Best Breakfast and Brunch Places in El Cajon

"The Crack Shack is my most favorite place to go with the kids. They have a sandbox with toys, a chalk board easel, giant connect four and plenty of outdoor space for kids to run around. Not to mention, the food is excellent and their craft cocktails are a real treat."

"Crack Shack is the closest humanity has gotten to building an actual temple to fried chicken and eggs. This place in Little Italy is a bit gimmicky, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t delicious. They have a huge patio and serve a bunch of really good chicken sandwiches."

"Located next door to Juniper and Ivy, The Crack Shack is another of Chef Richard Blais' creations. It's comfort food thanks to locally-raised, free-range, antibiotic-free chicken and creative recipes."

"With 9 locations in San Diego and the surrounding areas, there is a Breakfast Republic near you, so no matter where you are staying this is one place not to be missed!. We visited the Mission Valley location and the decor was just our style, very industrial with lots of wood accents and metal details. And let’s talk about the food."

"Modern diner Hash House A Go Go specializes in BIG "Twisted Farm Food" so bring your appetite. For brunch (served a la carte), indulge in a plate of hash with meatloaf, salmon, or corned beef. Try flapjacks such as the traditional buttermilk variety, or something different like blackberry-granola or butterscotch-almond."

"Where: 3628 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 Upon opening, Hash House A Go Go became an instant hit and neighborhood favorite. What would you expect from a restaurant that serves over-the-top portions of twisted, Midwest-inspired farm food and crafted cocktails?. Dorothy, you're not in Kansas anymore."

"Fuel up on silver dollar pancakes, maple bacon donuts, and scramble melts at this modern brasserie meets classic dinette. For lunch, the BLT and smoked beef brisket sandwich are satiating. Great Maple has locations in Hillcrest and La Jolla, or, if you’re in the LA area, Newport Beach and Pasadena."

"Great Maple is all about appreciation for seasonal produce, responsible seafood and farm fresh American meals. And all served in a room created for relaxed drinking and conversation. Great Maple is a European bistro in America and chic restaurant with a swanky 1950s vibe."

"It’s got a modern hipster diner vibe with great aesthetics & the food NEVER fails you. It’s just a classic spot that EVERYONE will like. I highly recommend the maple donuts, the squash blossom or brisket popovers, & a Bloody Mary (their bloodies are so good!)."

"If you are around La Jolla Cove, AT Coffee House is fun place to grab a hot or cold drink and walk around."

"A post shared by Figaro Dessert Cafe (@figarodessertcafe) on Sep 28, 2017 at 6:27pm PDT. While previous spots on this list featured fun and chill vibes, Figaro Dessert Café brings class and elegance in serving great coffee and desserts. They offer a large menu filled with intriguing flavors and an exciting display of gelato, cakes, macarons, and tarts."

"Mission HillsIt’s a bold move, opening a new business in the midst of a pandemic, but Trust Restaurant Group and their Executive Pastry Chef Jeremy Harville did just that, launching Mr. Trustee, an ice creamery with a street-side, walk up window adjacent to Cardellino in Mission Hills. Mr. Trustee offers rotating, seasonal flavors of soft serve and handcrafted ice cream available in cups or house-made waffle cones, and by the pint. Scoops include Cookies and Cream, Malted Chocolate Brownie, Honey-Vanilla, Berry Sorbet, and more, with soft serve options in Captain Crunch, Malted Milk, and the like."

"The Trust Group’s venture into ice cream is this walkup window found next to Cardellino in Mission Hills. Lead by Executive Pastry Chef Jeremy Harville, the shop serves chef-centric flavors like malted chocolate brownie, kiwi cucumber sorbet with Tajin and Captain Crunch or malted milk soft serve."

"This not-for-profit aquarium and zoo connects kids with the animals and plants of the California coast. Located on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, the Living Coast Discovery Center offers family-friendly activities and events such as shark, ray, turtle, and eagle feedings; guided trail hikes; Overnight Adventures; and VIP Animal Encounters. Seasonal exhibits promote wildlife conservation and educate young visitors about their impact on the environment."

"This nonprofit discovery center is there to provide environmental education related to coastal resource conservation. You park in a parking lot and bus takes you over to the center. Once there you can see the sharks, visit the sting ray touch tank, and see the bald eagles they have there."

"This is located in the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista and is a popular choice for school trips. The experience here is pretty unique. You get to feed bat rays and have meet-and-greets with reptiles."

"Elephant Odyssey is one of the most well known parts of the park. It’s a huge area that’s dedicated solely to several beautiful African and Asian elephants. The Elephants are free to roam among large areas, and it also includes the Elephant Care Center where you may see a zookeeper caring for one of them."

"The Elephant Odyssey is home to the African and Asian elephant habitat. This area includes the majestic elephants along with the Elephant Care Center and Fossil Portal. Guests can also see lions, jaguars, California condor, camels, and the Malayan tapir."

"It is home to more than 3,500 animals representing more than 400 species and a botanical collection of 3,500 species and 1.5 million specimens. The animals are wild and endangered species from the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Australia. See exhibits such as Asian Savanna and African Plains where you will see animals like the Indian rhinoceros, Cape buffalo and giraffes, Tiger trail with Sumatran tigers, Nairobi Village, and Gorilla Forest and lion camp."

"San Diego Zoo Safari Park is 35 miles north of San Diego in Carlsbad, east of Escondido, and is a haven for some of the planet's most amazing animals. Get up close and personal to them in habitats that mimic their own. Situated on 1,800 acres, it's home to more than 3,500 animals from Africa and Asia, including giraffes, rhinos, and lions."

"Grab a couple of gourmet tacos at City Tacos, a great first stop before exploring the local beer scene. Start at North Park Beer Co., then walk around the corner to visit Toronado."

"Partake in the traditional Churrasco without boarding a plane to Brazil. Skewers of meat are slow-roasted over a mesquite flame after being marinated in simple seasonings. The meat waiter will slice it freshly off the skewer until you throw in the towel."