Lemon Grove, CA

Lemon Grove has a bit of history under its belt. Though it once belonged to the Kumeyaay tribe of Native Americans, following the Civil War, the land was claimed by farmers and ranchers and around the turn of the 20th century, acres of lemon groves were planted, providing a livelihood for fruit pickers near the area. Though the lemon groves are long since gone, their legacy lives on in the name of the town.

Although Lemon Grove does not boast any art museums, it does have its fair share of culture and history, if you know where to find it. On the western wall of the famous Lemon Grove Bakery and Pastry Shop are a set of murals that visually depict the history of the area through their paintings. Walk along the wall and take a trip through pre-Colonial history all the way up to depictions of Lemon Grove in modern times.

If you'd prefer to take a more in-depth look at the area's history, the Lemon Grove Parsonage Museum located at the corner of Olive Street and Church Street opens its doors to the public each Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The two-story Victorian-era home once served as the community's first church, and its structure has been preserved to house the history of Lemon Grove. Admission costs nothing except what you would like to donate, so bring the family for a day of delving into local history.

Lemon Grove holds many dining options within its small, less-than-five-mile radius, as well as enough variety among the culinary types to satisfy any craving.

One of Lemon Grove's oldest restaurants, Lido's Italian Food has been open for business since 1955, and remains popular among Italian food fans throughout San Diego. Located at the intersection of Broadway and Vista Avenue, people flock to Lido's to enjoy its casual and family-friendly atmosphere, as well as the enormous food portions. The menu includes a pasta lover's dinner for two, where you and a friend can share manicotti, cannelloni, lasagna or ravioli served up with your choice of soup or salad and garlic bread for one low price. The beer options at Lido's are varied, with both domestic and imported choices, and wine may be purchased by the glass, liter or half-liter. You can also try one of the thin crust pizzas that made Lido's famous. Lido's serves up all your Italian favorites six days per week, so it makes for a good first choice if you have a craving for the taste of Italy.

If you crave a burger, head down to Charley's Famous Hamburgers on Broadway, located where Highway 94 and Highway 125 meet. Charley's cooks up burgers with bold flavor that a true burger enthusiast can appreciate. Chase it all down with one of Charley's signature shakes, or use the drive-through window if you find yourself in a hurry to grab some grub.

Do you love Mexican food? Mexican restaurants abound in Lemon Grove, but Cotija's stands head and shoulders above the rest. Located on the corner of Broadway and Olive Street, Cotija's Mexican Food serves fine Mexican cuisine in a typical taco shop atmosphere with prices to match, but be aware that Cotija's only accepts cash. When you sink your teeth into the famed shrimp burrito, piled high with shrimp, pico de gallo, lettuce and tartar sauce, it doesn't matter that you can't use a credit card. Cotija's opens its doors at 8:00 am, every day of the week and doesn't close until well after sundown.

If a big, hearty deli sandwich hits the spot, try visiting The Grove Grinder, a small, hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop located on Olive Street near Pacific Avenue. The Grove Grinder opens at 10:00 am every day, making it the perfect spot to pick up a fresh sandwich to go. In addition, the Grove Grinder has gained a following for its large selection of root beers. You can get your sandwich with your choice of bread, or if you're counting carbs, have it prepared as a salad. Locals love the eggplant parmesan sandwich. If you try it, consider splitting it with a friend, as these sandwiches are big and stuffed full of ingredients.

When the sun has set and you want a little nightlife, Lemon Grove has a few bars you can pay a visit to. Dirk's Niteclub hosts karaoke on Wednesdays and regular live music acts by a variety of groups, both local and from abroad. Stop in for a cocktail and enjoy a round of pool or shoot some darts. The doors open daily at 10:00 a.m. and don't close until 2:00 a.m., so come down any time to see what's happening at Dirk's.

Transportation in Lemon Grove could not be easier, whether you prefer to ride a bicycle, drive a car or take public transportation. The city has a network of bicycle lanes lining nearly every major street, and it has two San Diego Trolley stations within its city limits.

Located conveniently close to Highway 94, take a straight shot westward to reach the heart of downtown San Diego, located only 8 miles away. Lemon Grove doesn't have a lot of sidewalks, so it's not particularly walkable. However, you can easily find street parking on most roads, and the many bus routes serving the area can get you from Lemon Grove to virtually any other part of San Diego county for the price of a day-long transit pass.

Lemon Grove's family-friendliness shows in its various neighborhood parks. Head to Berry Street Park to find six acres of land containing a large playground with a variety of equipment to appeal to kids of all ages, walking paths, picnic tables, two gazebos and even a fenced, off-leash dog park area. Berry Street Park can be found at the corner of Berry Street and Mount Vernon Avenue near the border between Lemon Grove and Encanto.

The skateboarding enthusiast in your household is bound to love Firefighter's Skate Park. Named for its location across the street from the Lemon Grove Fire Station at the corner of School Lane and Central Avenue, Firefighter's Skate Park features several ramps and well-maintained concrete pathways for a skater to enjoy without having to worry about using public sidewalk space.

All Lemon Grove parks operate under the same business hours. April through October, they open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m., and November through March, they open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.

Rentals in Lemon Grove compare about evenly with the city of San Diego, with the average rental running approximately $1,200. Compared with the city of San Diego, Lemon Grove's has a slightly lower overall cost of living. However, both cities have a high cost of living when compared with the state of California or the United States as a whole.

Shopping in Lemon Grove can be a fun and unique experience if you know where to find the gems. If you love craft projects, head over to Kat’s Krafting Korner along Broadway, just between Main and Olive Street. The store has been in business for decades, and local hobbyists love the wide selection of arts supplies available here. Whether you have a passion for knitting, beading, or building, Kat's Krafting Korner has something for you. And the shop's proprietor loves to research and find that special item that you need to complete your latest project.

Antique stores abound in Lemon Grove, and Lemon Grove Antique Mall has a huge selection that smaller shops just can't beat. Located along Broadway between Grove Street and Lemon Grove Avenue, you could spend an entire day looking through Lemon Grove Antique Mall's one-of-a-kind treasures. The business operates seven days a week, so when you get the hankering to do some antiquing, go on over and see the wide selection of goods with your own eyes.

For fresh produce, locals often choose the Lemon Grove Farmers Market on Massachusetts over the big chain stores further up the road. Here, you can find freshly-made tortillas, a meat counter, and every fruit and vegetable under the sun for a fraction of the cost of big name grocery stores.