Top 10 The Best Shopping Malls |
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For better or for worse, shopping
malls have become the town squares of American society. Entertainment,
along with shopping, is the name of the game for malls these days.
So, a trip to the mall means a little shopping, something to eat,
then catch a movie. And some malls do the entertainment thing better
than others (Westfield Shoppingtowns notwithstanding). Here's my
subjective take on the malls around San Diego County. I won't include
"big box" centers, only your traditional shopping
malls.1) Fashion Valley Center The class of San Diego malls,
Fashion Valley has arguably the best of the upscale stores.
Nordstrom, JC Penney, Macy's, Nieman Marcus and Robinson's May
anchor this well appointed two-level outdoor mall. Where else
will you find a Tiffany store? Good restaurants and an AMC multiplex
make this a place to go beyond shopping. Burberry, Lily Pulitzer
have opened, and new Sony Style store has way cool electronics.
Tidbit: Parking is easiest and plentiful
in the south-side parking structures.
2) Westfield Horton Plaza Horton Plaza's construction in
the mid-80s 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 ticket (with any purchase)
for 2 free hours.
3) Viejas Outlet Center Not a shopping mall in the traditional
sense, the Viejas Factory Outlet, opposite the Viejas Casino,
is actually very pleasant. Not your typical outlet center, Viejas
follows a Native American theme, with meandering walkways with
water features. A wide array of well-known outlet stores (Nike,
Hilfiger) is made for the bargain hunter.
Tidbit: Check out the water fountain show - it's pretty entertaining
especially at night. And the holiday themed Legend of the Ice
Princess shows nightly at 7:30.
4) Westfield University Town Center One of the many Westfield Shoppingtown
entities, UTC is a pleasant outdoor mall. Located in the Golden
Triangle area, 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, Robinson's
May and Macy's are the majors. Tidbit:
The ice rink is the place to stay cool on hot days - a fun place
to chill and people watch.
5) Westfield North County Another Westfield Shopping Town,
North County Fair serves the North County bedroom communities.
This large, two-level indoor mall has your usual allotment of
department stores and shops, including JC Penney, Robinsons-May,
Nordstrom and Sears. As an indoor mall, it has a generic, unexciting
quality. Not bad, but not all that impressive.
Tidbit: North County Fair has a mall walkers program on Tuesday
and Thursday mornings.
6) Westfield Parkway Plaza 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.
7) Westfield Plaza Camino Real Another generic, indoor Westfield
mall, Plaza Camino Real serves the North County Coastal area
(Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside). Two-level, with the usual
assortment of stores, Plaza Camino is as undistinguished as
North County Fair, except they have a Cinema Plaza Theater.
Tidbit: Mallwalkers fitness program
meets on Tuesdays at 8:30 am.
8) Westfield Plaza Bonita Located in the South County area,
Plaza Bonita is the Westfield indoor, two-level counterpart
to Plaza Camino Real. In fact, 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. Tidbit:
Plaza Bonita is a Wi-Fi hotspot - bring your laptop and hang
out with connectivity anywhere in the mall.
9) Grossmont Center 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.
10) Westfield Mission Valley
Westfield's Mission Valley Center is kind
of a mess. Its layout is a mess (a remnant of the '60s)
and it's the most downscale of the are shopping malls.
The selection of shops and the gigantic AMC multiplex
suggest a catering to the teen and young adult crowd.
But it does have a two-level Target, always good to
have, and a 24-Hour Fitness gym.
Tidbit: Hot home furnishing store West
Elm has opened in the mall's West Annex, along with
Fuddruckers.
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