Santee is a city in the East County region of San Diego County, California, set between the San Diego River and the foothills of Mission Trails Regional Park. The land was long inhabited by the Kumeyaay people, who maintained the village of Sinyeweche along the river, and modern settlement began in the late 1800s, when rancher George A. Cowles assembled large landholdings in the area. From that backcountry farming village, Santee grew across the 20th century into a substantial suburban city of about 60,000 residents. The city's identity today is shaped by recreation and family life. Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, a municipal park built around seven lakes, offers fishing, camping, and trails, while Mission Trails Regional Park — one of the largest urban parks in the country — borders the city and provides hiking, biking, and landmarks such as the Old Mission Dam and Cowles Mountain. That outdoor access gives Santee a distinctly active, nature-oriented character within the San Diego metro. Education is organized through two districts: the Santee School District, which runs nine elementary schools serving about 6,100 students, and the Grossmont Union High School District, which operates Santana and West Hills high schools. Housing is predominantly single-family, spanning established mid-century neighborhoods and newer hillside developments such as Sky Ranch. Transportation is one of Santee's practical strengths. The San Diego Trolley's Green Line terminates in the city, providing a direct rail link to downtown San Diego, while State Routes 52 and 125 connect it to the broader county and the beaches about 20 minutes west. For newcomers, Santee offers suburban space, strong schools, and abundant outdoor recreation with a genuine transit connection to the city.