Mira Mesa, San Diego

Mira Mesa, San Diego
Neighborhood of San Diego
Mira Mesa
Nickname(s): Manila Mesa[1]
Coordinates: 32°54′59″N 117°08′39″W / 32.916389°N 117.144167°W / 32.916389; -117.144167Coordinates: 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 Council Chris Cate(R)[2]
 • State Assembly Brian Maienschein(R),
 • State Senate Marty Block (D),
 • U.S. House Scott Peters (D)
Area
 • Total 42.49 km2 (16.406 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 72,759
 • Density 1,712/km2 (4,435/sq mi)
ZIP Code 92126 and 92121
Area code(s) 858
Website Official 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

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 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 grocery and shops offered mainly by the Filipino and Vietnamese people. The area also offers a wide variety of groups from India.

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 a total of twelve parks, two of which are community parks and 10 are neighborhood parks, teen and senior centers, an ice arena, an aquatic complex, multiple shopping centers, and a state-of-the-art movie theater. Mira Mesa also has a radio station at 87.9 FM which features a smooth jazz format, most of which is provided by Smoothjazz.com. Jay Peterson hosts a live show most days during the week called "The Night Service" and "The Afternoon Drive".

Demographics

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

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 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.

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

Main highways include: Interstates 805 and 15.

Main thoroughfares

Business

Mira Mesa contains hundreds of retail and service business including:

Supermarkets and Grocery

Retail

Restaurants

Sports

Community events

Mira Mesa Street Fair

Schools in Mira Mesa

Private schools

Elementary schools

Middle schools

High schools

Junior colleges

Public safety

SDFD Fire Station # 38

Fire services in Mira Mesa are provided by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department 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.[30] 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.[30]

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.[31]

Notable people from Mira Mesa

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, January 25, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.