Life in San Diego: La Mesa

Apr 21, 2025 - Mira Paranjape

Nestled in the heart of San Diego’s East County, La Mesa will win over foodies, history buffs, and adventurers alike. Just 20 minutes from Downtown San Diego and a few blocks away from San Diego State University, the city’s lively community has preserved its rich and colorful roots, creating a vibrant, suburban paradise that beautifully blends trends with tradition. For those craving the charm and history of a small town without missing out on the modern eats and boutiques the San Diego region offers, La Mesa is the perfect spot.

Discover what makes La Mesa the “Jewel of the Hills”.

Small town feel, world class food

Despite its cozy, suburban character, La Mesa’s food scene packs a punch. With hot spots across all cuisines, it can be hard to pick just one place. Lucky for you, we’ve curated the perfect bites from the outskirts of town to the heart of La Mesa Boulevard.

Start your day with a fresh baked sugar scone and a sweet sip from Public Square. The coffee shop’s Not-So Old Fashioned Biscuits and Gravy transforms a classic comfort food into a brand-new dish. And don’t miss out on the Pandan Latte, a Southeast Asian-inspired drink with a complex, nutty, vanilla-like vibe. For a bigger bite, explore City Tacos’ extensive menu of traditional and creative taqueria offerings. With vegetarian, vegan, and even paleo options, there’s a taco for everyone. And to truly take advantage of what the neighborhood has to offer, head to Sheldon’s Service Station for your main course. Once one of La Mesa’s first full-service gas stations, this historic restaurant still fuels the community—just with good eats instead of gas. Grab a seat at the patio and a B.L.A.T Sandwich to spend the afternoon people watching on the boulevard.

Explore La Mesa’s past, present, and people

With such a rich, vibrant history, it’s no surprise that La Mesa takes pride in its past and preserves it to this day.

To learn more about the city’s heritage, head over to the La Mesa History Center—a historical landmark in and of itself, built in 1908. Visitors can attend historical roundtables, walking tours, and even special events like the Annual Home Tour. On a smaller scale, the La Mesa Depot Museum invites visitors to explore the history of the San Diego and Cuyamaca Railway Station in the city’s oldest building, the sole surviving station from the railway’s heyday.

Part of what makes La Mesa so special is the people who take pride in their neighborhood and homes. The city has had a community-focused culture for decades and continues to uphold local traditions. La Mesa locals and visitors come together to celebrate at some of the city’s largest annual events like the Classic Car Show or Oktoberfest. If you can’t catch these events, don’t stress! The La Mesa Village Farmers Market is a weekly way to support local farmers, artisans, and small businesses. With more than 90 vendors every Friday afternoon, we guarantee you’ll want to come back for more.

Nature in the neighborhood

In addition to its lively downtown, La Mesa’s natural geography is ideal to explore and immerse yourself in the outdoors. With Mount Helix Park to the east of the city, visitors can enjoy stunning views of San Diego from all angles. Of course, if you’re looking for the best view of San Diego, head to the north of La Mesa to hike Cowles Mountain. One of the county’s most scenic and popular hikes, the incredible view at the top makes every zig-zagging step worth the workout.

To cool down after Cowles Mountain, head to Lake Murray for a variety of water activities. Rent a boat or kayak to explore the entire lake or stick to one spot and spend the afternoon angling for fish. For fans of dry land, the grounds also feature bike trails, tennis courts, playground equipment for kids of all ages, and miles of grassy fields perfect for picnicking.

San Diego’s hidden “Jewel of the Hills” has a lot of history and heart, so venture out east to explore all that La Mesa and its small yet mighty community have to offer. Interested in getting to know some of San Diego’s other neighborhoods? Check out our other blogs!