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To find a recommended service just click on the area closest to you. |  |
San Diego's Top 10 Malls ~ Places to Go ~ Things to Do....... |
| 1. Center of San Diego ~ Fashion Valley ~ Mission Valley |
| 2. Far South Towards the East San Diego ~ Otay Ranch Plaza OK, Otay Ranch Town Center just opened in fall 2006. So what makes it so special? Well, it's the first regional mall to open in 20 years. And it's not your traditional mall, but a "lifestyle" mall. Think: a neighborhood business district, only with upscale shops and department stores. Tidbit: The "main street" allows parking in front of many stores. It's pedestrian friendly, with a dog park, too. For entertainment, an AMC theatre and lots of dining. |
| 3. Downtown San Diego ~ Horton Plaza Horton Plaza's construction in the mid-1980s jump-started the Gaslamp renaissance. Its multi-level, somewhat confusing whimsical architecture is a must-see for any San Diego visitor. Nordstrom, Macy's and a wide array of shops and eateries make this the noontime stop for downtown workers. Tidbit: The parking structures can be confusing for first-timers. They are designated by vegetables and fruits. Make sure you validate your parking ticket (with any purchase) for 3 free hours (4 hours with movie or restaurant purchase). |
| 4. Not as far South San Diego ~ Plaza Bonita ~ Bonita Located in the South County area, Plaza Bonita is the Westfield indoor, two-level counterpart to Plaza Camino Real. In the past, other than the more ethnically diverse makeup of the Chula Vista, National City area shoppers (Hispanic, Filipino), you wouldn't know if you were in Plaza Camino, North County or Plaza Bonita. But the mall underwent an extensive makeover, adding a Target, Borders Books, H&M fashions, and 14-screen AMC Cinema, expansive food court and sit down restaurants. Now, the mall has a new, sleek, upscale sheen - nice. Tidbit: Plaza Bonita has been upgraded and boasts an H&M fashion retail store. |
| 5. Kind of North West San Diego ~ University Town Center (UTC) One of the many Westfield Shoppingtown entities, UTC is a pleasant outdoor mall. Located in the Golden Triangle area (and slated for a refurbishing), it caters to the yuppie/soccer mom crowd. The much-used ice skating rink distinguishes the mall from others of Westfield's homogenous stable. Nordstrom, Sears, and Macy's are the majors. Tidbit: The ice rink and food court is the place to stay cool on hot days - a fun place to chill and people watch. |
| 6. Center Further East San Diego ~ Grossmont Center ~ La Mesa This quaint mall in La Mesa is the shopping center that time forgot. It's a cozy, well-maintained outdoor mall in La Mesa that is lacking in pizazz and choices - in fact, it's a bit dull. But in the world of mega-malls, sometimes dull is OK. Anchored by a two-story Target, a smallish Macy's, Grossmont also has a nice Pacific Cinema, and a two-level Wal-Mart. Tidbit: There's a surprsingly good choice of sitdown restaurants, including the new Casa de Pico and Shakey's Pizza for families. |
| 7. Further East San Diego ~ Parkway Plaza ~ El Cajon Yet another Westfield mall, Parkway Plaza is the regional mall serving East County. This indoor, single level mall is a necessity in scorching El Cajon. Malls tend to reflect their clientele, and Parkway serves the unpretentious, middle America of East County. Young adult shops, a Regal Cinema and a food court make this the area's teen hangout. A two-story Wal-Mart is the newest tenant. Tidbit: A Family Lounge is located in the Food Court as a respite for those with little ones, and the mall is a WiFi hotspot. |
| 8. Middle South San Diego ~ Chula Vista Center ~ Chula Vista Chula Vista Center is one of the smaller malls in the region, and often gets lost in the shuffle between nearby Plaza Bonita and the new Otay Ranch Towne Center. An older mall located in downtown Chula Vista, it has the only Sears store in the South Bay are. It's also anchored by Macy's, JCPenney, Mervyn's, and an ULTRAStar Cinema. Tidbit: If you want to hit the mall in the South Bay, and don't like indoor malls, or aren't swayed by the higher end shops, Chula Vista Center is a perfect fit. |
| 9. Far North Coastal San Diego ~ Plaza Camino Real ~ Carlsbad Another generic, indoor Westfield mall, Plaza Camino Real serves the North County Coastal area (Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside). Two-level, with the usual assortment of over 170 stores, Plaza Camino is as undistinguished as North County Fair, except they have a MovieMax Theatre Plaza. A new Steve & Barry's University Sportswear and Bella Furniture are open. Tidbit: Mall walkers fitness program meets on Tuesdays at 8:30 am. |
| 10. Inland North East San Diego~ North County Mall ~ Escondido Yet another Westfield shopping mall, North County (Fair) serves the North County bedroom communities of Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, etc. This large, two-level indoor mall is of mid-1980s vintage with your usual allotment of department stores and shops (JC Penney, Sears, Nordstrom). Before Westfield took it over, it was known as North County Fair, and people still refer to it as that. Tidbit: Parking is plentiful, but the food court is small, and the sit-down restaurant food choices are limited, given the area demographics. Pretty ho-hum. |
| San Diego | South Bay | North Cnty - Coast | North Cnty - Inland |
| Downtown | National City | Del Mar | Mira Mesa - Scripps Rch |
| Pacific Beach | Chula Vista - Bonita | Solana Beach | Carmel Mtn - Poway |
| La Jolla | Otay Ranch | Encinitas | Rancho Bernardo |
| Mission Valley | Carlsbad - Vista | Escondido - Vista | |
| La Mesa - Lemon Grove | Oceanside | Fallbrook | |
| Rancho San Diego |
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