Mesa

Get to Know Mesa, Arizona

Mesa is one of those cities where you really can't judge the entire area by one neighborhood. Stretching from Tempe almost all the way to the Superstition Mountains, Mesa has everything from historic neighborhoods and a revitalized downtown to golf communities, newer master-planned neighborhoods and homes tucked against the desert foothills.

One of the things that makes Mesa especially appealing is how much there is to do without going far from home. You can spend the morning hiking at Usery Mountain, kayak the Salt River, catch a Cubs spring training game, explore Downtown Mesa or head out for dinner in the Asian District—all without leaving the city.

Mesa Neighborhoods & Areas to Know

Because Mesa is so large, location within Mesa really matters.

Downtown Mesa has undergone a major transformation and has become one of the more interesting downtown areas in the East Valley. Main Street is lined with restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, murals and local businesses, with the Mesa Arts Center right in the middle of it all. The light rail also runs directly through downtown, with three downtown stations.

West Mesa has its own personality, particularly around Dobson Road. Mesa's Asian District stretches roughly two miles along Dobson and includes more than 100 Asian restaurants, markets and other businesses. It's one of the best areas in the Valley to explore if you love trying new restaurants.

Head east and Mesa starts to feel much more suburban—and eventually much more desert-oriented. Las Sendas and the Red Mountain area put you closer to Usery Mountain, the Salt River, hiking and outdoor recreation, while communities farther southeast such as Eastmark offer newer homes and a master-planned lifestyle.

You'll also find established neighborhoods around Dobson Ranch, golf communities, larger lots, horse properties and pockets of custom homes throughout the city. That's why I'd never recommend searching for a home based on "Mesa" alone. The part of Mesa you choose can completely change your day-to-day experience.

Where to Eat in Mesa

Mesa has one of the most diverse food scenes in the East Valley, and some of the best places are small local restaurants you could easily miss if you didn't know they were there.

Downtown, Worth Takeaway is one of those neighborhood places people go back to again and again for sandwiches and a casual lunch. Nearby, República Empanada Restaurant is a fun choice for Pan-Latin food and a variety of savory and sweet empanadas.

If you're craving Mexican food, Backyard Taco - Mesa North is a Mesa original known for mesquite-grilled meats and tacos al carbón. Another longtime Mesa favorite is The Original Blue Adobe Grille, which specializes in New Mexico-inspired Southwestern food and plenty of red and green chile.

And then there's the Asian District, which deserves its own food tour. You can find everything from ramen and Korean barbecue to Vietnamese, Sichuan, Taiwanese and Japanese food along the Dobson corridor. Mesa's tourism office specifically highlights the district as one of the city's major culinary destinations.

For something distinctly Arizona, Hope's Frybread is a Navajo-owned restaurant near Downtown Mesa serving Navajo tacos, savory frybread dishes and dessert frybread.

Things to Do & Must-See Mesa Spots

If you love the outdoors, East Mesa is hard to beat.

Usery Mountain Regional Park sits on Mesa's northeastern edge and is one of my favorite places to send someone who wants to experience the Sonoran Desert without driving far from town. There are trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, and the Wind Cave Trail is especially popular for its elevated desert views.

From there, you're also close to the Lower Salt River, where kayaking, paddleboarding and tubing are popular when conditions allow. Seeing wild horses along the river is one of those uniquely Arizona experiences that never really gets old. Saguaro Lake is another easy escape, whether you're boating yourself or taking a sightseeing trip aboard Desert Belle Cruises. Mesa's location provides convenient access to the Salt River, Saguaro Lake, the Superstition Mountains and the Tonto National Forest.

Closer to town, Mesa Arts Center anchors Downtown Mesa with four theaters, art galleries, classes and performances throughout the year. Nearby you'll find Arizona Museum of Natural History, which is especially fun with kids—and yes, there are plenty of dinosaurs.

Baseball fans should put Sloan Park on the list during Cactus League season. It's the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs and sits next to Riverview Park, making this part of Mesa especially lively during spring training.

A little farther east, aviation enthusiasts should check out Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum at Falcon Field, where the focus is on historic military aircraft and aviation history.

A Few Local Favorites

For a very Mesa kind of Saturday, I'd start early with a hike at Usery Mountain before it gets warm, then head toward the Salt River or Saguaro Lake for some time near the water. On the way home, stop somewhere local in East Mesa for lunch.

For a completely different day, start in Downtown Mesa with coffee, walk Main Street and check out the murals and public art, visit the Mesa Arts Center or Arizona Museum of Natural History, grab lunch at Worth Takeaway, and then spend the evening trying somewhere new in the Asian District. Downtown Mesa alone has nearly 40 permanent public-art sculptures along with murals, museums, shops, breweries and restaurants.

And during February and March, I'd absolutely add a spring training game at Sloan Park. Even if you're not a Cubs fan, sitting outside watching baseball on a sunny Arizona afternoon is one of the best parts of living here.

Explore Homes for Sale in Mesa

When you're looking at homes in Mesa, I'd start by thinking about what part of the Mesa lifestyle you want to be closest to.

Do you want mountain views and quick access to Usery Mountain and the Salt River? A newer home in a community like Eastmark? The golf and desert setting around Las Sendas? An established neighborhood with mature landscaping? Or would you rather be closer to Downtown Mesa, Tempe, the light rail and the restaurants along Dobson Road?

Mesa gives buyers an incredible amount of variety. You'll find everything from condos and townhomes to historic homes, established subdivisions, golf-course properties, newer master-planned communities, larger lots and custom homes.

For sellers, those differences matter too. A home near Red Mountain shouldn't necessarily be marketed the same way as a property near Downtown Mesa or a newer home in southeast Mesa. Buyers may be looking for completely different things depending on the part of the city they're considering.

That's why understanding Mesa at a neighborhood level is so important. It's less about simply finding a home in Mesa and more about finding the part of Mesa that fits the way you want to live.