Located east of Santee is the community of Lakeside, bordered by I-8 and Highway 67. Lakeside is 20 miles east of downtown San Diego in the western foothills of the Cuyamaca Mountains on the San Diego River.

Named after Lindo Lake, Lakeside was originally promoted as a townsite in 1886 when the El Cajon Valley Land Company purchased 6,600 acres of the Rancho El Cajon land grant.

Today Lakeside retains its small-town, "Mayberry" feel, even with a population of 40,000. Lindo Lake is still a favorite destination for residents and visitors who feed the ducks, picnic, hike, ride horseback and fish. The lake is the only natural freshwater lake in San Diego County and was originally fed by mountain streams. There are three other lakes in the area and eight parks. Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary is the San Diego Audubon Society's 700-acre preserve--a paradise for bird watchers.

The desire to nurture its rural roots has affected the way in which Lakeside has developed. Small-scale farms are dotted throughout the area, and many have small horse corrals. The annual Lakeside Rodeo and Western Days Parade brings in top rodeo riders.

Also nearby is the Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino, with its hotel, day spa and golf course, 30 miles from downtown. Lakeside�s neighborhoods include Finn Springs, Winter Gardens, and Eucalyptus Hills. Lakeside real estate is made up of single homes, condos, ranchettes and mobile homes among the hills and mesas. Currently, median home prices are approximately $530,000, with condos beginning in the mid- to-high $100,000s and detached homes beginning at $300,000 and ranging up to $1.6 million.

Children attend schools in the Lakeside Union Elementary School District and Grossmont high schools. State scores rank in the 65th percentile in the state.