Fashion Valley Mall

The Fashion Valley Mall is San Diego’s designer shopping destination, with hundreds of stores to satisfy any shopaholic. Explore this premium shopping experience.
Todd Sarouhan
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Fashion Valley Mall
Explore the Mall
What to Expect
Go City Pass & Save
Mall Restaurants
Family Fun
How to Get There
Know Before You Go
Stay Nearby

Highlights

Shopping
Restaurants
Parking
Tips
Shopping
Restaurants
Parking
Tips

Explore One of San Diego’s Most Luxurious Malls

Inside the Very Pretty Fashion Valley MallWilliams Sonoma at Fashion Valley Mall

The Fashion Valley Mall is one of the largest and most popular malls in the San Diego area. Located north of downtown San Diego in the Mission Valley area, this mall is very accessible and is the perfect destination for shopaholics visiting San Diego.

The mall was opened in the late 1960s, and has since become a shopping mainstay for local San Diegans and tourists alike. The Fashion Valley shopping mall has been renovated and expanded several times since its opening, most notably in 1981 and 1997.

Brighton at Fashion Valley Mall
Brighton at Fashion Valley Mall

Upscale Designer Boutiques

Fashion Valley is known for its upscale designer boutiques, making it a top choice in the area for true fashionistas. It’s also one of the largest shopping centers in the San Diego area, with approximately 200 stores as well as 25 dining options.

Whether you’re visiting with family, friends, or your significant other, you’ll enjoy perusing the shops at Fashion Valley.

There’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for the latest fashions, high-tech electronics, or just want to watch a movie. Fashion Valley is a premiere shopping destination that shouldn’t be missed.

This mall is featured on our list of the Best Malls in San Diego!

What to Expect at Fashion Valley Mall

Urban Outfiters at Fashion Valley Mall
Urban Outfiters at Fashion Valley Mall

Since Fashion Valley is one of the largest malls in the San Diego area, it’s best to have an idea of what you’re looking for before you go. Luckily, there are maps posted throughout the mall that make it easy to find your way around.

Fashion Valley’s main focus is high-end clothing, but you’ll find many different types of stores throughout the mall. There are five department stores in Fashion Valley - Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, JCPenney, and Nordstrom. Dozens of coveted designer brands also have outposts in Fashion Valley, including Chanel, Prada, Fendi, Saint Laurent, Valentino, and Tom Ford.

Fovever 21 at Fashion Valley Mall
Fovever 21 at Fashion Valley Mall

There are Affordable Shops Too!

If you’re shopping on a budget, don’t worry - there are plenty of affordable styles at shops like Forever 21, Zara, H&M, and Urban Outfitters. If you’re more interested in beauty, check out boutiques like Sephora, MAC, Lush, Kiehl’s, and Origins. There are also specialty boutiques focusing on tech, health, homeware, toys, and more.

The AMC Theater at night at Fashion Valley Mall
The AMC Theater at night at Fashion Valley Mall

AMC Fashion Valley 18

Fashion Valley is also home to a very large AMC movie theater. This AMC location offers premium seating and IMAX movies as well as midnight showings and other movie events.

Fashion Valley is partially outdoors, like many other malls in San Diego. This allows you to enjoy the area’s famously beautiful weather. Gorgeous palm trees and iconic fountains welcome you and your guests as you explore. The mall surely offers plenty of amenities to keep you comfortable during your day of shopping.

Local Tips
A Huge Shopping Mall!
Fashion Valley Mall has 1,720,533 sq ft of leasable floor area, making it the largest mall in San Diego and one of the largest in California.

There is seating on both levels of the mall where you can stop and rest, and free WiFi means you can stay connected. There are also charging stations at points throughout the mall if you need to power up your phone or computer. There are clean restrooms conveniently located on both levels as well, including family restrooms.

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Restaurants at Fashion Valley Mall

The Fashion Valley Mall has an excellent selection of dining options for the whole family. There is a large open-air food court as well as several standalone restaurants.

Many of Fashion Valley’s largest stores have luxury cafes inside. Some examples include NM Cafe at Neiman Marcus, 59th & Lex at Bloomingdale’s, and the Marketplace Cafe at Nordstrom. These cafes offer upscale American food that is ideal for a refreshing but healthy lunch.

Blancos Tacos & Tequila at Fashion Valley Mall
Blancos Tacos & Tequila at Fashion Valley Mall

Dine-in Restaurants

Plenty of your favorite dine-in restaurants have locations in Fashion Valley as well, which are perfect for date night or family dinner. California Pizza Kitchen, PF Chang’s, The Cheesecake Factory, and True Food Kitchens all have locations in the mall. These locations are great places to sit down and enjoy a relaxing meal after a full day of shopping.

San Diego is known for its diverse culinary scene, and this mall is no exception. Seeking out Mexican cuisine? Try Blancos Tacos + Tequila in their upscale food court. Prefer Asian flavors? So Sushi offers elegant Japanese dishes, while Bibigo Kitchen specializes in modern Korean. If you’re craving Italian food, North Italia offers delicious comfort food.

If you prefer to eat on the go, don’t worry - there are plenty of casual chains throughout the mall. Starbucks, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Panda Express, Sbarro, and the Counter all offer satisfying fast food options. You can even sample some of San Diego’s favorite coffee at the Better Buzz outpost.

For those shopping with vegans and vegetarians, you won’t have to go far to find delicious food that fits these dietary restrictions. True Food Kitchen and Stacked both offer meat-free options, and Pressed Juicery is a great place to grab a fruit or veggie-based pick me up.

Fashion Valley mall is actually part of our Best Things to do in San Diego!

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Family Fun at Fashion Valley Mall

Upper Level of Fashion Valley Mall
Upper Level of Fashion Valley Mall

If you’re traveling to San Diego with the family, you’ll find plenty of things to do at the Fashion Valley Mall. Most of the restaurants in the mall are very kid-friendly, and the food court provides plenty of different cuisines for those who have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or just different tastes. Kids will particularly enjoy the sweet treats available throughout the mall, including Pinkberry, See’s Candies, Haagen-Daz, and the Cheesecake Factory.

Many of the stores at Fashion Valley cater to kids and teens. The Disney Store, Build-A-Bear, Lego, and Gepetto’s Toys are great choices for family entertainment. You’ll also find stylish kids clothing throughout the mall at places like Gap Kids and H&M.

Teens will also have plenty to shop for at Fashion Valley Mall. Teen classics like Hollister, Abercrombie, Pink, and American Eagle all have shops at Fashion Valley.

The Fashion Valley Mall also has plenty of amenities that cater to families. A children’s play area on the first level is the perfect place for kids to let out some extra energy. Family restrooms with baby changing areas are accessible for your comfort. They also offer strollers for rent.

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How to Get to Fashion Valley Mall

EV Charging
EV Charging
Free Parking
Free Parking
Lot Parking
Lot Parking

Getting to Fashion Valley Mall is very easy, no matter where you’re coming from in San Diego. It is conveniently located at the intersection of I-8 and Route 163 in the Mission Valley neighborhood of San Diego.

Fashion Valley Mall is also located directly across from an area known as Hotel Circle. This area is full of popular resorts as well as hotels for business travel. If you are staying in this area, you’ll be able to walk over to the mall.

The fastest way to get to the mall from downtown San Diego is by taking route 163 north to the mall and exiting on Friars Road. If you are coming from Ocean Beach or from anywhere further west of Mission Valley, you will need to take I-8 to reach the mall. If you are traveling south from La Jolla, take I-5 to I-8.

Parking at Fashion Valley is easy. The Fashion Valley parking structure that surrounds the mall offers free parking every day. There are also valet services available for added convenience, including a text message-based valet system. If you have an electric vehicle or a Tesla, charging stations are available.

You can also reach Fashion Valley via public transit. The mall has its own stop on the San Diego Trolley green line. The trolley connects the mall with many other parts of San Diego, including downtown San Diego, La Mesa, Chula Vista, and more.

Using a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft is also a quick and affordable way to get to the mall. Fashion Valley has six designated rideshare drop-off and pickup points throughout the mall.

What to Know Before You Go Shopping at Fashion Valley Mall

Fashion Valley is a Two Level Outdoor Mall
Fashion Valley is a Two Level Outdoor Mall

Since Fashion Valley is such a large mall, it’s best to plan ahead to ensure you have an enjoyable visit. Here’s what to keep in mind before you visit Fashion Valley.

Best Time to Visit

Since San Diego has consistently excellent weather, you’re likely to have a great visit no matter when you go. The best time to visit is in the spring or fall, when the weather is most likely to be warm and sunny without any scattered thunderstorms.

Dress for the Weather

Since San Diego is warm, you’ll want to wear light clothing that will keep you cool. Make sure to bring sunscreen and sunglasses, since the mall is partially outdoors. You’ll also want to make sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be on your feet as you explore the mall.

Check Ahead for Sales

While Fashion Valley is known for its upscale luxury brands, there are also plenty of sales throughout the year where you can get great deals. Before you go, check to see which stores are offering the best bargains. You’ll also want to check the movie schedule at AMC for any exciting features.

Consider Staying Nearby

If you’re planning on spending a significant amount of time at the mall, there are plenty of convenient nearby options for lodging. The Hotel Circle area has several popular hotels to choose from within walking distance of the mall.

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