Media in El Cajon, California

Overview

El Cajon is a city in San Diego County, California with a population of around 103,000 residents. Located in southern California just east of San Diego, El Cajon offers residents and visitors access to a variety of media outlets and organizations. This local resource guide will provide an overview of the different types of media available in El Cajon.

Newspapers

The San Diego Union-Tribune

The San Diego Union-Tribune is the major daily newspaper serving the San Diego region, including El Cajon. Published since 1868, it has a daily circulation of around 144,000 and a Sunday circulation of over 234,000. The Union-Tribune provides comprehensive coverage of news, sports, business, and entertainment both locally and nationally. It has won four Pulitzer Prizes over its history.

The Union-Tribune has a bureau located in El Cajon that focuses on news coverage specific to the East County region. Residents can subscribe to home delivery of the print edition or access news content online at www.sandiegouniontribune.com.

The East County Californian

Published on Wednesdays and distributed free of charge, The East County Californian is a weekly community newspaper that covers El Cajon and other East County cities. Owned by MainStreet Media Group, it has a circulation of 38,000 papers.

The East County Californian focuses its coverage on local news, high school sports, community events, and topics of interest to residents. It provides an affordable advertising venue for local businesses to reach customers in the community. The latest edition can be picked up free of charge at over 300 distribution points around El Cajon.

La Prensa San Diego

La Prensa San Diego is a Spanish-language weekly newspaper published on Fridays that serves the Latino and Hispanic communities of San Diego County. It publishes local, national, and international news of interest to Latino readers, as well as entertainment, sports, business, and cultural content.

Around 10,000 free copies are distributed each week at Latino businesses, restaurants, community centers, and other locations in El Cajon and other cities. La Prensa San Diego has a long history of serving the Latino community in San Diego County since 1976.

Radio

KPBS 89.5 FM

KPBS is the NPR member radio station for the San Diego region, based on the campus of San Diego State University. It broadcasts news, public radio shows, and music at 89.5 FM and online at www.kpbs.org.

KPBS has a strong news focus, with local programming like San Diego News Now, Midday Edition, and Evening Edition providing regional coverage. The station also airs nationally syndicated NPR shows like Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, and Marketplace. KPBS offers streaming audio and podcasts for many programs.

KECR 91.3 FM

KECR 91.3 FM “Positive Hits” is a contemporary Christian music station based in El Cajon. It’s owned by The California Educational Broadcasting Foundation and has been broadcasting since 1962.

With a focus on family-friendly Christian pop, rock, and worship music, KECR offers an uplifting listening experience. Listeners can tune in on the radio dial at 91.3 FM or stream online at www.positivehits.com. The station features inspirational music from artists like Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Lauren Daigle, for King & Country, and more.

KSOQ-FM 92.1 FM

KSOQ-FM 92.1 is a regional Mexican music station broadcasting to the San Diego metropolitan area. Owned by Local Media San Diego, the station has been on the air since 1972.

The music format consists of various styles of Regional Mexican music including banda, ranchera, norteño, and mariachi. KSOQ programs a mix of contemporary hits and oldies appealing to the local Latino audience. Listeners can tune in at 92.1 FM radio or stream live through their website www.q921.com.

Television

KUSI News 51

KUSI News 51 is an independent television station owned by McKinnon Broadcasting that broadcasts on channel 51 and cable 9 in San Diego County. Founded in 1982, their studios are located in Kearny Mesa near Serra Mesa.

KUSI focuses primarily on hyper-local news coverage about San Diego and has the largest local television news team in the city. They are known for a more conversational, less sensationalized approach to news reporting compared to other stations. KUSI also airs syndicated shows like The Big Bang Theory, Jeopardy, and Family Feud.

KPBS TV 15

In additional to radio, KPBS also runs a public television station broadcasting on channel 15 and cable 11. KPBS TV airs an assortment of public television shows, BBC programs, interesting, locally produced segments, and educational content.

Signature KPBS shows covering arts, science, politics and more include Full Frame, American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen, and Rob on the Road. KPBS TV also operates Create TV showcasing food, travel, home improvement and other lifestyle topics.

Online News and Information

San Diego Community News Group

The San Diego Community News Group operates a network of hyper-local news sites covering cities across San Diego County, including ECCalifornian.com in El Cajon. The site features community news, local events, school information, dining and entertainment content relevant to El Cajon residents.

Patch.com

Patch covers neighborhood news across America, including the community of El Cajon. Local editors regularly post about community events, city meetings, business openings, and topics of interest to locals. Users can also sign up to post content like opinions, events, and classifieds.

Nextdoor.com

Nextdoor is a private social networking platform for neighborhoods. Over 176 El Cajon neighborhoods have an active Nextdoor community where residents share information, events, recommendations, and public safety updates. Users must verify their address to join their neighborhood’s feed.

Facebook Groups

There are dozens of active Facebook Groups centered around the El Cajon community like El Cajon Chatter, El Cajon Community Watch Group, El Cajon Foodies, Girlfriends of El Cajon, and more. These groups allow residents to connect and share news and events.

Magazines and Journals

San Diego Magazine

San Diego Magazine is a monthly publication focused on the people, lifestyle, culture, and issues of the San Diego region. First published in 1948, each issue includes news stories, restaurant reviews, information about local events and entertainment, and more. San Diego Magazine has a paid circulation of over 27,000 and is available for purchase at many newsstands and stores in El Cajon.

San Diego Family Magazine

As the name suggests, San Diego Family Magazine covers topics relevant to local parents and children. From family-friendly activities to education news and parenting advice, the monthly magazine aims to be an indispensable resource for families. San Diego Family Magazine is based in San Diego and also covers family happenings in El Cajon and East County.

East County Magazine

East County Magazine is an online-only news magazine offering investigative reporting, commentary, arts coverage, and progressive perspectives about San Diego’s East County region. All content is free, with operating costs covered through grants and reader donations. East County Magazine has won over 40 journalism awards for its work since launching in 2007.

Local News Websites

Some other websites offering El Cajon-related news and information include:

• El Cajon Times – Community news and information
• San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce – Business resources
• Visit El Cajon – Tourist information
• City of El Cajon – Official city site
• East County Transitional Living Center – Local homeless services
• Access Youth Academy – Education and community services

High School Sports Coverage

El Cajon is part of the Grossmont Athletic Conference, with high school sports coverage provided by:

• The San Diego Union-Tribune
• The East County Californian
• MaxPreps – High school sports statistics and scores
• EastCountySports.com – Focused high school sports reporting

Key high schools in El Cajon include:

• El Cajon Valley High School
• Granite Hills High School
• Grossmont High School
• Santana High School
• Valhalla High School
• Christian High School

Media Organizations

Some organizations tied to media and journalism based in or near El Cajon include:

San Diego Pro Chapter of Society of Professional Journalists

This group promotes ethical journalism and provides resources for area journalists to connect and support one another. They host annual awards honoring the best in San Diego journalism.

San Diego Press Club

In addition to defending quality journalism, the San Diego Press Club hosts scholastic programs, speaker luncheons, and the annual Excellence in Journalism Awards recognizing outstanding local reporters.

East County Art Association

This non-profit supports local artists and art education programs. They host exhibitions, art shows, and other opportunities for East County residents to experience and create art.

Grossmont College Media Communications Program

The Grossmont College multimedia program provides courses, certificates, and career preparation for students interested in media and digital arts.

Conclusion

Despite its smaller size compared to San Diego proper, El Cajon residents have access to a robust and growing range of media options. From long-standing outlets like the Union-Tribune and KPBS to relative newcomers like East County Magazine and Nextdoor, there are many ways to stay informed and connected to the community. This diverse media landscape helps strengthen citizen engagement and reflects El Cajon’s continuing development as an East County hub.