About La Mesa California

There are many natural wonders located in beautiful La Mesa, California, and this wonderful part of the state attracts many visitors from around the country and around the world. Some of the many great attractions found in the La Mesa area are:

Lake Murray

The La Mesa region is home to some of the state’s most magnificent lakes, including this one, located just a short drive from the chaos and bustle of modern life. Lake Murray teems with abundant wildlife, including a large number of migratory waterfowl. The lake is a wonderful place for hiking, running, biking or just strolling. Anyone who wants to experience real natural beauty should check out this jewel in the La Mesa region.

The El Capitan Reservoir

The El Capitan reservoir is located just 30 miles northeast of downtown San Diego, right on the San Diego river, and it is a favorite place for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a carefree day on the water.

Among the amenities available for the low $5 usage fee are three barbecue pits and eight picnic tables. Visitors to the reservoir are free to bring their own food for barbecuing, making the area a favorite for picnicking families.

The El Capitan reservoir is a favorite with fishermen, and the lake is filled with crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, channel cats, blue cats, sunfish and carp. Visitors to El Capitan are also free to rent float tubes or boats and enjoy the lake at their leisure.

The El Capitan reservoir also allows both wakeboarding and waterskiing, making the area a favorite with water sports enthusiasts. The use of personal watercraft such as jet skis is also permitted from sunrise to sunset.

The Hodges Reservoir

The Hodges reservoir is another favorite getaway spot for visitors and locals alike. Located approximately 31 miles north of the city of San Diego, the Hodges reservoir provides a pleasant getaway, and a great place for such varied activities as horseback riding, fishing, sailing, boating and picnicking.

The Hodges reservoir region is home to miles of trails which are suitable for both hiking and horseback riding. The terrain ranges from oak forests to lush river valleys, and from open fields to rough and rocky terrain.

The area is also stocked with 12 picnic tables and six barbecue pits, making it a great place for a leisurely picnic as well as an energizing hike. The fishing in the area is excellent as well, with crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, channel cats, carp and bullheads in plentiful supply.

McKinney House

The McKinney House is the home of the La Mesa Historical Society. The Historical Society has remained in this location since 1977, serving as a fine example of middle class life in La Mesa at the dawning of the twentieth century.

The McKinney family first moved to the area then known as Allison Springs, back in 1899, with the patriarch of the family, Reverend McKinney, serving as one of the first ministers at the La Mesa Methodist Episcopal Church. Reverend McKinney was also a local businessman and lemon grower, as well as a school trustee and the town librarian. Florence, his wife, was well known throughout the community for her work with the church.

With all these things to see and do, it is easy to see why the La Mesa region is such a consistently popular place to live, work and play. The region is home to stunning natural beauty, and some of the region’s most important historical artifacts.

Click here for Things To Do in San Diego.