Serra Mesa, San Diego

Serra Mesa is a community in San Diego. It is located between Interstate 805 and Interstate 15 and north of Friars Road and south of Aero Drive. Serra Mesa is named for Father Junípero Serra, a Majorcan (Spain) Franciscan friar who founded the Mission San Diego de Alcalá.

There is a small park nestled conveniently within the neighborhood area. There is a spacious, grassy ball field, two playgrounds for young children, and an outdoor basketball court. Within the park, you will also find the Serra Mesa Recreation Center with an indoor spacious basketball court. Additionally the recreation center offers afterschool and seasonal activities for children.

Schools in Serra Mesa include Harry M. Wegeforth Elementary School and William Howard Taft Middle School. Students in Serra Mesa usually then go on to attend Stephen Watts Kearny High School.

Serra Mesa is often mistakenly associated as part of the San Diego communities of Kearny Mesa or Tierrasanta.

N 32.80172 and W -117.14003

The story of Serra Mesa begins with the Catholic Church and the King of Spain. The area was originally part of the Mission Rancho Lands of San Diego granted to the Catholic Church by the King of Spain. When Mexico overcame the Church in 1834, the land was deeded over to various men, including Don Santiago Arguello, who eventually divided and sold some 15,999 acres of land.

More modern development of the community began after the Korean War, when the Navy built its Cabrillo Heights housing project in the early 1950s. Today the community has a total population of approximately 24,000 people, with 8,374 housing units, most of them single family.

The greater Serra Mesa Planning Area also includes the community of Birdland, which is home to two of the six designated trauma centers in San Diego County, the only women's hospital, and the only hospital dedicated solely to pediatric care.

Donald N. Sharp Memorial Hospital opened its doors in 1955, and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005. It is part of the largest Integrated Healthcare Delivery Service in the County, serving 27% of county residents. In November 2007, Sharp HealthCare received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation's highest Presidential honor for quality and organizational performance excellence.

Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women is San Diego's only hospital dedicated to women's care. One of the first of only 17 freestanding women's hospitals in the nation, Sharp Mary Birch provides a full range of women's health care services that cover every stage of a woman's life. More than 8,000 babies are born at Sharp Mary Birch each year, more than any other hospital in California. In just 10 years, the hospital has become a leader in the state in delivering babies and caring for pregnant women.

Sharp Memorial Outpatient Pavilion is the most comprehensive center of its kind in the country. Part of the Sharp Metropolitan Medical Campus, the Outpatient Pavilion provides cancer treatment, general imaging, women's imaging, outpatient surgery, endoscopy services, education and wellness programs and a health library.

Rady Children's Hospital Since opening its doors in 1954, Rady Children's Hospital's mission has been "to restore, sustain and enhance the health and developmental potential of children through excellence in care, education, research and advocacy." It is the region's only designated pediatric trauma center and the only area hospital dedicated solely to pediatric care. Its goal is to help create a region where all children go to school healthy and ready to learn how to be productive, responsible citizens.

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of San Diego provides a home away from home for children and their families while the child is treated is serious, often life-threatening illnesses at San Diego Hospitals.

Since 1980 the Ronald McDonald House of San Diego has provided a 12 bedroom home away from home for more than 12,000 families in need of housing. In addition to the nights of lodging the House has opened its doors to anyone who has a child at local hospitals for other services. The San Diego House has the following services 365 days a year:

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
• Laundry Facilities
• Computer Resource Lab
• TV/Quiet Room
• Kids Play Room
• Shower
• Outside Eating Area
• Living Room
• Friendly Staff Members and Other Families in Similar Situations

Due to an overwhelming need they are building a new 47 bedroom Ronald McDonald House.

Ruffin Canyon Open Space Preserve is 84 acres of native habitat, running north and south nearly the length of Serra Mesa. This canyon preserve continues to be restored by a dedicated group of neighbors and friends, Friends of Ruffin Canyon.

External links

• Serra Mesa Community Council
• Serra Mesa Neighborhood Link

Serra Mesa Christian Fellowship was established in 1958. It is located at 2649 Murray Ridge Rd.