It's the Holiday Season and El Cajon Boulevard has it All!

Now that we are entering the holiday season make sure to support your local community by shopping local on El Cajon Boulevard. Supporting local businesses avoids the headaches associated with the large shopping malls and improves the local economy. The following list includes only a sample of businesses in the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement District that offer a fabulous assortment of unique goods and services.

Holiday Dinner

If food is on your mind then make sure to stop at North Park Produce (3551 El Cajon Boulevard) for a holiday turkey, only $1.49 per pound. Out of respect for Muslim people that live in our community they only sell Halal turkey, which ensures that it is permissible according to Islamic law. If you aren't a regular at North Park Produce then you will be pleasantly surprised by their great selection of affordable produce, amazing variety of fresh olives and cheese and many unique items such as saffron, zatar and so much more! If your holiday dinner will have a more south of the border flavor, then Pancho Villa's Market (3245 El Cajon Boulevard) will have what you need. The market includes fresh produce, a butcher shop, bakery and all the traditional ingredients you'll need for your holiday meal.

Dining

If you're thinking about the perfect place to book a holiday party, where else but Lips (3036 El Cajon Boulevard) can you enjoy numbers such as "Twelve Drunk Days of Christmas?" Hot "ladies", lip syncing perfection, inappropriate humor, stiff cocktails and dinner is certainly a memorable way to celebrate the holiday season. Face it, these "girls" are professionals and they've been doing it for nine years - in heels and duck tape. Click here to visit their website.

Why not enjoy a classic, romantic holiday dinner? The Red Fox Inn (2223 El Cajon Boulevard) harkens back to a time when stars such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin enjoyed martinis and first-rate continental cuisine such as steak and seafood. Today, the regular customers love that it has never changed, the dim lit ambiance, the menu, the bar, the lounge entertainment and the staff have been around for decades. Step inside and enjoy it for yourself. Read the Yelp reviews here.

El Cajon Boulevard has always been a great destination for dining. Decades ago, the drive-ins and delis were the local's favorite, but now the fabulous array of ethnic restaurants attracts people throughout San Diego. Here is a list everyone's favorite restaurants that sell gift cards:

Dao Son Noodle House - 2322 El Cajon Blvd (Yelp reviews)
Bangkok Spices Thai - 2832 El Cajon Blvd (website)
Pomegranate Russian-Georgian Restaurant - 2302 El Cajon Blvd (website)
Cafe One Three - 4207 Park Blvd (website)
Tioli's Crazee Burger - 4201 30th St (website)

Shopping

Now that it is time to start shopping, how about this year you make 'green' the theme of your holiday gifts? Pretty plants always make for a nice gift, but the cacti and succulents sold at Exotic Gardens (2212 El Cajon Boulevard) are pretty and environmentally sensitive. San Diego's unique mild climate and low rainfall make it ideally suited for growing succulents outside. Unlike lawns, succulents can survive months-long droughts and still look good, while providing a more dramatic and colorful look to any landscape. Click here to read their spotlight.

For most people, the holiday season means Christmas! There's no better place to purchase a special gift for your religious friends and family members than at O'Connors Church Goods (3720 El Cajon Blvd). Whether it's jewelry, rosaries, saint medallions or spiritual literature, the people at O'Connors have a lot of pride in serving their customers and maintaining a unique business that dates back three generations. Click here to visit their website.

Getting together with friends and family is great reason to get dolled up and look your best, so why not treat yourself to a lovely manicure and pedicure for the holidays? With all the nail salons on El Cajon Boulevard, DK Nails at 3815 El Cajon Blvd and Sandy Nails at 1965 El Cajon Blvd are the two most preferred by San Diego Yelpers (www.yelp.com) for their friendly service and good prices.

Shopping for the Kids

There are few things more exciting than watching kids open their holiday gifts. Frank the Train Man, at 4223 Park Blvd, has been offering model trains to both young and old for decades. If your special someone is more interested in action sports, drop by Route 44 skate shop (2002 El Cajon Boulevard) for the best in skateboards, clothing and accessories. There is even a rail and half-pipe set-up at the side of the store for the kids to practice. Visit their website here. On the bicycle front, Pedal Pushing Bicycle Shop, located at 4966 El Cajon Blvd, offers a great assortment of affordable bicycles and accessories for both young and old two-wheel commuters. If it's a soccer fan you are looking to please, then head over to Soccer Solutions (4241 El Cajon Boulevard).

Auto-Related

There's no getting around it, once you own a car, it' a never ending expenditure. Think about how happy you'd make someone by covering their car maintenance. For tires, brakes, detailing, stereos, used or brand new cars, El Cajon Boulevard provides a smorgasbord of options.

Sweets

We certainly haven't covered all the bases of gift giving options without a bit of sweetness. Have no fear, the Eclipse Chocolat team is happy to accommodate your corporate or personal gifts! From the salty peanut butter toffee, to the blackberry sage dark chocolate bar, to a Champagne and truffle tasting, a gift card, gift box, or season tasting will provide endless possibilities. Click here to visit their website.

Gift Baskets

If you'd prefer something more homemade, make a personalized gift basket. An assortment of Asian goodies from the World Food Market (5245 El Cajon Boulevard) such as candies and cookies, exotic fruits and bottled beverages like Thai tea and lychee juice will certainly go over well.

Out of Town Guests?

The holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. If your home just can't accomodate all your out-of-town guests, the hisotoric Lafayette Hotel and Suites (2223 El Cajon Boulevard) is a great local option. Click here to visit their website and make a reservation.

All the rest.....

The El Cajon Boulevard Business District has over 800 local business that offer fabulous goods and services to our local community. Now that we are entering the holiday season, make sure to try to shop local on El Cajon Boulevard first. From cooking, to dining and entertainment, to the most unique gift options in town, we hope you find the Boulevard Holiday Gift Guide helpful. When out shopping on the Boulevard, don't forget to check out the dazzling display of holiday lights on the seven bridges that span Interstate 805 in Mid-City San Diego, brought to you by the a partnership by the area's business improvement associations.