Best San Diego Malls: Fantastic Shopping in San Diego

Fancy a little splurge? San Diego is built for shopaholics looking to spend their hard-earned cash in one of the many high-end shopping malls scattered throughout the city.

The malls in San Diego have something for all kinds of shoppers, whether it’s bargain hunters or luxury enthusiasts.

This article will go over each San Diego mall and show you exactly where to find the best shopping.

It’s time to shop until you drop!

Best San Diego Malls

Westfield UTC Mall La Jolla

Address: 4545 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92122
Website

The gorgeous Westfield UTC Mall is located in the affluent neighborhood of La Jolla, and boasts a range of stores like Abercrombie and Fitch and Chanel, in addition to plenty of dining options such as Charleys, Kebab Grill, and more.

Westfield is an upscale open-air mall which also supplies various entertainment options. It’s perfect for keeping the kids entertained while you browse through your favorite shops.

Catch a blockbuster movie in the cinema, practice your skating skills at the Christmas ice rink, let the kids run in the play area, or blow off some steam in the on-site fitness center.

With so much to do here, it’s easy to understand why this San Diego mall is a favorite among many.

Parking is readily available at the Westfield Mall UTC. For those who prefer public transportation, you can take bus numbers 30, 31, 41, 50, 60, 105, or 150. And for SuperLoop, routes to Westfield UTC include 201/ 202, 204, 237, 921, and 979.

Fashion Valley Mall

Address: 7007 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108
Website

Next up, we have another open-air shopping destination in Mission Valley, the wondrous Fashion Valley Mall.

This mall takes extravagance to a whole new level. It invites visitors to feel the SoCal lifestyle through sophisticated interiors, crisp palm trees, and creative water features.

Many luxury brands like Versace, Rolex, Prada, and Marc Jacobs have stores in the Fashion Valley Mall. Big-name eateries, including Silverlake Ramen, North Italia, and Blanco Tacos + Tequila, are also based in the plaza.

Fashion Valley Mall isn’t all about shopping, there are a few things to do here besides wandering through the stores. Grab tickets for a screening at the AMC Movie Theater, sip coffee while wandering the outdoor grounds, or just chill out in one of the free Wi-Fi Zones, you can even charge your phone at one of the power stations.

San Diego MTS numbers 1, 6, 20, 25, 41, 88, 120, and 928 all stop close to JC Penney. And this mall has its own trolley stop on the Green Line. For those who’d prefer to drive, there’s plenty of parking spaces.

Mission Valley Mall

Address: 1640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego, CA 92108-1506
Website

Mission Valley Mall is another retail center that lures shoppers each day with its massive choice of department stores and open-air artisan markets. 

While the Mission Valley Mall is not as big as others on this list, it sure has some great shops. Enjoy browsing goods at Bath and Body Works, Champs Sports, Marshalls, and Target.

Coffee is key for a good shopping trip, so pop in Starbucks or the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for your caffeine fix before you splash your cash.

There’s always some kind of event happening at the Mission Valley Mall, whether it’s the Inflatable World Playground for kids or Community Blood Drive opening their doors for blood donations. It’s worth checking out their schedule before planning a trip.

There’s ample parking, plus spaces for shoppers with electric vehicle charging, so you can give your car some juice while exploring your best-loved boutiques. Public transportation services are also linked to the Mission Valley Mall. You can ride on the Trolley via the Green Line or take bus numbers 6 or 14.

North County Mall

Address: 272 E Via Rancho Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025
Website

Situated in Escondido is the indoor North County Mall, here since 1986. It’s one of the largest shopping centers in San Diego, with over 170 retail shops and restaurants.

In 2017, the mall underwent a series of renovations to modernize and add space for more brands to make a home here.

The North County Mall houses quite a few anchor brands like Macy’s and JC Penney. Plus a massive food court with plenty of options, including The Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen.

Apart from shoppers, the North County Mall attracts those seeking entertainment. The center has a modern movie theater, spacious bowling alley, and an indoor playground your children will love.

To reach North County Mall for your shopping extravaganza, drive and utilize plenty of on-site parking. Otherwise, take bus numbers 304, 350, or 388, or request an Uber. Make sure you can carry all the bags back home with you, whichever option you choose.

San Diego Outlets

The Shoppes At Carlsbad

Address: 2525 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Website

One of the main shopping outlets in San Diego is the Shoppes at Carlsbad.

This popular mall embodies a mix of coastal vibes and a unique experience for all customers who want to spend big or small.

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets have lots of shopping opportunities for you to take advantage of. Stop by Footlocker to get sale prices on the shoes you’ve been after, or grab some last-minute deals in Hollister for the upcoming summer season.

Feeling peckish? The Beshock Ramen & Sake Bar has some of the tastiest ramen in town, or Texas de Brazil’s seasoned beef will make your mouth water.

Since you’ve come all this way, you may as well check out a movie at the on-site cinema. Grab a mega-sized popcorn if you have any space left after dinner.

The Shoppes at Carlsbad are less than 40 minutes from downtown San Diego, and can be accessed by bus numbers 309 or 302, train, or car. You can leave your vehicle in one of the mall’s 5,600 free parking spaces.

San Ysidro Las Americas Premium Outlets

Address: 4211 Camino De La Plaza, San Diego, CA 92173
Website

San Ysidro Las Americas Premium Outlets is a shopper’s playground. This is a favorite among San Diego shopping malls, especially if looking for a bargain.

They offer 125 shops, among which are the biggest names we all love, like Nike and Michael Kors. Plus, the mall has a fantastic outdoor area and fuel-up favorites such as Starbucks and McDonalds.

While you may wish to spend the majority of your time in Guess or Clarks, keep an eye out for the occasional sidewalk sales. These sales provide cheap bargains, normally rare to come by.

Only 20 minutes from downtown San Diego, the Las Americas Premium Outlets are well connected to various forms of public transport, like the 906/907 and 929 bus and the Blue Line Trolley. Additionally, there’s plenty of on-site parking for those driving in.

Souvenir Shopping In San Diego

Before heading home, get your hands on a few souvenirs to remember your fun vacation in San Diego. Here are our recommendations on where you should start looking.

Seaport Village

Seaport Village is the ultimate waterfront shopping experience. The village features 50 exciting stores and 21 delightful restaurants and eateries looking out over the sea.

Hunt for last-minute gifts in a wide range of shops selling anything you can think of. Maybe you want a tiny San Diego keychain or a painted picture of the Seaport Village itself? You’ll find something that will conjure up trip memories each time you look at it.

Once you’ve got the goods, stroll the area’s four miles of cobblestoned streets surrounded by tranquil ponds and splashing fountains. Be sure to also check out the boardwalk with clear views of the Coronado Bridge.

You’ll can walk to Seaport Village from downtown San Diego. But for those with hotels a bit further away, either drive and use the parking spaces provided for visitors, which costs $5 for three hours, or take the Trolley or train.

Coronado Ferry Landing

We recommend everyone check out Coronado Island‘s Ferry Landing before they leave San Diego, even if you don’t need to buy souvenirs.

You could spend the whole day there rambling through countless boutique shops, watching the boats sail by, or hiring a bike and cycling up along the water.

Hunt for last-minute presents in the many little locally-owned shops, or get your hands on a new pair of sunglasses or flip-flops to bring home. 

Food anyone? The Coronado Ferry Landing has an abundance of dining options you’ll love. Sample yummy seafood at Peohe’s or have a cross-the-border experience at Costa Azul’s Mexican eatery. Some of our favorite Coronado restaurants are at Coronado Ferry Landing. Read our full review on Things to do at Coronado Ferry Landing here>>

To reach the Coronado Ferry Landing, hop on the ferry. It leaves the mainland every hour and only costs $8 one way. If you’re traveling with a child under three, you’ll be happy to know they go for free.

Ferry tickets can be purchased at Broadway Pier, 5th Ave Landing, or Coronado Ferry Landing. Read our full guide on the San Diego-Coronado Ferry here>>

We have come to the end of our list of the best shopping malls in San Diego. By now, you should have a good idea of where to go shopping in the city.

Before you show up at one of the selected options, do your research on what stores they have. Imagine showing up at the Coronado Ferry Landing and expecting a Forever 21 there.

Last Updated on September 19, 2023 by Maria Haase