San Diego California Events. Area focus - Mira Mesa

City: San Diego
Area Population: 74,222
Elevation: 453 feet above sea level
Distance from downtown SD: 16.0 miles north

Community Profile: Mira Mesa

Mira Mesa is approximately 10,500 acres in area. It is bounded on the north by Los Peñasquitos Canyon, on the west by Interstate 805, on the east by Interstate 15, and on the south by Miramar Road.

More information

Mira Mesa is a large suburb that is part of the city of San Diego, California. Mira Mesa is bordered by Interstate 15 to the east, Interstate 805 to the west, the Los Penasquitos Canyon to the north and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, to the south. At the west end, the Sorrento Valley business and technology park is a major employer.

History

Around the time of World War II the area now called Mira Mesa was used by the United States Army as a test area. Just west of U.S. Route 395 (now Interstate 15) was a Navy auxiliary landing field that was known locally as Hourglass Field because the layout of the runways was a single piece of asphalt in the shape of an hourglass. The Navy also used the surrounding area as a bombing range. Starting in 1969 the area was quickly built up. It was one of the earliest areas of urban sprawl along the I-15 Corridor. Hourglass field became the site of San Diego Miramar College and Hourglass Field Community Park. The area was built so quickly that it was lacking schools, shopping centers, or other services for its thousands of residents. In 1971 Pete Wilson started his political career running for mayor with the slogan "No more Mira Mesas!" as a promise to stop quick, unplanned growth in San Diego.

Since its inception, Mira Mesa was largely influenced by the military located at adjacent NAS Miramar. Mira Mesa was the northernmost "real community" of San Diego, and was separated from the rest of the city by NAS Miramar for many years. For nearly 30 years the Navy's Top Gun School was located here and most of the pilots made their homes in Mira Mesa.

As of the late 1990s, the Mira Mesa area has undergone extensive expansion to accommodate the thousands of new residents attracted by its ideal location (between two major freeways) and its close proximity to Downtown San Diego. The area is also affectionately known to residents as "The Mecca" because of its location in the center of San Diego County. Several commercial and industrial centers have been built within the Mira Mesa area.

The Mira Mesa area has attracted a large Filipino and Vietnamese community, and Filipino and Vietnamese grocery stores (as well as other ethnic markets, including Indian and Chinese) have been opened in Mira Mesa.

Mira Mesa Today. "Established in the 1950s as a residential area to support Naval Air Station, Miramar, Mira Mesa has grown into the largest community in San Diego. In the late 1960s, a housing-boom took hold in the area that now extends from the I-15 freeway in the East to I-805 in the West and is approximately 10,500 acres (42 km²). Nestled on the southern edge of the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve and the northern boundary of MCAS Miramar, the community is now home to approximately 80,000 residents, including students, hi-tech employees, families, and single people alike. There are over 23,000 homes in the community, averaging 3.09 people per household. The median age is 32.4 years old and the community boasts a median income of approximately $63,000/year.

The community provides a balanced ratio of business and residentially zoned areas, providing great shopping and recreational opportunities as well as business buildings with cutting edge technology facilities and office space. A thriving variety of ethnic cuisines and restaurants, as well as more traditional dining, cover all ends of the Mira Mesa area. Along with its eight community parks, teen & senior centers, ice arena, aquatic complex, extensive shopping centers, and state-of-the-art movie theater, Mira Mesa offers the perfect blend of California living.

Transportation in Mira Mesa

Public transportation in Mira Mesa is provided by the San Diego Transit and the Metropolitan Transit System, through buses and DART (Direct Access to Regional Transit) shuttles.

A train station serves Mira Mesa in Sorrento Valley and is served by the Coaster commuter train, of the North County transit district. The Coaster links Mira Mesa to Downtown San Diego, and north to coastal communities like Solana Beach and Oceanside.

Main highways include: Interstates 805 and 15.

Community events

Street Fair

The Mira Mesa Street Fair is held the last Saturday in September on Camino Ruiz just west of Mira Mesa Community Park. The Mira Mesa Street Fair is sponsored by the Mira Mesa Town Council.

Fourth of July

On the Fourth of July, a spectacular parade runs through Mira Mesa on Mira Mesa Boulevard, then turns on Camino Ruiz. In the evening a fireworks display is set off to the sounds of easy listening melodies from Mira Mesa High School.

Halloween

Every Halloween an event is held at the Mira Mesa Recreation Center, there are various activities including a costume contest.
Mira Mesa is also home to the Monster Manor, a "haunted house" located in the Target parking lot.

The Annual Philippine Festival

This event celebrates the anniversary of Philippine Independence from Spain. The festivities include a fun day with music, cultural shows, dance performances, talent competition, exhibits, food, guest speakers and rides for kids. It takes place every summer at the Mira Mesa Community Park and is hosted by the Emilio Aguinaldo Foundation.

Other

Every Friday a group of bike riders known as the Evening Bike Society gather at Jamba Juice on Mira Mesa Boulevard and Westview Parkway at 3:30 to ride up to Miramar Lake, The group has been known to take up lanes on Mira Mesa Boulevard in mass numbers.

Every Thursday night, beginning around 7:00 PM, groups of motorcycle riders (mostly "sport-bike") gather in the parking lot closest to Starbucks and Jamba Juice on Westview Parkway, just off of Mira Mesa Blvd (Albertson's/Home Depot shopping center). This is known as "Mira Mesa Bike Night" (MMBN) and is typically a fairly large gathering, attracting well over 100 bikes and riders during the warm-weather months.

Each Friday, the Mira Mesa Scripps Ranch Sentinel is published with community news and events.

The Epicentre teen center is a music venue by night. There are often concerts each week.

There are also volunteer projects around Mira Mesa such as recycling and clean-ups.

San Diego Miramar College
10440 Black Mountain Road
San Diego, CA 92126
(858-536-7800) Map

San Diego Miramar College (known more informally as Miramar) is two-year community college located in San Diego, CA, USA. It is administered by the San Diego Community College District which includes San Diego City College and San Diego Mesa College as well.

Mira Mesa Recreation Center
8575 New Salem Street
San Diego, CA 92126
(858-538-8122) Map

The Mira Mesa Recreation Center, also known as Gil Johnson Recreation Center, was dedicated in January of 1977. Ten years later on April 3, 1987 the center was named the "Gil Johnson Recreation Center" after Gilbert Johnson who served in numerous public and community capacities including City council member from 1971- 1977 and deputy mayor in 1975. He will always be known to Mira Mesa as a man who was dedicated to responsible and effective government. Facilities: New Facility -- Lopez Ridge located at 7245 Calle Cristobal, for more information regarding this facility please call (858) 538-8171. Multi purpose fields, outdoor basketball courts, picnic tables, a gazebo and a tot lot which is accessible for children and adults with disabilities all offer outdoor fun, while activity rooms and a kitchen offer cooking classes. These rooms are also available for rent. Call the center for details.

Library
8405 New Salem Street, San Diego, CA 92126
(858-538-8165) Map

Post Office
9051 Mira Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92126
(800-275-8777) Map

Police
8450 #A Mira Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92126
(858-538-8120) Map

Fire
8441 New Salem Street, San Diego, CA 92126
Map

Fire
10011 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92126
Map

Ericson Elementary School (K-6)
11174 Westonhill Drive, San Diego, CA 92126
(858-271-0505) Map - Website

Hage Elementary School (K-6)
9750 Galvin Avenue, San Diego, CA 92126
(858-566-0273) Map - Website

Hickman Elementary School (K-6)
10850 Montongo Street, San Diego, CA 92126
(858-271-5210) Map - Website

Mason Elementary School (K-6)
10340 San Ramon Drive, San Diego, CA 92126
(858-271-0410) Map - Website

Sandburg Elementary School (K-6)
11230 Avenida Del Gato, San Diego, CA 92126
(858-566-0510) Map - Website

Walker Elementary School (K-6)
9225 Hillery Drive, San Diego, CA 92126
(858-271-8050) Map

Challenger Middle School (4-8/7-8)
10810 Parkdale Avenue, San Diego, CA 92126
(858-586-7001) Map - Website

Wangenheim Middle School (4-8/7-8)
9230 Gold Coast Drive, San Diego, CA 92126
(858-578-1400) Map - Website

Mira Mesa Senior High School (9-12)
10510 Reagan Road, San Diego, CA 92126
(858-566-2262) Map - Website

Twain Mesa Alternative H S (Alternative Education)
10444 Reagan Road, San Diego, CA 92126
(858-566-4008) Map

San Diego City Website
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
Mira Mesa Demographic Profile - Fact Sheet
Mira Mesa Demographic Profile - Map

Mira Mesa Weather - NOAA
Air Quality Forecast
Moon Phases & Astronomical Events
Recent Earthquakes

Mira Mesa Homes For Sale
Mira Mesa Condominiums For Sale
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Mira Mesa Rentals

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City of San Diego Community Profile - Mira Mesa
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MiraMesa.com
Mira Mesa Town Council
San Diego County Business Directory - City of San Diego
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Wikipedia - Mira Mesa, San Diego, California

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