Santee

History

The region was the homeland of the Kumeyaay people. These original residents established the village of Sinyeweche on the banks of the San Diego River in the present-day Santee area. In 1877, George A. Cowles, a pioneer rancher and businessperson, purchased to develop his vineyards. The area became known as Cowlestown and was linked to the Cuyamaca Railroad. Three years after Cowles' death in 1887, his widow Jennie married Milton Santee. According to historian Harriette Wade, Jennie "lobbied hard" to rename Cowlestown to Santee in honor of her new husband, and a "reluctant vote of the citizens" approved the change in 1893. In 1980, residents voted in favor of incorporation after voting against it three years earlier, giving rise to the city of Santee.

Geography

Santee shares the northern part of a valley with the city of El Cajon. The city is bisected by the San Diego River, which flows east to west for approximately within the city limits. Hills form a natural barrier on its northern and western sides. At an altitude of , Rattlesnake Mountain is the highest point in Santee. Rattlesnake Mountain is home to the Sky Ranch community, and is topped with a large illuminated star during the holiday season. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Santee has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated BSk on climate maps.

Most-observed species

• House Finch

  Haemorhous mexicanus (P.L.Statius Müller, 1776) · Aves
  61,599
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  55,988
• Anna's Hummingbird

  Calypte anna (R.Lesson, 1829) · Aves
  54,426
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  47,881
• Black Phoebe

  Sayornis nigricans (Swainson, 1827) · Aves
  47,019
• California Towhee

  Melozone crissalis (Vigors, 1839) · Aves
  46,663
• Lesser Goldfinch

  Spinus psaltria (Say, 1822) · Aves
  45,418
• Song Sparrow

  Melospiza melodia (A.Wilson, 1810) · Aves
  39,401

Largest nearby schools

• Pacific Coast Academy
  Other · Poway · 4,891 students · 32.6:1 ratio
• Cabrillo Point Academy
  Other · Poway · 4,283 students · 29.5:1 ratio
• Henry High
  High · San Diego · 2,607 students · 27.2:1 ratio
• Helix High
  High · La Mesa · 2,502 students · 24.3:1 ratio
• Granite Hills High
  High · El Cajon · 2,398 students · 24.7:1 ratio
• Hoover High
  High · San Diego · 2,265 students · 23.1:1 ratio
• Mira Mesa High
  High · San Diego · 2,219 students · 25.2:1 ratio
• Grossmont High
  High · La Mesa · 2,175 students · 24.4:1 ratio

Most recent

• M 2.51 — 2026-10-05
  31 km SW of Dana Point, CA
• M 2.81 — 2026-10-05
  32 km SW of Dana Point, CA
• M 3.48 — 2026-10-05
  31 km SW of Dana Point, CA
• M 3.08 — 2026-10-01
  20 km ESE of Anza, CA
• M 2.63 — 2026-09-23
  9 km WNW of Anza, CA
• M 2.91 — 2026-08-31
  22 km SSW of La Quinta, CA