Tag Archives | Otay Mesa

Otay Mesa is a community in the southern section of the city of San Diego, just north of the U.S.–Mexico border. Otay is derived from the Kumeyaay language. Although its meaning is disputed, possible derivations include “otai”, meaning “brushy”; “Tou-ti” meaning “big mountain”; or “etaay” meaning “big”. Mesa is the Spanish word for plateau, table or tableland.

South Bay Issei Pioneers

on April 7, 2016

(Updated 04/07/2016, Originally published 10/12/2015) Currently, the Chula Vista Elementary School District is in the process of naming their 46th school in the South Bay. Community members are gathering support to have the school named after a prominent Japanese-American of the South Bay, Saburo Muraoka. He is one of the 5 people featured on “The Made Chula Vista […]

The Cemetery Tour: Mt. Olivet

on April 6, 2016

While traveling to distant places, I often visit old cemeteries. While at home, on the other hand, I forget cemeteries exist. I wonder why? The South Bay has three charming cemeteries. When I visited each, they were quite deserted. They also brimmed with little surprises and even with a little history. La Vista Memorial Park […]

One Perfect Day In Otay Mesa East

on March 21, 2016

Dystopia is perhaps the best way to describe Otay Mesa. Located along the furthest reaches of San Diego County along the U.S.-Mexico border, the area is also the last bastion of open land. The San Diego County government wants more industry to come to this area. Indeed, if South Bay wants industrial jobs, here’s where […]

The Otay Mesa Border

on March 9, 2016

There’s not much to see here — which is perhaps the reason to visit. The Otay Mesa Port of Entry is the third busiest along the U.S.-Mexico border and yet it’s lackluster. The most “beautifying” item when you reach the United States is this art piece: I know. We’re in awe, right? The Otay Mesa POE was […]

When Rain Comes: A Historical Romance Novel by Patricia Maxwell

on January 20, 2016

By Patricia Maxwell / This is Part II of a Series In today’s world where landing a government contract is a labyrinthian process of being vetted, investigated and scrutinized, one wonders how the San Diego council chose Charles Hatfield, a rainmaker, to fill the nearly empty Morena Reservoir with water. Life was different in 1915, […]