Mira Mesa, San Diego, California
Encyclopedia
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 Peñasquitos Canyon to the north and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
, to the south. The west end of Mira Mesa is a business and technology park, often referred to as "Sorrento Mesa
". This area is a major employment area for San Diego.
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 there was a housing boom 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). 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 close proximity to major employers like UC San Diego, MCAS Miramar
, Qualcomm
, and dozens of biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Several commercial and industrial centers have been built within the Mira Mesa area.
Mira Mesa has a significant concentration of Asian-American residents. Their presence has added to the diverse shopping available in Mira Mesa, including groceries and shops offering Filipino
, Vietnamese
, and Indian
goods.
The community has business and residential zoned areas, providing shopping and recreational opportunities as well as business buildings with technology facilities and office space. There are a variety of ethnic cuisines and restaurants, as well as more traditional dining. There are eight community parks, teen and senior centers, an ice arena, an aquatic complex, multiple shopping centers, and a state-of-the-art movie theater.
and the northern boundary of MCAS Miramar.
The 2000 census counted: White (Not Hispanic or Latino) 40.8%, Asian 37.6% (including 20.7% Filipino and 7.8% Vietnamese), Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 11.1%, African American/Black 5.4%, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.6%, Native American 0.5%.
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.
According to the City of San Diego Council Minutes - Sept. 9, 1997, faith in alleviating the Mira Mesa Blvd. traffic problem was put in the completion of east-west running State Route 56 to the north of Mira Mesa Blvd. The minutes state, "(SR 56) is expected to substantially reduce the non-neighborhood cut-through traffic demand on (Mira Mesa residential streets)." SR 56 construction started in 1999 and was scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2004. This was delayed, and with the opening of SR 56 north of Mira Mesa complete in early 2006, there has been a noticeable drop in residential traffic, especially on Calle Cristobal.
Technology
Construction
Commercial and Retail
Fire service is provided by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Fire Station 38 which is located in the Mira Mesa area. The station is in the 5th Battalion district.
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
Mira Mesa is bordered by Interstate 15 to the east, Interstate 805 to the west, the Los Peñasquitos Canyon to the north and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar , formerly Naval Air Station Miramar is a United States Marine Corps installation that is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is the aviation element of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force...
, to the south. The west end of Mira Mesa is a business and technology park, often referred to as "Sorrento Mesa
Sorrento Mesa, San Diego
Sorrento Mesa is a neighborhood of San Diego, California. It is located in the northern part of the city, east of Interstate 805, on the mesa overlooking Sorrento Valley. University City lies to the south, the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve to the north, and Mira Mesa to the east...
". This area is a major employment area for San Diego.
History
Around the time of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the area now called Mira Mesa was used by the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
as a test area. Just west of U.S. Route 395 (now Interstate 15) was a Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
auxiliary landing field that was known locally as Hourglass Field
Hourglass Field
Hourglass Field was the popular name for an auxiliary landing field operated by the United States Navy before and during World War II in the northern part of San Diego, California. It is remembered as a racetrack in the regional road racing circuit and because a crackdown on unauthorized drag...
because the layout of the runways was a single piece of asphalt
Asphalt concrete
Asphalt concrete is a composite material commonly used in construction projects such as road surfaces, airports and parking lots. It consists of asphalt and mineral aggregate mixed together, then laid down in layers and compacted...
in the shape of an hourglass. The Navy also used the surrounding area as a bombing range.
Starting in 1969 there was a housing boom 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). 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
San Diego Miramar College
San Diego Miramar College is two-year community college located in San Diego, CA, USA. It is administered by the San Diego Community College District.-History:...
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
Pete Wilson
Peter Barton "Pete" Wilson is an American politician from California. Wilson, a Republican, served as the 36th Governor of California , the culmination of more than three decades in the public arena that included eight years as a United States Senator , eleven years as Mayor of San Diego and...
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 close proximity to major employers like UC San Diego, MCAS Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar , formerly Naval Air Station Miramar is a United States Marine Corps installation that is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is the aviation element of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force...
, Qualcomm
Qualcomm
Qualcomm is an American global telecommunication corporation that designs, manufactures and markets digital wireless telecommunications products and services based on its code division multiple access technology and other technologies. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, USA...
, and dozens of biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Several commercial and industrial centers have been built within the Mira Mesa area.
Mira Mesa has a significant concentration of Asian-American residents. Their presence has added to the diverse shopping available in Mira Mesa, including groceries and shops offering Filipino
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Vietnamese
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, and Indian
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
goods.
Economy
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.The community has business and residential zoned areas, providing shopping and recreational opportunities as well as business buildings with technology facilities and office space. There are a variety of ethnic cuisines and restaurants, as well as more traditional dining. There are eight community parks, teen and senior centers, an ice arena, an aquatic complex, multiple shopping centers, and a state-of-the-art movie theater.
Geography
The area is situated on the southern edge of the Los Peñasquitos Canyon PreserveLos Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve
Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve is an urban park in San Diego, California. Stretching approximately , the park encompasses some of both Peñasquitos and Lopez canyons, and is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The preserve is jointly owned and administered by the City of San Diego...
and the northern boundary of MCAS Miramar.
Demographics
The community has 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.The 2000 census counted: White (Not Hispanic or Latino) 40.8%, Asian 37.6% (including 20.7% Filipino and 7.8% Vietnamese), Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 11.1%, African American/Black 5.4%, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.6%, Native American 0.5%.
Transportation
Public transportation 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
San Diego Coaster
The San Diego Coast Express Rail, or Coaster , is a commuter rail service that operates in the Central and Northern coastal regions of San Diego County, California, United States. The service is operated by TransitAmerica Services on contract with North County Transit District . The service has...
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.
Main thoroughfares
- Mira Mesa Boulevard runs east to west, and is the main road in Mira Mesa, and is an important link between Interstates 15 and 805. In the year 2000 this main artery was estimated by the city government to carry over 80,000 vehicles/day. During the normal work week it has arguably the worst traffic in the county due to the excessive amount of commuters traveling in and out of the high density employment area of Sorrento Valley, and from cut-through traffic between Interstates 15 and 805/5 corridors. There has been such a high traffic volume, that the majority of residential roads running in all directions from Mira Mesa Boulevard became backed up. By 1997, in an effort to control the problem, the city had installed additional traffic controls, such as turn prohibitions at various intersections, and speed humps on certain streets, to reduce the cut-through traffic from other neighborhoods, such as Scripps RanchScripps Ranch, San Diego, CaliforniaScripps Ranch is a community of San Diego, California in the northeastern part of that city. Its ZIP code is 92131. It is located east of Interstate 15, North of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and South of Poway....
and Rancho PeñasquitosRancho Penasquitos, San Diego, CaliforniaRancho Peñasquitos is a community in the northeastern part of the city of San Diego, California. It is named after the first Spanish Land Grant in the County - Rancho de Los Penasquitos. Peñasquitos means little cliffs in Spanish. It abuts Los Penasquitos canyon preserve - an open space...
.
According to the City of San Diego Council Minutes - Sept. 9, 1997, faith in alleviating the Mira Mesa Blvd. traffic problem was put in the completion of east-west running State Route 56 to the north of Mira Mesa Blvd. The minutes state, "(SR 56) is expected to substantially reduce the non-neighborhood cut-through traffic demand on (Mira Mesa residential streets)." SR 56 construction started in 1999 and was scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2004. This was delayed, and with the opening of SR 56 north of Mira Mesa complete in early 2006, there has been a noticeable drop in residential traffic, especially on Calle Cristobal.
- Camino RuizCamino RuizCamino Ruiz is a road in northern Mira Mesa, San Diego, California that was once planned to be a major connecting route between North County and Miramar. It was also called the Son of 680 after Select Arterial 680 which was deleted....
is a north-south four lane thoroughfare that runs the whole length of the Mira Mesa area, and links Miramar Road to Mira Mesa Boulevard, to Calle Cristobal. It is a main thoroughfare for military personnel traveling to and from MCAS Miramar and the surrounding area. - Black Mountain Road is a north-south thoroughfare that connects San Diego to Mira Mesa, and continues to Rancho PeñasquitosRancho Penasquitos, San Diego, CaliforniaRancho Peñasquitos is a community in the northeastern part of the city of San Diego, California. It is named after the first Spanish Land Grant in the County - Rancho de Los Penasquitos. Peñasquitos means little cliffs in Spanish. It abuts Los Penasquitos canyon preserve - an open space...
, and Del Mar. - Calle Cristobal runs east to west, along the northern perimeter of Mira Mesa, through the Los Peñasquitos Canyon. It is mainly used by residents to get to the subdivisions of Sorrento Valley, and by commuter cut-through traffic via Interstates 805 or 5.
- Sorrento Valley Boulevard becomes Calle Cristobal between Sorrento Valley and Mira Mesa.
Major companies
Medical, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical- AbgentAbgentAbgent is a San Diego biotechnology company that develops tools to profile post-translational modifications related to cellular function and disease...
- Gen-Probe, a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of molecular diagnostics products
- QuintilesQuintilesQuintiles Transnational is a pharmaceutical services company offering clinical, commercial, consulting and capital services. The Quintiles network consists of more than 20,000 employees in 60 countries....
- Scripps HealthScripps HealthScripps Health is a nonprofit health care system based in San Diego, California. The system includes four hospitals and 19 outpatient facilities, and treats a half-million patients annually through 2,600 affiliated physicians....
Proton Therapy Center
Technology
- Atego
- QualcommQualcommQualcomm is an American global telecommunication corporation that designs, manufactures and markets digital wireless telecommunications products and services based on its code division multiple access technology and other technologies. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, USA...
corporate headquarters - Sony Online EntertainmentSony Online EntertainmentSony Online Entertainment is a game development and game publishing division of Sony that is best known for creating massively multiplayer online games, including EverQuest, EverQuest II, The Matrix Online, PlanetSide, Star Wars Galaxies, Free Realms, and Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, DC Universe...
- Texas InstrumentsTexas InstrumentsTexas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
Construction
- Vulcan Materials CompanyVulcan Materials CompanyVulcan Materials Company , based in Birmingham, Alabama is principally engaged in the production, distribution and sale of construction materials. Vulcan is the largest producer of construction materials, primarily gravel, crushed stone, and sand, and employs approximately 9,700 people at over 356...
, the largest producer of construction materials
Commercial and Retail
- Skinit, Phone, Laptop, Mp3 & Game Skins
Community events
- The Mira Mesa Street Fair is held the third Saturday in September on Camino Ruiz just west of Mira Mesa Community Park. The fair is sponsored by the Mira Mesa Town Council.
- On the Fourth of July, a parade runs through town on Mira Mesa Boulevard, then turns on Camino Ruiz. In the evening a fireworks display is accompanied by music from the radio station KyXyKYXYKYXY is a San Diego, California, radio station with an adult contemporary music format. Its name is pronounced Kicksy.KyXy 96.5 broadcasts in HD Radio...
96.5. The fireworks are located at Mira Mesa Senior High SchoolMira Mesa Senior High SchoolMira Mesa Senior High School is a public high school in the San Diego City Schools District. The school is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School and a California Distinguished School.-The Witch Creek Fire:...
- Halloween is celebrated at Mira Mesa Recreation Center.
- There is a Monster Manor, a "haunted house" located in the TargetTarget CorporationTarget Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
parking lot.
- This event celebrates the anniversary of Philippine Independence from Spain. The festivities include a day of 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 AguinaldoEmilio AguinaldoEmilio Aguinaldo y Famy was a Filipino general, politician, and independence leader. He played an instrumental role during the Philippines' revolution against Spain, and the subsequent Philippine-American War or War of Philippine Independence that resisted American occupation...
Foundation.
- Every Thursday night, groups of motorcycle riders gather 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 over 100 bikers during the warm-weather months.
- "Mira Mesa Living," a community newspaper publishing local news and events, started publication bimonthly in July 2010. The previous community newspaper, the Mira Mesa Scripps Ranch Sentinel, stopped publication in July 2009.
- The Epicentre teen center is a music venue by night. There are often concerts each week.
Private schools
- Good Shepherd Catholic School
- Christ the Cornerstone Academy
- Rainbow Kids Integral Preschool
- Mira Mesa Christian School
Elementary schools
- Ericson Elementary School
- Hage Elementary School
- Hickman Elementary School
- Mason Elementary School
- Sandburg Elementary School
- Walker Elementary School
Middle schools
High schools
- Mira Mesa High SchoolMira Mesa Senior High SchoolMira Mesa Senior High School is a public high school in the San Diego City Schools District. The school is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School and a California Distinguished School.-The Witch Creek Fire:...
- Scripps Ranch High SchoolScripps Ranch High SchoolScripps Ranch High School , located in Northeast San Diego, California, United States, serves the Scripps Ranch community as well as students participating in the Voluntary Enrollment Exchange Program bussing program of the San Diego Unified School District...
- Mark Twain High School
Public safety
Mira Mesa has two fire stations and is served by the San Diego Police Department Northeastern Division.Fire service is provided by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Fire Station 38 which is located in the Mira Mesa area. The station is in the 5th Battalion district.
Notable people from Mira Mesa
- Adam BrodyAdam BrodyAdam Jared Brody is an American film and television actor and part time musician. He began his career in 1995, appearing on Gilmore Girls and other series, and subsequently came to fame for his role as Seth Cohen on The O.C. Brody later appeared in several film roles, including Mr. & Mrs...
(television actor) went to Wangenheim Middle School in Mira Mesa then to Scripps Ranch High School. - Chris CheliosChris CheliosChristos Kostas Tselios is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. He is currently the Executive Advisor to Ken Holland, the general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, a role that Steve Yzerman held before leaving to become general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning.Chelios played...
(former National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
player and alternate captain of USA Hockey team) attended Mira Mesa High School, and Mt. Carmel High School. - Teyo JohnsonTeyo JohnsonTeyo Johnson is a free agent professional American and Canadian football tight end who last played for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
(National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player) went to Mira Mesa High School. - Jamie KimeJamie KimeJamie Kime is an American guitarist, best known for his work with artists such as Michelle Branch, Jewel, and as a member of the Zappa Plays Zappa world tour....
(Grammy AwardGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winning guitarist and member of Zappa Plays ZappaZappa Plays ZappaZappa Plays Zappa is an American tribute act led by Dweezil Zappa, the eldest son of the late American composer and musician Frank Zappa, devoted to performing the music of Frank Zappa.- History :...
) went to Mira Mesa High School. - Michael PittmanMichael PittmanMichael Pittman is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fresno State....
(National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player) went to Mira Mesa High School. - Ray RoweRay RoweRaymond Henry Rowe is a former American football tight end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins. He played college football at San Diego State University and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1992 NFL Draft.-References:...
(National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player) went to Mira Mesa High School. - Willy SantosWilly SantosWilly Monolato Santos is a Filipino-American professional skateboarder born in Subic Bay, Philippines. He has been skateboarding for 19 years. He currently resides in Poway, California but grew up in Mira Mesa. He attended Ericson Elementary School from kindergarten...
(Professional Skateboarder) went to Mira Mesa High School. - J. R. Tolver (National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player) went to Mira Mesa High School. - Kellen Winslow IIKellen Winslow IIKellen Boswell Winslow, II is an American football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns sixth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
(National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
Player) attended Scripps Ranch High School.