El Monte County Park
Lakeside, CA
By Simir Shah
★★★★★4.7(471 Google reviews)
An 88-acre park beneath the towering granite face of El Cajon Mountain in the San Diego River valley, with big grassy meadows, playgrounds and shade from massive oaks — a great spot for a family picnic and open-space running-around. Pedestrians enter from sunrise, but you'll need the gate open after 9:30am to park.
Happening near here
- Santee Certified Farmers MarketSantee · 9 mi · 3pm–7pmFree
- Downtown El Cajon Certified Farmers' MarketEl Cajon · 10 mi · 3pm–7pmFree
- Ramona Farmers' MarketRamona · 11 mi · 9am–1pmFree
- Poway Farmers MarketPoway · 13 mi · 8am–1pmFree
15805 El Monte Rd, Lakeside, CA 92040, USA
Hours via Google — confirm before a special trip.
$5 day-use parking
Map
What visitors say
- Rhonda Vogt★★★★★
Nice park for making family memories. Needs some TLC as far as the grass goes... . Lots of dips for potential sprained ankles .Either they use the kind of grass that grows in thicker layers as time goes by, or the picnic tables are sinking so low, you can hardly sit at them. .It would also be nice to have another way out at the east end of the valley in case there was a big fire west of the valley. (That was the problem in the catastrophic Paradise, California fire.)
3 months ago
- gordogarbo★★★★★
Beautiful park, be mindful of the lack of cell service! You can reserve spaces for all sorts of events. The park office also has sporting equipment you can borrow. There are three playgrounds, a baseball field, a field that can be rented out for your scout troop to camp in, lots of picnic tables, decent bathrooms, and amazing views! So many cool creatures to meet. Check out the birds of prey behind the ranger station! Check out the history info in the park office on the weekends. Or ask a ranger to show you the snakes and tarantula. Super cool animals live in the park. Go for a hike on the flume trail! Our family loves it here!
2 years ago
- G C★★★★★
A GREAT place to enjoy the fresh air and step away from the busy city-life! El Monte Park has playgrounds for kids and big grassy areas for all kinds of outdoor activities. Picnic benches are available all throughout the park. The restrooms were open, clean, and well stocked. We paid a $3 fee for parking and stayed most of the day. It was absolutely beautiful!
4 years ago
- Claudia Ortiz★★★★★
El Monte County Park is located in Lakeside, it is now one of our favorites because of its calm and beautiful atmosphere. The park is nestled in the country and has some of the most wonderful oak trees you can imagine. The park has plenty of ample grass area , three fun playgrounds, and trails. Parking is $3, envelopes are provided or pay fee at the ranger station Bathrooms are available Benches available throughout Grills and seating are available Ball fields and horseshoe courts available
2 years ago
- Craig Bellavance★★★★★
El Monte County Park is a great place to start and conclude your hike on the Historic Flume Trail or the El Monte Park Trail. The El Monte Park Trail will take you into and through the Blossom Valley Summit Preserve, a Center for Natural Lands Management property that borders the county park. El Monte County Park has restrooms and plenty of parking. Entry fee is $3.00.
2 years ago
Reviews from Google · See more on Google Maps
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