Discover Mission Valley and Old Town San Diego
The native Kumeyaay Indians knew it. So did the Spanish missionaries and American settlers who arrived after them. With its close proximity to the ocean in the west and the mountains in the east, the San Diego River Valley is a good place to call home.
Old Town
Known as the birthplace of California, Old Town teems with a lively, authentic atmosphere, boasting 17 museums and historical sites including the Whaley House, which tops Travel Channel's American's Most Haunted list.
Quaint boutiques, mouth-watering restaurants, colorful art galleries and festive theatres populate Old Town, making it a not-to-be-missed hot spot for tourists and locals alike. Mexican cuisine is the specialty in Old Town, where you'll find authentic fare at any of the many cantinas. Just follow the aroma of freshly grilled tortillas and take a seat outside. Enjoy the sounds of local mariachi as you sip on the best margaritas in town.
Old Town offers a number of family friendly accommodations and is the main boarding location for the Old Town Trolley tours, which offers an excellent sightseeing tour of San Diego.
Mission Valley
Just north of Old Town is Mission Valley. Centrally located with easy access to the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego and downtown's Gaslamp Quarter, Mission Valley offers a host of affordable accommodations for families and business travelers alike. Bustling with activity, Mission Valley is an epicenter of dining, shopping and entertainment, with plenty of restaurants, retail malls, movie theaters, the 9 hole Riverwalk Golf Club, and Qualcomm Stadium, home of the San Diego Chargers.
The two main shopping centers in the area, Mission Valley and Fashion Valley malls offer an oasis of retail therapy. The upscale Fashion Valley Shopping Center contains luxury department stores, including Bloomingdales and Neiman-Marcus, as well as premium brand shops by the likes of Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, the Apple Store and many more. After a day of shopping, relax and grab a bite at any of the restaurants located on the mall premises, or take in a flick at the 18-screen movie theater. Mission Valley Center Mall also boasts a theater, along with retail shops for the value-conscious shoppers, like Target and Nordstrom Rack.
For a bit of San Diego history, travel across the 15 Freeway on San Diego Mission Road to find Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, the site to which Father Serra's mission was relocated early in its history. The mission still actively serves to this day, as a beautiful and enduring symbol of San Diego's prosperity.
What we Love:- Old Town's mouth-watering Mexican food and refreshing margaritas
- Visiting the Whaley House close to Halloween
- Luxury shopping at Fashion Valley Mall, at Bloomingdales, Gucci or Tiffany
- Narrated tours of San Diego on the Old Town Trolley including free on and off privileges
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What to Know:- Traffic in Mission Valley can become congested during games and events at Qualcomm Stadium, or during the holidays around Fashion Valley Mall. So plan extra time to navigate the areas on these days and map out exactly where you're going. Note the exits and entrances for the freeways for easy access in and out of the area
- Parking in Old Town can be a challenge, but there are plenty of paid parking lots, and street parking. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, so you can leave your car and explore Old Town throughout the day
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Getting to Old Town
From the North: Off the I-5 southbound, exit Old Town Avenue. Left onto Old Town Avenue. Left onto San Diego Avenue
From the South: Off the I-5 northbound, exit Old Town Avenue. Right onto Old Town Avenue. Left onto San Diego Avenue
From the East: From the I-8 westbound, exit Taylor Street. Loop around back over the freeway and make a right onto Taylor Street. Left onto San Diego Avenue
Public Transportation: Old Town Trolley Station is serviced by the Coaster, the blue and green trolley lines, and bus routes: 8, 9, 10, 28, 30, 35, 44, 84, 88, 105 and 150
Getting to Mission Valley
From the North: From I-5 southbound, exit onto I-8 westbound. Exit Mission Center Road. Right onto Mission Center Road. Left onto Camino de la Reina will take you to Fashion Valley Shopping Center and a right will take you Mission Valley Shopping Center
From the South: From I-5 northbound, exit onto I-8 westbound. Exit Mission Center Road. Right onto Mission Center Road. Left onto Camino de la Reina will take you to Fashion Valley Shopping Center and a right will take you Mission Valley Shopping Center
From the East: From I-8 westbound, exit Mission Center Road. Right onto Mission Center Road. Left onto Camino de la Reina will take you to Fashion Valley Shopping Center and a right will take you Mission Valley Shopping Center
Public Transportation: The Fashion Valley Transit Center is serviced by the blue and green trolley lines and bus routes: 6, 20, 25, 41, 88, 120 and 928. The Mission Valley Center Station is serviced by the green trolley line. The green trolley line will also take you to the Qualcomm Stadium
