La Mesa
A Friday market, Village kitchens, and Mount Helix make a useful East County day.
Start here
12 in total
Neighborhood DiningThe 8 Best Restaurants in La Mesa, Ranked8
ItinerariesThe East County Hike, Sunset and Dinner Day6
Arts & CultureThe 12 Best Bookstores and Record Stores in San Diego12
Bars & NightlifeThe 6 Best Dive Bars in San Diego6
MarketsThe 13 Best Farmers Markets in San Diego, by Day of the Week13
Bars & NightlifeThe 14 Best Happy Hours in San Diego, Ranked14
Every list that covers La Mesa
Updated as places change
8 rankedNeighborhood DiningThe 8 Best Restaurants in La Mesa, RankedUpdated Jul 27
6 stopsItinerariesThe East County Hike, Sunset and Dinner DayUpdated Aug 2
12 rankedArts & CultureThe 12 Best Bookstores and Record Stores in San DiegoUpdated Aug 2
6 rankedBars & NightlifeThe 6 Best Dive Bars in San DiegoUpdated Aug 2
13 rankedMarketsThe 13 Best Farmers Markets in San Diego, by Day of the WeekUpdated Aug 2
14 rankedBars & NightlifeThe 14 Best Happy Hours in San Diego, RankedUpdated Aug 2
12 rankedDate NightThe 12 Best Private Dining Rooms and Big-Group Restaurants in San DiegoUpdated Aug 2
12 rankedPizza, Burgers & SandwichesThe 12 Best Sandwiches in San DiegoUpdated Jul 30
10 rankedOutdoors & ViewsThe 10 Best Views in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 27
8 rankedCoffeeThe 8 Best Coffee Shops to Work FromUpdated Jul 27
9 rankedMexicanThe 9 Best Burritos in San DiegoUpdated Jul 19
8 rankedMexicanThe 8 Best California Burritos in San DiegoUpdated Jul 19
The neighborhood itself
17 verified places · 9 eat & drink and 3 things-to-do listsLa Mesa gives you two plans that combine easily: Mount Helix early and the Village later. Start at the summit, using the lower lot if the 12 spaces up top are full, then head to La Mesa Boulevard. On Friday, make the farmers market the hinge between the afternoon and dinner at Casa Gabriela or Antica Trattoria; Helix Brewing can follow. Sheldon's is the breakfast alternative, and Riviera Supper Club is the choice when grill-your-own steak and live music sound better. The Orange Line stops one block from the Village strip.
If you only do 5 things
Know before you go
Trolley: Orange Line — the La Mesa Blvd station is one block off the Village strip
Parking: Village street parking is free but 2-hour — and the market takes the 4th-to-Palm blocks on Fridays
Mt Helix: 12 spots at the summit — park the lower lot at 10105 Vivera Dr and walk up; summer gates close 7pm
Where they are — 17 verified places
The index
Ranked places pulled from all 12 listsFrancesco Basile was born in a small fishing village on the Sicilian coast near Palermo, and he went to culinary school in Palermo.
Start with the momo. Himalayan Cuisine gives these Nepalese dumplings a whole section of its menu, and it reads like a choose-your-texture game.
Casa Gabriela is where La Mesa Village goes to celebrate.
Riviera Supper Club is La Mesa's full night out.
Mount Helix Park is the reason for the whole schedule.