Serra Mesa, San Diego
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Serra Mesa is a neighborhood in San Diego, California. It is located between Interstate 805 and Interstate 15, 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. Adjacent neighborhoods include Kearny Mesa, Tierrasanta, and Birdland.
The neighborhood has a total population of approximately 24,000 people, with 8,374 housing units, most of them single family.
History
The area was originally part of the Mission Rancho Lands of San Diego granted to the Catholic Church by the King of Spain. When the Missions were secularized by Mexico in 1834, the land was deeded over to various men, including Don Santiago Argüello, who eventually divided and sold some 15,999 acres (65 km2) of land.
More modern development of the neighborhood began after the Korean War, when the Navy built its Cabrillo Heights housing project in the early 1950s.
The greater Serra Mesa Planning Area also includes the neighborhoods of Birdland, which is home to three hospitals, including two of the six designated trauma centers in San Diego County as well as the only women's hospital and the only hospital dedicated solely to pediatric care.
Education
Schools in Serra Mesa include Harry M. Wegeforth Elementary School, John Paul Jones Elementary School, and William Howard Taft Middle School. Students in Serra Mesa usually then go on to attend Kearny High School.
Parks
Ruffin Canyon Open Space Preserve is 84 acres (340,000 m2) of native habitat, running north and south nearly the length of Serra Mesa. This canyon preserve is being restored by a local group called the Friends of Ruffin Canyon.
There is a small community park which has a ball field, two playgrounds for young children, and an outdoor basketball court. Within the park, the Serra Mesa Recreation Center has an indoor basketball court. The recreation center offers after-school and seasonal activities for children.