Mira Mesa, San Diego facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mira Mesa, San Diego
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| Mira Mesa | |
| Nickname(s):
Manila Mesa
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 Mira Mesa, San Diego
Location in California
Mira Mesa, San Diego
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States of America |
| State |  California |
| County |  San Diego |
| City |  San Diego |
| Area | |
| • Total | 42.49 km2 (16.406 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 133 m (436 ft) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 72,759 |
| • Density | 1,712/km2 (4,435/sq mi) |
| ZIP Codes |
92121, 92126
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| Area code(s) | 619/858 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1656569 |
Mira Mesa is a neighborhood in the city of San Diego, California. Its name comes from Spanish and means "Table View."
This area is bordered by major roads like Interstate 15 to the east and Interstate 805 to the west. To the north is the Los Peñasquitos Canyon, and to the south is Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Mira Mesa also includes the neighborhoods of Sorrento Valley and Sorrento Mesa.
Contents
History of Mira Mesa
Early Days and Native Peoples
Long before European settlers arrived, the Mira Mesa area was home to the Kumeyaay people. They lived near Penasquitos Creek, which was an important water source.
Later, in 1823, after Mexican independence, the land became part of a large land grant called Rancho Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos. This grant was given to Francisco María Ruiz.
World War II and Military Use
Around the time of World War II, the United States Army used the Mira Mesa area for testing. There was also a Navy auxiliary landing field nearby. People called it Hourglass Field because its runways looked like an hourglass. The Navy also used the surrounding land as a bombing range.
Building a Community
A big housing boom started in Mira Mesa in 1969. Thousands of homes were built quickly across a large area. This was one of the first times San Diego saw such fast growth along the I-15 freeway.
Because it grew so fast, Mira Mesa didn't have enough schools, shops, or other services at first. In 1971, Pete Wilson ran for mayor of San Diego. His campaign slogan was "No more Mira Mesas!" He promised to stop such fast, unplanned growth in the city.
Hourglass Field, the old Navy landing strip, later became the site of San Diego Miramar College and a community park.
Growth and Modern Mira Mesa
For many years, Mira Mesa was separated from the rest of San Diego by NAS Miramar, a military base. This base had a big influence on the community.
By the late 1990s, Mira Mesa had grown a lot. Many new people moved there because it was close to major employers. These included the University of California, San Diego, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and companies like Qualcomm. Many biotech and pharmaceutical companies also set up offices nearby. Today, Mira Mesa has several business and industrial centers.
Mira Mesa Population
Mira Mesa is home to about 80,000 people. This includes students, families, and single adults. There are over 23,000 homes in the community. On average, about three people live in each home. The average age of people living in Mira Mesa is around 32 years old.
Arts and Culture in Mira Mesa
- The Mira Mesa Street Fair happens every year on the first Saturday in October. It takes place on Camino Ruiz, just north of Mira Mesa Boulevard. The Mira Mesa Town Council organizes this fun event.
- The Annual San Diego Tet Festival is held at Mira Mesa Park. This festival celebrates the Lunar New Year.
Sports in Mira Mesa
- The Mira Mesa girls' softball team, for ages 12 and under, has won the state championship multiple times. They won in 1999, 2005, and 2006.
Education in Mira Mesa
The schools in Mira Mesa are part of the San Diego Unified School District.
Public Schools
- Elementary schools
- Ericson Elementary School
- Hage Elementary School
- Hickman Elementary School
- Jonas Salk Elementary School
- Mason Elementary School
- Sandburg Elementary School
- Walker Elementary School
- Middle schools
- Challenger Middle School
- Wangenheim Middle School
- High schools
- Mira Mesa High School
Private Schools
- Christ the Cornerstone Academy
- Good Shepherd Catholic School (part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego)
- Mira Mesa Christian School
- Rainbow Kids Integral Preschool
Community Colleges
- Miramar College is a local community college.
Weekend Education Programs
In the early 1990s, the Minato School, which is a Japanese weekend school, held its classes at Wangenheim Junior High. This type of school helps students learn about Japanese language and culture. The Minato School later moved to Chula Vista in 1996.
Media in Mira Mesa
- Mira Mesa Living is a community newspaper. It publishes local news and events every two months. It started in July 2010.
- The Mira Mesa Times is another local newspaper.
- Mira Mesa also has its own community radio station at 87.9 FM.
Emergency Services
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department provides fire services to Mira Mesa. They have two fire stations in the area. Fire Station #38 is on New Salem Street and includes an engine, a truck, and a paramedic unit. Fire Station #44 is at Black Mountain Road and Maya Linda Road. It has an engine, a truck, and special HAZMAT units for dangerous materials.
The San Diego Police Department also serves Mira Mesa. Their Northeastern division covers the area. There is a police storefront near the Epicentre on Mira Mesa Boulevard that helps the local community.
Notable People from Mira Mesa
- Tyler Saladino is a professional baseball player. He played as an infielder for the Chicago White Sox in Major League Baseball.
See also
In Spanish: Mira Mesa (San Diego) para niños
