Mt Helix Local Area Guide
Local Food Scene
Good family friendly coffee shop with strong (Café Moto) coffee and a small, but fresh and yummy food selection in the heart of downtown La Mesa. Outdoor seating only.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sheldon's Service Station
8401 La Mesa BlvdGood family friendly coffee shop with strong (Café Moto) coffee and a small, but fresh and yummy food selection in the heart of downtown La Mesa. Outdoor seating only.
Fun, family friendly Mexican restaurant that relocated from historic Old Town to La Mesa.
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casa De Pico
5500 Grossmont Center DrFun, family friendly Mexican restaurant that relocated from historic Old Town to La Mesa.
Excellent new restaurant with great ambience and outdoor seating. The food is fresh and delicious - We highly recommend! Reservations also recommended.
71 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Farmer's Table La Mesa
8141 La Mesa BlvdExcellent new restaurant with great ambience and outdoor seating. The food is fresh and delicious - We highly recommend! Reservations also recommended.
Its a full service restaurant but we'd skip the meal and head straight to their sweets selection...House made chocolates, fudge, pies, baked goods and 10+ flavors of gelato.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Centifonti's Bar & Restaurant
8365 La Mesa BlvdIts a full service restaurant but we'd skip the meal and head straight to their sweets selection...House made chocolates, fudge, pies, baked goods and 10+ flavors of gelato.
Our favorite local taco joint with an amazing array of gourmet tacos, draft beer, and foosball to entertain the kids.
150 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
City Tacos
3028 University AveOur favorite local taco joint with an amazing array of gourmet tacos, draft beer, and foosball to entertain the kids.
Outdoor restaurant with good pizza, draft beer, locally baked sweets and a play area for kids.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Surf Rider Pizza Co.
2163 Abbott StOutdoor restaurant with good pizza, draft beer, locally baked sweets and a play area for kids.
Drinks & Nightlife
A few of our favorite local spots, most within a 10 minutes drive
Great family friendly local pub with good service, food and drink. Kids allowed in bar, and there is a good brunch on Sundays.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Hills Local Pub
8758 La Mesa BlvdGreat family friendly local pub with good service, food and drink. Kids allowed in bar, and there is a good brunch on Sundays.
Outdoor tasting room with an industrial vibe featuring house-brewed craft beer & food trucks. Family friendly. Walking distance to Helix Brewing Co.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bolt Brewery
8179 Center StOutdoor tasting room with an industrial vibe featuring house-brewed craft beer & food trucks. Family friendly. Walking distance to Helix Brewing Co.
A small, family owned tasting room located in the heart of downtown La Mesa. Wine is decent, and its always fun to chat it up with locals. Family friendly.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room & Gallery
8364 La Mesa BlvdA small, family owned tasting room located in the heart of downtown La Mesa. Wine is decent, and its always fun to chat it up with locals. Family friendly.
Wonderful ambiance inside and out in the heart of the town. Festive place for socializing while enjoying good food and drinks.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Curbside Eatery & Drinkery
8353 La Mesa BlvdWonderful ambiance inside and out in the heart of the town. Festive place for socializing while enjoying good food and drinks.
Essentials
Great place to stock up if you have a membership
131 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Costco Wholesale
2345 Fenton PkwyGreat place to stock up if you have a membership
Trader Joe's
5495 Grossmont Center DrA neighborhood grocery stores that offers natural, organic & gluten-free items, including fresh produce, meats, health foods, vitamins, supplements & more.
55 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sprouts Farmers Market
152 N 2nd StA neighborhood grocery stores that offers natural, organic & gluten-free items, including fresh produce, meats, health foods, vitamins, supplements & more.
Excellent local market / butcher shop to find fresh meats, seafood, house-made dips and large selection of craft beers. Don't miss their Poke!
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Valley Farm Market
9040 Campo RdExcellent local market / butcher shop to find fresh meats, seafood, house-made dips and large selection of craft beers. Don't miss their Poke!
Albertsons
8920 Fletcher PkwyWalmart
170 Town Center PkwyOur absolute favorite new market! It is a Sprouts meets Whole Foods. In addition to an incredible selection of fresh meets (on site butcher shop) and local veggies & fruits, they have an enviable selection of cheeses, wine, homemade sushi, woodfired pizza, deli sandwiches, and juice bar. Uh, yes, please!
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Frazier Farms Market
8401 Fletcher PkwyOur absolute favorite new market! It is a Sprouts meets Whole Foods. In addition to an incredible selection of fresh meets (on site butcher shop) and local veggies & fruits, they have an enviable selection of cheeses, wine, homemade sushi, woodfired pizza, deli sandwiches, and juice bar. Uh, yes, please!
Local Parks & Nature
While this list is not inclusive of all of our San Diego recommendations (truly too many to list, and you probably have your own), the following are recommendations if you just want to stay local.
Mt. Helix Park has spectacular 360 degree views, beautiful rock formations and an outdoor amphitheater. A must see, especially at sunset.
92 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Mt. Helix
4901 Mt Helix DrMt. Helix Park has spectacular 360 degree views, beautiful rock formations and an outdoor amphitheater. A must see, especially at sunset.
Cowles Mountain Trail is a 3 mile trail only a few miles drive away from our house. It is a moderately strenuous hike. The 1,593-foot summit is the highest point of the city of San Diego, and has great views from the top. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Kid friendly, but a tough hike for < 4 years old.
314 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cowles Mountain
Cowles MountainCowles Mountain Trail is a 3 mile trail only a few miles drive away from our house. It is a moderately strenuous hike. The 1,593-foot summit is the highest point of the city of San Diego, and has great views from the top. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Kid friendly, but a tough hike for < 4 years old.
Easy, paved 3 mile (one way) trail around Lake Murray. Family, dog, bike, and scooter/skate friendly.
92 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lake Murray Rest Area
5650 Kiowa DrEasy, paved 3 mile (one way) trail around Lake Murray. Family, dog, bike, and scooter/skate friendly.
Ok, not local but if one of our favorite beach hikes... Some of the best views in San Diego can be seen from the easy trails here, along with caves and rocks for climbing. The lot charges a $15 parking fee, but you can find parking along the beach if you wait long enough. Great for kids. Approximately 35 minute drive from house.
1108 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Reserva Estatal de Torrey Pines
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadOk, not local but if one of our favorite beach hikes... Some of the best views in San Diego can be seen from the easy trails here, along with caves and rocks for climbing. The lot charges a $15 parking fee, but you can find parking along the beach if you wait long enough. Great for kids. Approximately 35 minute drive from house.
Art, culture, restaurants, attractions, museums, hiking, picnicking, biking........its got it all. You can spend the whole day here.
3290 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Balboa
Art, culture, restaurants, attractions, museums, hiking, picnicking, biking........its got it all. You can spend the whole day here.
Sightseeing
One of our most favorite spots in San Diego...Go for the beautiful beaches, enjoy a coffee and stroll through Hotel Del, bike ride, shop or take ferry to downtown San Diego. A must see!
487 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Coronado Island
One of our most favorite spots in San Diego...Go for the beautiful beaches, enjoy a coffee and stroll through Hotel Del, bike ride, shop or take ferry to downtown San Diego. A must see!
Located on the harbor in downtown San Diego with views of Coronado Island. Great place to spend time waling, sightseeing, and enjoying life.
762 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Seaport Village
849 W Harbor DrLocated on the harbor in downtown San Diego with views of Coronado Island. Great place to spend time waling, sightseeing, and enjoying life.
Local Activities
9 Wineries located in the close town of Jamul including this one. This one is located only 12 minutes from the house, Its small and offers decent wines if you are looking for a quick taste. There is a beautiful grass area on the property, so buy a bottle, bring snacks and enjoy the parklike setting. Family friendly.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Granite Lion Cellars
2801 Jamul Highlands Rd9 Wineries located in the close town of Jamul including this one. This one is located only 12 minutes from the house, Its small and offers decent wines if you are looking for a quick taste. There is a beautiful grass area on the property, so buy a bottle, bring snacks and enjoy the parklike setting. Family friendly.
Over 40 local wineries in the small town of Ramona, an up and coming local wine region. Located 30+ minutes from our property. Most are only open on weekends, so be sure to call first.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Turtle Rock Ridge Vineyard Winery
18351 Woods Hill LnOver 40 local wineries in the small town of Ramona, an up and coming local wine region. Located 30+ minutes from our property. Most are only open on weekends, so be sure to call first.
Historic and one of the most popular places to visit in San Diego. Filled with Mexican culture food. The homemade tortillas are the absolute best especially while sipping a margarita.
170 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Barrio Antiguo de San Diego
4002 Wallace StHistoric and one of the most popular places to visit in San Diego. Filled with Mexican culture food. The homemade tortillas are the absolute best especially while sipping a margarita.
Temecula Wine Region. About an hour north of the house but well worth it if you enjoy tastings and tours. The wine at this place is very good.
107 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ponte Winery
35053 Rancho California RdTemecula Wine Region. About an hour north of the house but well worth it if you enjoy tastings and tours. The wine at this place is very good.