7 Best Things To Do In La Mesa, California

things to do in la mesa california
Michelle
Michelle 
Updated
| 3 min read

La Mesa in California is quintessentially a pedestrian’s paradise. There are steps and pathways all over the city that will help you explore the entire city on foot! The weather is warm and the people are warmer and friendly. There are popular tourist sites like Mount Helix and Lake Murray which you can explore further when you visit. Read on to learn more about the best things to do in La Mesa, California!

1. Visit the famous Mount Helix

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Mount Helix Park is a historical and famous site in La Mesa, California and is also popularly known as the “Crown Jewel of East County”. It was built to be a memorial to Mary Carpenter Yawkey; it has a large amphitheater which is located outdoors in the hills below the astounding cross standing tall over the mountain peak. Mount Helix Park is a popular landmark here.

It is said that in the year 1917, Colonel Ed Fletcher, who was a successful businessman and owned the peak of Mt. Helix, gave a suggestion that Easter sunrise services now should be conducted in the “bowl” located on the east part of the mountain. From that time Easter services have been rotated among the local churches in La Mesa.

Mount Helix

Address: 4905 Mt Helix Dr, La Mesa, CA 91941, USA

Website: Mount Helix Park

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2. Take a tour of Fusionglass Company

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Fusionglass Company is a popular place to visit in La Mesa, California. The company was founded by Paul Fernandes and Debbie Solan and they make Dichroic Glass Jewelry which is unique and one of a kind. This unique jewelry is made by cutting glass using dichroic, opaque transparent glass and the end product is a multi layered piece; the various layers of glass are put in a kiln to be fired into one single piece. These fusion pieces can be fired multiple times to create a beautiful piece of jewelry for you or your loved one.

Fusionglass Company

Address: 8872 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942, USA

Website: Fusionglass Company

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3. Boating on Lake Murray

LakeMurray1
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Stevencbradley used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Lake Murray is situated in the Mission Trails Regional Park, in between San Diego and La Mesa. This beautiful lake is open to fishing and private boats every day of the week. You can hire small boats and kayaks here to go boating and fishing on the lake. This lake is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, you can buy a permit to go on the lake from the Electronic Pay Station situated near the old concession stand. Locals and visitors often come here to have picnics near the lake and lake hours are from sunrise to sunset.

Lake Murray

Address: 5540 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa, CA 91942

Website: Lake Murray

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4. Tour the La Mesa Walkway of the Stars

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

La Mesa Walkway of the Stars is located in between Allison Avenue municipal parking lot and La Mesa Boulevard. It used to be a walkway for pedestrians which is now converted into an urban park in the downtown part of La Mesa. The park has been dedicated to honoring La Mesa’s amazing volunteers who have given 10,000 hours or more to serve in the city of La Mesa. In the year 2003, it was named as “Walkway of the Stars” and has beautiful decorative stone stars inscribed with the names of the best volunteers of La Mesa city.

Walkway of the Stars

Address: Walkway of the Stars, 8300 block La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa

Website: Walkway of the Stars

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5. Visit the La Mesa Antique Mall

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

La Mesa Antique Mall is located on the boulevard and near the village of La Mesa and is one of the last antique shops still operating in the La Mesa area. It has various antique pieces which buyers of old antiques would love to explore and the rates are very reasonable as well.

La Mesa Antique Mall

Address: 4710 Palm Ave, La Mesa, CA 91941, USA

Website: La Mesa Antique Mall

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6. Go on a wine tasting tour of San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room and Gallery

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

San Pasqual Winery in La Mesa is a local family owned winery near San Diego. The winery was located in the San Pasqual Valley, from where it got its namesake. It is now known as an urban winery and also earned for itself a spot in the Sunset Magazine’s list of “Hot 100 West Coast Trends.” It is now located in La Mesa’s industrial area and has a tasting room in the Village of La Mesa and Downtown San Diego.

San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room and Gallery

Address: 8364 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942, USA

Website: San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room and Gallery

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7. Mission Trails Regional Park

Mission Dam Mission Trails Regional Park San Diego CA
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bignoisybird used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Mission Trails Regional Park is located in La Mesa and is one of the largest urban parks in the whole of the US. It is operated by the City of San Diego along with Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation. The Park Rangers and volunteers offer a range of completely free programs, which include tours and hikes, educational programs, etc.

The park offers visitors opportunities for recreation and is rich in natural flora and fauna. Cowles Mountain, Kumeyaay Lake and Campground, East Fortuna Staging Area, Kwaay Peak, Old Mission Dam Historic Site, etc., are located in Mission Trails Park and one can hike, bike, observe and do a lot more.

Mission Trails Regional Park

Address: 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119, USA

Website: Mission Trails Regional Park

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Experience a slow and meaningful holiday in La Mesa!

La Mesa, CA, USA
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mountain Mike Joh... used under CC BY 3.0

If you live around the hectic San Diego area in Southern California and want to take a break and experience a slow and meaningful holiday, then just head straight to La Mesa! It is located South of San Diego and is a pedestrian’s paradise with rich flora and fauna everywhere you go!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Michelle, formerly an investment banker, now revels in her role as a full-time mom with an unwavering passion for life. Her bags are perpetually packed, ready to embark on adventures and explore...Read more

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