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 General Stephen W. Kearny, a leader in the Mexican–American War who also served as a military governor of California. While General Kearny's name was pronounced "Car-nee" during his lifetime, San Diegans use the "Cur-nee" pronunciation. The urbanization of Kearny Mesa began in 1937 with Gibbs Airfield, now the small airfield Montgomery Field named after pioneer glider pilot John J. Montgomery. In 1948, the City of San Diego acquired the airfield and of surrounding property as a possible replacement site for San Diego International Airport. However, airspace conflicts with MCAS 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. Kearny Mesa is located between the communities of Clairemont to the west, Tierrasanta to the east, Miramar/Mira Mesa to the north, and Linda Vista/Serra Mesa to the south. The area is bordered by the major highways of San Diego. Kearny Mesa is triangular with its base Highway 52 bordering the top side on the north and the two other sides being represented by Interstate 805 to the west and Highway 163 to the east and extending southward. Montgomery Field is a local municipal airport in Kearny Mesa. The community is adjacent to Marine CorpsAir StationMiramar. There are several residential developments in the community, among them Stonecrest, Kearny Lodge, and Royal Highlands.
Economy
The majority of the Kearny Mesa area is commercial and industrial. Local businesses include auto sales, restaurants, supermarkets, national chain stores, and small businesses. The former General Dynamics site is now a mixed-use development known as Spectrum.
Convoy Street
is distinguished by the number of diverse businesses owned and representative of different Asian cultures such as Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Thai shopping and eating establishments. Some of these extend to the east/central areas, or the Emerald Chinese restaurant on the south end.
Government
The area is part of City Council District 6 and is represented by Councilman Chris Cate. 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. Several city and county facilities are located in or adjacent to the area, including the Miramar Landfill.
Community groups
The Kearny Mesa Planning Group advises the city on land use and other issues.
