Santee's business climate is forging ahead thanks to its location and its convenient proximity to all areas of the county. Santee Town Center consists of 706 acres master planned for mixed use, and it is thriving, with over 1.1 million square feet of commercial development over the past decade. It also helps that Santee has the seventh highest median household income in the region and one of the lowest crime rates.
The centerpiece of the city's current prosperity is Santee Trolley Square, a transit-oriented shopping center built around the terminus of the trolley line that runs from Old Town to Santee, traversing through the Mission Valley corridor. Trolley Square features major retailers like Target; TJ Maxx; Bed, Bath & Beyond; Old Navy; Barnes & Noble; Pier 1 Imports and Staples. Shoppers can dine at an array of restaurants, including Mimi's Cafe, Olive Garden, Chili's, Original Roadhouse Grill, and Oggi's Pizza & Brewery. Other amenities include a 250-seat amphitheater and a food court.
Adjacent to Trolley Square, the city is on the verge of one its most significant developments. RiverView at Santee is a 104-acre mixed-use corporate campus, which has been master planned for 1.9 million square feet of technology, R&D and professional office uses along the San Diego River.
