Crest is a unique, rural mountain community in San Diego County perched on the eastern border of the city of El Cajon, CA.  This is the story of Crest and how two distinct communities joined together to form the community of Crest.

 Originally known as Suncrest and La Cresta, Crest is located at an altitude of some 1620 feet above sea level. Crest is about 25 miles from San Diego, and approximately 20 miles from the Mexican border. Three miles east of El Cajon, a city of over 100,000 people, and only a short distance from Interstate 8, the traveler turns onto a winding route to the Crest. 

The U.S. Department of the Interior in 1947 stated that there were only three places in the United States which encompassed satisfactory living conditions for persons suffering from asthma. They included El Cajon Wintergardens, Alpine and the Crest Community Twin District.  As a result many sought out this area for its recuperative powers. Families enjoyed the dry, sunny,  healthy  climate as well as the fact that it was  far removed from the rush and turmoil of the modern city. Although a somewhat primitive location, folks loved this area for its relaxation plus it was a great  for hunting. 

The resort was not without some its challenges. Serious water shortages and periodic fires were two such issues as well as the dangerous road to access the community.

There were two original distinct communities from 1928 to the 1960s, La Cresta and Suncrest. The dividing line between the two was North Lane. Each had its own water district and clubhouse, and a rivalry of sorts always existed. It wasn’t until the 1950s when the elementary school was proposed, the volunteer fire station was built, and a water district established, that folks started thinking it was time to join forces to create a single community which was eventually named Crest.

Much of this story of Crest is told by the residents themselves. Some were quite elderly when conveying their stories and sometimes the memories and exact dates seem to fade or conflict a bit with other stories.

While much of Crest’s history and landmarks have been erased by periodic wildfires, the Crest Historical Society and community residents have worked hard to preserve its history.

Crest CA Today

The 2010 United States Census reports that Crest has a population of 2,593. The population density is  397.0 people per square mile. 

The Census reported that 100% of the population lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 962 households, out of which 291 (30.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them.

Presently, Crest has two stores, two churches and a Mexican Restaurant.  There is also library, a community bldg, a fire department, and two parks (South Lane Park and Nancy Jane Park).