La Mesa, CA

Lake Murray in Mission Trails Regional Park is a reservoir near La Mesa, California. The lake, which is located near La Mesa, California, is a popular spot for runners, cyclists, and hikers who use the 3.2-mile path around Lake Murray for exercise. There are multiple access points along the trail. The paved service road around approximately two-thirds of the perimeter of the lake is also a popular site for recreation for the Navajo community. Catch-and-release fishing, boating, float tubes, and kayaking are all allowed at Lake Murray from 5:30am until around sunset.

Mount Helix Park in La Mesa offers some great views of the city of San Diego. The Yawkey Trail, a walking trail of about a quarter-mile in length, forms a semicircle around Mount Helix Park. The trail is named in honor of Mary Yawkey and commemorates the namesake of the park. Yawkey drew the inspiration for the park from the serenity and views from the summit of Mount Helix. There are three areas with benches, as well as view-maps with a list of mountains and hills nearby and some of the animals and plants in the park.

4905 Mt Helix Dr, La Mesa, CA 91941, Phone: 619-741-4363

The Helix Brewing Company hosts live music and food trucks during the weekends and encourages both locals and visitors alike to hang out and sample their eight core beers that have been around since the beginning of the brewery. Helix Brewing Co. first opened in the light industry area of the La Mesa community by Cameron Ball in 2015. The tasting room and brewhouse are housed within a refurbished building made of red brick. Behind the brewery is the beer garden shaded by colorful umbrellas, trees, and misters hanging above. Street fair lights are strung overhead for nighttime fun.

8101 Commercial St, La Mesa, CA 91942, Phone: 619-741-8447

The Harry Griffen Regional Park is a park managed by joint authorities consisting of the City of La Mesa, the city of El Cajon, San Diego County, the Grossmont Union High School District, and the Helix Water District. Free concerts take place during the summer season in the amphitheater, typically from June to July on Sunday nights at 6:00pm. The park includes a Tot lot, sandbox and play area, a jogging park, amphitheater that seats 360 people, a shaded picnic area, dog run, restrooms, and a horseshoe pit. The Harry Griffen Regional Park is open 7:00am until 7:00pm.

9550 Milden St, La Mesa, CA 91941, Phone: 619-667-1307

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

The Bolt Brewery taproom in La Mesa, California and the spin-off in Little Italy serve house-made craft ales ales and lagers, from stouts to pale ales to pilsners. The brewery itself, the original site of Bolt, includes a bar inside of a shipping container that has been repurposed, along with an outdoor area where guest food vendors supply delicious food. The Little Italy location features a kitchen that prepares snacks and pizzas. The tasting room offers twenty different brews on tap, a full kitchen, and a dog-friendly outdoor patio just a few block from San Diego Bay.

8179 Center St, La Mesa, CA 91942, Phone: 619-303-7837

The Lamplighters Community Theatre in La Mesa, California offers a performance space for community-oriented theater in the La Mesa community, as well as the surrounding region of San Diego County. Established originally as The La Mesa Little Theatre in 1937, the name was changed in 1976 and the theater has hosted continuous productions in the community for over eighty years. Visitors can take the Green line or the Orange line on the San Diego trolley to Amaya Station. The Lamplighters Community Theatre puts on six different productions every year at 8:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2:00pm on Sundays.

5915 Severin Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942, Phone: 619-303-5092

Where to Eat:

Antica Trattoria has been La Mesa’s resident authentic Italian eatery since the year 2001. In addition to being a true Italian restaurant, Antica Trattoria is also home to a wine bar. Food is made with simplicity, fresh ingredients, and honest flavors, designed to transport diners to a far off place where the old-world way of cooking is the way of life. The menu is somewhat seasonally based with dishes featuring the flavors of the seasons, such as fennel in the spring and pumpkin and chestnuts in the fall. The wine list at Antica Trattoria is also quite extensive.

5654 Lake Murray Blvd, San Diego, CA 91942, Phone: 619-463-9919

The D.Z. Akin's Delicatessen boasts an abundant, oversized menu full of favorites from New York-Style delicatessens, such as Potato Knishes, Cheese Blintzes, Chopped Liver, Potato Pancakes, Matzo Ball Soup, Borscht, Lox, and Bread Pudding. The delicatessen offers more than 130 different sandwiches, including Triple-Deckers, that are piled high with fine deli meats. Favorite sandwiches on the menu include the Reuben, Pastrami Burger, and the Brisket Dip. There’s also a whole page for the fountain menu, including sodas, malts, shakes, and sundaes with nearly every accompaniment imaginable. There are also three-dozen choices for breakfast at D.Z. Akin's Delicatessen.

6930 Alvarado Rd, San Diego, CA 92120, Phone: 619-265-0218

The Brigantine La Mesa is known in the La Mesa community as being home to some of the finest seafood in San Diego. It’s an eatery where visitors and local alike can come and share in an authentic sense of community and a lively atmosphere. The Brigantine is especially famous for its San Diego-style surf and turf and its award-winning fish tacos. Guests can also find freshly shucked oysters, grilled swordfish, and filet mignon on the menu at the Brigantine among several other options. The first Brigantine was opened by the Morton family in 1969 on Shelter Island.

9350 Fuerte Dr, La Mesa, CA 91941, Phone: 619-465-1935