Route 76 off I-15. The  Pala Casino Resort offers live indoor and outdoor entertainment at its events center and Starlight Theater, a hotel, RV park, and more. The tribe also has a Cupa Cultural Center with exhibits and cultural events. The resort features indoor and outdoor concerts, a hotel, pool with waterfalls and firepits, RV resort, and more.

Pauma Reservation: Casino, restaurants, live entertainment, vineyard, farms, trails

The Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians operates Casino Pauma in the Pauma Valley, 60 miles northeast of San Diego via I-15 and State Route 75.  The casino has a café, Mexican grill, deli and pizzeria as well as live entertainment in the Parrot Lounge. The Pauma Tribe also operates Pauma Tribal Farms with sustainably grown produce, olives and vineyard, as well as walking trails.

Rincon Reservation:  Casino, hotel, pool with swim-up bar, spa, golf, live entertainment, brewery

The Rincon Band of the Luiseño Nation is located about 47 miles northeast of San Diego near Valley Center, east of Escondido. The tribe owns Harrah’s Resort Southern California, located in the newly named “Funner” community. The resort includes a hotel, pool with swim-up bar, wellness spa, golf, live entertainment and activities. You can also visit the Rincon Road Reservation Brewery to taste award-winning beers from the only tribal-owned brewery in Southern California.

San Pasqual Reservation: Casino, hotel, restaurants, buffet, live entertainment, golf club

The San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians operates the Valley View Casino and Hotel, which also has restaurants, an all-you-can-eat buffet, plus live entertainment at the Main Stage Bar. The Native Oaks Golf Club is also run by the tribe, offering golf, junior golf camps, and the Shawii Kitchen restaurant.

Santa Ysabel Reservation: Marijuana dispensary

The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel is located 52 miles northeast of San Diego, accessible via State Route 78 near Julian. The tribe operates the Mountain Source marijuana dispensary, which invites the public to “get it where it’s grown.”

Sycuan Reservation:  Casino resort, hotel, pool/river, cabanas, day spa, restaurants, golf, concerts and live entertainment

The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation’s reservation is located about 20 miles east of San Diego in unincorporated  El Cajon, accessible off I-8 and Dehesa Rd.  The tribes own the Sycuan Casino Resort, which includes a high-rise hotel with lazy river flowing through the grounds, pool and cabanas, a spa, numerous restaurants and bars.  The casino has live entertainment at the Live Up-Close Theatre and the Heritage Events Center. Visitors can also golf at the nearby Singing Hills Golf Course at Sycuan, also home to the Red Tail Bar and Grill. Sycuan hosts a powwow each year on powwow grounds adjacent to the casino and hotel.

Viejas Reservation: Casino resort, hotel, golf, concerts and live entertainment, restaurants, outlet shopping center, bowling, arcade, seasonal skating

The Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Nation  has a reservation in the Alpine area, 33 miles east of San Diego off Interstate. The tribe operates the Viejas Casino Resort including two hotels, golf, numerous dining options including the award-winning Grove Steakhouse, as well as concerts and other live entertainment.  The Viejas Outlets Center across the street from the casino and hotels has numerous shopping opportunities, a bowling alley, arcade, and seasonal activities such as the largest outdoor ice skating rink in southern California, roller skating in summer, water shows, and more.

Other local tribes

San Diego’s other reservations don’t currently offer facilities or amenities for visitors, due largely to their remote locations.  These include these inhabited reservations:  Cuyapaipe (Ewiiaapaayp), Inaja and Cosmit, La Posta, Manzanita, and Mesa Grande, as well as the uninhabited Capitan Grande Reservation, where tribal members were relocated due to construction of a dam and reservoir in the 1930s. Two additional tribal bands here have no federally recognized lands: the San Luis Rey Band of Luiseño Indians and the Mount Laguna Band of Luiseño Indians.

Learn more about local Native American tribes

Read more about the Indian tribes of San Diego County. The Indian tribes of San Diego County at Kumeyaay.com and Discover San Diego.

Calendar of Native American powwows

This website lists all Native American powwows in California, include those in San Diego County each year.

Map of local Native American reservations

Our guide to unique lodging and adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Bobbi Zane and Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

San Diego’s backcountry is home to mountains with hiking trails, miles and miles of pine and oak forests, wine regions, deserts, historic highways and rural areas --- known as the playground for San Diegans who want a close-to-home getaway. 

This beautiful country is mostly untouched by urban development. You can walk through forests, ride bikes on country lanes, horseback ride, pick apples in the fall, sample local wine, hike and dine in the great outdoors most of the year.

 East County Magazine's  Backcountry Hidden Pleasures series profiles weekend getaway destinations that you can find close to home in San Diego County's inland region, including lodging plus unique activities and attrations in each region.  We have visited them all.

It’s an hour’s drive or less from downtown to the mountains, where you can discover the hidden pleasures by checking into one of many bed and breakfast inns and lodges in Julian, Mount Laguna or Ramona. Elsewhere in our inland region, savor luxury at Native American casino resorts, visit historic lodges, stay at a winery, hot springs retreat, or lavender farm, visit our historic cities and an emerging restaurant row, or find spa pampering services, golf and tennis at hotels in Borrego Springs.

Your lodging options in our inland region also include campgrounds, tipis, "glamping" , cottages, vintage '50s trailers, and cabins afloat on a lake.

  Start your adventure by clicking here and scroll down to read our entries below!OUR REGIONS

Mountains and Gold Rush Region

San Diego's Mountain and Gold Rush Region (Gold Rush Region, Julian)

Mount Laguna: A place for all seasons (Laguna Mountain Lodge and Blue Jay Lodge, Mount Laguna)

Orchard Hill Country Inn:  Elegant and exclusive (Orchard Hill Country Inn, Julian)

Historic Haven: Julian Gold Rush Hotel (Julian Gold Rush Hotel, Julian)

What’s Up At Wikkup?  (Wikiup Bed and Breakfast, Julian)

A Jewel in the wilderness: Heise County Park (Heise Cuonty Park, Julian--cabins and campgrounds)

Stars lined up for perfect mountaintop camping (Burnt Rancheria campground, Mount Laguna)

Ramona Wine Region

Ramona wine region also has parks, preserves and historic sites to explore (Ramona)

Starry Night Inn: A winery vacation In Ramona (Starry Night Inn, Ramona)

A salute to reds, white and brews  (Ramona)

Marinade on Main: farm to table fresh cuisine (Ramona)

Rivers and Lakes Region

San Diego's river and lakes region: outdoor adventures and more (Lakeside, Santee and Barona)

Comfortable cabins at Santee Lakes--including floating lodging (cabins and camping at Santee Lakes, Santee)

Barona Resort: Vacation in the heart of Lakeside (Barona Resort, Barona Native American reservation, Lakeside)

Lake Jennings Tipi camping provides fun getaway (Tipi camping at Lake Jennings, Lakeside)

Desert Region

The beauty of Borrego (activities and attractions in Borrego Springs)

Day tripping in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park  (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park activities and attractions)

La Casa del Zorro: First and finest in the desert (La Casa del Zorro Resort & Spa, Borrego Springs)

Borrego Valley Inn and Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort: Weekend getaways for stargazing couples and families (Borrego Springs)

The Patio Group to manage famed La Casa Del Zorro Resort & Spa in Borrego Springs (La Casa del Zorro Resort & Spa, Borrego Springs)

Alpine-Mountain Empire Region (Southeast San Diego County)

Alpine Mountain Empire:  San Diego's Southeast region (Alpine)

Ayres Lodge Alpine: Gateway to San Diego's beautiful Backcountry (Ayres Lodge, Alpine)

Viejas celebrates grand opening of The Willows Hotel and Spa (The Willows, Viejas Native American reservation,Alpine)

Sycuan tops off high-rise resort Hotel (Sycuan Casino & Resort, Sycuan Reservation, Dehesa)

Cabins, camping and fishing are lures at Lake Morena County Park, gateway to Pacific Crest Trail (Lake Morena County Park and Campo attractions)

Healing waters at Jacumba Hot Springs Resort (Jacumba Hot Springs Resort, Jacumba Hot Springs)

High desert mountain yoga retreat (Desert View Tower, Jacumba Hot Springs)

Historic HIghway 94

Historic Highway 94:  traveling through time (Highway 94)

Enjoy a country stay at the Dulzura Winery guest house on historic Clark Ranch (Dulzura Winery Guest House, Dulzura and attractions on Highway 94)

Vineyard Hacienda: A secluded retreat along historic Highway 94 (Spring Valley)

Centennial Cities Region

Marriott Hotel, cornerstone of El Cajon's downtown redevelopment, celebrates grand opening (Marriott Hotel, El Cajon)

La Mesa: East County's emerging restaurant row (Holiday Inn, La Mesa)

Knox House Museum offers glimpse into El Cajon's historic past (Knox House Museum, El Cajon)

Lemon Grove mural wins award from Governor (Lemon Grove)

Northeast San Diego County

Valley Center's tribal casino resorts:  Getaway retreats in San Diego's northeast county (Harrah's Rincon and Valley View casino resorts, Valley Center)

Soothe away your cares at Keys Creek Lavender Farm (Yurts and cottages at Key's Creek Lavender Farm, Valley Center)

Bailey's Palomar Resort: A historic haven on Palomar Mountain (Bailey's Palomar Resort, Palomar Mountain)

East County Magazine gratefully acknowledges the County of San Diego for providing a Community Enhancement Grant to support our “Backcountry Hidden Pleasures” weekend getaways coverage.

By Alyssa Hiestand

May 26, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Just fifteen minutes from Downtown San Diego lies El Cajon, bustling with small businesses, delicious eateries, and more to make any day or night well-spent. Offering an insider perspective, here’s what we’d recommend doing for the ultimate day on Main Street in El Cajon:

• Begin your day at Surje Coffee at the Gallery – a delightful fusion of your favorite cup of joe and the elegance of art! This unique stop along Main Street, open Thursday through Sunday, offers a one-of-a-kind way to start your day in El Cajon.  

• Spend your morning and early afternoon at The Weighorst Museum and The Water Conservation Garden, two prime examples of how El Cajon celebrates nature, art, and history. The Weighorst Museum pays homage to Olaf Wieghorst, renowned for his depictions of the nineteenth-century American West, including the cowboys, Native Americans, and settlers who shaped the Western landscape. The Water Conservation Garden showcases drought-tolerant plants, a butterfly pavilion, a soil erosion exhibit, and more, offering a unique perspective on environmental conservation. 

• Moving to lunchtime, we recommend Por Favor. It has served traditional Mexican fare to El Cajon since 1974, making it a popular destination for enchiladas, tacos, tostadas, burritos, Punta de Filete, Arroz con pollo, Carnitas and Fajitas. Happy hour runs daily from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and all day on Mondays! 

• Another option is Mal Al Sham Mediterranean Food, offering a modern interpretation of classic dishes. Also found along Main Street, a stop at this local eatery is a must, allowing guests to indulge in options like Mal Al Sham Falafel, Chicken Tikka, Hummus, and a variety of Kabobs!  

• Head to Burning Beard Brewery before the evening hits, a brewing operation local to El Cajon. It focuses on instilling quality, craftsmanship, and service into every bite and sip. Proudly serving their Burning Beard Hazy IPA is local venue The Magnolia – a nighttime staple for any great day in El Cajon! 

• End your day with a concert at The Magnolia. It’s the entertainment epicenter for connecting not only El Cajon but all of San Diego with diverse performers, including A-list concert artists, comedians, community events, live podcasts, and more! Following a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2019, The Magnolia includes free parking, pre-show happenings in an expansive outdoor plaza, a completely refurbished lobby bar serving craft beer and cocktails, a brand-new VIP Lounge, updated guest amenities, and stunning audio and visual capabilities. Upcoming performers include Iron & Wine, Joe Jackson, Whitney Cummings!

January 16, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — During 2024, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted a total of 6,678 firearms at airport security checkpoints, preventing them from getting into the secure areas of the airport and onboard aircraft. Approximately 94% of these firearms were loaded. This total is a minor decrease from the  6,737 firearms stopped in 2023. Throughout 2024, TSA managed its “Prepare, Pack, Declare” public awareness campaign to explain the steps for safely traveling with a firearm.

"One firearm at a checkpoint is too many,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “Firearms present a safety risk for our employees and everyone else at the checkpoint. It’s also costly and slows down operations. If individuals who carry a firearm intend to travel, we remind them that the firearm must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, declared to the airline at the check-in counter and transported in checked baggage.”

In 2024, TSA screened more than 904 million people, meaning the agency intercepted 7.4 firearms per million people, a decrease from 7.8 firearms per million people in 2023.

 When a firearm is detected at a security checkpoint, a TSO immediately contacts local law enforcement, who will remove the individual and the firearm from the checkpoint area. Depending on local laws, the law enforcement officer may arrest or cite the individual. TSA does not confiscate firearms. In addition to any action taken by law enforcement, individuals who bring a firearm to a TSA checkpoint face a maximum civil penalty of $14,950, will have their TSA PreCheck^® eligibility revoked for at least five years and will undergo enhanced screening to ensure there are no other threats present, which takes up additional time.

For more information on how to properly travel with a firearm, visit the transporting firearms and ammunition page on TSA.gov. View the complete list of penalties on TSA.gov.

For the 2024 Firearms infographic, please click on the link below. 

• Firearms Discovered at TSA Checkpoints in 2024.pdf

Source:  TSA

January 16, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — During 2024, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted a total of 6,678 firearms at airport security checkpoints, preventing them from getting into the secure areas of the airport and onboard aircraft. Approximately 94% of these firearms were loaded. This total is a minor decrease from the  6,737 firearms stopped in 2023. Throughout 2024, TSA managed its “Prepare, Pack, Declare” public awareness campaign to explain the steps for safely traveling with a firearm.

"One firearm at a checkpoint is too many,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “Firearms present a safety risk for our employees and everyone else at the checkpoint. It’s also costly and slows down operations. If individuals who carry a firearm intend to travel, we remind them that the firearm must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, declared to the airline at the check-in counter and transported in checked baggage.”

In 2024, TSA screened more than 904 million people, meaning the agency intercepted 7.4 firearms per million people, a decrease from 7.8 firearms per million people in 2023.

 When a firearm is detected at a security checkpoint, a TSO immediately contacts local law enforcement, who will remove the individual and the firearm from the checkpoint area. Depending on local laws, the law enforcement officer may arrest or cite the individual. TSA does not confiscate firearms. In addition to any action taken by law enforcement, individuals who bring a firearm to a TSA checkpoint face a maximum civil penalty of $14,950, will have their TSA PreCheck^® eligibility revoked for at least five years and will undergo enhanced screening to ensure there are no other threats present, which takes up additional time.

For more information on how to properly travel with a firearm, visit the transporting firearms and ammunition page on TSA.gov. View the complete list of penalties on TSA.gov.

For the 2024 Firearms infographic, please click on the link below. 

• Firearms Discovered at TSA Checkpoints in 2024.pdf