Things to do in La Mesa

An incredible five million visitors come to San Diego Zoo every single year to admire the 4,000 animals – including some 650 different species – who live on this 40-hectare site. The animals are held in open-air enclosures, which seek to replicate their natural environment as closely as possible.

Spend summer days enjoying the calm waters and gorgeous scenes of Mission Bay, a saltwater lagoon just north of downtown San Diego. This 4,200-acre (1,700-hectare) bay features pristine beaches, water sports for all ages and park attractions that bring summer to life.

The seaside resort of Mission Beach first started to attract holiday-makers during the 1920s, when many of its beach-front homes were built. This busy, wealthy village has grown in popularity ever since, but has managed to retain its warm, period atmosphere. Admire the sea rolling in as you stroll along the busy boardwalk which follows the length of the beach. You’ll always find plenty of buskers, street acrobats and other artists plying their trade here, and it's also a popular spot with roller-bladers.

Located in Mission Beach, SeaWorld® was founded in 1964 to great popular acclaim and it remains a family favourite to this day. One of the most appealing aspects of the park is the interactive dimension to many of the exhibits. There are a number of tanks which allow you to touch and feel some of the resident mammals, and to feed them too. You can even direct the performing bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Point. Alternatively, arrange getting into the water with the magnificent beluga whales for a fantastic experience.

Experience America’s favorite pastime in San Diego’s Petco Park. Enjoy stunning views of southern California as you watch a baseball game, concert or other sporting event. The park is named after San Diego-based pet supplies retailer Petco.

Spread across 486 hectares of parkland, the sprawling Balboa Park offers a fantastic array of walking and cycling routes and green spaces as well as a celebrated zoo. It also houses several art galleries and museums, alongside a number of theatres and eateries.