Eat Your Way Down El Cajon Boulevard at the Taste of College Area
Some of the best eating in San Diego happens on blocks people drive straight through. The stretch of El Cajon Boulevard running through College Area and Rolando is one of them.
The third annual Taste of College Area turns that stretch into a self-guided tasting route. One $40 ticket, four hours, and more than 20 restaurants, coffee shops, pubs, and cafes to work through.
20+ Stops Between 55th and 73rd Streets
The route runs along El Cajon Boulevard from 55th to 73rd, which puts Thai, sushi, Mexican, poke, pizza, and coffee within a few blocks of each other.
Tokyo Sushi Loha, Penelope’s Mexican Food, and Charoen Krung Thai Cuisine are all participating, along with Scrimshaw Coffee for the point in the afternoon when you need it.
It’s self-guided, so you build the route. Start where you want, skip what you don’t, double back to whatever surprised you.
Three First-Timers to Build Your Route Around
Pokedon, BarLando, and Love Letters Pizza are joining the lineup for the first time this year. Poke, drinks, and pizza, which is a full afternoon on its own if you want it to be.
New participants tend to bring their best work to a crowd that hasn’t tried them yet. Build your route so you hit at least one of them early.
Let the Trolley Do the Driving
Walk it, bike it, or ride. Old Town Trolley is running complimentary service along the route, which means you can hit the pubs without thinking about the drive between them.
It also makes the full stretch from 55th to 73rd realistic in four hours. Covering that on foot and doubling back is more walking than most people plan for.
See you there!
Bring an appetite, wear shoes you can walk in, and let the trolley handle the rest. Four hours, 20 restaurants, one very good Sunday.
📆 Sunday, September 27, 2026 | 11 AM – 3 PM
📍 El Cajon Boulevard & College Avenue, San Diego
🎟️ Get your tickets here
ℹ️ More info here
See you there, San Diego!
