Descanso, CA

Travel Guide

Cuyamaca Peak and the city of El Cajon, as seen from Mt. Helix Park in La Mesa, located in San Diego, California.; Shutterstock ID 425823196
Cuyamaca Peak and the city of El Cajon, as seen from Mt. Helix Park in La Mesa, located in San Diego, California.; Shutterstock ID 425823196
Found out about this hike from one of the hotel staff as I do with most of my hikes. This was a fairly easy easy hike with only about 750 ft of elevation gain pretty much all on the way out. It was about a 4 mile round trip and was a really pleasant hike except for the rain that kept plaguing us every time I pulled out my camera... ran into very few people on the trail which was nice but I’m sure that had to do with the fact it was raining.. anyway this is a nice hike and would recommend for anyone wanting to kill a couple of hours...
This is a great hike! lots of boulders to jump around on, This waterfall is at the top of the sisters and if it hasn't rained in a while... there's no water! I took this pic today straight after it rained this week! hike takes 3-4 hrs from car to falls and back, but leave an hour or so for lunch! Enjoy.
Oh my!!! This hike is so incredibly beautiful!! It’s a must!! #LikeALocal
Sycuan Casino Resort

Sycuan Casino Resort

4 out of 5
5469 Casino Way El Cajon CA
$85 nightly
The price is $92 total per night from Feb 1 to Feb 2
$92 total
Feb 1 - Feb 2
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in El Cajon. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,686 reviews)
No bar, but room was excellent. Heat and air conditioning was working wonderful. Staff excellent service.

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2026

Sycuan Casino Resort
Lamplighter Inn & Suites at SDSU

Lamplighter Inn & Suites at SDSU

2.5 out of 5
6474 El Cajon Blvd San Diego CA
$161 nightly
The price is $182 total per night from Feb 19 to Feb 20
$182 total
Feb 19 - Feb 20
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,357 reviews)
The room was very clean, updated, and staff was very friendly.

Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026

Lamplighter Inn & Suites at SDSU
Motel 6 El Cajon, CA - San Diego

Motel 6 El Cajon, CA - San Diego

2 out of 5
550 Montrose Court El Cajon CA
$62 nightly
The price is $68 total per night from Feb 8 to Feb 9
$68 total
Feb 8 - Feb 9
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this motel in El Cajon. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,511 reviews)
Very courteous staff.

Reviewed on Jan 25, 2026

Motel 6 El Cajon, CA - San Diego
See all 1,084 properties in Descanso
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
San Diego Country Estates

San Diego Country Estates

2.5 out of 5
15501 Davis Cup Ln, Bldg 8, Unit 5501 Ramona CA
Book a stay at this golf condo in Ramona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and onsite spa services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (251 reviews)
Had a very relaxing stay here... I would definitely come back and stay longer as i only stayed 2 days and didnt really explore the amenities. This was the quietest hotel i have stayed in so far!

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2026

San Diego Country Estates
Jamul's Jewel: 10ACRES,Hilltop,Heated*Salt Pool,Spa*,City & Mtn.Views,B-Ball Court*,Grill,Horseshoes

Jamul's Jewel: 10ACRES,Hilltop,Heated*Salt Pool,Spa*,City & Mtn.Views,B-Ball Court*,Grill,Horseshoes

Jamul CA
Book a stay at this golf villa in Jamul. Enjoy private pools, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Sycuan Casino and Jamul Casino are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (48 reviews)
This is a beautiful home my family and I stayed here for 4 days we enjoyed our stay. There is plenty of towels blankets, pillows, air mattress. The kitchen is well equipped it has enough pots and pans dishes and cups silverware. It has breathtaking views it's nice and quiet and peaceful. The pool ...

Reviewed on Dec 27, 2025

Jamul's Jewel: 10ACRES,Hilltop,Heated*Salt Pool,Spa*,City & Mtn.Views,B-Ball Court*,Grill,Horseshoes
Casa Del Cerro

Casa Del Cerro

San Diego CA
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a water park. Popular attractions Snapdragon Stadium and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (23 reviews)
The kitchen was good but floors were not as clean as they could be. The beds in a couple of rooms need to replaced. There was only 1 blow dryer and the coffee pots only make one pot before the heating element gets hot snd turns off

Reviewed on Dec 20, 2025

Casa Del Cerro
See all properties in Descanso
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cuyamaca Meadow Nature Preserve

You can take time to visit Cuyamaca Meadow Nature Preserve during your travels to Descanso. Make some time to visit the shops while you're in the area.

Cuyamaca Meadow Nature Preserve

Descanso Branch San Diego County Library

Descanso Branch San Diego County Library is just one of the places to see in Descanso, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Make some time to visit the shops while you're in the area.

Descanso Branch San Diego County Library

Things to do

Intro to Wild Clay/Earthenware Pottery Workshop

Intro to Wild Clay/Earthenware Pottery Workshop

$72
per adult
Intro to Wild Clay/Earthenware Pottery Workshop
Main Street in Julian

Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA

$8
per adult
Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA
Salem Puzzling Adventure

Julian Puzzling Adventure

$35
per traveler
Julian Puzzling Adventure
See all activities in Descanso

Reviews of Descanso

4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
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4 - Good
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4 - Good 100%
3 - Okay
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2 - Disappointing
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1 - Terrible
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4/5 - Good

Kea

Love the small time country feel and the great outdoors.

Cities near Descanso

This is the view from the top of Black mountain where we ended up after offroading in the Hardrock Rubicon #hiking is fantastic here we ran into no one else

Ramona

sunset over kings canyon national park, usa

Alpine

Aerial view of Mountain with snow in Julian, San Diego County, California, in the United States

Julian

Panoramic view of New Melones Lake, a reservoir on the foothills of Sierra Mountains; California

Lakeside

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