The Serra Mesa Big Block Party & Car Show returns to Greyling Drive on Saturday, July 11, bringing classic cars, live music, local vendors, kids’ activities, free hot dogs, and a beer garden back to one of Serra Mesa’s favorite neighborhood traditions.
Serra Mesa has always been one of those neighborhoods you sort of have to explain to outsiders.
It sits in the middle of San Diego, close to everything, but somehow still feels tucked away. Many San Diegans couldn’t find it on a map, and Serra Mesans kind of enjoy the anonymity. But they are a community that looks out for one another. They wave. They talk in driveways.
And once a year, on Grayling Street, they throw one heck of a block party.
Do you own or help run a small business in town?
This year marks the sixth year of the Serra Mesa Block Party and Car Show, which takes place from 1-7 pm. And it all started with a Mustang.
A Mustang, a Mechanic, and an Idea
Back in 2020, when the pandemic shut everything down, longtime Serra Mesa mechanic John Marsh finally had time to work on the one car he had never gotten around to fixing. His own.
“My dad’s been a mechanic his whole life,” said his son Joe Marsh, who helps organize the block party. “He always had time to work on everybody else’s cars, but his own.”
The car was a 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback. It had been sitting in the family driveway for decades.
So, after 35 years of waiting and a global pandemic to light a fire in him, John got to work on the long-neglected Mustang, restoring it to its original beauty.
Like any proud car guy, he wanted to show it off. But there were few options in 2020, so John created his own event.
“He’s like, ‘Hey, you know what, we need to have a block party and a car show,’” Joe said. “I think it initially started so he could show off his car that had been sitting in the driveway.”
That first year was mostly word-of-mouth. Neighbors on Grayling Street came out, and John invited others with classic cars to show them off. The family grilled and served free hot dogs and hamburgers.
About 25 cars showed up. So did a few hundred people.
Not bad for a driveway idea.
Now it is a Serra Mesa tradition
Six years later, the block party has grown into one of Serra Mesa’s favorite neighborhood events.
Last year, Joe said they had close to 1,000 people, about 60 to 65 cars, three bands, and around 30 vendors. This year, they are expecting more of the same, with close to 30 vendors already lined up.
As the event grew, the City of San Diego became more involved. While it’s still classified as a block party, future growth could force the event to label itself a street fair, which would mean more hoops to jump through for permits.
But for now, the Marsh family enjoys sharing the Serra Mesa Big Block Party for what it is: local, free, family-friendly, fun, and not too fancy.
Not just old guys looking at cars
John loves car shows. He goes to them all the time.
He also has a pretty honest opinion about them.
“He says they’re all just boring,” Joe said. “It’s a bunch of old guys standing around looking at cars.”
Then he laughed.
“So we still have a bunch of old guys standing around looking at cars, but there’s a lot of other things to do for the whole family.”
This year’s event will include more than 60 classic cars, three live bands, local vendors, food, crafts, school booths, face painting, balloons, bubbles, ice cream, a bounce house, free hot dogs, and a beer garden.
The local bands include classic rock band The Siers Brothers, Linda Ronstadt and Tom Petty cover band Love Is a Rose, and classic jam band The Pinch Flats.
So yes, you can look at cars.
But you can also bring the kids, listen to music, grab something to eat, wander the vendor booths, and run into half the neighborhood while you are there.
Keeping it local
One of the best parts of the event is that it has not lost the neighborhood feel.
The Marsh family keeps vendor fees low so small businesses and local makers can actually make money. New vendors are $60 this year, and Joe said they always try to give local people the first shot before branching out.
A lot of the vendors come back year after year.
One of the original vendors is Mama V’s Lumpia, which started as a neighborhood vendor and has since grown into a full restaurant.
“We’ve got to watch them grow as a company, from just a neighbor having an idea to having their own restaurant now,” Joe said. “That’s been kind of the shining star of what our block party has been able to give back to.”
There is still room for non-food vendors this year, so if you sell crafts, offer services, or represent an organization and would like a booth, you can register on the website.
Why Serra Mesa works
Joe has lived in Serra Mesa his whole life. His dad has been here for roughly 45 to 50 years.
When asked what makes the neighborhood special, Joe was quick to answer.
“It has a small-town feel, and everybody knows each other for the most part,” he said. “We’re always looking out for each other over here.”
That might be why this event works so well. It feels like Serra Mesa itself—a little hidden, a little unexpected, and full of community.
This is the neighborhood with the castle house. And the pirate ship house. And people who know exactly where they live, even if everyone else still asks, “Where is Serra Mesa?”
Thanks, Tanja. But please note that it is Greyling Drive, NOT Grayling Street.
Oops! I know better. That’s what I get for writing while jet-lagged. Fixing it now.