La Mesa Car Show

La Mesa Cars Show Photo by: John Kyrios

La Mesa keeps cool with it’s Hot Rod Car Show
Article written by Kristel Boe
After a warm summer day, nothing is better than taking the trip to the quaint village of La Mesa to spend the evening cooling off around the most awesome hot rods in the county. Beginning this year on June 2nd and every Thursday until the end of August, the La Mesa Car Show continues to bring out the finest in automobile art. The variety of fabulous hot rods, both custom and stock '40s, '50s, and '60s muscle cars and "cruisers" never ceases to amaze. With a selection of San Diego's finest vehicles lined up for blocks along La Mesa Blvd. in the heart of downtown, the car show is a must see.

Each week there are as many as 160 cars parked along the strip and between 2,500 and 4,500 spectators strolling the boulevard, making for some interesting people watching. Along side the cars, the La Mesa Village offers great restaurants worth checking out. Most offer outside seating, which is perfect for soaking up the 1950’s atmosphere over an appetizer. Por Favor, La Torta, and Johnny B’s are among crowd favorites. Joe N’ Andy’s and Pete’s Place offer drink specials to cater to the car show crowd, and often have live rockabilly bands performing inside. The restaurants and bars are always packed to the brim during the car show, so if you are hoping to get a seat it is best to plan to arrive early. The La Mesa Car Show is an active car show. Hot rods are not only parked along the main drag on the Boulevard, but proud owners display their cars by cruising up and down the five blocks that make up the show.

The best thing about the car show is that it isn’t just for car fans. A DJ is present spinning 1950’s albums, vendors are on hand selling 1950’s nostalgia and merchandise as well as pizza, hand grilled hotdogs and the works. Along side the main drag, La Mesa Blvd. has a variety of boutiques, book stores, coffee shops, and antique stores for those more inclined to window shopping than car viewing. The event is perfect for all ages, and can either be a crazy night of bar hoping and beer guzzling, or a fun family outing.

The event goes on throughout the summer, wear your walking shoes and designate a Thursday night to check out the sights and sounds of the La Mesa car show. 2005 marks the eighth year of the Thursday Night Car Show, one of the most popular events in La Mesa Village. The event will run each Thursday through the summer from 6 P.M. - 8 P.M. and is FREE to the public.