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 can you find a Tiffany store? Good restaurants and an AMC multiplex make this a place to go beyond shopping.

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.

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.

University Town Center - One of the many Westfield Shoppingtown entities, UTC is your typical outdoor mall. Located in the Golden Triangle area, it caters to the yuppie/soccer mom crowd. The well-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.

North County Fair - 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. As an indoor mall, it has a generic, unexciting quality. Not bad, but not all that impressive.

Parkway Plaza - 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.

Plaza Camino Real - 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.

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.

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 and a smallish Macy's, Grossmont also has a Pacific Cinema.

Mission Valley Shopping Center - This center doesn't have the homogenous quality of the others. In fact, this large Mission Valley Center is kind of a hodgepodge. Its layout is reminiscent 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.