East county guidebook
Parks
This clean and well-maintained family friendly park is only a 10 minute walk away (1/2 mile). 2 playground areas, Horseshoe pits, covered tables, grassy fields and plenty of trees. If you walk there, I recommend cutting through the empty lot before you get to Bancroft Dr, since it is safer than walking on the busy street, especially with kids. (Disclaimer: you will be technically trespassing and you will have to walk on uneven ground to go around a fence)
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Eucalyptus County Park
9125 Edgewood DrThis clean and well-maintained family friendly park is only a 10 minute walk away (1/2 mile). 2 playground areas, Horseshoe pits, covered tables, grassy fields and plenty of trees. If you walk there, I recommend cutting through the empty lot before you get to Bancroft Dr, since it is safer than walking on the busy street, especially with kids. (Disclaimer: you will be technically trespassing and you will have to walk on uneven ground to go around a fence)
This is a new park that has fun and unique things to climb on and a suspension bridge. The play area is at the bottom of a hillside with a dirt switchback trail down to it. The only parking so far is street parking. It is a 30 or more minute hilly walk, with no sidewalks, or a 4 minute drive (1 1/2 miles).
Estrella Country Park
9813 Estrella DriveThis is a new park that has fun and unique things to climb on and a suspension bridge. The play area is at the bottom of a hillside with a dirt switchback trail down to it. The only parking so far is street parking. It is a 30 or more minute hilly walk, with no sidewalks, or a 4 minute drive (1 1/2 miles).
This park is on a hillside a short walk from downtown La Mesa. It’s a great place for a picnic, disc golf, kite flying, etc. at the top of the hill is a public pool & basketball courts. There are parking lots at the bottom and top of the hill. It’s a 7 minute drive.
MacArthur Park
4975 Memorial DrThis park is on a hillside a short walk from downtown La Mesa. It’s a great place for a picnic, disc golf, kite flying, etc. at the top of the hill is a public pool & basketball courts. There are parking lots at the bottom and top of the hill. It’s a 7 minute drive.
A large park with plenty of room for kite flying on a windy day! This park is a 10 minute drive.
8 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Harry Griffen Park
9550 Milden StA large park with plenty of room for kite flying on a windy day! This park is a 10 minute drive.
Neighborhoods
This historic stretch of La Mesa Blvd has been revitalized and now hosts hip restaurants and shops. Friday farmer's market year-round 3pm-7pm.
La Mesa Boulevard
La Mesa BoulevardThis historic stretch of La Mesa Blvd has been revitalized and now hosts hip restaurants and shops. Friday farmer's market year-round 3pm-7pm.
Casa de Oro has a lot of potential, but for now it is just the closest neighborhood to buy groceries. There you will find Albertsons, Grocery Outlet, and two 7-11’s.There are also many restaurants for takeout, several of which I have recommended in the restaurants category.
Casa de Oro
Casa de Oro has a lot of potential, but for now it is just the closest neighborhood to buy groceries. There you will find Albertsons, Grocery Outlet, and two 7-11’s.There are also many restaurants for takeout, several of which I have recommended in the restaurants category.
Sightseeing
Great views and quite a workout. The stairs go up one side of Mt Nebo and down the other side. This is a quiet, residential neighborhood, and the stairs go right by many houses, so please use your inside voice.
13 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Secret Stairs La Mesa
8021 Windsor DrGreat views and quite a workout. The stairs go up one side of Mt Nebo and down the other side. This is a quiet, residential neighborhood, and the stairs go right by many houses, so please use your inside voice.
The best view without a hike in east county! It’s about a 10 minute drive up to the top, with limited parking. Or, you can park at the lot by the fire station on Vivera Dr & Mt Helix Dr and then hike to the top on a dedicated paved walking trail. When you get there, you will see an outdoor amphitheater that was built in 1925. At the top there is a large cross that you can see from many parts of La Mesa, Spring Valley and El Cajon. The view from the top is spectacular on all sides! For California native plant lovers: all natives & a large variety too! Make sure to walk the Yawkey trail.
92 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Mt. Helix Park
4901 Mt Helix DrThe best view without a hike in east county! It’s about a 10 minute drive up to the top, with limited parking. Or, you can park at the lot by the fire station on Vivera Dr & Mt Helix Dr and then hike to the top on a dedicated paved walking trail. When you get there, you will see an outdoor amphitheater that was built in 1925. At the top there is a large cross that you can see from many parts of La Mesa, Spring Valley and El Cajon. The view from the top is spectacular on all sides! For California native plant lovers: all natives & a large variety too! Make sure to walk the Yawkey trail.
Food scene
This is our closest grocery and it is known for its butcher shop. If you want high quality meat and seafood for the grill, this is the place to go. They also have an amazing selection of local craft beer, cider and hard kombuchas.
15 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Valley Farm Market
9040 Campo RdThis is our closest grocery and it is known for its butcher shop. If you want high quality meat and seafood for the grill, this is the place to go. They also have an amazing selection of local craft beer, cider and hard kombuchas.
They have delicious fresh bread and they are just 5 minutes away on Campo road in Casa de Oro.
Frank's Bakery - Gibaldi's Italian Bread
9935 Campo RoadThey have delicious fresh bread and they are just 5 minutes away on Campo road in Casa de Oro.
In my opinion, this is the best coffee you can get in east county!
28 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Public Square Coffee House
8278 La Mesa BlvdIn my opinion, this is the best coffee you can get in east county!
This is a laid back place for lunch or dinner or just drinks. Burgers, salads, kabobs, poke. Check out their poke nachos! I love that they have hard kombuchas, not just beer & wine.
11 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Curbside Eatery & Drinkery
8353 La Mesa BlvdThis is a laid back place for lunch or dinner or just drinks. Burgers, salads, kabobs, poke. Check out their poke nachos! I love that they have hard kombuchas, not just beer & wine.
Food to go or delivery! Also they have friendly service and a nice outdoor patio if you eat in. We get their family meal which is a ton of food! If you get the one for 4-5 people, it will definitely feed 6 (or you will have leftovers to enjoy the next day).
Zad Mediterranean Cuisine
3515 Sweetwater Springs BoulevardFood to go or delivery! Also they have friendly service and a nice outdoor patio if you eat in. We get their family meal which is a ton of food! If you get the one for 4-5 people, it will definitely feed 6 (or you will have leftovers to enjoy the next day).
My kids love their giant muffins! All the food is good and the coffee too. The seating is all outdoors (covered) and they have misters when it’s hot and heaters when it’s cold.
34 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Sheldon's Service Station
8401 La Mesa BlvdMy kids love their giant muffins! All the food is good and the coffee too. The seating is all outdoors (covered) and they have misters when it’s hot and heaters when it’s cold.
The best Carnitas in San Diego! This is a very casual and fair priced Taqueria. We usually get the Carnitas dinner for 4 and a side of guacamole & now it's taco night! But, their burritos and nachos are delicious too!
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Carnitas Uruapan Mexican Food
4233 Spring StThe best Carnitas in San Diego! This is a very casual and fair priced Taqueria. We usually get the Carnitas dinner for 4 and a side of guacamole & now it's taco night! But, their burritos and nachos are delicious too!
La Mesa Village Farmers Market
Fridays from 3pm to 7pm year round
As a native San Diegan, I didn't think you could improve on the classic fish taco - but they did. This is the place to go if you have already had your fill of the standard San Diego Mexican food and want the next step up. Also, if you are eating in downtown La Mesa, this is the best deal for dinner! If you eat vegetarian, I recommend the portabella taco. Yummy!
City Tacos
As a native San Diegan, I didn't think you could improve on the classic fish taco - but they did. This is the place to go if you have already had your fill of the standard San Diego Mexican food and want the next step up. Also, if you are eating in downtown La Mesa, this is the best deal for dinner! If you eat vegetarian, I recommend the portabella taco. Yummy!
Looking for a Mexican food drive-through nearby, with delicious burritos? Want to try a California burrito but you don't want Carne Asada? Try the La Mesa Chicken California burrito. Of course, they also have all the classics.
La Esquina Mexican Grill
Looking for a Mexican food drive-through nearby, with delicious burritos? Want to try a California burrito but you don't want Carne Asada? Try the La Mesa Chicken California burrito. Of course, they also have all the classics.
Try the big rolled tacos! Very casual but clean dining area. They also have some healthier options, like black beans and whole wheat tortillas. Right next to Menchies frozen yogurt, if you have any room left after you eat!
Albert's Fresh Mexican Food
Try the big rolled tacos! Very casual but clean dining area. They also have some healthier options, like black beans and whole wheat tortillas. Right next to Menchies frozen yogurt, if you have any room left after you eat!
We ate here recently on a Friday night, and it was hopping! Not only was the food delicious, but the experience was unique. It's a casual family dining room, with an option for outdoor dining too. We were given a plate of dates to snack on before dinner, and a man wearing traditional dress and a decorative swan-necked pitcher as a backpack served tamarind drink if you wanted it. I did! We had falafel, lamb, chicken, fried kibbeh, fattoush salad. The tahini sauce was the best I've had. It was all so delicious! Also, the prices were so reasonable.
Mal Al Sham
We ate here recently on a Friday night, and it was hopping! Not only was the food delicious, but the experience was unique. It's a casual family dining room, with an option for outdoor dining too. We were given a plate of dates to snack on before dinner, and a man wearing traditional dress and a decorative swan-necked pitcher as a backpack served tamarind drink if you wanted it. I did! We had falafel, lamb, chicken, fried kibbeh, fattoush salad. The tahini sauce was the best I've had. It was all so delicious! Also, the prices were so reasonable.
Looking for a cool casual dessert or spicy snack? Love Mango? Fruity Loco has many locations around East County San Diego, and our closest one is a 5 minute drive away in Casa De Oro. They have Chamango & Tostilocos, if you're looking for a regional treat. And for those with tamer tastes, root beer floats, smoothies and a lot more!
Fruity Loco
9766 Campo RdLooking for a cool casual dessert or spicy snack? Love Mango? Fruity Loco has many locations around East County San Diego, and our closest one is a 5 minute drive away in Casa De Oro. They have Chamango & Tostilocos, if you're looking for a regional treat. And for those with tamer tastes, root beer floats, smoothies and a lot more!
Best places to hike or mountain bike
First off, I see many people coming out to the Steele Bridge (beginning of hike) for photo shoots. There is also the option for a quick, flat hike to another wood bridge over the river. But, if you want a good hike, keep walking past the bridge (either cross it and head to the left or don't cross it, and also head to the left) both sides have good hiking trails. There is a way to make this a loop, but the entire hike will be about 6 miles with hills, so mostly we turn around and head back when walking (about 4 miles roundtrip if you go to the locked bridge (pic). I see a lot of mountain bikers. This network of trails is part of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. The best time to hike here is winter/spring. The river will be mostly dry during the summer/fall and it will be very hot.
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Sweetwater River Trail
12153 Campo RdFirst off, I see many people coming out to the Steele Bridge (beginning of hike) for photo shoots. There is also the option for a quick, flat hike to another wood bridge over the river. But, if you want a good hike, keep walking past the bridge (either cross it and head to the left or don't cross it, and also head to the left) both sides have good hiking trails. There is a way to make this a loop, but the entire hike will be about 6 miles with hills, so mostly we turn around and head back when walking (about 4 miles roundtrip if you go to the locked bridge (pic). I see a lot of mountain bikers. This network of trails is part of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. The best time to hike here is winter/spring. The river will be mostly dry during the summer/fall and it will be very hot.
We like hikes with easy or hard options. Take the wide flat trail from the Visitor Center with all the other hikers/joggers/bikers and you will get to a quaint old dam (1.8 miles) OR you can take any number of side trails to add distance or elevation to your hike. Beautiful views!
194 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Mission Trails Regional Park
1 Father Junipero Serra TrailWe like hikes with easy or hard options. Take the wide flat trail from the Visitor Center with all the other hikers/joggers/bikers and you will get to a quaint old dam (1.8 miles) OR you can take any number of side trails to add distance or elevation to your hike. Beautiful views!