HIDDEN JEWEL
WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR TASTY FOOD OR OUTDOOR RECREATION, CONSIDER HEADING TO LA MESA FOR YOUR AFTER-WORK OR WEEKEND PLANS
When it comes to exploring San Diego, East County is often passed up for its more coastal counterparts. But don’t overlook this area. In La Mesa, for example, nestled between the College Area and El Cajon, you’ll find excellent places to dine, drink, shop and get out in nature.
La Mesa has a unique history. Established as a city in 1912, it was a sought-after location to film movies like silent Westerns (that is, until producers realized they’d have better luck in Los Angeles). It was also an important part of the San Diego and Arizona Railway, an enterprise to connect San Diego with the Southern Pacific Transportation Co.’s transcontinental lines around the early 20th century.
Today, La Mesa stands out for its proximity to Lake Murray in Mission Trails Regional Park and charming downtown area on La Mesa Boulevard. But you’ll find some unexpected things, too, like a community theater, a thriving veganfood scene, and even a place to buy delicious banana pudding.
Here are 21 spots you shouldn’t miss the next time you’re in La Mesa.
Antica Trattoria
This Italian restaurant has been a favorite at The San Diego Union-Tribune for several years, even voted by readers as one of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego in our Best of 2020 coverage. Serving La Mesa since 2001, Antica Trattoria offers diners authentic Sicilian cuisine, including creamy risotto, calamari steak, and appetizers like mussels and bruschetta. It also has a full wine list. Keep in mind that the prices are a little higher here, but the elevated dining in a rustic, warm setting makes for a welcoming experience. 5654 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa. (619) 463-9919, anticatrattoria.com
Brew Coffee Spot
This beloved 6-year-old cafe has a spacious seating area inside as well as tables out front. Its menu features classic drinks, along with some specialty items, like a spiced apple chai latte and a cinnamon roll latte, made with original blends
(which you can also buy bagged to make at home). The best part is that Brew Coffee Spot serves customers who are dining in with real cups, plates and spoons to decrease waste. For those who are taking their coffee and pastry to go, the cups, straws and utensils are made entirely from plants and are compostable. On the first Saturday of every month, the coffee shop also hosts a community market in the parking lot with local vendors and live music. 6101 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa. (619) 713-6698, brewcoffeespot.com
Café a Go-Go
In a hurry but need a quick cup of joe? Cafe a Go-Go has you covered. Not quite large enough to be considered a coffee shop or small enough to be a coffee cart, this unique drive-thru has a full menu of teas, coffee and food like acai bowls and pastries. Don’t worry if you aren’t driving; you can also walk up to the main window to order. With its 1960s-inspired retro exterior at an unassuming location in a parking lot, this spot will draw you in. 5120 Jackson Drive, La Mesa, (619) 905-1090, cafeagogosd.com
Casa Gabriela
Casa Gabriela is one of San Diego’s most anticipated new restaurants of 2023. Replacing BO-Beau Kitchen + Garden on La Mesa Boulevard, this elevated Mexican eatery features an extensive menu and a comfortable dining space with a large outdoor patio. Its chef, Gabriela “Gaby” Lopez, was born and raised in Tijuana and began cooking when she was 8 years old. With more than 20 years as a chef in San Diego, Lopez’s dishes are inspired by her years of experience as well as family recipes from her youth. 8384 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. (619) 337-3445, casagabrielalamesa.com
Coin Haus
You don’t have to be a hardcore gamer to get into the spirit of things at this arcade and self-pour beer hall. Select from the regularly revolving tap list, which includes beer from local breweries like Modern Times and Stone Brewing, along with others from across California and up the West Coast. You’ll pay for your drink by the ounce, which makes it convenient if you only want a half-pour or to simply taste a beer. Coin Haus also partners with Surf Rider Pizza, located down the street on La Mesa Boulevard, to provide pizza, salads, sandwiches and wings. Pop in for Maniac Gamer Monday, when arcade games are free all night, Tuesday nights for trivia, or Wednesday when games are half-price. 8361 Allison Ave., La Mesa. (619) 741-2288, cohnrestaurants.com/coinhaus
Curbside Eatery & Drinkery
Located in the main section of downtown La Mesa, Curbside offers a little bit of everything, with a menu that includes burgers, tacos, salads, kebab plates and brunch options. It also has 10 cocktails (I love the Rose, a vodka-based drink muddled with strawberries and basil) and a wine and beer list. Situated on the corner
of La Mesa Boulevard and Third Street, Curbside offers great people-watching, especially on the busy Farmers Market Fridays. You can sit inside or at one of the tables on the medium-sized wraparound patio. 8353 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. (619) 825-7759, curbsidelamesa.com
Extraordinary Banana Pudding
If you think you don’t need a go-to spot for pudding, you’re wrong. Extraordinary Banana Pudding, launched in 2020, sells banana pudding, of course, but owner and baker Toran Grays doesn’t stop there. He also makes a range of flavors, including chocolate, butterscotch, cheesecake and chocolate banana, pudding-filled cupcakes, a banana pudding taco and a pudding sandwich. There are also vegan options,
including an Oreo-flavored pudding, as well as carrot cake cookie sandwiches. I tried both, plus the vegan banana pudding, and I’d say it’s hard to go wrong with anything here. You can order online and pick up at the store, or walk in and choose from the in-store selection. 8257 El Paso St., La Mesa. (619) 642-6274, places. singleplatform.com/extraordinarybanana-pudding
First Friday Night Market
Vegan markets are a relatively new enterprise in San Diego. This one in La Mesa, which the nonprofit Vegan in San Diego opened in 2018, brings together some of the county’s most delicious vegan food vendors like Maya’s Cookies, Underdog (vegan corn dogs), Nom food truck (buns and dumplings) and Uprising Pizza. You can also buy handmade goods like jewelry and candles, food you can take home like homemade vegan cheese, and even treats for your pets. 5 to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. Grossmont Center parking lot (near Walmart). 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa. veganinsandiego.com/ffnm
Harry Griffen Regional Park
Head here for your next picnic with friends, bring the kids here to play on the jungle gym, or get some exercise along the jogging path. This 53-acre green space even has an amphitheater for community productions and a dog park. Show the park some love and clean up after your dog and make sure to throw away any of your trash before you leave. 9550 Milden St., La Mesa. cityoflamesa.us/391/Harry-GriffenRegional-Park
Helix Brewing Co.
Commercial Street and Center Street form a loop that is home to Helix, Bolt Brewery and Beer Garden and La Mesa Wine Works, a cozy wine bar that regularly hosts trivia nights. You could, essentially, find yourself quite content for an afternoon or evening on this small loop. Helix Brewing Co. has a welcoming ambiance, with its red brick exterior and comfortable outdoor seating area. Nearly every night the brewery hosts a food truck, and it often has live music. 8101 Commercial St., La Mesa. (619) 741-8447, drinkhelix.com
La Mesa Antique Mall
The La Mesa Antique Mall features a collection of vintage records, dolls, glassware and china, paintings, postcards and kids toys. I also found a surprising amount of horseback riding tack, including an old leather saddle bag and several sets of stirrups. Since this place is just off La Mesa Boulevard, it has its own parking lot but is also close enough to other shops and restaurants if you want to extend your time in the area. 4710 Palm Ave., La Mesa. (619) 462-2211
La Mesa Secret Stairs
You’ll find these stairs tucked away in the Windsor Hills neighborhood. Designed years ago to make it easier to walk through the hilly area (the first sections were built around 100 years ago), the 245 steps take you to Summit Drive, just below Mount Nebo, at an elevation of 830 feet with a nice view of La Mesa below. There are spots to stop along the stairs if you need to catch your breath. To return, walk down the steps to find other sets of stairs in the neighborhood that will take you back to where you started. The stairs pass by residential homes, so be respectful of neighbors as you walk. 8021 Windsor Drive, La Mesa. cityoflamesa.us/298/ Secret-Stairs
La Mesa Bistro & Bakery
This no-frills restaurant has an extensive menu that includes burgers, salads, smoothies, acai bowls, sandwiches and more. The bistro offers a medium-sized
outdoor patio as well as a large indoor dining space, with tables to accommodate any group size. If you don’t have time to sit down and eat, you can order your food to go at the front counter or order online for faster pickup. 8697 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. (619) 5890806, lamesabistrosd.com
La Mesa Depot Museum
Interested in learning about the only surviving San Diego and Cuyamaca Railway station, not to mention the oldest building in La Mesa? Check out the depot, which was constructed in 1894 and served as the heart of the community for decades. Fun fact: Local high school students would take the train to San Diego High, a welcome alternative to the one-hour buggy ride they were used to. At the museum, you can tour locomotive and freight cars on surrounding tracks, as well as view the old telegrapher’s station and an exhibit in the baggage room. 4695 Nebo Drive, La Mesa. Free.psrm.org
La Mesa Village Farmers Market
Open from 3 to 5 p.m. Fridays, this downtown market features more than 70 vendors from across the county selling meats, cheeses, vegetables, soaps and handmade items, as well as warm food to enjoy while you’re strolling. This is a popular market, and parking along La Mesa Boulevard can be scarce, but you can often find a spot in the surrounding neighborhood. Plus there’s free parking at the La Mesa Community Center located at 4975 Memorial Drive. (619) 318-3386, lamesa villageassociation.org
Maxwell’s House of Books
I’m a sucker for a good bookstore, and Maxwell’s House of Books does not disappoint. The store is seemingly overflowing with books from all genres, including mystery, science fiction, drama and historical nonfiction, and even a section dedicated to California. The store is quiet aside from the gentle music playing overhead and the occasional ring of the doorbell as another customer walks in. Maxwell’s, named after the bookseller Craig Maxwell, has been around since 2003, and it feels like a treasure to still have a local bookstore like this one. Be sure to say hello to the little black cat named Rorschach who works there, too. 8285 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. (619) 4623387, maxwellshouse ofbooks.com
Re-Animated Records
This all-in-one shop sells used records, CDs, tapes and DVDs, as well as vintage clothing and its own store-branded candles. Despite being relatively small, Re-Animated Records packs in a lot without feeling cluttered or overwhelming. Visiting the store is also an experience in itself; its bright green walls — along with an even more colorful room in the back that holds items like semi-frightening dolls and old furniture — are a unique touch that makes this place stand out.
8320 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. (619) 825-8363, reanimatedrecords.com
Small Batch
Brittany Peña and Lacy Bird, two San Diego State University graduates, opened Small Batch in 2018 with the goal of selling handmade and sustainable products from small-scale vendors around the country, as well as local ones like 1502 Candle Co. Today, the boutique-styled store sells candles, soaps, jewelry and home decor items, and it feels like a real treat just to step across the threshold. I especially loved the section at the back of the store with more outdoorsy products like hats and blankets, games, books for birders and Opinel knives.
8332 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. (619) 467-7429, smallbatchstore.com
Split Bakehouse
Split Bakehouse launched in 2018 as a wholesale business providing both vegan and nonvegan pastries to coffee shops across San Diego. During the pandemic, it began offering home deliveries to customers, and by 2021 the company became all vegan and opened a “bakery window” in Grossmont Center. Customers can view the daily pastry options through the window and ring a doorbell and a cashier will pop out to take the order. I tried the jalapeño cream cheese galette, which was delicious, but it was hard to decide between that and the quiche, almond apricot muffin or the everything-but-the-kitchensink cookie. You can also order pastries online for pickup. 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, No. 219, La Mesa. splitbakehouse.com
The Lamplighters Community Theatre
The Lamplighters Community Theatre has been a La Mesa fixture since 1937. The small theater hosts six productions a year, spanning all genres. Interested in getting a seat for the next or current show, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”? Tickets are $25 for general admission. 5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa. lamplighterslamesa.com
La Mesa Urban Trails
If you’re looking for a new walking path, consider these three urban trails designed by the city of La Mesa. Ranging from easy to challenging, the trails let you explore La Mesa by foot, passing through locations like the La Mesa Railroad Depot, Jackson Park and Highwood Park. Each path has markers along the way to keep you on the trail. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water with you. Detailed instructions can be found at cityoflamesa.us/942/CityWalks-Urban-Trails