La Mesa/San Carlos Guidebook
Local Eats
"Elevated diner fare & gluten-free brunches served in a sleek, modern space inside a strip mall."
28 locals recommend
The Trails Eatery
7389 Jackson Dr"Elevated diner fare & gluten-free brunches served in a sleek, modern space inside a strip mall."
"Casual pizza chain featuring traditional pies, gluten-free crust & assorted appetizers."
16 locals recommend
Mountain Mike's Pizza
3089 Clairemont Dr"Casual pizza chain featuring traditional pies, gluten-free crust & assorted appetizers."
Counter-service chain offering egg sandwiches, soups, salads, baked goods & a variety of bagels.
8 locals recommend
Einstein Bros. Bagels
6302 Del Cerro BlvdCounter-service chain offering egg sandwiches, soups, salads, baked goods & a variety of bagels.
Pure Press sprouted from our love and passion to live well balanced lives through healthy eating and fitness. We provide fresh plant based juices, smoothies, bowls & shots.
6 locals recommend
Pure Press
7283 Navajo RdPure Press sprouted from our love and passion to live well balanced lives through healthy eating and fitness. We provide fresh plant based juices, smoothies, bowls & shots.
The Pioneer has raised the bar for irresistible BBQ, right here in San Diego! The Pioneer offers a full rack of specialties including smoked meat combos, pork topped burgers, the Party Fowl, and a tangy twist on several barbecue classics.
6 locals recommend
The Pioneer
8622 Lake Murray BlvdThe Pioneer has raised the bar for irresistible BBQ, right here in San Diego! The Pioneer offers a full rack of specialties including smoked meat combos, pork topped burgers, the Party Fowl, and a tangy twist on several barbecue classics.
Coffee Shops
"My new favorite coffee spot. Super friendly staff and creative menu with good options. It's super cute and very good coffee. It's definitely my new favorite place to pick up my Saturday morning coffee."
Cup 'n Go
6902 Navajo Rd"My new favorite coffee spot. Super friendly staff and creative menu with good options. It's super cute and very good coffee. It's definitely my new favorite place to pick up my Saturday morning coffee."
"Love this cool local coffee joint!! And I'm so pleased that they are here in our neighborhood. I've tried something new every time and I've never been disappointed. Go there‼ You'll be happy."
6 locals recommend
The Simple Coffee House
7407 Jackson Dr"Love this cool local coffee joint!! And I'm so pleased that they are here in our neighborhood. I've tried something new every time and I've never been disappointed. Go there‼ You'll be happy."
Grocery & Convenience Store
Albertsons
8650 Lake Murray BlvdWindmill Farms
6386 Del Cerro BlvdCarrying gluten-free products, this family-run grocer offers produce, meat & other staples.
15 locals recommend
Keil's Fresh Food Store
7403 Jackson DrCarrying gluten-free products, this family-run grocer offers produce, meat & other staples.
Sightseeing & Activities
"The Cowles Mountain hike brings you to the highest point in San Diego at 1,593ft, with views from Mexico to Orange County. Cowles Mountain is also one of the most popular hikes in San Diego, so I’ve routed this hike up the less trafficked and more scenic “back way” up the mountain. It’s a fun, safe beginner hike, and a must-do if you’re in San Diego."
314 locals recommend
Cowles Mountain
Cowles Mountain"The Cowles Mountain hike brings you to the highest point in San Diego at 1,593ft, with views from Mexico to Orange County. Cowles Mountain is also one of the most popular hikes in San Diego, so I’ve routed this hike up the less trafficked and more scenic “back way” up the mountain. It’s a fun, safe beginner hike, and a must-do if you’re in San Diego."
"Great place to get exercise and enjoy the sun and air. Very nice place to walk, fish or just read and relax on the many park benches."
92 locals recommend
Lake Murray Rest Area
5650 Kiowa Dr"Great place to get exercise and enjoy the sun and air. Very nice place to walk, fish or just read and relax on the many park benches."
Small boat rentals, fishing & many picnic areas, plus a walking & biking path along the reservoir.
16 locals recommend
Mission Trails Regional Park Lake Murray
5540 Kiowa DrSmall boat rentals, fishing & many picnic areas, plus a walking & biking path along the reservoir.
Trinity Yoga & Fitness Studios, Inc
7428 Jackson DrThis 6,000-yard William Bell-designed course features a unique blend of scenery as it traverses a valley on the first nine holes then wanders the shores of Lake Murray for a challenging second nine.
11 locals recommend
Mission Trails Golf Course
7380 Golfcrest PlThis 6,000-yard William Bell-designed course features a unique blend of scenery as it traverses a valley on the first nine holes then wanders the shores of Lake Murray for a challenging second nine.
"Tuxedo Park is a well kept public playground nestled in this hilly, residential San Carlos neighborhood."
Tuxedo Park
"Tuxedo Park is a well kept public playground nestled in this hilly, residential San Carlos neighborhood."
Shopping
Grossmont Center is an outdoor shopping mall in La Mesa. The anchor stores are Target, Macy's, RH Outlet, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and Reading Cinemas.
48 locals recommend
Grossmont Center
5500 Grossmont Center DrGrossmont Center is an outdoor shopping mall in La Mesa. The anchor stores are Target, Macy's, RH Outlet, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and Reading Cinemas.