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 on El Cajon Boulevard. Supporting local businesses allows you to avoid the headaches associated with the large shopping malls in addition to improving your local economy. The following list includes a sample of businesses in the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement District that offer an abundance of unique goods and services.

There are few things more exciting than watching kids open their holiday gifts. Here is just a sample of what The Boulevard has to offer:

Frank the Train Man- 4223 Park Blvd- Model Trains
Route 44- 2002 El Cajon Blvd - Skateboards, clothing and accessories.
Pedal Pushing Bicycle Shop- 4966 El Cajon Blvd- Bicycles and accessories
Soccer Solutions- 4241 El Cajon Blvd.- Soccer sporting goods

If you're thinking about the perfect place to book a holiday party, where else but Lips 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.

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 of great restaurants that sell gift cards:

Lovin Hut- 1905 El Cajon Blvd
SOHO - 3025 El Cajon Blvd
Bangkok Spices Thai- 2832 El Cajon Blvd
Pomegranate Russian-Georgian Restaurant- 2302 El Cajon Blvd
The Red Fox Room- 2223 El Cajon Blvd
Tioli's Crazee Burger- 4201 30th St
El Borrego- 4280 El Cajon Blvd

There's no better place to purchase a special gift for your religious friends and family members than at O'Connors Church Goods, located at 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.

Getting together with friends and family is a great reason to get dolled up and look your best, so why not treat yourself to a haircut, manicure and pedicure for the holidays? Salon Cabana at 2200 El Cajon Blvd resembles the glamour of old Hollywood with funky, mid-century inspired wall panels, chandeliers and work stations. Amongst 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). While you're focused on treating yourself, you may want to consider some gentle, specific and effective chiropractic care. Chiropractique, located at 2301 El Cajon Boulevard was voted best Chiropractic center in the CityBeat's 2009 Best of San Diego.

We certainly haven't covered all the bases of gift giving options without a bit of sweetness. Have no fear, Eclipse Chocolat will 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, or season tasting will provide endless possibilities. If you'd prefer something homemade, make a personalized gift basket with goodies from North Park Produce at 3551 El Cajon Blvd. dried fruits, nuts, ethnic spices, cheese and holiday cookies will certainly go over well.

Lastly, the holidays are not only about gifting; they're about taking time off from work and having fun. So once the food and family wear you down, it's time to move around and go out! According the San Diego CityBeat, El Cajon Boulevard has "become the center of a fledgling nightlife renaissance of hip little boxes: from revitalized classic spots like the Red Fox Room and the latest Til Two Club, to other music-centric nightlife destinations like the Live Wire, Eleven and Soda Bar."

The El Cajon Boulevard Business District has over 900 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 a partnership of the area's business improvement associations.

Yelp About the Boulevard

Red Fox Steak House
2223 El Cajon Blvd

Yelper: I went to the red fox for the first time a little over a year ago, and while the lover that took me there for the first time is long gone, my love affair with the red fox room lives on! This place is like a time warp with its red "leather" booths and the walls taken from an old European castle, the dim lighting, stiff drinks and old school music really help set the tone, and whenever I go on a date here, I can't help but feel like I am in an in old Hollywood movie. I always dress up a little bit for the occasion because DAMN IT it's the Red Fox Room and it is classy! It is one of the few places I go that is even worthy of my vintage furs and sequined evening wear.

The food is delicious; I have never left feeling unsatisfied or still hungry! It is not only a great place for a date, but I love going here with my friends! We sit around the piano bar throwing back drinks and having intimate conversations filled with laughter and good times!

There are not many places like this anymore, which is what makes it such a jewel.

Click here for more yelp reviews.

Featured Art on the Boulevard

Events are a key component in the creation of the Boulevard Arts District and since the first ever Bike the Boulevard was so much fun, here's a recap of the festivities. Click here to view the pictures.