Guidebook for La Mesa
Food Scene
Just 5 minutes drive from home, in downtown La Mesa, this family friendly restaurant offers an incredibly expansive menu selection, over 8 kinds of fresh hot coffee flavors, and fresh juices and smoothies. Try the acai bowl (as for 1/2 order)! Great for breakfast and lunch. Some outdoor seating.
50 locals recommend
Swami's Cafe
8284 La Mesa BoulevardJust 5 minutes drive from home, in downtown La Mesa, this family friendly restaurant offers an incredibly expansive menu selection, over 8 kinds of fresh hot coffee flavors, and fresh juices and smoothies. Try the acai bowl (as for 1/2 order)! Great for breakfast and lunch. Some outdoor seating.
Good family friendly coffee shop with strong (Café Moto) coffee and a small, but fresh and yummy food selection in the heart of downtown La Mesa. Outdoor seating only.
34 locals recommend
Sheldon's Service Station
8401 La Mesa BlvdGood family friendly coffee shop with strong (Café Moto) coffee and a small, but fresh and yummy food selection in the heart of downtown La Mesa. Outdoor seating only.
Fun, family friendly Mexican restaurant that relocated from historic Old Town to La Mesa.
32 locals recommend
Casa De Pico
5500 Grossmont Center DrFun, family friendly Mexican restaurant that relocated from historic Old Town to La Mesa.
Cool restaurant in downtown La Mesa with a great outdoor patio and kid friendly (there is a old school bus parked in courtyard where kids can play). A bit pricey, but you cannot go wrong with the hamburger and a 1/2 order of Brussel sprouts.
71 locals recommend
BO-beau kitchen + garden
8384 La Mesa BlvdCool restaurant in downtown La Mesa with a great outdoor patio and kid friendly (there is a old school bus parked in courtyard where kids can play). A bit pricey, but you cannot go wrong with the hamburger and a 1/2 order of Brussel sprouts.
Excellent new restaurant with great ambience and outdoor seating. The food is fresh and delicious - We highly recommend! Reservations also recommended.
71 locals recommend
Farmer's Table La Mesa
8141 La Mesa BlvdExcellent new restaurant with great ambience and outdoor seating. The food is fresh and delicious - We highly recommend! Reservations also recommended.
Casual Mexican restaurant with more than 40 varieties of Mexican tortas (sandwiches), plus breakfast fare. Great little outdoor courtyard, and excellent food! One of our favorite family lunch spots.
10 locals recommend
La Torta Cafe
8356 Allison AveCasual Mexican restaurant with more than 40 varieties of Mexican tortas (sandwiches), plus breakfast fare. Great little outdoor courtyard, and excellent food! One of our favorite family lunch spots.
One our favorite happy hour spots right on the water with incredible views of Coronado and downtown. Family friendly, great cocktails and good food (love the burger and skirt steak salad).
130 locals recommend
C Level Lounge
880 Harbor Island DrOne our favorite happy hour spots right on the water with incredible views of Coronado and downtown. Family friendly, great cocktails and good food (love the burger and skirt steak salad).
Casual dining with great food, and a family friendly outdoor dining space in downtown (approx. 20 minute drive from house). Our family loves eating lunch there on a warm Sunday afternoon...kids can play outdoor games, and adults can enjoy a beer and people watching.
145 locals recommend
The Crack Shack - Little Italy
2266 Kettner BlvdCasual dining with great food, and a family friendly outdoor dining space in downtown (approx. 20 minute drive from house). Our family loves eating lunch there on a warm Sunday afternoon...kids can play outdoor games, and adults can enjoy a beer and people watching.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great family friendly local pub with good service, food and drink. Kids allowed in bar, and there is a good brunch on Sundays.
34 locals recommend
The Hills Local Pub
8758 La Mesa BlvdGreat family friendly local pub with good service, food and drink. Kids allowed in bar, and there is a good brunch on Sundays.
Outdoor tasting room with an industrial vibe featuring house-brewed craft beer & food trucks. Family friendly. Walking distance to Helix Brewing Co.
16 locals recommend
Bolt Brewery
8179 Center StOutdoor tasting room with an industrial vibe featuring house-brewed craft beer & food trucks. Family friendly. Walking distance to Helix Brewing Co.
A small, family owned tasting room located in the heart of downtown La Mesa. Wine is decent, and its always fun to chat it up with locals. Family friendly.
7 locals recommend
San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room & Gallery
8364 La Mesa BlvdA small, family owned tasting room located in the heart of downtown La Mesa. Wine is decent, and its always fun to chat it up with locals. Family friendly.
Coin Haus
8361 Allison AveParks & Nature
Mt. Helix Park is only a 1 mile (uphill) hike from our home and has spectacular views, beautiful rock formations and an outdoor amphitheater.
92 locals recommend
Mt. Helix Park
4901 Mt Helix DrMt. Helix Park is only a 1 mile (uphill) hike from our home and has spectacular views, beautiful rock formations and an outdoor amphitheater.
Cowles Mountain Trail is a 3 mile trail only a few miles drive away from our house. It is a moderately strenuous hike. The 1,593-foot summit is the highest point of the city of San Diego, and has great views from the top. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Kid friendly, but a tough hike for <4 years old.
314 locals recommend
Cowles Mountain
Cowles MountainCowles Mountain Trail is a 3 mile trail only a few miles drive away from our house. It is a moderately strenuous hike. The 1,593-foot summit is the highest point of the city of San Diego, and has great views from the top. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Kid friendly, but a tough hike for <4 years old.
Easy, paved 3 mile (one way) trail around Lake Murray. Family, dog, bike, and scooter/skate friendly.
92 locals recommend
Lake Murray Rest Area
5650 Kiowa DrEasy, paved 3 mile (one way) trail around Lake Murray. Family, dog, bike, and scooter/skate friendly.
An easy two-mile stroll will enable you to see tide pools, a lighthouse and breathtaking view of downtown San Diego .. all with the kids in tow. The entrance fee is $5, and the park closes at 5 p.m. Don’t miss: Check the tide schedules and arrive in time to see the tide pools teeming with sea life at low tide.
502 locals recommend
Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DrAn easy two-mile stroll will enable you to see tide pools, a lighthouse and breathtaking view of downtown San Diego .. all with the kids in tow. The entrance fee is $5, and the park closes at 5 p.m. Don’t miss: Check the tide schedules and arrive in time to see the tide pools teeming with sea life at low tide.
Some of the best views in San Diego can be seen from the easy trails here, along with caves and rocks for climbing. The lot charges a $15 parking fee, but you can find parking along the beach if you wait long enough. Great for kids. Approximately 35 minute drive from house.
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadSome of the best views in San Diego can be seen from the easy trails here, along with caves and rocks for climbing. The lot charges a $15 parking fee, but you can find parking along the beach if you wait long enough. Great for kids. Approximately 35 minute drive from house.
Essentials
Costco Wholesale
2345 Fenton PkwyMembership required.
Trader Joe's
5495 Grossmont Center DrA neighborhood grocery stores that offers natural, organic & gluten-free items, including fresh produce, meats, health foods, vitamins, supplements & more.
55 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
152 N 2nd StA neighborhood grocery stores that offers natural, organic & gluten-free items, including fresh produce, meats, health foods, vitamins, supplements & more.
Excellent local market / butcher shop to find fresh meats, seafood, house-made dips and large selection of craft beers. Don't miss their Poke!
15 locals recommend
Valley Farm Market
9040 Campo RdExcellent local market / butcher shop to find fresh meats, seafood, house-made dips and large selection of craft beers. Don't miss their Poke!
Smart & Final Extra!
6235 El Cajon BlvdWalmart
170 Town Center Pkwy