Editing La Mesa, California

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = La Mesa, California
 | settlement_type          = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
 | image_skyline            = File:Amayatrolley.jpg
 | imagesize                = 250x200px
 | image_caption            = Amaya Drive Trolley Station
 | image_flag               = Flag of La Mesa, California.png
 | image_seal               = 
 | motto                    = "Jewel of the Hills"<ref name="FastFacts">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflamesa.com/index.aspx?NID=311 |title=La Mesa Fast Facts |publisher=City of La Mesa California |access-date=June 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505225801/http://www.cityoflamesa.com/index.aspx?NID=311 |archive-date=May 5, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 | image_map                = File:San Diego County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas La Mesa Highlighted 0640004.svg
 | mapsize                  = 250x200px
 | map_caption              = Location of La Mesa in San Diego County, California
 | image_map1               = 
 | mapsize1                 = 
 | map_caption1             = 
 | pushpin_map              = USA
 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
 | pushpin_relief           = 1
 | coordinates              = {{coord|32|46|17|N|117|1|22|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
 | subdivision_type         = Country
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in California|County]]
 | subdivision_name         = United States
 | subdivision_name1        = California
 | subdivision_name2        = [[San Diego County, California|San Diego]]
 | established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
 | established_date         = February 16, 1912<ref>{{Cite web
   | url=http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
   | title=California Cities by Incorporation Date 
   | format=Word 
   | publisher=California Association of [[Local Agency Formation Commission]]s 
   | access-date=August 25, 2014 |url-status=dead 
   | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
   | archive-date=November 3, 2014 
 }}</ref>
 | government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council / manager]]<ref name=govt/>
 | leader_title             = Mayor
 | leader_name              = Mark Arapostathis<ref name=cc>{{Cite web | url = https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/east-county/story/2022-12-08/lothian-squeaks-to-victory-in-razor-thin-la-mesa-race-keeping-a-republican-voice-on-a-liberal-council | title = Lothian squeaks to victory in razor-thin La Mesa race | date = December 9, 2022 | publisher = San Diego Union-Tribune | access-date = December 14, 2022}}</ref>
 | leader_title1            = Vice mayor
 | leader_name1             = Laura Lothian<ref name=cc/>
 | unit_pref                = Imperial
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
 | area_total_km2           = 23.57
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 9.10
 | area_land_km2            = 23.56
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 9.10
 | area_water_km2           = 0.01
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01
 | area_water_percent       = 0.44
 | area_note                = 
 | elevation_footnotes      = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|1660859|La Mesa|access-date=October 22, 2014}}</ref>
 | elevation_m              = 161
<!-- Population ----------->
 | elevation_ft             = 528
 | population_total         = 61121
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name=quif>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/lamesacitycalifornia|title=La Mesa (city) QuickFacts|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 21, 2022}}</ref>
 | population_density_sq_mi = 6514.46
 | population_density_km2   = 2515.34
 | population_metro         = 
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
 | postal_code              = 91941&ndash;91944
 | area_code                = [[Area code 619|619]]
 | area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
 | website                  = {{URL|cityoflamesa.us}}
 | footnotes                = 
 | leader_title2            = [[Councilmember]]
 | leader_name2             = Jack Shu, Colin Parent, Patricia Dillard<ref name=cc/>
 | leader_title3            = City Treasurer
 | leader_name3             = Matt Strabone<ref name=cc/>
<!-- Area------------------>
 | timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]]
 | utc_offset               = &minus;8
 | timezone_DST             = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
 | utc_offset_DST           = &minus;7
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code
 | blank_info               = {{FIPS|06|40004}}
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs
 | blank1_info              = {{GNIS 4|1660859}}, {{GNIS 4|2411576}}
}}

'''La Mesa''' ({{lit|The Table}}) is a city in [[San Diego County, California]], United States, located {{convert|9|mi|spell=in|abbr=off|sp=us}} east of [[downtown San Diego]] in [[Southern California]]. The population was 61,121 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], up from 57,065 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]]. Its civic motto is "the Jewel of the Hills."

==History==

Before European colonization, the area that is now La Mesa was home to the [[Kumeyaay]]. The Kumeyaay were a Yuman-speaking people who practiced horticulture and hunting and gathering. The Kumeyaay organized themselves into a federation of self-governed bands, or clans. Beginning in 1769, the Kumeyaay of La Mesa and the larger San Diego County region were enslaved by Spanish colonists or later forcibly relocated to reservations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pico |first1=Anthony |title=The Kumeyaay Millenium |url=https://www.kumeyaay.com/the-kumeyaay-millenium.html#:~:text=Kumeyaay%20coastal%20land%20was%20confiscated,to%20return%20to%20their%20homes. |website=www.kumeyaay.com/ |publisher=Kumeyaay.com |access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref>
[[File:Miguel_Pedrorena.jpg|thumb|left|upright|La Mesa was originally part of [[Rancho El Cajon|Rancho El Cajón]], a Mexican era [[ranchos of California|rancho grant]] owned by the family of Don [[Miguel de Pedrorena]], a [[Californio]] ranchero and signer of the [[Californian Constitution]].]]
La Mesa in Spanish means "the table", or alternately "the plateau", relating to its geography.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=10366|title= Profile for La Mesa, California, CA|publisher= ePodunk|access-date= September 12, 2012|archive-date= April 1, 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190401091645/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=10366|url-status= dead}}</ref> La Mesa was part of a larger tract, [[Mission San Diego de Alcalá]], and was used by Spanish missionaries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityoflamesa.com/History.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706222002/http://www.cityoflamesa.com/History.htm|url-status=dead|title=City of La Mesa history|archive-date=July 6, 2007|access-date=February 22, 2021}}</ref>

Through the years, the Spanish, Mexican, and American settlers valued La Mesa for its natural springs. In 1868, stockman Robert Allison moved to the area and purchased 4,000 acres of land from the heirs of Santiago Arguello, commandant of the [[Presidio of San Diego]]. This land became La Mesa, and the "Allison" natural springs were renamed the "La Mesa Springs."<ref>{{cite web |title=History of La Mesa Summary |url=https://lamesahistory.com/history/ |website=La Mesa History Center |access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref> The importance of the springs is still reflected today in the name of the prominent "Spring Street," which passes through downtown La Mesa, and with the preservation of the spring house in Collier Park.<ref>{{cite web |title=1907 Collier Park Spring House |url=https://www.sohosandiego.org/endangered/mel2013/springhouse.htm |website=www.sohosandiego.org/ |publisher=Save Our Heritage Organization |access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref>

La Mesa was founded in 1869 and The City of La Mesa was incorporated on February 16, 1912.<ref>{{Cite web |title=La Mesa Fast Facts {{!}} La Mesa, CA - Official Website |url=https://www.cityoflamesa.us/311/La-Mesa-Fast-Facts |access-date=March 29, 2024 |website=www.cityoflamesa.us}}</ref> Its official flower is the [[bougainvillea]].<ref name="FastFacts" />

In 2020, La Mesa was [[George Floyd protests in San Diego County, California#La Mesa|the site of civil unrest]] in the wake of the [[murder of George Floyd]] in Minneapolis, Minnesota.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pura|first=Anthony|date=May 30, 2020|title=Protest erupts outside La Mesa police station|url=https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/san-diego-news/protest-erupts-outside-la-mesa-police-station|access-date=January 4, 2021|work=KGTV|language=en}}</ref> Two days after Floyd's murder, an unarmed black man was grabbed and shoved by a white La Mesa Police officer and arrested at [[Grossmont Transit Center]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hernandez|first=David|date=June 4, 2020|title=La Mesa police release body-cam video of controversial arrest|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/public-safety/story/2020-06-03/la-mesa-police-release-body-cam-footage-of-controversial-arrest-at-trolley|access-date=January 4, 2021|work=San Diego Union-Tribune|language=en-US}}</ref> The video of the incident went viral and led to more than 1000 protesters converging on the city. An African-American grandmother was shot in the face with a bean bag round from police.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Charles|first=Niala|title=Grandmother Hit in Head With LMPD 'Less Lethal' Projectile Remains in ICU|url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/grandmother-hit-with-rubber-bullet-remains-in-icu/2337061/|access-date=January 4, 2021|work=NBC 7 San Diego|language=en-US}}</ref> Businesses were looted and several structures were set on fire, including two banks that burned to the ground.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 30, 2020 |title=Banks Ablaze, Stores Looted Amid Unrest in La Mesa |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/protests-planned-around-san-diego-county-over-george-floyds-death/2336140/ |access-date=March 29, 2024 |website=NBC 7 San Diego |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Man sentenced to 16 months in prison for role in La Mesa Chase bank fire |url=https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/east-county-news/man-sentenced-to-16-months-in-prison-for-role-in-la-mesa-chase-bank-fire |access-date=March 29, 2024 |website=ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV |publisher=City News Service |language=en}}</ref>  The officer in the trolley station incident was charged with falsifying a police report in connection with the reason for the arrest but acquitted in December 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Alvarado|first1=Kitty|last2=Castillo|first2=Carlos|date=December 10, 2021|title=Ex-La Mesa police officer acquitted of falsifying police report|url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/local/2021/12/10/ex-la-mesa-police-officer-acquitted-of-falsifying-police-report|access-date=December 16, 2021|work=KPBS Public Media|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Hope|first1=Heather|date=December 10, 2021|title=Jury finds former La Mesa police officer not guilty of filing a false police report about the arrest of Amaurie Johnson|url=https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/crime/matt-dages-jury-verdict/509-28a7d0e9-cadb-4f03-99e6-2184c7db3047|access-date=October 15, 2024|work=CBS 8|language=en}}</ref> Dages' certification was revoked under a new state law due to serious [[misconduct]] in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodd |first=Scott |last2=Portela |first2=Katerina |date=2025-03-17 |title=San Diego officers among hundreds in California stripped of their badges under recent law, but large backlog remains |url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/2025/03/17/san-diego-officers-among-hundreds-in-california-stripped-of-their-badges-under-recent-law-but-large-backlog-remains |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=[[KPBS Public Media]]}}</ref>

==Geography==
La Mesa is bordered by the city of [[San Diego]] on the west and north, [[Spring Valley, San Diego County, California|Spring Valley]] and [[Lemon Grove, California|Lemon Grove]] on the south, and [[El Cajon, California|El Cajon]] on the east. It includes the neighborhood of Grossmont.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|9.1|sqmi|km2}}. {{convert|9.1|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|km2}} of it (0.44%) is water.

=== Climate ===

La Mesa is approximately {{convert|10|mi|abbr=on}} east of the Pacific Ocean. Because of this, La Mesa typically experiences more extreme temperatures than San Diego, most of which lies closer to the Pacific Ocean. La Mesa has a Semi-arid Steppe climate. La Mesa typically has hot, dry summers and warm winters with most of the annual precipitation falling between November and March. The city has dry weather with around {{convert|13|in|abbr=off|sp=us}} of annual precipitation. Summer temperatures are generally hot, with average highs of {{convert|78|-|92|F|C}} and lows of {{convert|56|–|68|F|C}}. Winter temperatures are warm, with average high temperatures of {{convert|66|–|77|F|C}} and lows of {{convert|46|–|58|F|C}}.

The climate in the San Diego area, like much of California, often varies significantly over short geographical distances, resulting in micro-climates. In San Diego's case, this is mainly due to the city's topography (the Bay, and the numerous hills, mountains, and canyons). Frequently, particularly during the "May gray/June gloom" period, a thick "marine layer" cloud cover will keep the air cool and damp within a few miles of the coast, but will yield to bright cloudless sunshine approximately {{convert|5|–|10|mi|km|0}} inland. This happens every year in May and June. Even in the absence of June gloom, inland areas tend to experience higher temperatures than areas closer to the coast.
{{Weather box
|location = La Mesa, California, 1981&ndash;2010 normals, extremes 1934&ndash;2006
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F =  90
|Feb record high F =  92
|Mar record high F =  96
|Apr record high F = 105
|May record high F = 100
|Jun record high F = 103
|Jul record high F = 106
|Aug record high F = 106
|Sep record high F = 109
|Oct record high F = 105
|Nov record high F = 99
|Dec record high F = 100

|Jan high F = 69.4
|Feb high F = 69.3
|Mar high F = 70.5
|Apr high F = 73.8
|May high F = 75.4
|Jun high F = 79.1
|Jul high F = 84.0
|Aug high F = 85.9
|Sep high F = 85.3
|Oct high F = 79.3
|Nov high F = 73.6
|Dec high F = 68.9
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 57.9
|Feb mean F = 58.4
|Mar mean F = 60.1
|Apr mean F = 63.2
|May mean F = 65.9
|Jun mean F = 69.4
|Jul mean F = 73.7
|Aug mean F = 75.3
|Sep mean F = 74.1
|Oct mean F = 68.4
|Nov mean F = 62.2
|Dec mean F = 57.4
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 46.5
|Feb low F = 47.5
|Mar low F = 49.7
|Apr low F = 52.6
|May low F = 56.5
|Jun low F = 59.8
|Jul low F = 63.4
|Aug low F = 64.7
|Sep low F = 62.7
|Oct low F = 57.6
|Nov low F = 50.8
|Dec low F = 45.9
|year low F =

|Jan record low F = 26
|Feb record low F = 31
|Mar record low F = 34
|Apr record low F = 31
|May record low F = 41
|Jun record low F = 47
|Jul record low F = 46
|Aug record low F = 49
|Sep record low F = 45
|Oct record low F = 30
|Nov record low F = 30
|Dec record low F = 29

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.40
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.41
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.41
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.92
|May precipitation inch = 0.15
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.08
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.04
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.03
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.21
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.69
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.45
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.89
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 5.4
|Feb precipitation days = 5.6
|Mar precipitation days = 5.5
|Apr precipitation days = 3.6
|May precipitation days = 1.4
|Jun precipitation days = 0.7
|Jul precipitation days = 0.4
|Aug precipitation days = 0.5
|Sep precipitation days = 1.0
|Oct precipitation days = 2.1
|Nov precipitation days = 3.7
|Dec precipitation days = 4.9

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&stations=USC00044735&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: La Mesa, CA
|access-date = May 25, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=sgx
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS San Diego
|access-date = May 25, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Transportation==
The City of La Mesa is served by the [[San Diego Trolley]]'s [[Orange Line (San Diego Trolley)|Orange Line]] at its stations in [[Spring Street station (San Diego Trolley)|Spring Street]], [[La Mesa Boulevard station|La Mesa Boulevard]], [[Grossmont Transit Center]], and [[Amaya Drive station|Amaya Drive]], the last two of which are also served by the [[Green Line (San Diego Trolley)|Green Line]].

By car, the city is served by [[Interstate 8]], [[California State Route 94]], and [[California State Route 125]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1920 = 1004
| 1930 = 2513
| 1940 = 3925
| 1950 = 10946
| 1960 = 30441
| 1970 = 39178
| 1980 = 50308
| 1990 = 52931
| 2000 = 54749
| 2010 = 57065
| 2020 = 61121
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=May 15, 2023}}</ref>
}}

===2010===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] La Mesa had a population of 57,065. The population density was {{convert|6,259.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of La Mesa was 54.1% White, 21.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race, 8.0% African American, 5.8% Asian, 0.8% Native American, 0.6% Pacific Islander, 11.6% from other races, and 5.8% from two or more races.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0640004|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715030217/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0640004|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - La Mesa city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref>

The census reported that 56,408 people (98.8% of the population) lived in households, 124 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 533 (0.9%) were institutionalized.

There were 24,512 households, 6,695 (27.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 9,330 (38.1%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 3,102 (12.7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,335 (5.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,731 (7.1%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 243 (1.0%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 8,004 households (32.7%) were one person and 2,924 (11.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30. There were 13,767 families (56.2% of households); the average family size was 2.94.

The age distribution was 11,164 people (19.6%) under the age of 18, 6,396 people (11.2%) aged 18 to 24, 16,792 people (29.4%) aged 25 to 44, 14,625 people (25.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 8,088 people (14.2%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 37.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

There were 26,167 housing units at an average density of 2,870.3 per square mile, of the occupied units 11,221 (45.8%) were owner-occupied and 13,291 (54.2%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.2%. 26,713 people (46.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 29,695 people (52.0%) lived in rental housing units.

===2000===
{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2022}}
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 54,749 people in 24,186 households, including 13,374 families, in the city. The population density was {{convert|5,909.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 24,943 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2,692.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 51.0% White, 6.7% African American, 0.6% Native American, 5.5% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 9.5% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 26.6% of the population.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>

Of the 24,186 households 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.8% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% were non-families. 34.2% of households were one person and 12.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.86.

The age distribution was 19.8% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.

The median household income was $41,693 and the median family income was $50,398. Males had a median income of $37,215 versus $30,413 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,372. About 5.2% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

=== Current estimates ===
According to estimates by the [[San Diego Association of Governments]] (not adjusted for [[inflation]]). When adjusted for [[inflation]] (1999 dollars; comparable to [[census]] data above), the median household income was $45,156.

==Arts and culture==

=== Silent film history ===
[[File:The Bandit of Point Loma poster.jpg|thumb|212x212px|''The Bandit of Point Loma'' (1912)]]
From 1911 to 1912, film pioneer [[Allan Dwan]] kickstarted his career in La Mesa, directing over 150 silent films produced by [[Flying A Studios]]. He often used local mentions in the title of his works such as ''Bonita of El Cajon'', ''Mystical Maid of Jamacha Pass'', ''The'' ''Bandit of Point Loma, The Land Baron of San-Tee'', ''and The Winning of La Mesa''. After Dwan moved to [[Los Angeles]] for the rest of his career, it was reported that La Mesa missed its chance to be "Hollywood before Hollywood."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newland |first=James D. |date=2011-08-10 |title=Proto-Hollywood: 100 Melodramas Were Made In La Mesa 100 Years Ago |url=https://patch.com/california/lamesa/100-simple-melodramas-were-made-in-la-mesa-100-years-ago |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120214913/https://patch.com/california/lamesa/100-simple-melodramas-were-made-in-la-mesa-100-years-ago |archive-date=2015-11-20 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=[[Patch Media]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Khari |date=2013-12-31 |title=La Mesa's Cinematic Past Focus of Silent Film Festivity |url=https://patch.com/california/lamesa/la-mesas-cinematic-past-focus-of-silent-film |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016151609/https://patch.com/california/lamesa/la-mesas-cinematic-past-focus-of-silent-film |archive-date=2015-10-16 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=[[Patch Media]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Farmer's market ===
There is a farmer's market in La Mesa Village every Friday afternoon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityoflamesa.com/index.aspx?nid=449|title=La Mesa, CA - Official Website - Farmer's Marke|website=Cityoflamesca.comt|access-date=February 22, 2021}}</ref>

===Flag Day Parade===
On June 14, 1997, with the help of Councilmember Ruth Sterling, the City of La Mesa inaugurated its First Annual Flag Day Parade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflamesa.com/directory.aspx?EID=6&PREVIEW=YES |title=Ruth Sterling |publisher=City of La Mesa |access-date=June 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223700/http://www.cityoflamesa.com/directory.aspx?EID=6&PREVIEW=YES |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===La Mesa Walkway of the Stars===
The “Walkway of the Stars” is a pedestrian walkway that has been transformed into an urban park in downtown La Mesa. The vision for a place to recognize La Mesa's extraordinary volunteers was provided by Councilmember Ruth Sterling. The park's theme honors the city's outstanding volunteers who have provided 10,000 or more hours of service to the city of La Mesa. “Walkway of the Stars” is located between the Allison Avenue municipal parking lot and La Mesa Boulevard.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityoflamesa.us/785/Walkway-of-the-Stars|title=Walkway of the Stars &#124; La Mesa, CA - Official Website|website=Cityoflamesa.us|access-date=February 22, 2021}}</ref>

===Oktoberfest===
At the beginning of each October, La Mesa holds its biggest event of the year, [[Oktoberfest celebrations|Oktoberfest]], attended by approximately 200,000 people over the three nights of the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.lamesaoktoberfest.org/ |title=La Mesa Oktoberfest|website= lamesaoktoberfest.org|access-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref>

===Back to the 50s Car Show===
The Back to the '50s Car Show is an annual summer event where classic car enthusiasts come to display their vehicles. The event is held every Thursday evening during the months of June through August in La Mesa Village along La Mesa Boulevard. Admission to the event is free.<ref>{{cite web|title=La Mesa Car Show|url=http://www.lmvma.com/lmv_car_show.html |date=April 22, 2019 }}</ref>

===Sundays At Six===
Sundays At Six is a free concert series that is offered every year in the months of June and July. For six Sundays, free concerts are performed in Harry Griffen Park from 6 pm to 7 pm. The concerts began in 2002 after being conceived by then-city councilman Mark Arapostathis and assistant city manager Yvonne Garrett along with members of the community. They are organized by the La Mesa Arts Alliance and sponsored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County Foundation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-free-sunday-concerts-la-mesa-2013may17-story.html |title=Free Sunday concerts in La Mesa on their way |date=May 17, 2013 |first=Karen |last=Pearlman |newspaper=San Diego Union-Tribune}}</ref>

===Other events===
Other annual events include Holiday in the Village,<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.lamesavillageassociation.org/holiday-in-the-village-a-la-mesa-tradition |title= Holiday in the Village: A La Mesa Tradition|website= lamesavillageassociation.org |access-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref> Trick-or-Treating in La Mesa Village,<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.lamesavillageassociation.org/trick-or-treating-in-la-mesa-village |title=Trick-or-Treating in La Mesa Village|website= lamesavillageassociation.org |access-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref> and the raising of the Pride flag at La Mesa City Hall to mark Pride Month each June.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Dave |title=La Mesa is more than welcoming to the LGBTQ+ Community |url=https://sdnews.com/la-mesa-is-more-than-welcoming-to-the-lgbtq-community/ |website=sdnews.com/ |date=June 23, 2022 |publisher=SD News |access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref>

===Grossmont Center===
The city's major mall, [[Grossmont Center]], opened by the Cushman Family in 1961.<ref>{{cite book|last=Engstrand|first=Iris Wilson|title=San Diego: California's Cornerstone|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RhCQUf1XQ84C&q=%22grossmont+center%22+%22marston%27s%22&pg=PA172|year=2005|publisher=Sunbelt Publications|page=172|isbn=9780932653727}}</ref> In 2021, Grossmont Center was purchased from the Cushman Family by Federal Realty Trust, which valued the shopping center at $175 Million and plans to redevelop and modernize the 925,000 square-foot property.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grossmont Center Sold|url=https://www.sdbj.com/news/2021/aug/13/grossmont-center-sold/|access-date=December 28, 2021|website=San Diego Business Journal|date=August 13, 2021 }}</ref>

===Alternative media===
The original offices of ''[[The San Diego Door]]'', a popular [[underground newspaper]] of the 1960s, were located in La Mesa at 7053 University Avenue.

==Government==
===City government===
La Mesa is a [[general law city]] which uses a [[Council–manager government|council-manager]] system of government with a directly elected mayor. The city council consists of a mayor and four councilmembers, all of whom are elected from the city at large and serve four-year terms. The council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.<ref name=govt>{{Cite web|url=http://cityoflamesa.com/index.aspx?nid=247|title=City Council|publisher=La Mesa, CA|access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> The current mayor is Mark Arapostathis, who was re-elected in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/east-county/sd-se-lamesa-elections-20180913-story.html|title=La Mesa will keep its mayor, but 2 City Council seats are being challenged|date=October 26, 2018|newspaper=[[San Diego Union-Tribune]]|access-date=February 22, 2021}}</ref>

===State and federal representation===
In the [[California State Legislature]], La Mesa is in {{Representative|casd|39|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in {{Representative|caad|79|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{Cite web
 | url = https://www.cityoflamesa.us/281/Elected-Representatives
 | title = Elected Representatives - La Mesa, CA - Official Website
 | publisher = Cithy of La Mesa
 | access-date = October 14, 2024
 }}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], La Mesa is in {{Representative|cacd|51|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|53}}</ref>

==Education==
The schools in La Mesa are operated by two districts. The [[La Mesa-Spring Valley School District]] operates most of the elementary and middle schools in the city, while the [[Grossmont Union High School District]] operates [[Helix High School]] and the Gateway day schools.

===Elementary schools===
* Rolando Elementary School (La Mesa-Spring Valley School District)
* La Mesa Dale Elementary School (La Mesa-Spring Valley School District)
* Maryland Avenue Elementary School (La Mesa-Spring Valley School District)
* RHR DFAF Private Charter School
* Murdock Elementary School (La Mesa-Spring Valley School District)
* Murray Manor Elementary School (La Mesa-Spring Valley School District)
* Northmont Elementary School (La Mesa-Spring Valley School District)
* Lemon Avenue Elementary School (La Mesa-Spring Valley School District)
* Vista La Mesa Academy ([[Lemon Grove School District]])
* Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School (private, K-8)
* St. Martin's Academy (private)
* Liberty Charter School (private)
* San Diego Jewish Academy (private)
* Christ Lutheran School (private)
* Innovation Center La Mesa – Julian Charter School (charter)
* La Mesa Arts Academy (4th - 8th Grade) - La Mesa-Spring Valley School District

===Middle/junior high schools===
* Parkway Middle School (La Mesa-Spring Valley School District)
* La Mesa Arts Academy (4-8 Grade) (LMAAC) (La Mesa-Spring Valley School District)
* Vista La Mesa Academy (Lemon Grove School District)
* Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School (private, K-8)

===High schools===
* [[Helix High School]] (Grossmont Union High School District)
* [[Grossmont High School]] (Grossmont Union High School District) includes some students from La Mesa while having an [[El Cajon, California|El Cajon]] street address

===K–12===
* Gateway Community Day (Grossmont Union High School District)
* Gateway West Community Day (Grossmont Union High School District)
* Mt. Helix Academy (Private Administration)

== Notable people ==<!--consensus reached to standardize this heading per WP:WikiProject Cities/US Guideline -->
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• The article must mention how they are associated with the community, whether born, raised, or residing.
• The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
• Alphabetical by last name please
• All others will be deleted without further explanation
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* [[Aaron Boone]], retired baseball player and manager
* [[Reggie Bush]], retired football player
* [[Brian Patrick Butler]], actor and filmmaker<ref>{{cite news|last=Peterson|first=Karla|title=San Diego filmmaker brings the apocalypse to the Oceanside International Film Festival|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/columnists/story/2020-08-14/san-diego-filmmaker-brings-the-apocalypse-to-the-oceanside-international-film-festival|work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]|date=August 14, 2020|access-date=January 26, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Ammar Campa-Najjar]] (born 1989), Democratic politician
* [[Brooks Conrad]], baseball player
* [[Ralph Drollinger]], basketball player and religious minister
* [[Josquin Des Pres (20th century musician)|Josquin Des Pres]], producer and bassist
* [[Dennis Hopper]], actor/producer/photographer<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alice|first=Matthew|date=July 5, 2001|title=Is Dennis Hopper from La Mesa? {{!}} San Diego Reader|url=https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2001/jul/05/dennis-hopper-la-mesa/|access-date=October 13, 2021|website=www.sandiegoreader.com|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Dave Mustaine]], founding guitarist/vocalist of [[Megadeth]]
* Diana Napolis, social worker and celebrity stalker 
* [[Ellen Ochoa]], engineer and astronaut
* [[Willie O'Ree]], hockey player
* [[Jason Phillips (catcher)]], former baseball catcher for [[New York Mets]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jason Phillips Stats, Fantasy & News|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/jason-phillips-282993|access-date=September 11, 2021|website=MLB.com|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Goldie Rapp]], third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies
* [[Steve Roach (musician)|Steve Roach]], ambient musician
* [[MasterChef (U.S. season 6)#Top 22|Claudia Sandoval]], [[MasterChef]] winner
* [[Cathy Scott]], true-crime author
* [[Whitney Shay]], blues, soul, and rhythm and blues singer and songwriter<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://travelingboy.com/archive-travel-tim-whitney_shay.html|title=Whitney Shay Interview|website=Travelingboy.com|access-date=February 22, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Alex Smith]], retired football player who was raised in La Mesa.
* [[Benjamin Stockham]], actor
* [[Eddie Vedder]], vocalist/guitarist of [[Pearl Jam]]
* [[Bill Walton]], basketball player and sportscaster

==See also==
{{Portal|California}}
* [[El Granito Springs]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.city-data.com/city/La-Mesa-California.html City-Data.com]
* [https://www.lamesa.com La Mesa community website]
* [https://lamesacourier.com/ ''La Mesa Courier''], monthly newspaper

{{San Diego County, California}}
{{San Diego metropolitan area}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:La Mesa, California| ]]
[[Category:Cities in San Diego County, California]]
[[Category:East County (San Diego County)]]
[[Category:San Diego metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1912]]
[[Category:1912 establishments in California]]