San Diego Shopping: Mission Valley Center

What is Mission Valley Center: Westfield's Mission Valley Center is one of two major regional shopping centers in San Diego's Mission Valley. It's one of the region's oldest malls and is located less than a mile from its upscale neighbor, Fashion Valley.

What makes it so special?: Hmmm...that's a tough one. Westfield's Mission Valley Center is kind of a mess. Its layout is a mess (a remnant of the '60s) and it's the most downscale of the area shopping malls. It is at the epicenter of retail in Mission Valley, so shopping in the vicinity is busy.

What's the mall's flavor?: Mission Valley doesn't seem to know what it is. The makeovers over the years have been less than successful, yet they seem a patchwork. And the mall really shows its age. The selection of shops and the gigantic AMC multiplex suggest a catering to the teen and young adult crowd. Oh, and did I mention the hideous color scheme and tacky painted walkways?

What's the clientele?: Strictly working class and the young adult crowd.

Food factor: A new, spacious food court recently opened. Sit-down options include a large, monolithic Ruby's Diner, Seau's the Restaurant, Outback Steakhouse, Onami Seafood. The west annex also ha Fuddrucker's, Gordon Biersch Brewery, Chevy's, and King's Fish House.

Signature stores: A two-level Target, two Macy's, Nordstrom Rack are the department stores. The aforementioned AMC 20-plex occupies the middle of the mall, and there's also a 24-Hour Fitness Center in the mall. The mall's West Annex is more like a big box center and features a Border's Books, Old Navy, Marshall's, West Elm and Golfsmith.

Parking prognosis: Huge and plentiful. The original mall features a spacious underground parking lot, which actually makes for easy access to the stores.