Guidebook for La Mesa
Food Scene
Tiramisu Trattoria
8273 La Mesa Blvd8
locals recommendGreat Italian food in quaint La Mesa Village location
Delicious Russian food. Sundays and Thursdays they have soup dumplings, which are a must-try!!
28
locals recommendPomegranate
2312 El Cajon Blvd28
locals recommendDelicious Russian food. Sundays and Thursdays they have soup dumplings, which are a must-try!!
Trendy place in La Mesa Village. The Brussels sprouts are excellent!
41
locals recommendBO-beau kitchen + garden
8384 La Mesa Boulevard41
locals recommendTrendy place in La Mesa Village. The Brussels sprouts are excellent!
GIHON Ethiopian Kitchen
2432 El Cajon BoulevardAuthentic Ethiopian food
Pho And Grill International
9610 Campo RdIf you need a pho fix, this place is close by and delish!
Arigato Restaurant
5575 Baltimore DrSushi and Japanese food
Nothing fancy about this place, but the verde and mole stewed meats are divine! They will let you sample anything you wish.
8
locals recommendSuper Cocina
3627 University Avenue8
locals recommendNothing fancy about this place, but the verde and mole stewed meats are divine! They will let you sample anything you wish.
Endless menu of Vietnamese specialties, including pho, spring rolls, broken rice and bahn mi.
Saigon Restaurant
4455 El Cajon BoulevardEndless menu of Vietnamese specialties, including pho, spring rolls, broken rice and bahn mi.
Affordable Mexican food, close to the guest house. Try the California burrito or the ceviche.
Sarita's Taco Shop
9906 Campo RoadAffordable Mexican food, close to the guest house. Try the California burrito or the ceviche.
Little deli with all sorts of sandwich options, close to the guest house.
Sunrise Deli New York Style
9945 Campo RoadLittle deli with all sorts of sandwich options, close to the guest house.
Authentic Ethiopian. Can be very slow service on the weekends, so I don't recommend taking young kids there. Food is EXCELLENT.
10
locals recommendRed Sea Ethiopian Restaurant
4717 University Avenue10
locals recommendAuthentic Ethiopian. Can be very slow service on the weekends, so I don't recommend taking young kids there. Food is EXCELLENT.
Delicious Indian/Himalayan food with a cute interior. The garlic naan is a must. We also love the tikka masala and vindaloo dishes.
6
locals recommendHimalayan Cuisine
7918 El Cajon Boulevard6
locals recommendDelicious Indian/Himalayan food with a cute interior. The garlic naan is a must. We also love the tikka masala and vindaloo dishes.
Upscale restaurant with a delicious menu. Close to the guest house. Great for a romantic dinner.
19
locals recommendBrigantine Seafood Restaurant
9350 Fuerte Drive19
locals recommendUpscale restaurant with a delicious menu. Close to the guest house. Great for a romantic dinner.
Yi Sushi
2650 Jamacha RoadGreat sushi restaurant that is close by.
La Mesa Boulevard
8
locals recommendQuaint, walkable village setting with some great restaurants!
If you're looking for healthy breakfast/brunch options, this will do it! They are also open for lunch and dinner.
25
locals recommendSwami's Cafe
8284 La Mesa Boulevard25
locals recommendIf you're looking for healthy breakfast/brunch options, this will do it! They are also open for lunch and dinner.
The Village House Kalina
8302 Parkway DrGreat Russian food and cute furniture. Hole-in-the-wall.
Pho OLALA
9735 Campo RdExcellent pho and other Vietnamese foods.
Great coffees/teas/pastries and a decent selection of meals. Sometimes there is live music.
15
locals recommendSheldon's Service Station
8401 La Mesa Blvd15
locals recommendGreat coffees/teas/pastries and a decent selection of meals. Sometimes there is live music.
Public Square Coffee House
8278 La Mesa Blvd13
locals recommendRestaurant in a historic building in Old Town San Diego. Authentic Old West interior and furniture makes this place fun to visit!
8
locals recommendCosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant
2660 Calhoun Street8
locals recommendRestaurant in a historic building in Old Town San Diego. Authentic Old West interior and furniture makes this place fun to visit!
Sightseeing
Cute shops on the harbor, great people watching, restaurants are touristy
316
locals recommendSeaport Village
849 West Harbor Drive316
locals recommendCute shops on the harbor, great people watching, restaurants are touristy
Wide open sandy beaches, boardwalk, people watching, lots of restaurants. Parking can be tricky.
212
locals recommendPacific Beach
212
locals recommendWide open sandy beaches, boardwalk, people watching, lots of restaurants. Parking can be tricky.
Balboa Park
1096
locals recommendLots of museums and cultural spots to explore in Balboa Park.
Experience the history of early San Diego here! Historic buildings include museums, unique retail shops, and restaurants. We love getting freshly-made tortillas filled with butter or fresh salsa from Cafe Coyote. The woman who makes the tortillas has been doing this for decades! Our favorite restaurant in Old Town is the Cosmopolitan, which is in a historic hotel building with authentic old west decor and furniture. The food is always very good here!
83
locals recommendOld Town San Diego State Historic Park
4002 Wallace Street83
locals recommendExperience the history of early San Diego here! Historic buildings include museums, unique retail shops, and restaurants. We love getting freshly-made tortillas filled with butter or fresh salsa from Cafe Coyote. The woman who makes the tortillas has been doing this for decades! Our favorite restaurant in Old Town is the Cosmopolitan, which is in a historic hotel building with authentic old west decor and furniture. The food is always very good here!
For a classic Southern California boardwalk experience, start here. Restaurants and retail shops abound!
43
locals recommendCrystal Pier Hotel & Cottages
4500 Ocean Boulevard43
locals recommendFor a classic Southern California boardwalk experience, start here. Restaurants and retail shops abound!
Entertainment & Activities
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Drive778
locals recommendThe iconic San Diego Zoo.
Huge water park, open in the summer. Lines can be very long on the weekends!
22
locals recommendAquatica San Diego
2052 Entertainment Circle22
locals recommendHuge water park, open in the summer. Lines can be very long on the weekends!
SeaWorld
136
locals recommendTorrey Pines Gliderport
2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive128
locals recommendParagliding and hang gliding near La Jolla.
Classic beach-side amusement park, complete with wooden roller coaster and bumper cars. There is also a zip line and small ropes course. Tons of fun for kids and adults!
251
locals recommendBelmont Park
3146 Mission Boulevard251
locals recommendClassic beach-side amusement park, complete with wooden roller coaster and bumper cars. There is also a zip line and small ropes course. Tons of fun for kids and adults!
Fun hands-on activities for kids and adults alike. My kids love the clay area, where they can sculpt whatever they like and leave it out to dry while they explore the rest of the space.
50
locals recommendThe New Children’s Museum
200 West Island Avenue50
locals recommendFun hands-on activities for kids and adults alike. My kids love the clay area, where they can sculpt whatever they like and leave it out to dry while they explore the rest of the space.
Parks & Nature
Inspiring views from the top of this little-known park, very close to our guest house! Take a short 1/4 mile hike around the pinnacle.
40
locals recommendMt. Helix Park
4905 Mount Helix Drive40
locals recommendInspiring views from the top of this little-known park, very close to our guest house! Take a short 1/4 mile hike around the pinnacle.
Mission Trails Regional Park Lake Murray
5540 Kiowa Drive10
locals recommendGreat place to go for a walk or run
With over 40 miles of hiking trails, there is something for every type of hiker or nature lover. If you're feeling extra adventurous, look up the Mission Trails 5 Peak Challenge! For families, I recommend the Mission Trails Visitor Center, which has fun activities for kids and ranger-led hikes.
75
locals recommendMission Trails Regional Park
1 Father Junipero Serra Trail75
locals recommendWith over 40 miles of hiking trails, there is something for every type of hiker or nature lover. If you're feeling extra adventurous, look up the Mission Trails 5 Peak Challenge! For families, I recommend the Mission Trails Visitor Center, which has fun activities for kids and ranger-led hikes.
La Mesita Park
8855 Dallas StreetPlayground, tennis courts, and big grassy open space
National monument at the tip of Point Loma, with sweeping panoramic ocean and downtown SD views.
298
locals recommendCabrillo National Monument
298
locals recommendNational monument at the tip of Point Loma, with sweeping panoramic ocean and downtown SD views.
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines Road537
locals recommendCliffs, beautiful sunsets, and lots of hiking options.
Where lush alpine forests meet the dry, desolate desert below... Prepare for amazing views from many spots all along Sunrise Highway! This is truly one of my favorite places on earth. The Pacific Crest Trail runs through Mt. Laguna, so there are lots of opportunities to pick up a little section of this famous trail that runs from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada.
20
locals recommendMount Laguna
20
locals recommendWhere lush alpine forests meet the dry, desolate desert below... Prepare for amazing views from many spots all along Sunrise Highway! This is truly one of my favorite places on earth. The Pacific Crest Trail runs through Mt. Laguna, so there are lots of opportunities to pick up a little section of this famous trail that runs from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada.
We love checking out Green Valley Falls in the spring and early summer. Usually dries up by late July. There are also lots and lots of hiking opportunities throughout the state park.
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Visitor Center
We love checking out Green Valley Falls in the spring and early summer. Usually dries up by late July. There are also lots and lots of hiking opportunities throughout the state park.
Basketball court, playground, splash pad for kids, grassy open field, sidewalks.
Hilton Head County Park
16005 Hilton Head RdBasketball court, playground, splash pad for kids, grassy open field, sidewalks.
Drinks & Nightlife
This place has all kinds of beers and wines. Good place to hang out without a bar atmosphere.
10
locals recommendKnB Bistro - Del Cerro
6380 Del Cerro Boulevard10
locals recommendThis place has all kinds of beers and wines. Good place to hang out without a bar atmosphere.
Essentials
Laundromat that gets good reviews and is close to shopping. Also has free Wi-Fi.
Quality Wash - Coin Laundry - Dry Cleaning - Fluff and Fold Service
Laundromat that gets good reviews and is close to shopping. Also has free Wi-Fi.
Trader Joe's
5495 Grossmont Center Drive15
locals recommendTrader Joe's in La Mesa.
Health food store that has good specials, and on Wednesdays you get the specials for both weeks (prior week and upcoming week). Bulk foods. Great selection of vitamins, essential oils, health/beauty too.
22
locals recommendSprouts Farmers Market
4630 Palm Avenue22
locals recommendHealth food store that has good specials, and on Wednesdays you get the specials for both weeks (prior week and upcoming week). Bulk foods. Great selection of vitamins, essential oils, health/beauty too.
When you need a standard grocery store, this is the closest one to our guest house.
7
locals recommendVons
1201 Avocado Avenue7
locals recommendWhen you need a standard grocery store, this is the closest one to our guest house.
Great middle eastern grocery store! Produce is cheap and varied. Try the freshly baked breads and mana'eesh.
North Park Produce
432 East Chase AvenueGreat middle eastern grocery store! Produce is cheap and varied. Try the freshly baked breads and mana'eesh.
7-Eleven
4610 Avocado BlvdIf you need a convenience store, this is the closest one.
Great Mexican market. Also has a deli section with great tacos and a good selection of prepared meats.
Foodland
1099 E Main StGreat Mexican market. Also has a deli section with great tacos and a good selection of prepared meats.
Everything Else
Rancho San Diego Library
11555 Via Rancho San DiegoIf you're looking for a library, this is a nice one!
If you're looking for a casino that's not too far away, this will do! The buffet is outstanding, and the food court is surprisingly delicious. We go there just to eat sometimes! My favorite food court item is the street tacos for $1.50!
16
locals recommendBarona Resort & Casino
1932 Wildcat Canyon Rd16
locals recommendIf you're looking for a casino that's not too far away, this will do! The buffet is outstanding, and the food court is surprisingly delicious. We go there just to eat sometimes! My favorite food court item is the street tacos for $1.50!