Must See Sights and Landmarks in La Mesa Area

"Afterwards, take yourself to the south east corner of the Gaslamp area and locate Petco Park (it’s kind of hard to miss). This giant baseball stadium is home to the San Diego Padres and, baseball fan or not (I’m not), is a pretty spectacular sight. If you’re in San Diego during the baseball season, tickets are affordable and make for a great night out. Otherwise, you can take a stadium tour, or just climb up onto the grassy bank opposite and have a nosey from there."

"The San Diego Padres' home is one of the few stadiums in America with a water view. And the non-baseball-related appeal doesn't stop there. Local craft brew options are stellar, with more than 40 varieties of poured at stalls and restaurants around the stadium, which include the Stone Brewing Company beer garden on the upper deck, and more than 50 dining options."

"A time warp back to the mid-19th century, the State Historical Park in the Old Town is scattered with restored historic buildings, including five original adobes, as well as detailed replicas. The finest of the adobes is the Casa de Estudillo from 1827, one of the oldest remaining pieces of Spanish architecture in California. The park is free to enter and gives a sense of the intersecting cultures, as a Mexican pueblo became an American settlement."

"Day 1: Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Downtown & The Gaslamp District [Skip to Page] Day 2: Old Town, The Midway & Coronado [Skip to Page]"

"Tuna Dockside Market is a hidden gem - a pop up fish market on the pier between Seaport Village and the USS Midway, more or less, is a fishing pier where the local fishermen bring in their catch every Saturday morning from 8AM to 1PM. Everything here is fresh, there’s no fake prop fish or fresh frozen fish here. If you are on vacation it’s fun to see what the local waters have provided (and if you’re a local you would be wise to bring a cooler) and there’s always a stand there serving up ultra fresh fish tacos, typically two for $13."

"Saturdays from 08:00 to 14:00 more than 200 tents take over Little Italy’s Date Street, between Kettner Boulevard and Front Street. Local producers lay out regional meat, poultry, fruit, eggs herbs and vegetables, all seasonal and fresh from the farm, while there’s also fish, plants, spices, coffee beans, cheese, homemade sauces and relishes. Bring an appetite because you can indulge in oysters shucked on the spot, and sea urchin caught hours earlier."

"A post shared by Little Italy Farmers Market (@littleitalymercato). Little Italy is known for its delicious foods, smells, and sights that bring you into the Old World while walking through San Diego. They host a weekly farmers market in San Diego where people can purchase fresh olive oil, supplies to make a delicious Italian meal, fresh-baked bread, paninis, handmade jewelry, and refreshing lemonades to go."

"2015 Birch Road Chula Vista, CA 91915 619-656-1393 150 Stores Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM  Sunday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM  Major Retailers: Macy’s, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Barnes & Noble, AMC Theatres"

"Otay Ranch Town Center in San Diego offers something for every member of the family including fashion stores, sport shops, toy stores and even a dog park for the family poo"

"Located at 675 W Beech Street, Craft & Commerce is Taxidermy & old books line the walls of this hip gastropub, serving seasonal eats & craft cocktails. Craft & Commerce is a pioneer in San Diego’s craft cocktail movement when it first debuted in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood in 2009. You may not be an immediate fan of the eclectic, taxidermy-filled bar, which has a library and African safari vibe to it, but the drinks are instant classics and way more exotic and delicious than your expectations."

"C&C was a pioneer in San Diego's craft cocktail movement when it debuted in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood in 2009. You may not be an immediate fan of the eclectic, taxidermy-filled bar, which has a library-meets-African-safari-lodge vibe, but the drinks are instant classics. Don't miss the Lip Reader (a concoction of gin, pamplemousse rose, and absinthe), the Man Hands (mezcal and sherry), and the Del Boca Vista (a rum-heavy punch bowl)."

"Craft & Commerce‘s Executive Chef Kyle Pierce recently launched a new “comfort-themed” menu with a Southern flair. So of course, bae and I decided this would be perfect for a cozy rainy date night. The new flavors as always pack a punch and are the perfect mix of elevated and comforting."

"For example, if you love animals or are traveling with kids, San Diego Zoo is in the park. It’s huge with many open areas for the animals, and also margaritas and craft beer for the adults. If you just love parks or nature, you can stroll through the park itself or one of its many gardens- including a rose garden, a Japanese garden, and a botanical garden. Note that some gardens (like the last two) close at night."

"The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is just as impressive as its more well-known sister property, the San Diego Zoo. It encompasses a whopping 1,800 acres, compared to the zoo’s 100. The African Tram is the park’s king attraction."

"This not-for-profit aquarium and zoo connects kids with the animals and plants of the California coast. Located on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, the Living Coast Discovery Center offers family-friendly activities and events such as shark, ray, turtle, and eagle feedings; guided trail hikes; Overnight Adventures; and VIP Animal Encounters. Seasonal exhibits promote wildlife conservation and educate young visitors about their impact on the environment."

"This nonprofit discovery center is there to provide environmental education related to coastal resource conservation. You park in a parking lot and bus takes you over to the center. Once there you can see the sharks, visit the sting ray touch tank, and see the bald eagles they have there."

"This is located in the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista and is a popular choice for school trips. The experience here is pretty unique. You get to feed bat rays and have meet-and-greets with reptiles."

"The Asian Passage is south of Panda Canyon and is a simulation of a tropical Asian rain forest. This scenic passage includes grizzly bears, snow leopards, and sun bears. This spectacular area also features the Sun Bear Forest, which resembles a southeast Asian rain forest, and the Hawaiian Native Plant Garden."

"The Asian Passage area includes the Sun Bear Forest, Grizzly Bear exhibit, and more. It’s a fun area to explore, and isn’t quite as big as Africa Rocks."