Cruising 2nd Street in El Cajon 1983

August 19, 1983
Cruising was a popular pastime back in the day. Reed Galin went to 2nd Street in El Cajon on a Saturday night and filed this slice of life report.

[@KingBueno619]

All these great moments before the internet

[@eatmysh0rts]

Yup.

[@udon44]

Brought to you by the internet

[@kisle3195]

This was a trend all over the US back then, it was a wholesome way to socialize before innerwebs ruined the world.

[@kayjay3898]

Exactly

[@udon44]

As you’re watching this on the World Wide Web 🙄

[@guesswho-bp3ir]

I was 23 Years Old sitting on the front of a truck having a smoke and waiting for my wife to get off work from Boll Weevil's. So here we are 40 years later and still going strong and still live in El Cajon

[@GrumpyCat24]

When El Cajon was still safe.

[@jamesdawson6424]

It's pretty rad how before everything seems so simple

[@Blackirish619]

These vintage clips are great! Please keep them rolling in

[@SeattleBoatdog]

Wow - I used to do exactly this … I was 22 and living in PB when this was done, and this was a regular weekend location .. Great vid guys

[@dgodrummer8110]

I use to play Blind Melons as a young drummer. like '94. Then I moved to PB right across from the MISSION cafe. Lived there for 3 years. Started to mature, and got real tired of the rif raf. Moved to a small mountain town in Colorado. Never looked back.

[@ghostghouletteanne6770]

So did I! Early 80s almost every weekend! 2ns St in El Cajon, Ski Beach, Balboa Ave in Clairemont. Good times!

[@gmann2k2]

Me too. Lived in IB and drove my jacked up Chevy LUV cruise 2nd st!

[@widndn]

I cruised second st in 1969, we parked at the firestone tire store next to jack in the box. Saw my first roadrunner there. My older uncle cruised magnolia at Oscar's in 1960.

[@johnnyjesus8]

Wow brilliant video I remember them times I moved to Elcajon in 1985 from England I lived on Orlando st then moved to Oakdale gardens apartments on Oakdale Ave such great memories on second st and going to the drive -in movies on Broadway. Met my beautiful wife in Elcajon we are coming up on our 36 year anniversary. We live in mount holly New Jersey Now.

[@katalac]

As a San Diego gal..I remember this ❤

[@Joe-qw6il]

Back when young people used to socialize in person, I was 13 then, and today I look face on into middle age, crazy how fast time passes!!!

[@bocagoodtimes1460]

Those were wonderful times.

[@Calx91]

This is when California was actually cool and a good place to live

[@blubal42]

Way before the moron in office now!

[@stinkstank5177]

Yeah, before the toxic corrupt liberal commies completely abused their power.

[@johnsabilla5897]

El Cajon looked nice and safe back in the day.

[@presidentcamacho]

Life before crack cocaine

[@shhindig]

@@presidentcamacho Meth was flowing there though.

[@patr70]

Well.. when you deregulate the banking industry and destroy the middle class like George W. Bush did in the 2000s what do you expect??

[@chadahrens5279]

​@@shhindig lol, yes, Meth was flowing in 82. Seriously? Flowing?

[@altruism8637]

before meth plagued the streets XD

[@erniegutierrez2288]

I was a child at the time but still remember seeing many cars on 2nd when we lived on Orlando St. Its amazing to see many of those establishments still around today.... The Jack in the Box, Arby's, the car wash, Firestone. "Like"

[@johnnyjesus8]

Wow I remember when I first moved to Elcajon from England in 1985 I lived in apartments I think it was 133 Orlando st. Close to main st. I live in New Jersey now

[@nobody1964-wc6bd]

I was there. Great times. Monte Vista class of 1983

[@lightinbrian5938]

Was there, good old days.

[@tonybino01]

Damn. This is what America used to be.

[@martinzuniga6605]

I love these throwbacks! And I also love reading the comments of people who experienced these first hand. I was born in the 90s so my era in my teens was 2000. In a few years CBS 8 will upload throwbacks from 2000s and I'll be able to comment 😅

[@cbs8sandiego]

Hi Martin--so glad you enjoy them. There are a few from the 2000s but they're just not as fun to see as the old stuff...people don't look that much different. Let me know if there's anything you'd like to see. [e-mail].

[@zigzagrambo]

I'm a local san Diego 36 year old and this is awesome to see. I would like to start an all inclusive car club to bring this back

[@johnindigo5477]

News reports on emos and scene kids, I tunes, cellular phones, MySpace and Facebook, the war.

[@davebruton5731]

This is our history , as a young American Culture , all about attracting attention to me !

[@jodielangford.6401]

Bakers was a big hangout on 2th St back in the late 60's and early 70's good place to watch the show

[@michaelwright4525]

Participated from '83 till the end.. Great times. Great cars. Great people.

[@stevematson4808]

When did the second street scene end?

[@yettimannettii2039]

2nd street was the best of times. And Clairmont Mesa shopping mall lot. Them were the good ol days.

[@danielleighton2553]

Used to cruise 2nd street back in 86 - 88 remember Clairmont Mesa mall very well everybody would hang out and about midnight we would find a spot and drag race also I remember a guy that had a 4 wheel drive el Camino

[@TheOC_92040]

Balboa and Genesse. Then a friendly race in front of the original Costco on Morena. Or Kearny Villa Rd.

[@yettimannettii2039]

@@TheOC_92040 Price Club

[@mr.m.o.g.o.m.]

I was 18 when I started visiting 2nd Street in 1981. It was fun. There was an occasional fist fight but that was about it everybody much pretty much kept their ducks in line. But that was a different time.

[@presidentcamacho]

Life before crack cocaine

[@ghostghouletteanne6770]

It sure was! I miss those days.

[@dbc1dc]

I was a junior at Valhalla. Was here a lot! Still have the car I cruised with too:)

[@lynnbowers4722]

I was also a junior at Valhalla but I was much more likely to be at the Parkway Plaza mall or a game arcade on a Sat. night.

[@theresultof777]

I was at Valhalla in '75-'76. It was the best of times in this country. I still think about a girl that I used to know.

[@dgodrummer8110]

@@lynnbowers4722 ha Parkway Plaza... my roaming spot in the late '70's when I got into girls in middle school. grew up bottom of Mt Helix off Fuerte Dr. I go back these days (sisters still alive out there) it's insane now and ridiculously expensive. and way too many peeps for me. I'll take my cabin bordering national forest in Colorado thank you. But one helluva place to grow up; empty lots, bamboo jungles, swamps, running from cops on mini bikes... we ruled that area as kids. Safe and the trouble we caused never harmed anyone. haha. But we'd be dead if we did now what we did then. Shot by some chest puffing cop or angry dude with a gun.

[@dogsense3773]

@@theresultof777 don't think about her now, she's 300 pounds

[@kurtkensson2059]

Valhalla, class of '78. Lots of weekends on 2nd Street, then down Broadway, then back again. Good times.

[@CBrowning]

All this just moved a little northward to Escondido-Crusin’ Grand, on Friday nights. Still exists.

[@rickintexas1584]

That looks like good fun.

[@jefolson6989]

I'm on that street everyday. It's no fun anymore!

[@dgodrummer8110]

i remember when My Helix was the party spot in late '70's... until the stabbing. we Kids grew up at the bottom near Grandview Dr. & Resmar Rd. We knew every short cut up and down that mountain (on the east side) thru peoples yards. Running around like wild banshees up there even when the county would put on plays. We'd go full ninja and climb around, make noise, anything to try to get people to chase us. Ah, being a kids and having Mt Helix to go nuts on was amazing.

[@GrumpyCat24]

Mount Helix is pretty much shut down now since covid. they have a new gate they lock sunset and you can't park along the sides of the road anymore. Too many people up there now.

[@CH3NO2Semonious]

In 1976 I moved to Portland Oregon. In 1984 we stopped in to check out my old cruising spot. This time arriving in our race transporter and we picked a spot across the street from Jack in the box to display our AA/FC funny car. Before we could finish pushing the car out onto the liftgate, the El Cajon police arrived and told us to put it back in. We explained that we weren't going to start it up, just display it. They said it didn't matter because they were trying to stop the street racing and allowing us to display our car would send the wrong message.

[@16pennynails]

Loved the 'muscle cars, still do but it's all different now! Grossmont high class of '84...First fun car for my senior year a typical '66 ford Mustang coupe 289, shift kit, headers, mags. Second Street was cool alright, so we're the prices of them old speedy cars. In '85 I bought a '68 Chevelle with a 396,, noise machine all the way but not too quick, primer grey and the strange remains of an interior, LOL! Had fun driving to 2nd from fletcher hills in that rattles trap with a mean idle,,, Or up to Carlsbad Raceway on Saturday afternoon for real quarter mile action. Maybe Saturday night El Cajon speedway for the "fastest three eights oval in the west" !! Great times back then, lots of young or young at heart car nuts enjoying an affordable hobby! All gone now, even Carlsbad Raceway, the speedway, the driving range off Weld although not car oriented lol, and Cheap Muscle on four wheels! Shanks for the memories!

[@namerican8510]

Those were fun times on 2nd street in the 80s. Hanging out next to the bowling alley and Baker's hamburger drive-in and up and down the strip.

[@kellyc4144]

So many memories! My friends and I used to cruise my Camero through there almost every weekend. Such fun times! everyone was so social and there just to have fun and show off the cool cars. You'd meet new people all the time.. The teenagers today will never know how much fun that is. Its so sad that there's nothing for them to do now that doesn't cost money. There was never any trouble there, just a bunch of kids having fun. I don't know how many people remember "Radio Joe" but he was always there talking to everyone and flirting with all the girls. Gosh this brings back great memories ❤

[@WFSmith]

Radio Joe used to stand at the drive thru speaker at Naugles he would order everybody that drove up a hamburger, fries and a shake. He was a real character and was always fun to watch. My Mom worked at the bank on Second St at that time and Radio Joe used to come in the bank. One day my Mom asked me if I knew the weird guy Joe with the Radio and I told her he was harmless and not to worry about him. He would come into the Bank just to talk to everyone waiting in line.

[@josemosqueda3273]

The good old days !!

[@Frostyblu]

Those were the days. Parents couldn't find their kids they would look on 2nd Street. I miss those days 💜

[@jamesc7121]

I wish I could've been a young adult back in those days. Man it's like a real life dazed n confused movie. Everything was so much better back then. Notice how it LOOKS and FEELS like AMERICA with true AMERICANS causing no harm and just out for a good time.

[@erniegutierrez2288]

Not like those "fake AMERICANS" in National City showing off their cars on Highland right James?

[@theresultof777]

It was the best of times in this country, you would have loved it.

[@condor7810]

The song in the background is "(Looking for) The Heart of Sat. Night" by Tom Waits. Although born in Pomona, CA...Tom spent a good deal of his formative years in San Diego (age 10 to early 20's). He attended Hilltop High School (Chula Vista) and got his start on the San Diego folk music scene (late 60's and early 70's). Check out his "San Diego Serenade" for a tune referencing those years.

[@cosmic_drifter_007]

Great song by him and thought the voice was familiar. Thanks for all the info!

[@TheUnholyPosole]

...stalker

[@timothy7497]

My cousins went to school with him and we all lived in our grandfathers house on south Anza for a summer. He was starting to go to LA to play at the troubadour almost every week. Nice guy, loved old Buicks.

[@DavidPerez-wz1ss]

Ah the good old day. Lol I was 2 years watching my older brothers roll out for the night!

[@garyclark5707]

The good old day ,I was a teenager second Street Friday night !

[@davidcarpenter55]

I was a part of that growing up. Miss it a good all days.

[@thelensmanphotography]

Cruised 2nd St, went out to Jack in the Box on Avocado to drag race then ended up at Jack in the Box in Lemon Grove to end the night with a drag race or two down Imperial Avenue... Also went to cruise Grand in Escondido and wound up in the north side of Escondido drag racing out "in the country" Really fun times!

[@johnmonaco1028]

THE Best of Times

[@shhindig]

Boll 'Weevil and Sir Georges.

[@JPER-cv2lq]

same in Pasadena California 50s into the 90s

[@Vectrex4Life]

I drive on 2nd Street all the time but I never thought that it would look like this 40 years ago. What happened? A lot more people moved in and it became less safe...

[@sadagat]

4:22, you can see Dayton Tire, I worked there in high school. I hated it at the time, but looking back there were a lot of great memories...

[@johnmondragon4518]

I was born and raised i el cajon and am still here 25 years later

[@joycetheobald1717]

I still remember dating a guy with a 1969 Camaro. He was always driving fast and I'd scream and scream. Lol 😆 😱🙂

[@Control-Alt-Delete619]

You don't look that old babe!

[@kayjay3898]

Time Machine needed! Happier, simpler days!

[@casperd3943]

Lol..I was a year behind..loved that race track they used to have there..

[@GrumpyCat24]

Cajon Speedway

[@garysmith5781]

Simpler times for sure..

[@smokeskull]

Those guys in the vw station wagon. Wayne's world

[@stinkstank5177]

Imagine all those cars and young adults out having some fun, yet no illegal street takeovers and gun violence. Just the possibility of meeting new friends and like minded folks. What happened compared to today? It seems a certain toxic culture that glorifies violence has influenced the youth.

[@eyeofthesun9821]

Wish they would have shown more of the businesses around there like the Firestone, boll weevils and the Arby's and of course the beloved Jack in the box

[@kellyc4144]

And Taco Bell and Big Olaf ice cream store! 😂

[@ericgore3717]

I was born too late. :(

[@warhorndominion7143]

Me too :(

[@stevetadlock5223]

Back in 1975 (10th grade) I worked at Mr. Cason's Taco Bell on 2nd and Madison. After work on Friday nights we'd cruise 2nd St. before heading up the real party on Mount Helix!

[@kurtkensson2059]

Back when Taco Bell still had Bell Burgers?

[@stevetadlock5223]

@@kurtkensson2059 Bell Beefers and refied beans in a tub!

[@kurtkensson2059]

@@stevetadlock5223 Yeah, Bell Beefers. I asked for one in the early '90s, and the girl just laughed at me. 😁

[@questghost]

What a trip..Kool video .i like to go to El cajon for live shows at the bars

[@deniseflores4523]

Things have definitely changed

[@nelms78]

Days of Freedom

[@GPSniper1]

better than doing donuts.

[@memento_mori8486]

Holy shit the car wash was still there?! I was kk past that shit almost everyday.

[@elizabethhopkins5008]

My dad omg he is so young in here lol

[@eatmysh0rts]

Your dads in the video? How cool.

[@GrumpyCat24]

What part of the video is your dad in? I may have dated him LOL

[@BHARGAV_GAJJAR]

That's when gas was cheap

[@ADubTheGrizzy]

Where on second was this? Madison?

[@KamaraNoir]

Most everything was usually Madison to Main and people would turn around to go back through or try to park. The Jack in the Box side was generally the preferred side. Over spill went directly across the street in front of the pub and drugstore, close to the older Taco Bell.

[@smckay6438]

Jack in the box parking lot !

[@shalombethefire]

This is amazing and apologies to Tom Waits, these captions are hilarious

[@alansherby4046]

Firestone was the place to park, am Jack's was were we ate!

[@kattegatcitychamberofcomme311]

Me and my friends from Helix would cruse 2nd Street in 83, good times.

[@kaophan1098]

Wish I had that blue toyota truck.

[@dgodrummer8110]

yeah those were the shiz nizz back then, still are if you can find one.

[@zigzagrambo]

Awesome

[@kennethkestner1505]

Jack In The Crack🤡was the highlight of the week.

[@BadGuyCoffee]

That car wash is still there.

[@hakeemq5370]

I used to work at Walgreens 2nd st 😅

[@kellyc4144]

If I'm remembering correctly, that was a Thriftys and everyone used to go in there for ice cream.

[@egonzalez920]

No seat belts in sight

[@donshields2379]

Probably right before the laws.

[@GrumpyCat24]

We used to ride around in the back of trucks it was so much fun seat belt law came around 1988

[@Dagotown]

Damn I'm 40 I was 1 back then I only heard of highland

[@dhn.]

North San Diego was my 2nd home when I was stationed at Camp Pendleton in the late 80s. How is it today?

[@johntaylorjr4344]

Wow! Five dollars for gas ... What can we say about that? And there seemed to be so much more freedom back in the 70s and 80s and San Diego was quietly known for it. I love how the guys hung out with no shirts and everyone seemed to just be free without the mess we have today. Those were good times for a lot of people.

[@edochoa3452]

I was born in June 17 1983

[@pufferstuffer7432]

Now they do donuts in intersections

[@andreafreeman8164]

Holy shit i did this

[@Shoobybuhdooby]

What’s the song at 4:14

[@theorigin1891]

Plenty of ladies around, like he's getting any 😆

[@GrumpyCat24]

Lmao. Eddie Haskel.

[@juanedoses8715]

wow!! elcajone has changed... for the worst

[@InfinityPets]

Do y’all got anything on National city? 😭

[@yettimannettii2039]

if you have a "low-rider" there might be. Cruise around and ask other low riders.

[@cbs8sandiego]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6WkaGx5j6t4f80

[@kitdacrazephillythekraze7561]

Lol I was born this year 🤣

[@brotherskrillrc6042]

Crazy by the time i had a car in 1992 1969 camaro ss in 92 93 94 this was all gone the cops ran off everyone us and anyone else by my time really pitiful couldn't find anyone to hang with at that time really changed for alot of years , finally cruise night on main st happens but dont have the car now😂

[@tattoomiked4612]

Not the same place anymore. "Tweekerjon"

[@dgodrummer8110]

yep, got out in '97. back once or twice, oh boy, a real shit hole now.

[@devinsheaven]

2:27 lmfao shmokin a shnag i see 🤣

[@PJ-SanDiego]

After my time

[@DjmDjm-hl8pt]

I was 4

[@shawnmann9491]

I was 18 and just graduated HS in 1983, in Northern California, tagging along with my older buddies in their rides. The best of times! All of the folks in this cool video are anywhere from their late 50s on up, if they are still alive.

[@BradThePitts]

$5 for gas is $15 today!

[@bryanburnap4537]

Time is a thief :(

[@petertoves2769]

Back when cruising was still cheap.

[@plutoplatters]

2:14 LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL.........

[@GrumpyCat24]

James Hetfield at 0:40

[@GPSniper1]

lol

[@plutoplatters]

PF pre-Fentanyl days.

[@kyroplx9641]

It’s trash now lol

[@Angel-cz8xf]

Low riders

[@user-ms5ed6kd2j]

$5 bucks worth of gas, in 2024, will get you to Walmart and back 😎