Mira Mesa’s neighboring communities are Scripps Ranch and Sorrento Mesa, south of Mira Mesa is Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve. Located between the Interstate 15 and Interstate 805 the average driving time to work for most Mira Mesa residents is 20 minutes.  Nearby in Sorrento Valley is the San Diego Coaster Commuter Train which takes residents swiftly to other communities. Mira Mesa is San Diego’s largest community with a population of approximately 70,000. Mira Mesa has a diverse community of predominantly Asian and Caucasian residents, as well as African American and Hispanics. The community’s business area has many biotechnology and hi-tech companies. There are a range of different types of homes in the Mira Mesa neighborhood, which was established in the 50s and is still growing. There are several hotels in the area like the best Western Inn Miramar and the Marriott Courtyard Hotel.

Recreation, Culture and Entertainment

In the area you can find a bowling alley, an ice rink and the Ned Baumer Aquatics Center where you can join a team, take lessons or play in the water for fun. The ice rink, Ice Arena, offers public skating, a skating school and ice hockey. The community boasts several recreational centers for youths like the Mira Mesa Gil Johnson Community Park and Recreation Center; Hourglass Park and Field House and Lopez Ridge Recreation Center. The centers offer a range of classes for the whole family like dance, art, sports, gym, swimming, karate, ceramics, piano, Irish ballet dance, guitar, painting, kickboxing, cooking classes, rhythmic gymnastics and exercise. The Hourglass Park and Field House has a “Parents Night Out” where you can drop the kids off for 5 hours to be entertained and fed while you go out. There are regular concerts at the Mira Mesa Epicenter. Take kids along to the Monster Manor, haunted house, in the Target parking lot. The neighborhood has several malls as well as boutique stores and for relaxation after a hard day’s shopping visit one of the many spas.

Outdoor Activities

Little kids can enjoy the newly renovated New Walker Park Tot Lot Park. There are at least 15 parks in Mira Mesa including the Mesa Verde Park, Mesa Viking Park, McAuliffe Park, Breen Park. Camino Ruiz Park,  and Ericson Joint Use Park. In the recreation center parks there is Little League and baseball, football, soccer and softball teams for both adults and youths. Mira Mesa has leash free dog parks. Those who enjoy hiking or walking can follow the connector trail from Camino Ruiz Park to Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve. You can play golf at the Bilboa Park Golf Complex

Restaurants and Cafes

The flavors you’ll find in Mira Mesa restaurants are diverse including establishments like Happy Sushi, La Crepe Fraiche and Extreme Pita. There are also Indian restaurants and kebab places. Urbanspoon names In-N-Out Burger the top restaurant followed by Siam Nara Thai Cuisine, Pho Ca Dao and Mexican restaurant Habanero’s. There isn’t a dynamic nightlife in Mesa Mira but you can enjoy bars like Callahan’s Pub & Restaurants.

Festivals and Special Events

Mira Mesa Street Fair

In September there is a street fair near to the Mira Mesa Community Park. At the fair there is entertainment, food and activities for the whole family. The community Town Council organizes special events like the Clean and Green Day and Fourth of July celebrations. The neighborhood holds an annual Halloween Carnival and a Miss Mira Mesa and Miss Teen Mira Mesa Pageant. Green Flash Treasure Chest Fest is an annual event to raise money for breast cancer research, the Green Flash Brewery also hosts a local beer festival. Philippine Independence Day is celebrated in the Mira Mesa Community Park. On Thursday nights motorcycle enthusiasts gather for the Mira Mesa Bike Night.