Nicknamed The Jewel of The Hills, La Mesa was originally a grazing land for cattle and sheep. Then-named La Mesa Springs, it started to expand after the arrival of the San Diego and Cuyamaca Eastern Railroad in 1889, which now serves as the route for the Orange Line Trolley!
Now, 50,000+ San Diegans call La Mesa home, and the city continues to enjoy an expanding downtown area, family-friendly outdoor recreation and one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the nation. This fall, hop on the Orange Line or select local bus routes to explore what La Mesa has to offer!
Lake Murray: Enjoy the sunshine and nature with a walk, a run or a bike ride around Lake Murray reservoir. People can also enjoy kayaking, small boating and fishing on the lake seven days a week. To get to Lake Murray, head to the 70th Street Trolley Station and take Route 14 to Lake Murray Blvd & Kiowa Drive.
Oktoberfest: The largest Oktoberfest Celebration west of the Mississippi, with more than 100,000 attendees, is September 29 – October 1 in La Mesa Village. Jam out to live music on three stages and nosh on traditional German favorites like brats, schnitzel and sauerkraut. There will also be carnival games, a beer garden, arts & crafts and more. Download Compass Cloud and ride the Orange Line to join the festivities. lamesaoktoberfest.org
Downtown La Mesa: Downtown La Mesa is home to great staples, like Swami’s
Café, where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast under a mural of the MTS Trolley; and to foodie favorites like Bo-Beau Kitchen + Garden and Farmer’s Table. Music fans can get lost in the recently opened Re-Animated Records, selling vintage movie posters, comics, cassette tapes and of course, records. To explore charming downtown La Mesa, take the Orange Line or Routes 1 or 7.
