Mira Mesa, San Diego

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Coordinates: 32°54′59″N 117°08′39″W / 32.916389°N 117.144167°W / 32.916389; -117.144167
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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Jeffry Stevens (talk | contribs) at 22:47, 13 May 2017 (→‎Community events: Changed the date of the Mira Mesa Street Fair to the new date on the first Saturday in October). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Mira Mesa, San Diego
Neighborhood of San Diego
Mira Mesa
Nickname: 
Manila Mesa[1]
Coordinates: 32°54′59″N 117°08′39″W / 32.916389°N 117.144167°W / 32.916389; -117.144167
Country United States of America
State California
County San Diego
City San Diego
Government
 • City CouncilChris Cate (R)[2]
 • State AssemblyBrian Maienschein (R)
 • State SenateMarty Block (D)
 • U.S. HouseScott Peters (D)
Area
 • Total42.49 km2 (16.406 sq mi)
Population
 (2010)[3]
 • Total72,759
 • Density1,712/km2 (4,435/sq mi)
ZIP Codes
92126 and 92121
Area code858
WebsiteOfficial website

Mira Mesa is a community and neighborhood in the city of San Diego, California. The city-recognized Mira Mesa Community Plan Area is roughly bounded by Interstate 15 on the east, Interstate 805 on the west, the Los Peñasquitos Canyon on the north and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on the south.[4] Most of the community plan area is referred to as Mira Mesa; the community plan area also includes the neighborhoods of Sorrento Valley and Sorrento Mesa.

The Mira Mesa neighborhood, as defined by the San Diego Police Department's neighborhood map, is roughly bounded by Interstate 15 to the east, Camino Santa Fe to the west, the Los Peñasquitos Canyon to the north and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to the south.[5]

History

The Mira Mesa neighborhood, as defined by the San Diego Police Department
Further information: Kumeyaay and Rancho Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos

Around the time of World War II 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, 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). This 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 lacked 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 the 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.

By the late 1990s, the Mira Mesa area had undergone extensive expansion to accommodate the thousands of new residents attracted by its 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 grocery and shops offered mainly by Filipino and Vietnamese people.

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. It offers a variety of ethnic cuisines and restaurants, as well as more traditional dining. There are a total of twelve parks; two are community parks and ten are neighborhood parks. There are also teen and senior centers, an ice arena, an aquatic complex, multiple shopping centers, and a state-of-the-art movie theater.

Demographics

The community has about 80,000 residents, including students, hi-tech employees, families, and single people.[6] There are over 23,000 homes in the community, averaging 3.09 people per household. The median age is 32.4 years.[6]

The 2010 census counted: Asian 44.3%, White (not Hispanic or Latino) 31.8%, Hispanic or Latino 13.6%, African American/Black 4.8%, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 0.8%, and Native American 0.5%.

Transportation

The nearby Sorrento Valley Station which serves the Mira Mesa area.

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 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 through Mira Mesa. It is an important link between Interstates 15 and 805. Before the 2006 completion of State Route 56, which runs parallel to and north of Mira Mesa Boulevard, the street carried a heavy volume of traffic and was considered one of the most congested streets in the city.
  • Camino Ruiz 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.
  • Camino Santa Fe 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/Sorrento Valley Boulevard.
  • Black Mountain Road is a north-south thoroughfare that connects the more southerly portions of San Diego to Mira Mesa, and continues on to Rancho Peñasquitos and Del Mar.
  • Calle Cristobal runs east to west, along the northern perimeter of Mira Mesa, through the Los Peñasquitos Canyon..
  • Sorrento Valley Boulevard becomes Calle Cristobal at its intersection with Camino Santa Fe.[7]

Sports

  • The Mira Mesa Youth Baseball League (MMYB) serves boys and girls age 4-16, and is operated entirely by volunteer parents. MMYB is governed by the official rules of Major League Baseball and PONY Baseball rules and regulations.[8]
  • Mira Mesa AYSO Region 285 soccer program is open to all children between 4 and 19 years of age.[9]
  • Mira Mesa girls' softball, for ages 12 and under, won the state championship in 1999, 2005 and 2006.[10]
  • The Mira Mesa Chargers is a non-profit organization that teaches the fundamentals of football and cheer to kids age 5-15.[11] The Chargers Youth Football and Cheer Coach, Roger Dixon, was recognized by the San Diego Chargers with their Community Quarterback Award in 2011, recognizing his "extraordinary dedication to the children in the community."[12]
  • Mira Mesa Little League is a non-profit Little League Baseball organization for children.[13]

Community events

Mira Mesa Street Fair
  • The Mira Mesa Street Fair is held the first Saturday in October on Camino Ruiz on the block just north of Mira Mesa Boulevard. The fair is sponsored by the Mira Mesa Town Council.[14]
  • On the Fourth of July, a parade runs through town on Mira Mesa Boulevard, then turns on Camino Ruiz. A Family Fun Day follows in the Mira Mesa Community Park with games, booths and rides for children. In the evening a fireworks display is accompanied by music from the radio station KyXy 96.5. The fireworks are located at Mira Mesa Senior High School.
  • Halloween is celebrated at the Mira Mesa Gil Johnson Recreation Center.
  • Every Thursday night, groups of motorcycle riders gather just off of Mira Mesa Blvd (Haggen/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 warm-weather months.
  • Mira Mesa Living,[15] a community newspaper publishing local news and events, started publishing bimonthly in July 2010. The previous community newspaper, the Mira Mesa Scripps Ranch Sentinel, stopped publication in July 2009.

Schools in Mira Mesa

Private schools

  • Christ the Cornerstone Academy[16]
  • Good Shepherd Catholic School[17]
  • Mira Mesa Christian School[18]
  • Rainbow Kids Integral Preschool[19]

Elementary schools

  • Ericson Elementary School[20]
  • Hage Elementary School[21]
  • Hickman Elementary School[22]
  • Jonas Salk Elementary School[23]
  • Mason Elementary School[24]
  • Sandburg Elementary School[25]
  • Walker Elementary School[26]

Middle schools

  • Challenger Middle School[27]
  • Wangenheim Middle School[28]

High schools

Junior colleges

Public safety

SDFD Fire Station #38

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department provide fire services to Mira Mesa through Fire Station #38 and Fire Station #44. Fire Station #38, which includes Engine 38, Truck 38, and Paramedic 38, is located on New Salem Street near the main Mira Mesa Park and Recreation Center.[31] Fire Station #44 is located at the corner of Black Mountain Road and Maya Linda Road. It includes Engine 44, Truck 44, and HAZMAT 1 and 2.[31]

Mira Mesa is served by the Northeastern division of the San Diego Police Department. A police storefront located adjacent to the Epicentre along Mira Mesa Boulevard serves the local area including Scripps Ranch.[32]

Notable people from Mira Mesa

References

  1. ^ William B. Sanders. Gangbangs and Drive-Bys: Grounded Culture and Juvenile Gang Violence. Transaction Publishers. p. 154. ISBN 978-0-202-36621-0.
    Mark Gottdiener; Ray Hutchison (2006). The New Urban Sociology. Westview Press. p. 118. ISBN 978-0-8133-4318-1.
    Kevin L. Nadal Ph. D. (2010). Filipino American Psychology: A Collection of Personal Narratives. AuthorHouse. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-4520-0189-0.
  2. ^ http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd6/staff/index.shtml
  3. ^ "News". Mira Mesa Town Council. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  4. ^ "Community Profiles: Mira Mesa". Planning Division. City of San Diego. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  5. ^ "City Wide Neighborhood Map" (PDF). San Diego Police Department. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Mira Mesa History". Mira Mesa Dot Com.
  7. ^ Mira Mesa Community Plan, City of San Diego
  8. ^ Mira Mesa Youth Baseball
  9. ^ Mira Mesa AYSO Region 285
  10. ^ California District 32 Hall of Champions
  11. ^ Mira Mesa Youth Football & Cheer
  12. ^ "Community Quarterback Award".
  13. ^ "About MMLL". Mira Mesa Little League. Retrieved April 2016. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  14. ^ Mira Mesa Town Council
  15. ^ Mira Mesa Living
  16. ^ Christ the Cornerstone Academy
  17. ^ Good Shepherd Catholic School
  18. ^ Mira Mesa Christian School
  19. ^ Rainbow Kids Integral Preschool
  20. ^ Ericson Elementary School
  21. ^ [1]
  22. ^ [2]
  23. ^ [3]
  24. ^ [4]
  25. ^ [5]
  26. ^ [6]
  27. ^ Challenger Middle School
  28. ^ Wangenheim Middle School
  29. ^ [7]
  30. ^ San Diego Miramar College | Miramar College
  31. ^ a b http://www.sandiego.gov/fire/about/firestations/index.shtml
  32. ^ "San Diego Police Department". City of San Diego. Retrieved 25 September 2015.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mira_Mesa,_San_Diego&oldid=780259400"