Westfield UTC Mall San Diego

Outdoor Seating at Eureka Restaurant at UTC Mall

The Westfield UTC Mall has become a top destination for San Diego dining and nightlife. Whether you’re looking for a romantic atmosphere for date night or a welcoming, family-friendly eatery, you’re likely to find it at UTC. The Westfield UTC is also featured in our Best Things to do in San Diego list.

Inside the Speakeasy Raised by Wolves at Westfield UTC Mall

Find the Speakeasy

One of the most exciting is Raised By Wolves, a speakeasy cocktail destination that offers mixology classes and a stunning menu of vintage cocktails.

Fried Goat Cheese Squash Blossom Popover at the Great Maple

Local Restaurants & Bars

Some of La Jolla’s most notable restaurants and bars have become the centerpiece of this mall.

The Great Maple is another local southern Californian chain of four restaurants, with two in San Diego, that is termed as "a modern American eatery" that specializes in elevated comfort food with a twist. We personally love this restaurant as it is one of our favorites in the UTC Mall.

A favorite brunch spots is the Queenstown Bistro, which serves dishes inspired by New Zealand cuisine. For sleek, modern gastropub food, try Seasons 52.

We Love the Coffee at La Colombe at Westfield UTC Mall

Upscale & Popular Chains

There are several outposts of upscale dining chains at UTC. These are great options if you’re looking to enjoy familiar favorites. Some great examples of these are Eureka!, La Colombe Coffee, Shake Shack, Corner Bakery Cafe, Tender Greens, and Joe & The Juice.

Loving the Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung at the Westfield UTC Mall

Global Cuisines

The restaurants at Westfield UTC also showcase a broad range of global cuisines. Javier’s is an upscale option for Mexican cuisine, while Parana Empanadas is a top choice for the Argentinean classic. Rice Goban offers classic Korean comfort food, while Din Tai Fung brings Taiwanese gems to San Diego.

Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant

For those dining with vegetarians, vegans, or others with dietary restrictions, there are plenty of delicious options here. True Food Kitchen, Tocaya Organica, Lemonade, and Veggie Grill are just a few of the great places that offer meat-free, customizable dishes.

Sweets & More

If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, there are plenty of places to do so at UTC. Le Macaron, See’s Candies, Sugarfina, and Pinkberry are just a few of the places where you can get your sugar fix.

Geppettos Toy Store to Shops at UTC Mall

The Westfield UTC Mall caters to families with exciting attractions as well as plenty of kid-friendly shops and restaurants. The top family-friendly attraction here is UTC Ice, the mall’s skating rink. The whole family can enjoy a public skate session, or you can learn the basics with guided skating lessons.

If you’re looking to save on activities like UTC Ice, consider picking up a Go City San Diego pass. This pass offers exclusive discounts on activities, attractions, and gear rentals throughout the San Diego area. From skating to surfing to museums, the Go City San Diego pass can help you get more for your money in San Diego.

Answers on the Spot

Not sure where a store is located? Need a restaurant suggestion? Get Answers on the Spot, a service provided by Westfield UTC. Text the number (858) 914-2752 with your center questions every day during center hours and get an instant response from Westfield UTC.

There is also a large play area at the south end of the mall where kids can let loose and have fun. There’s even a large fish play structure which kids will love playing with. Adults and kids alike will enjoy the little free library, a small book exchange where you can pick up some new reading material.

If you need to relax and recharge, head to the family lounge, which has even more play space as well as necessities like a large family restroom and a changing area. The mall is also completely pet friendly, and even has a dog park for your furry friends to enjoy.

Many of Westfield UTC ’s restaurants are completely kid-friendly, and there are also plenty of takeout options if you need to eat on the go. The combination of fast-food options and local favorites means there’s plenty to enjoy for everyone.

There are also many shops that kids and teens will love, including a Lego store and a Gepetto’s Toys, which is a very popular toy store based in the San Diego area. Teens will love mall classics like Abercrombie, Hollister, and Forever 21.

Westfield UTC Mall is centrally located in University City just next to La Jolla. It is about 15 minutes from the Village of La Jolla and within a few miles of the University of California, San Diego. It is also a 15-minute drive north of downtown San Diego.

If you’re staying in downtown San Diego, getting to Westfield UTC is very easy. Simply follow the signs for I-5 and take the freeway north to the La Jolla Village Drive exit. The mall is on your right at the intersection of Genesee Avenue.

Parking at Westfield UTC

Large parking lots are available at both ends of the mall. Parking is free for the first two hours. After the first two hours, visitors are charged a rate of $2 per hour, up to a daily maximum of $15. Some businesses in the mall offer parking validation for these extra charges.

The garage’s new park assist system helps guide visitors to the first available space for a more efficient experience. Westfield UTC also offers valet parking, which can help you save time. The valet has a flat rate fee of $8 for four hours, with an additional $2 per hour fee afterwards.

EV Charging at UTC

For those driving electric vehicles, there is an EV charging station on the first floor of the parking garage on Genesee Street. EV charging costs $1 per hour for the initial four hours, and then costs $4 per hour afterward.

Rideshare Services

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are also a convenient way to get to the UTC mall, particularly if you are traveling without a car. The mall currently has a designated area for rideshare pickups and drop offs.

The Trolley Goes to the UTC Mall

San Diego Trolley to Westfield UTC

If you are coming from downtown San Diego, you can also take public transit to Westfield UTC mall. The San Diego Trolley extended their blue line north of the city, and Westfield UTC is the final stop on that line, it opened in 2021.

Buses to the UTC Mall

Currently, San Diego runs an express bus, route 50, between downtown San Diego and UTC. The route starts at 1st Avenue and C Street downtown, and runs north to the UTC transit center, which is at the south end of the mall. This ride takes about 40 minutes.

There are many other local buses that also stop at the UTC transit center. These buses connect to Old Town San Diego, UCSD, Oceanside, Miramar, and more.

Beautiful Art at UTC Mall

There’s so much to do at Westfield UTC Mall, and planning ahead can help you make the most of your day. Here’s what to consider before you visit.

Best Time to Visit

There’s no bad time to visit San Diego, as the weather is warm and pleasant throughout the year. However, there are occasional rainstorms in the winter, as well as overcast weather during "May Grey" and "June Gloom". To avoid these, visit during the spring or fall.

What to Wear

Since part of the UTC mall is outdoors, you’ll want to make sure you’re dressed appropriately for the weather. San Diego is very warm, so make sure you wear light, comfortable clothing that you can move in. You’ll also want to wear sunscreen and bring sunglasses. Finally, make sure you wear comfortable shoes so you can walk around.

Check Schedules Ahead of Time

There’s so much going on at UTC mall, so you’ll want to check the event schedules ahead of time to find out what’s going on. Many stores have sales throughout the year, so you’ll want to check for deals ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss any great prices.

If you’re planning on dining at one of UTC’s upscale restaurants, you may want to make a reservation ahead of time to guarantee your seating. Those planning on skating at UTC Ice or seeing a movie at AMC UTC 14 may also want to book tickets in advance.