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Lemon Grove's Lemon statue.

World's Largest Lemon

Field review by the editors.

Lemon Grove, California

A 3,000-pound civic lemon statue sits in the center of Lemon Grove, a suburb of San Diego. The sizable fruit is perhaps 10 feet long and 6 feet wide, next to the Orange Line trolley tracks. Looking at it in the bright sun makes the inside of your mouth pucker.

The lemon was originally built as a parade float on July 4, 1928, a juicy symbol of the civic pride of Lemon Grove for the Fiesta de San Diego parade. In 1930 the lemon was plastered to make it permanent, and set pretty much where it is now (It was shifted a few feet in 1988 when the trolly line was built).

Lemon. Lemon Grove.

The statue's concrete base is engraved, "Best Climate on Earth," a slogan used by the town since 1925. The lemon itself proves the claim, as it barely shows its age despite over 90 years outdoors. A dozen lemon trees are attempting to grow behind the big lemon statue, to remind all that before this was a town, it was a lemon grove.

The town of Corona, north of Lemon Grove and closer to Los Angeles, once laid claim to the title "Lemon Capital of the World." A museum there presents the lemon's role in the local economy. Nearby Chula Vista also claimed at some point to be "Lemon Capital of the World," and still holds an annual festival.

Lemon Grove makes no such assertion about being a capital, or even owning the World's Largest Lemon. We don't know if it really is the largest, but we're almost certain it's the Largest Fruit Adjacent to Public Transportation.

Also see: Salad of the Gods

World's Largest Lemon

Address:
3361 Main St (near), Lemon Grove, CA
Directions:
Corner of Broadway and Main St. next to the trolley tracks. Broadway and Lemon Grove Avenue.
Hours:
Always visible. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
619-469-9621
Admission:
Free.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

The LipsThe Lips, La Mesa, CA - < 1 mi.
Miniature Taco BellMiniature Taco Bell, San Diego, CA - 2 mi.
San Diego Police MuseumSan Diego Police Museum, San Diego, CA - 3 mi.
In the region:
Neptune's Portal, Encinitas, CA - 27 mi.

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