Otay Mesa, San Diego, California
Encyclopedia
Otay Mesa is a community in the southern
section of the city of San Diego, just north of the U.S.–Mexico border. It is bordered by the Otay River
Valley and the city of Chula Vista on the north, Interstate 805
and the neighborhoods of Ocean View Hills and San Ysidro on the west, and unincorporated land of San Diego County on the north and east. Major thoroughfares include Otay Mesa Road/California State Route 905
, Otay Valley Road/Heritage Road, Siempre Viva Road, and California State Route 125
.
South of the border between the United States and Mexico, the same region continues as a residential and industrial area called "Mesa de Otay", which is one of nine "delegaciones" (boroughs) of Tijuana Municipality.
. Although its meaning is disputed, possible derivations include "otai", meaning "brushy"; "Tou-ti" meaning "big mountain"; or "etaay" meaning "big". Mesa is the Spanish word for plateau
, table or tableland.
Aviation pioneer John J. Montgomery
made experimental glider aircraft
flights from Otay Mesa in 1883.
The area which now includes Otay Mesa West was annexed from San Diego County along with other portions of South San Diego in 1957.
is one of two border crossings within the city of San Diego, the other being the San Ysidro Port of Entry six miles to the west. Otay Mesa also houses an immigration detention center. Pacific Gateway Park is located between Otay Mesa Road and the international border.
Trucks are generally instructed to use the border crossing in Otay Mesa instead of the San Ysidro one.
South San Diego
South San Diego is a district in San Diego, California, within a larger region known as the South Bay.-History:Before the arrival of the Spanish explorers, area of South San Diego was largely inhabited by the Digueno people...
section of the city of San Diego, just north of the U.S.–Mexico border. It is bordered by the Otay River
Otay River
The Otay River is a river in southern San Diego County, California. The river begins at San Miguel Mountain, flows through the Upper- and Lower- Otay Reservoirs, and continues on between the southern part of the Chula Vista and the Otay Mesa West district of San Diego, and empties into San Diego Bay...
Valley and the city of Chula Vista on the north, Interstate 805
Interstate 805
Interstate 805 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in Southern California. It is a bypass of Interstate 5, running along the eastern areas of the Greater San Diego area from San Ysidro near the Mexico–U.S...
and the neighborhoods of Ocean View Hills and San Ysidro on the west, and unincorporated land of San Diego County on the north and east. Major thoroughfares include Otay Mesa Road/California State Route 905
California State Route 905
State Route 905 is a state highway in San Diego, California that connects Interstate 5 and Interstate 805 in San Ysidro to the United States – Mexico border at Otay Mesa. The portions of the route from I-5 to I-805 and from Britannia Boulevard to the International border are freeway...
, Otay Valley Road/Heritage Road, Siempre Viva Road, and California State Route 125
California State Route 125
State Route 125 is a state highway in the U.S. state of California that currently runs from State Route 905 in Otay Mesa near the U.S.–Mexico border to State Route 52 in Santee....
.
South of the border between the United States and Mexico, the same region continues as a residential and industrial area called "Mesa de Otay", which is one of nine "delegaciones" (boroughs) of Tijuana Municipality.
History
Otay is derived from the Kumeyaay languageKumeyaay language
Kumeyaay , also known as Central Diegueño, Kamia, and Campo, is the Native American language spoken by the Kumeyaay people of southern San Diego and Imperial counties in California. Hinton suggested a conservative estimate of 50 surviving Kumeyaay speakers...
. Although its meaning is disputed, possible derivations include "otai", meaning "brushy"; "Tou-ti" meaning "big mountain"; or "etaay" meaning "big". Mesa is the Spanish word for plateau
Plateau
In geology and earth science, a plateau , also called a high plain or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain. A highly eroded plateau is called a dissected plateau...
, table or tableland.
Aviation pioneer John J. Montgomery
John J. Montgomery
John Joseph Montgomery was an aviation pioneer, inventor, professor at Santa Clara College.On August 28, 1883 he made the first manned, controlled, heavier-than-air flights of the United States, in the Otay Mesa area of San Diego, California...
made experimental glider aircraft
Glider aircraft
Glider aircraft are heavier-than-air craft that are supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against their lifting surfaces, and whose free flight does not depend on an engine. Mostly these types of aircraft are intended for routine operation without engines, though engine failure can...
flights from Otay Mesa in 1883.
The area which now includes Otay Mesa West was annexed from San Diego County along with other portions of South San Diego in 1957.
Landmarks and facilities
The Otay Mesa Port of EntryOtay Mesa Port of Entry
The Otay Mesa Port of Entry is one three ports of entry in the San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan region. The port is primarily commercial in function and trucks are generally instructed to cross there as opposed to the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Commercial crossing through the port accounts for...
is one of two border crossings within the city of San Diego, the other being the San Ysidro Port of Entry six miles to the west. Otay Mesa also houses an immigration detention center. Pacific Gateway Park is located between Otay Mesa Road and the international border.
Trucks are generally instructed to use the border crossing in Otay Mesa instead of the San Ysidro one.