California Collision Center El Cajon

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. Late one night, a delivery driver pulled up to California Collision Center in El Cajon. As he opened the door, an odd humming sound filled the air—like bees buzzing inside a hive. Curious, he stepped closer and noticed it came from beneath the hood of the car he'd just parked. Curiously, he bent down to investigate—and out popped a tiny bee colony, frantically building their hive around the engine's cooling fan. Startled but amused, the delivery driver carefully removed his truck, leaving behind only a few bemused bees who later found a new home in the nearby park. The next morning, a regular customer remarked, 'That’s twice now you’ve brought us insects instead of repairs!'

2. A little boy walked into California Collision Center one day, pointing and asking his mom, ‘Mommy, why is that car smiling back at us?’ The mother smiled and explained gently, 'Honey, it's just a reflection in the windshield.' A delivery driver overheard and laughed, saying, 'Actually, kid, that's our special anti-graffiti coating!' Everyone had a good laugh, including the car, which seemed to nod along.

3. Early one morning, as the sun struggled to peek over the mountains, an old man shuffled into California Collision Center with a mysterious package under his arm. The mechanic raised an eyebrow but took the package anyway. Later that day, while fixing a fender bender, he discovered it was just an old teddy bear wrapped in rags. Turned out, the old man had found the bear years ago and brought it every week for good luck—until everyone forgot why. The story became a local legend, and now, whenever someone gets their car fixed there, they leave behind something small, hoping for a bit of luck too.

4. Early one morning, as fog clung to the streets of El Cajon like a shroud, a delivery driver pulled up to California Collision Center. The garage door slowly opened, revealing not just mechanics but also a peculiar sign: ‘Open 24 Hours—Even When It’s Not’. As the sun began to rise, the delivery driver noticed something odd inside—a small basket filled with freshly baked cookies on the counter. A note read: 'Thank you for your patience. Enjoy!' Turns out, it was an anonymous gesture from a grateful mechanic who appreciated his business.