Guidebook for La Mesa
Food Scene
Home style cooking and a new cozy bar area added. Walking distance from the house (maybe 4 blocks).
Lake Murray Café
Home style cooking and a new cozy bar area added. Walking distance from the house (maybe 4 blocks).
Starbucks
5416 Lake Murray BlvdWalking distance from the house near the entrance to Lake Murray Park.
DZ Akins
6930 Alvarado RdRegional iconic NY style diner with deli and pastry counters.
Costco Wholesale
2345 Fenton PkwyIt's close and if you are a member you'ld want to know.
Excellent seafood place. Fine dining. Nice setting on a pond. They have another location downtown, but I'd try something else if you go that way.
17 locals recommend
Anthony's Fish Grotto
9530 Murray DrExcellent seafood place. Fine dining. Nice setting on a pond. They have another location downtown, but I'd try something else if you go that way.
My favorite seafood place and a great excuse to visit Coronado Island. Looks out back at downtown SD over the Bay. When I show family around I usually start by visiting the Hotel Del Coronado, walk around maybe have a drink and finish with a reservation for dinner here.
23 locals recommend
Peohe's
1201 1st StMy favorite seafood place and a great excuse to visit Coronado Island. Looks out back at downtown SD over the Bay. When I show family around I usually start by visiting the Hotel Del Coronado, walk around maybe have a drink and finish with a reservation for dinner here.
Shopping
Vons is closer but I like to shop for seafood, fresh veggies, fruits and use the deli and desert shop often. Does not sell alcohol. Go to Vons or Bev Mo if needed.
9 locals recommend
Vine Ripe Market
8191 Fletcher PkwyVons is closer but I like to shop for seafood, fresh veggies, fruits and use the deli and desert shop often. Does not sell alcohol. Go to Vons or Bev Mo if needed.
Nice little Supermarket a mile or so from the house. Most necessities, alcohol sold.
56 locals recommend
Vons
5630 Lake Murray BlvdNice little Supermarket a mile or so from the house. Most necessities, alcohol sold.
Drinks & Nightlife
I recommend you use Uber or Lyft if you plan to party and parking is difficult downtown. Dozens and dozens of places to eat, drink, find dancing and bands.
1208 locals recommend
Gaslamp Quarter
I recommend you use Uber or Lyft if you plan to party and parking is difficult downtown. Dozens and dozens of places to eat, drink, find dancing and bands.
Entertainment & Activities
OB is the closest beach to the house and also a fun, unique place to walk around. Lots of dining and bars, shop for inexpensive gifts, walk the longest pier in San Diego or walk on the beach. Also home of 'Dog Beach' worth checking out on the north side of the beach.
776 locals recommend
Ocean Beach
1850 Ocean Front StOB is the closest beach to the house and also a fun, unique place to walk around. Lots of dining and bars, shop for inexpensive gifts, walk the longest pier in San Diego or walk on the beach. Also home of 'Dog Beach' worth checking out on the north side of the beach.
World famous and a must see if in San Diego. If you have the time to travel to the Wild Animal Park in Escondido as well as go to the zoo then buy the annual membership and you will save money if there are two or more people going. You will get free passes when you do. Go to guest services near the entrance to get them.
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrWorld famous and a must see if in San Diego. If you have the time to travel to the Wild Animal Park in Escondido as well as go to the zoo then buy the annual membership and you will save money if there are two or more people going. You will get free passes when you do. Go to guest services near the entrance to get them.
Stadium Way
Stadium WayHome of the Chargers (for now).
Petco Park
100 Park BlvdHome of the San Diego Padres. Beautiful ballpark in Downtown SD
Iconic Racetrack in beautiful Del Mar. Maybe 40 minutes from the house. Take the 8 west to the 805 North. Del Mar is about where the 805 merges with the 5. Traffic can be tough.
27 locals recommend
Surfside Race Place
2260 Jimmy Durante BoulevardIconic Racetrack in beautiful Del Mar. Maybe 40 minutes from the house. Take the 8 west to the 805 North. Del Mar is about where the 805 merges with the 5. Traffic can be tough.
Sightseeing
Historic place on Coronado Island. Great place to spend a day. I prefer Peohe's for dining on the other side of the island.
519 locals recommend
Hotel Del Coronado
1500 Orange AveHistoric place on Coronado Island. Great place to spend a day. I prefer Peohe's for dining on the other side of the island.
Visit at your own risk. If you go during the day its very touristy and fairly safe, but I wouldn't party at night any more. Gang's are running the show these days.
148 locals recommend
Tijuana
Visit at your own risk. If you go during the day its very touristy and fairly safe, but I wouldn't party at night any more. Gang's are running the show these days.
Parks & Nature
San Diego's gem. Here is a day trip even if you don't go to the zoo. Great museums, a botanical garden, Imax theatres, much more.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
San Diego's gem. Here is a day trip even if you don't go to the zoo. Great museums, a botanical garden, Imax theatres, much more.
We walk to the lake almost every day. Note that the trail does not go in a complete circle. If you go the end of the 4 mile trail you will have to turn around to get back. They rent boats, canoes, bikes etc in the park. If you fish you need a license.
16 locals recommend
Mission Trails Regional Park Lake Murray
5540 Kiowa DrWe walk to the lake almost every day. Note that the trail does not go in a complete circle. If you go the end of the 4 mile trail you will have to turn around to get back. They rent boats, canoes, bikes etc in the park. If you fish you need a license.
Desert hiking trail to the top Cowles Mt. Bring water and wear long pants because there are rattlesnakes up there.
194 locals recommend
Mission Trails Regional Park
1 Father Junipero Serra TrailDesert hiking trail to the top Cowles Mt. Bring water and wear long pants because there are rattlesnakes up there.
This is an awesome place to snorkel and swim around with sea lions and fish. Absolutely stunning views and they have free concerts in the park during the summer on Sunday afternoons. One of my favorite places in the world! It's also a good excuse to spend the day in iconic downtown La Jolla just above the Cove. Free Parking is tough to find so I usually park in a garage for $5-$10.
1327 locals recommend
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdThis is an awesome place to snorkel and swim around with sea lions and fish. Absolutely stunning views and they have free concerts in the park during the summer on Sunday afternoons. One of my favorite places in the world! It's also a good excuse to spend the day in iconic downtown La Jolla just above the Cove. Free Parking is tough to find so I usually park in a garage for $5-$10.
On the end of the harbor is this awesome state park. Excellent museum, incredible views and worth the drive. Maybe 15 minutes south of Ocean Beach.
58 locals recommend
New Point Loma Lighthouse
Cabrillo RoadOn the end of the harbor is this awesome state park. Excellent museum, incredible views and worth the drive. Maybe 15 minutes south of Ocean Beach.
Essentials
BevMo!
8140 Mira Mesa BlvdDiscount Liquor Store.