Westfield UTC Mall San Diego

Remember that I mentioned earlier that I personally am not a huge shopper. When I go to the mall, I value the experience; that includes dining and other entertainment options.

And I have to say, this mall offers some of the best by far in that regard - more than enough to be featured in our Best Things to do in San Diego list.

There are rustic eateries like The Amalfi Llama, or you can go local and seasonal at spots like True Food Kitchen. The Raised by Wolves speakeasy is a highlight, and there are lots of options for global cuisine including Javier’s, 85°C Bakery Café, Haidilao Hotpot, and Parana Empanadas.

And don’t worry, there is a Shake Shack, Smashburger and Starbucks at the shopping center as well.

To keep it simple, I’ve picked out a few of my favorites, but if you’d like a full list, there are tons of excellent places to eat at the Westfield UTC Mall.

Eureka!

In my opinion, you can’t beat a burger at Eureka! when dining at the Westfield UTC Mall. It’s my favorite restaurant, and sometimes I go to the mall just for an excuse to eat there.

You can dine out on their patio, which is my preferred place to kick back and chill, as it’s a laid-back and relaxing spot (unlike the hustle and bustle of the stores around the holidays!). Plus, there’s an amazing selection of local beers served at Eureka! as well.

Din Tai Fung

If you’ve never had Taiwanese soup dumplings, you’re in for a treat. Din Tai Fung makes their own dumplings fresh in-house, all by hand, and they’re incredible!

Their menu is huge, and you can get almost any traditional protein inside your dumpling - and a few nontraditional options too, like vegan dumplings and even chocolate ones.

Marugame Udon

If you’re looking for somewhere to grab a bite quickly rather than having a full sit-down meal, Marugame Udon is my go-to when I’m in the mood for Japanese.

Their udon bowls are made to order and very hearty. You can also get rice bowls and tempura at the restaurants, too.

The Westfield UTC Mall caters to families with exciting attractions as well as plenty of kid-friendly shops and restaurants.

My favorite family-friendly attraction at the mall is going ice skating at 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.

I also love that skating at the UTC Ice Sports Center is part of the Go City San Diego pass. The pass gives you the cheapest price for ice skating as well as exclusive discounts on activities, attractions, and gear rentals throughout the San Diego area.

Use our discount code GVSD5OFF for even bigger savings. From skating to surfing to family-friendly museums, the Go City San Diego pass will help you get the most for your money in San Diego.

Play Spaces and More

There is a large play area at the south end of the mall where kids can let loose and have fun. There’s even a very interesting fish play structure which kids will love.

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!

All-Ages Dining and Shopping

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.

The mall features stores 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. Your teens will love mall classics like Abercrombie, Hollister, and Forever 21.

The Westfield UTC Mall is centrally located in University City just next to the La Jolla neighborhood. 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 about a 15-minute drive north of downtown San Diego.

If you’re staying in Downtown San Diego, directions to the Westfield UTC are 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 $3 per hour, up to a daily maximum of $15 per day. 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 $12 for four hours, with an additional $2 per hour fee afterwards up to a maximum of $20 per day.

EV Charging at UTC

For those driving electric vehicles, I have good news for you! The mall has EV charging stations!

ChargePoint chargers are on the first floor of the parking garage on Genesee Street, while Electrify America chargers are in the Macy’s parking lot.

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. There is a designated drop-off and pick-up station near Room & Board.

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.

Buses to the UTC Mall

Currently, San Diego runs an express bus, route 50, between Downtown San Diego and the Westfield UTC Mall. 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.

The Westfield UTC Mall offers guests shopping opportunities in a clean and modern inside and outside mall experience.

But as I’ve said throughout the article, not being a big shopper myself, it’s all the other things to do that really make the mall stand out to me. And with so much to see and do, planning ahead before your visit can help you make the most of your day.

Here’s what to consider before you visit.

Best Time to Visit and Hours of Operation

There’s no bad time to visit San Diego or the Westfield UTC Mall, as the weather is warm and pleasant throughout the year. While I consider the UTC Mall as an outdoor shopping center, most days in San Diego are full of blue skies and sun, and even a rainy day can make for a great trip to the mall.

The mall is normally open from 11:00am until 7:00pm on Sundays and 10:00am until 8:00pm Monday through Saturday.

Christmas holiday hours extend opening times to 9:00am until 9:00pm on most days in the last few weeks before the holiday but I’d recommend you check with the mall or specific store to get the latest on the day of your visit.

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.

It might seem more like beach day wear, but if you’re looking to spend time browsing the outdoor parts of the mall, you’ll also want to wear sunscreen and bring sunglasses. Finally, comfortable shoes are a must no matter the weather.

Check Schedules Ahead of Time

It’s a bit of a local tip to check the event schedules ahead of time to find out what’s going on at the mall. 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 super sales.

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 should also book tickets in advance when possible.