Serra Mesa Tutors

About Serra Mesa

Between Interstate 805 and Interstate 15, Serra Mesa is a section of San Diego just east of Old Town and west of Mission San Diego de Alcalá. The mission was originally built overlooking San Diego Bay but, because of water supply issues, moved east near a Kumeyaay Native American village next to the San Diego River where the soil was richer and more fertile. In 1775 the presiding Franciscan priest, Luis Jayme, was executed and the mission burned by a rebellious group of Kumeyaay warriors. The Spanish, however, quickly rebuilt the mission and expanded their presence in San Diego. When the Mexican government secularized mission land in the 1830’s the Serra Mesa area was granted to Don Santiago Arguello in 1846. Arguello served in the Spanish and then Mexican armies and from 1830-1835 was commandant of the San Diego Company. He took part in the Californio rebellion against Governor Manuel Victoria in 1831 which forced out Victoria and installed California born Pio Pico as governor. During the U.S.-Mexican War, Arguello was sympathetic to the Americans and even provided lodging for U.S. soldiers. In later life, he became the customs collector at the Port of San Diego. Arguello died at his Tía Juana ranch which is still owned by his family. The area which would later be named Serra Mesa was divided and subdivided in the years after California became part of the United States. Significant development didn’t occur until the 1950’s when real estate investors began building residential neighborhoods. Around this time the area received the name Serra Mesa, the product of a naming contest won by Mrs. John Dowling who received a $25 savings bond and $10 gift certificate. Today, Serra Mesa is a typical middle class enclave with a median household income slightly more than $70,000 a year.

It’s certain that a Serra Mesa tutor will keep you ahead of the academic curve so you can take a vacation from your studies to experience the exciting attractions and activities in Serra Mesa and San Diego. It’s just a short drive down Mission Road to Mission San Diego de Alcalá. Founded in 1769, it is the oldest of California’s twenty-one missions. Originally built near the San Diego Presidio it was soon moved east. In 1775 the Kumeyaay Native Americans rebelled against Spanish occupation and burned the mission to the ground. For a brief time, the Spanish considered abandoning San Diego but soon rebuilt the mission and expanded their presence. Today, the mission not only serves as a functioning Catholic parish but also as a tourist and cultural center.

Serra Mesa benefits from its proximity to downtown San Diego. The world-famous San Diego Zoo welcomes millions of visitors every year. Founded in the 1920’s, the zoo is home to over 650 species of animals. Polar bears, lions, tigers and gorillas are only a few of the animals featured in several different exhibits including Monkey Trails, Elephant Odyssey, Sun Bear Forest and Africa Rocks. It is one of only four zoos in the United States with giant pandas on display at Panda Trek, opened in 2011. The zoo also operates Safari Park in northern San Diego County.

For sports fans, Serra Mesa is close to Qualcomm Stadium, home of the San Diego State Aztecs football team. For many years, under the name Jack Murphy Stadium, named for a popular sports columnist in San Diego, the stadium was home to both the San Diego Chargers of the NFL and Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres. For more than a decade, however, the Padres have played at Petco Park near San Diego Bay. The Chargers have also abandoned Qualcomm in favor of moving their franchise to Los Angeles.