Top 7 Big Box Shopping Centers Around San Diego |
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They're convenient, close to home
and pretty much offer everything we need. And for those reasons,
they've made the traditional, regional shopping mall a bit passe.
We're talking about the ubiquitous "big box" shopping
"Town Center" or "Marketplace" - you know, the
not-quite shopping mall anchored by several "big box"
(or gigantic box) retailers. The big box center has become our proverbial
town square, and they're here to stay. Here are the best of San
Diego's big box shopping centers.1) Mira Mesa Market Center Man, this is what you call the
prototypical, modern big box center. Located just west of I-15
and Mira Mesa Blvd., the Mira Mesa Market Center has your classic
roster of big-boxers: Home Depot, Old Navy, Barnes & Noble,
a huge Edwards Cinema, and an impressive array of restaurants,
including Buca di Beppo, Islands, Mimi's Cafe and more. Mira
Mesa Boulevard, South side, just West of I-15, at Westview Parkway.
2) Santee Trolley Square This well-appointed big box center
is literally Santee's Town Center. The Orange Line of the Trolley
ends here (hence the name) and offers a great selection of stores
and restaurants: Barnes & Noble, Staples, Target, TJ Maxx,
Pier 1, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Old Navy, Tilly's, Chili's,
Mimi's Cafe. 9884 Mission Gorge Road.
3) Carmel Mountain Plaza Another big box center located
just off the I-15 and Carmel Mountain Road (and testament to
inland north county growth), Carmel Mountain Plaza is one of
the more established big box shopping centers, one that harkened
the change from oversized strip mall to more of the "town
square" ambience. Circuit City, Marshalls, Mervyn's, Sears
Essentials, Pacific Theatres, California Pizza Kitchen, TGI
Friday's, and In-and-Out Burgers anchor this center. 11602-11744
Carmel Mountain Rd 92128 858-350-2600.
4) Fenton Marketplace You want big box? Fenton Marketplace
in Mission Valley has got several huge ones: Lowe's, Costco,
and San Diego's only IKEA store anchor this sprawling shopping
center. As for town squares, this has to suffice as housing
keeps developing in the crowded valley. A nifty public library
can be found here, as well as an IHOP, Islands, Starbucks and
Oggi's Pizza. The Fenton trolley stop is a short walk away.
2169-2482 Frairs Road, San Diego 92108.
5) Clairemont Town Sqaure For those who remember, Clairemont
Square (the "Town" was added a few years back) used
to be a sleepy little shopping center. Recent years have seen
it awaken, as the town center concept took hold around the county.
Smaller than the newer centers, it still has it's share of big
box stores (Burlington Coat Factory, Circuit City, Petco, TJ
Maxx, as well as Pacific Theatres, Krispy Kreme Donuts and Outback
Steakhouse. 4821 Clairemont Dr. (at Clairemont Mesa Blvd.),
San Diego, CA 92117.
6) La Jolla Village Square La Jolla Village Square is kind
of a weird place. Originally an indoor mall in the '80s, it
floundered as nearby University Town Centre thrived. It reinvented
itself as a town square, with a popular Trader Joe's, AMC multiplex,
Tower Records, and California Pizza Kitchen located here. A
TGI Fridays and Landmark Cinema are located across the way in
the adjacent convenience center. 8657 Villa La Jolla Dr. La
Jolla, 92037.
7) College Grove Center
Believe it or not, College Grove was San
Diego's first regional shopping mall, way back in the
early '60s. But it fell on hard times and competition
until it resembled a ghost town in the '90s. Then it
revived itself a few years ago as a big box center and
is thriving: Mervyn's (a holdover from the original
mall), Wal-Mart, Target, Sam's Club, Staples, Starbucks,
24-Hour Fitness, Jamba Juice. Now it needs a few good
sitdown restaurants to complete its renaissance. At Hwy
94 and College Avenue.
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