What to do in La Mesa, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

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La Mesa Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that La Mesa has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to La Mesa, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to La Mesa with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in La Mesa

La Mesa is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in La Mesa, and make it a breeze to explore La Mesa and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in La Mesa to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to La Mesa, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in La Mesa.

La Mesa attractions

La Mesa has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in La Mesa to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of La Mesa.

Looking for things to do in La Mesa can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of La Mesa or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to La Mesa attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

Things to do

LEGOLAND® California Resort

LEGOLAND® California Resort

£64
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
LEGOLAND® California Resort
San Diego: Luggage Storage in Marina

San Diego: Luggage Storage in Marina

£7
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
San Diego: Luggage Storage in Marina
San Diego City Lights Night Tour

San Diego City Lights Night Tour

£36
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
San Diego City Lights Night Tour
San Diego: Mission Bay Sunset Cruise

San Diego: Mission Bay Sunset Cruise

£32
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
San Diego: Mission Bay Sunset Cruise
San Diego Explorer Pass: Save up to 50 Percent - Includes USS Midway

San Diego Explorer Pass: Save up to 50 Percent - Includes USS Midway

£92
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
San Diego Explorer Pass: Save up to 50 Percent - Includes USS Midway
San Diego Scenic Tour

San Diego Scenic Tour

£68
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
San Diego Scenic Tour
San Diego Premier Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise

City Cruises San Diego: Premier Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise

£82
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
City Cruises San Diego: Premier Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise
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Top places to visit

1. San Diego Zoo

Prepare to be amazed and enchanted by the diversity of animal life on display at San Diego Zoo, which welcomes 5 million visitors a year. The 100-acre (40-hectare) site is home to around 4,000 animals from more than 650 species and subspecies. Most exhibits are open air, and designed to be as close to the natural habitats of the animals they house as possible.
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2. Mission Bay

Spend summer days enjoying the calm waters and gorgeous scenes of Mission Bay, a saltwater lagoon just north of downtown San Diego. This 4,200-acre (1,700-hectare) bay features pristine beaches, water sports for all ages and park attractions that bring summer to life.
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3. Petco Park

Experience America’s favorite pastime in San Diego’s Petco Park. Enjoy stunning views of southern California as you watch a baseball game, concert or other sporting event. The park is named after San Diego-based pet supplies retailer Petco.
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4. SeaWorld

SeaWorld® San Diego, located in trendy Mission Beach, has been pleasing crowds ever since it opened in 1964 and is a must for anyone traveling with children. Kids and adults alike flock to the many exhibits offering opportunities to interact with marine animals. Touch, feed and give training signals to the performing bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Point. With prearranged permission, you can even don a wetsuit and jump into the water with the majestic beluga whales.
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5. Mission Beach

People have been coming to Mission Beach to top up their tans since the 1920s, when the first holiday homes were built along its shores. Development increased in the 1960s and today this is a thriving, affluent oceanfront suburb. Thankfully, though, it hasn’t lost its old-fashioned charm. Stroll along the boardwalk that runs the length of the beach and enjoy the relaxed, carnival atmosphere courtesy of street performers, roller bladers and skateboarders, and the occasional artist selling jewelry or other crafts.
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A beach with palm trees, boats, and a clear blue sky.

6. Balboa Park

This is one of the largest urban parks in the United States, and one of the most diverse in the world. You could spend a week exploring its 1,200 acres (486 hectares) of walking trails and gardens, museums and galleries, theaters, restaurants, and world-famous zoo. This wealth of year-round entertainment makes it a popular location for both locals and tourists.
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What to do in La Mesa

Stay near popular La Mesa attractions

Mount Helix Park

7.4/10 (59 reviews)
Perched atop a hill, Mount Helix Park offers stunning 360-degree views of San Diego County and the Pacific Ocean. Explore the serene trails or attend a performance in the historic 1,600-seat open-air amphitheatre.
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Where to stay in La Mesa

Find the best La Mesa areas for the activities you enjoy most.
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Casa de Oro-Mount Helix

While Casa de Oro-Mount Helix may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Mount Helix Park and The Magnolia.

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Mount Helix

While visiting Mount Helix, you might make a stop by sights like Mount Helix Park and FAITH CHAPEL.

Windsor Hills

While there might not be top attractions in Windsor Hills, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theater and Viejas Arena.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from La Mesa

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San Diego

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El Cajon

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Lemon Grove

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Spring Valley

Frequently asked questions

Is La Mesa worth visiting?
Whether you're coming to enjoy the cultural attractions and local charm or try unique foods and explore the outdoors, there's no shortage of things to do in La Mesa.
How do I spend a day in La Mesa?
When you've checked off popular attractions like San Diego Zoo and San Diego Air and Space Museum, spend some time discovering La Mesa's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in La Mesa?
The top tourist attraction in La Mesa is San Diego Zoo, so be sure to include it on your agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in La Mesa?
Three days will give you enough time to check out many city highlights, including Mount Helix Park, Boomers El Cajon and Knox House Museum. The average stay in La Mesa is two days. If you have the time to extend your holiday, San Diego County isn't far away.
Is La Mesa a walkable city?
It depends on what you plan to do and see in La Mesa. Several key sights, like Mount Helix Park and Computer Museum of America, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of La Mesa's neighbourhoods, Mid-City is 5 kms (3 miles) away from downtown, while Del Cerro is 5 kms (3 miles) away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in La Mesa with kids?
Whether you're holidaying with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, an itinerary filled with fun activities makes all the difference. Browse our ideas for what to do in La Mesa with kids.

What to do in La Mesa for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, avid foodie or outdoor explorer, there are plenty of things to do in La Mesa for adults including Hotel Circle and The Salvation Army Kroc Centre.
Are there free things to do in La Mesa?
From relaxing in parks to wandering around vibrant neighbourhoods, it's simple to find free things to do in La Mesa. If you need new ideas, ask for tips from a local tour guide. Mount Helix Park is a must for anyone planning to save on their sightseeing activities.