Kearny Mesa is a community in the eastern part of San Diego, California. It is located in the area of the city that is bounded by State Route 52 to the north, Interstate 805 to the west, Aero Drive to the South, and Interstate 15 to the east. Adjacent communities include Serra Mesa,Clairemont and Tierrasanta.

Kearny Mesa has a population of 2,837.

Defense worker housing under construction at Kearny Mesa in 1941. Photo by Russell Lee.

Kearny Mesa is named for the former Camp Kearny, a U.S. military base which operated in the area from 1917 to 1946 and eventually became Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Camp Kearny in turn was named for Brigadier GeneralStephen W. Kearny, a leader in the Mexican-American War who also served as a military governor of California. ”Kearny” is pronounced Car-nee” not “Cur-nee.”

History

The urbanization of Kearny Mesa began in 1937 with Gibbs Airfield, now the small airfield Montgomery Field. In 1948, the City of San Diego acquired the airfield and 1,400 acres (6 km²) of surrounding property, intending it as a possible replacement site for San Diego International Airport. However, airspace conflicts with MCAS Miramar (at that time NAS Miramar) made the proposed airport infeasible. Montgomery Field was restricted to small aircraft, and the surplus land was converted to an industrial park.

Beginning in 1955 with General Dynamics, numerous aerospace, electronic, and other industrial and office firms located in the area. There was also commercial development, particularly west of State Route 163.

Geography

As implied by the name “mesa”, the area is mostly flat. This makes it ideal for airfields. The community is adjacent to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and includes Montgomery Field within its boundaries.

The area is predominantly industrial and commercial, but there are three residential developments in the community: Stonecrest, Kearny Lodge, and Royal Highlands. The former General Dynamics site is now a mixed-use development known as Spectrum. Several city and county facilities are located in or adjacent to the area, including the Miramar Landfill.

Education

San Diego Mesa College, the largest community college in the San Diego Community College District, is located there.

Government

The area is part of City Council District 6 and is represented by Councilwoman Donna Frye.

The original 1977 Serra Mesa Community Plan included Kearny Mesa. It was replaced by the 1992 Kearny Mesa Community Plan which applies just to Kearny Mesa. The Montgomery Field Master Plan also contains land use policies for areas adjacent to the airport.

Community groups

The Kearny Mesa Planning Group advises the city on land use and other issues.