Bostonia - El Cajon, CA

Being a part of El Cajon, Bostonia shares its history as a stopping-over point between Julian and the port of San Diego during the years of the Gold Rush, and has since morphed into a small suburban neighborhood. Bostonia does not boast a big arts scene, nor does it contain any museums, but art and culture can be found nearby in the city of San Diego for those who seek it.

Few annual events of note take place in sleepy Bostonia, but for parade enthusiasts fun is just around the bend in downtown El Cajon. The Mother Goose Parade rings in each holiday season with a winter parade and festival that can be a fun time for the whole family. If you're a cowboy at heart, you can head northward to Lakeside for its regular rodeo events in the heart of downtown.

Many of the eateries in Bostonia lie along Broadway or on Second Street, as do the few nightlife spots in the area. One restaurant that has earned the love of locals is Izzy's Cafe on Broadway near the North Second Street intersection. Open for breakfast and lunch six days a week, Izzy's serves up heaping helpings of cafe entrees for prices that can't be beat. One such dish, the veggie omelet, comes stuffed full of grilled veggies and cheese, guaranteed to satisfy even the hungriest customer. If you have any room left after your meal, try a slice of the signature fried fruit pie —” alone or a la mode.

Pizza lovers flock to Italia Pizza, also located on Broadway in Bostonia. Noted for its crispy crusts and piping-hot pies, Italia Pizza is open for lunch and dinner, and you can dine in, carry out or call ahead for delivery. Try the Athena pizza, piled high with sausage, black olives, and mozzarella and feta cheeses for a Grecian twist on an Italian favorite. Italia Pizza also serves pasta dishes, salads, hot or cold sandwiches, and an array of appetizers guaranteed to please.

For a taste of the Mediterranean with a healthy twist, try Greek Chicken at the corner of Graves Avenue and East Bradley just east of Highway 67. Featuring a long menu of items inspired by Greek culinary tradition, this restaurant may be a little place but its dishes are bursting with big flavor. If you want something fresh and nutritious, order the Greek salad with chicken for a huge bowl stuffed full with lettuce, cucumber, diced tomato and zesty grilled chicken slices. If you don't feel the need to count calories, get a two-third pound burger and a side of onion rings, lightly seasoned and fried to golden perfection.

The nightlife in Bostonia may leave the hardy partier wanting, but the little neighborhood does have options for those who know where to look. Quarterdeck Inn on Broadway between Anza Street and Mollison Avenue is a terrific location to relax, have a drink, and play some darts.

Several bus routes service Bostonia, making it a great place for those who are fond of public transit. The walkability in Bostonia has a hit-or-miss record, as some roads have well-maintained sidewalks while others have only dirt and gravel to offer pedestrians. Bicyclists will find a similar challenge, as the main roads have dedicated bicycle lanes, while the smaller residential roads may be narrow and not amenable to cycling commuters. Most residents in Bostonia drive, as Uber does not service the area, but taking a cab can be a great alternative if you call ahead, as a variety of local cab companies do service Bostonia and beyond.

Although Bostonia itself has no dog parks or parks geared toward fitness enthusiasts, one neighborhood park in town gets love from the locals who want a simple day of family fun: Bostonia Park. A small, two-acre park near the intersection of Bostonia Street and Broadway, this park offers playground equipment for children to enjoy and a well-kept grassy area for picnicking enthusiasts. Parking and admission are free, and the park stays open from sunrise to sunset.

For a nearby option featuring a fitness course and an off-leash area for your canine friend, head over to Wells Park, just a short jaunt from Bostonia on Madison Avenue in El Cajon. Wells Park features many amenities, including a fenced dog park area and sports courts, and like Bostonia Park, features free parking and admission.

Living in Bostonia compares favorably overall with living in San Diego, making it a great alternative for those who work in the city but don't mind a short commute. With the average one-bedroom apartment running around $1,200 per month, Bostonia's affordability appeals to those on a tight budget.

Public transit day passes may be purchased for $6, and will cover bus and San Diego Trolley fare for a full 24 hours. Having a beer here won't tear a hole in your wallet, either -- the average pint in a bar will run about $3. Gas prices in Bostonia compare equally with those in San Diego, sitting 11 percent higher than the United States average.

Shopping in Bostonia could be accurately described as "limited". However, just across the 67 freeway stands Parkway Plaza, a big indoor shopping mall featuring all your favorite chain retailers such as Ulta, Best Buy and Forever 21. Locals head to Parkway Plaza when they need to shop.

A few specialty stores do operate within the bounds of Bostonia. One such location, Carl's Boot and Leather Shop on North Second Street, offers discount-priced shoe repair and leather work with hand-stitched quality. Local ladies rave about the owner's ability to make their old, broken high-heeled shoes look fresh out of the box, and Carl's can handle tackle repairs and custom leather works as well.

If you love a bargain, head down to Amvets Thrift Store along E. Main near 1st Street. Amvets is open seven days a week and features various unique, hard-to-find items, and bona fide antiques and sometimes even new items, this store is a neighborhood treasure.

Grocery options in Bostonia are unfortunately limited, so residents head to the nearby Food4Less or Vons to shop. One little shop that can be described as half-deli/butcher shop is Broadway Farmers Market. Broadway Farmers Market can be a great place to pick up marinated meats for less, and it has a shining reputation with fans of Middle Eastern food.