I love this park and it's beautiful and it's very nice to see people enjoying their own place read more

El Monte County Park - Parks Near Me - Lakeside, California

I am writing to share some observations from my family's visit to the park yesterday, as I believe they warrant attention. We generally find the park to be a wonderful amenity, and we deeply appreciate its natural beauty. However, during our visit yesterday, we encountered several situations that significantly detracted from our experience and raised concerns regarding safety and park regulations. While walking along one of the trails, particularly towards the end, we observed a large group of individuals from foreign country spreading throughout the area. Concurrently, we noticed a distinct and pervasive odor of cannabis. Further along the path, my family and I also observed three men gathered near a rock formation up the hill. As we were returning from our walk, we witnessed an individual openly smoking a cigarette. We understand that smoking is generally prohibited in public park areas, especially given the presence of families and children. Additionally, as my children were enjoying their scooters near the path, a vehicle approached at what appeared to be excessive speed, estimated around 30 mph, without slowing down. This incident was particularly alarming as it created an immediate safety concern for my children and other park users. Collectively, these incidents led us to feel a degree of discomfort and concern for our family's safety, prompting us to conclude our visit earlier than planned. I wanted to bring these matters to your attention in the hope that appropriate measures can be considered to ensure the park remains a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors. Thank you for your time and consideration. read more

I really enjoyed exploring the Flume Trail that is behind the park! The beginning of the hike is a tough climb with lots of switchbacks, but then it clears out to a rolling path with beautiful views along the mountain, worth the climb. Dogs are allowed on the trail and there are a handful of parking spots. We didn't do the whole trail this time- my pup is a senior boy. He can't go like he used to, but I'm planning a return trip to finish the trail soon! read more

We went a few Sunday ago and the place has gone down hill since I was a child. Loud music and loud people. We did have a family party there a few years before that where we were able to reserve a large covered area and that was nice but the Gond memories of youth are long gone. I miss the 1970s. read more

El Monte County Park - Cars - Parks Near Me - Lakeside, California

Take note: El Monte County Park has no cell service. If you Uber or Lyft in, have an exit plan. Maybe prearrange your ride out. Really a nice park. We attended a friend's birthday party on Saturday and El Monte Park was a great venue. Huge shade trees kept the hot sun off of us. A giant pavilion provided plenty of room for the live band and dancing. Yes - both were allowed. Call the park for rules. Beer/alcohol? No problem. Not restricted here. The park is huge with several different marked areas that can be reserved as our party was. If you have kids there are several play areas for them. The bathrooms for a public park were clean and stocked. It is $3 to enter with a vehicle, but they'll let your Uber drop you for no charge. Watch for the bees. There are quite a few, but they seem more interested in your picnic food and drinks rather than stinging you, but if you're allergic bring your EpiPen just in case. read more

Tucked behind Barona Casino, El Monte Park is a lovely county park perfect for a family events. Parking costs $3 for the day. The Flume Hiking Trail is behind the park. It's 4.5 miles round trip and moderately strenuous. If you can do Cowles, you can do this trail. There are some pretty nice Historic sites/views that are good for a photo op but the best one is towards the top (naturally). read more

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Favorite park in San Diego. It's definitely out of the way which is the best and worst thing about the park. It's absolutely beautiful here, quiet, and so so much room. There are multiple playgrounds and almost unlimited space to play. Sometimes we are the only people at the park and it's definitely never been close to crowded. All the structures are in great shape and are safe. I can't say enough about how beautiful it is, kind of like a secret hideaway. read more

El Monte County Park - Such a beautiful view - Parks Near Me - Lakeside, California

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We went to El Monte park in Lakeside. The views of the mountains are very nice. There is a nice picnic area. There is also fun playground area. read more

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Love the peacefulness i find in this park .So Beautiful the trees talk to you and the squirrels chirp at you. Love it. Its for all ages . They do have nice swing sets for children and big majestic oak trees for Nature lovers like myself. Do go. You dont know what a gem we have there until you leave and go to work the next day. My Wife and I love taking naps under the beautiful Oak trees. Bring a lunch! :) read more

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I love this park in the spring and will try this park in the summer evenings since they have huge trees with lots of shade. Lots of areas to Bbq, 2 horse shoe,pits, volleyball net, boulders to climb on, lots of wide open space and blue sky plus the drive out is beautiful. We love this park and the kids love it too! read more

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No service here but it's s pretty close. A cool little park where not many people go, great for a picnic:)

REVIEW #200. What a great park. I was here years ago for my 21st birthday party and had kind of forgot about it. Yesterday I was trying to think of good place to bring my 18 month old son. When I remembered this great park. El Monte County Park is a awesome large hidden park that not to many people know about. With 3 playgrounds, many picnic tables, quite a few horseshoe pits, and also a baseball field. There are also large areas with no trees so you can fly a kite with your kid or maybe get a football game going with your friends. It does cost $3.00 to get in and you must have exact change because there is no one there to give you change but it is totally worth it. Now that I have rediscovered this park I'm sure that I will definitely will be back many times. read more

This out of the way park will cost you $3 per vehicle to get into, so have the proper change to put into the envelope at the gate. At the foot of Mount El Capitan, is a park that puts most others in San Diego to shame. It is completely surrounded by a fence which keeps out coyotes and mountain lions, so your dogs are safe to play. There are 10-15 horseshoe pits scattered over the, I'm guessing, 40 acre lot. There are 3 separate and huge playgrounds for the kids, with some of the nicest play structures I've ever seen. Bbq stands are stationed near the many picnic tables. This park is just gorgeous. My only beef is with the rangers who patrol the place. They really want you to leave when it's getting near closing time (dusk). Even as you're packing your things into your car an angry female ranger might pull up and tell you, "It's time to go. You really need to hurry up! The park is closing!" When I came in, closing time was 6:45, it's 6:30 now, and I'm working on it, and you're still hassling me. I have had many great days out here, and will continue to go. I've also always had a problem with authority, especially the uniformed kind, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, and give 'em 4 stars read more

Great Park, would be 5 stars, but the amount of bee's are insane! There must have been a hive in one of the large oak trees because they were everywhere all over the food and drinks for our company picnic. read more

The El Monte Park is beautiful, a great family place to picnic and even have weddings! The staff is wonderful and grounds crews work hard to keep this a green oasis even in the midst of a drought. It is reached by a serene winding road off Lake Jennings that takes you to a more quiet and peaceful time as you meander to the park.... I did hear that a sand mining company has petitioned the County Planning to allow them to mine tons of sand from the beautiful open space (the whole Valley) you see on your left as you drive El Monte Rd. to the park. I hope not_Traffic would be awful and not so sure about noise and dust... hope they just say no. I really like the park and appreciate how hard the County works to make it an awesome place to hang out with family and even large groups. If you haven't been to the park, take some time to drive out El Monte Road with your windows down, look at the incredible El Capitan mountains and check out the wildlife that you can sometimes see even before you get to the park... and then just kick back in this shady bit of affordable San Diego County Oasis in your lawn chairs and get that game of frisbee started!!! read more

Great place for a wedding under their wedding tree, only downfall its right next to the street and theres gopher holes everywhere. But the views are beautiful. People from Main St El Cajon come here and have their shin digs and basically take over so just an fyi. but over all great park for everyone. read more

My parents had their family picnics at this park, some 45 yrs ago....I moved to El Cajon 4 yrs ago and now ride my bike there weekday mornings; peaceful and beautiful. We take the dogs there on weekday afternoons, no one is there and the dogs can just run around (they're little and quiet) off the leash when we keep an eye on them. El Cap rock face looks down over the park, gorgeous. THe park equipment is first rate, nicely spaced....they just opened the trail at the west end, it goes to Blossom Valley, nice hike, about 2 1/2 miles. I have hardly encountered the park personnel, when I do, they are quite friendly...I absolutely love this place; and am very happy to pay the fee that obviously being put to good use. I think I would continue to go there even if the fees were hiked, if that's what it takes to keep the parks open, then so be it. read more