El Cajon

Town in San Diego County, southwest California; population (1990) 88,700. It is located 19 km/12 mi east of San Diego, of which it is a largely residential suburb. Surrounded on all four sides by hills and mountains, it is almost entirely cut off from Pacific Ocean breezes; temperatures are generally 10-20°C higher than in San Diego. Avocados, grapes, citrus fruits, and vegetables are grown in the surrounding region. The town's industry includes the production of aerospace and electronic components.

The town's site, part of the Mexican Rancho El Cajon, was sold to Americans in 1868. In 1878, it had a hotel and saloon serving stagecoach passengers travelling between San Diego and Yuma, Arizona; today, the Knox Hotel, in Judson Park, houses the local historical society. Grossman Community (1961), Christian Heritage (1970), and Cuyamaca (1978) colleges are all located in El Cajon.