Westfield Mission Valley Mall: A 1960s Mall GEM! | Retail Archaeology

In this episode we take a look at Mission Valley Mall in San Diego, CA.
This episode's music provided by Incarta '95:
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#RetailArchaeology #SanDiego #mall

[@kiriyama777]

My friends and I used to hang out at this place all the time in the early 2000's. the closed retro looking restaurant was a ruby's burger joint.

[@InfinityVRX]

I came here to mention that the restaurant was originally a Ruby's Diner. IIRC it turned into something else around 2007, but I don't recall what.

[@Brimoeris1]

Ahh memories.

[@Habu12]

The Ruby’s closed? Aw man, last time I was there, I took a date to it😆 It’s also the last time I had visited, in 2015. What a weird time in my life..

[@S730SD]

I remember that place, they had an awesome menu & great munchies! :)

[@ShanerTheGrey]

Rubys closed!?!?

[@stevelang6342]

That Macy's was so dead that even the zombies stayed away from it.

[@DebitAdams]

Another mall of my childhood, that was actually a Ruby's Diner not a Johnny Rockets

[@Socalnik66]

Used to go there when I was a kid. My mom loved the Montgomery Wards and JC Penneys at the neighboring Fashion Valley Mall. Grew up in the 90's in SoCal malls like these. Ditched cable tv a few years back. Now I'm strictly into KZbin. Channels like these and videos like yours always keep me interested. Thank you for your hard work

[@technologic21]

The Macy's used to have an upstairs restaurant straight outta Madmen in the 60s. You can see the midcentury design chandeliers through windows to this day!

[@RobSS1963]

I’ve been going there since the 60’s. Would have lunch at the May Co restaurant (the glass outcropping in the building), or go to the Woolworths near the Montgomery Wards....they had the cafeteria in there which I loved as a kid.

[@jettanite1]

Wow, that brings back memories of growing up back in San Diego.

[@SD420]

Did you ever go to Newberrys or Bobs Big Boy that was in the mall also? There were also 2 Movie theaters at the far end by the Stadium and I saw Star Wars there in 76' Wooo! Good times!

[@RobSS1963]

Yes to Newberry’s. And that’s where I saw Star Wars too! Don’t remember a Bob’s down is Mission Valley. Does anyone remember the De Falco’s grocery store in Mission Valley?

[@Lux2]

I moved to San Diego in 1989. I remembered Bob's Big Boy, the 2-storey Newberry's, the Popcorn/Candy shop, Captron (NES Store), Dejaiz, J. Riggins, etc. Those were the days.

[@Lux2]

It was a Newberry's. Fashion Valley had the Woolworths.

[@allspeedtest3995]

The way you speak, the beautiful shots, the background music.. your videos are always comfy to watch!

[@katieray436]

Where The Princess Project is located now used to be where the food court was.

[@petrobull2560]

I'm shocked the food court is no longer there....wow!!!

[@TontoGoldstein78]

I grew up in San Diego and got into this channel from the Horton Plaza video. I love your content and the San Diego malls always hit me just right!

[@annanamoose9943]

I remember, in the 1970's, there was a dinosaurs, or dragon, sculpture in a big sand lot when there was more open area in the middle, where that closed restaurant is. I remember having a lot of fun playing there while my parents shopped.

[@erikjs]

I came here to comment on that as well. I remember it very well. I’ve even had dreams since then about my time playing in that sand lot. Great childhood memories of this place.

[@barbereh]

Loved the dragon sculpture - amazingly my sister and I had not fears leaving her two girls there to play while we shopped - they were about 5 and 6 years old. No worries about abduction or injury - the kids ruled the dragon I don't remember there being anyone there supervising! Ahh, the good old days!

[@quesoblanco444]

@@barbereh That Dino sculpture is one of my fav mall memories as well, I loved it as a child.

[@CaraWeston]

Late to this comment thread, but I too played on that dinosaur as a kid in the late 60s.

[@InfinityVRX]

I'm happy to see that the Comics n Stuff is still in operation.

[@tk421dr]

i think that used to be a wizards of the coast store, its been a while but i remember taking the trolley as a kid to this mall to buy magic cards

[@Lux2]

Comics and Stuff is a nomadic store, always changing locations.

[@christianrocha4293]

I remember shopping at Mission Valley Mall before its unfortunate mid 90's renovation. The Macy's Furniture Store used to be a Bullock's, which inevitably became part of the Federated "family" of dead regional department store brands. I don't remember much of the store, except the fact that it felt very empty at the time we shopped there. The recently closed Macy's used to a May Company/Robinson's-May store. At one point there were 3 Macy's (Mission Valley, Fashion Valley, and Mission Valley's Furniture Store) in a 2 mile radius. Talk about retail overkill!

[@Brimoeris1]

I miss those days so much.

[@christianrocha4293]

I thought the mid 90s renovation was aesthetically unfortunate. I remember the garish colorful designs that reminded me of a children's store. In fact, they have since repainted those areas of the mall in more somber colors.

[@InfinityPets]

Christian Rocha Near the Ruby’s diner some of the floor prior to the renovation in the 90s was left under one of the kiosk! It’s like teal, pink and blue.

[@Lux2]

I blame the AMC Mission Valley 20 for that.

[@icebrrrrrgh]

I live near this mall! I'm so glad you did an EP on it, the problem is definitely with the much bigger and much classier fashion valley Mall only a few miles away. Outside I always see when I drive which I loveeee because there's a super cool solo cup like design on the side

[@GroverJ83]

Fashion Valley was still the bigger Mall and the one with more upscale stores even in the late 90s. Mission had more foot traffic and was more popular with teens,it's sad to see they never converted the youth of the mid 90's and early aughts to adult customers.

[@arianacecena6971]

Same here I don’t live to far from it

[@moemoe619]

I remember going there in the 80s, there was a Bobs Big Boy. They had a Newberry’s where they sold plastic piggy banks.

[@katieray436]

That central restaurant that is closed might have been a Johnny Rocket's originally, but when it closed, it was a Ruby's Diner.

[@iokcs]

yeah it was a rubys back in early 2000s not sure what it was before that i.redd.it/tid9neglocr01.jpg

[@blutopaz74]

I’m so sad to see that it no longer exists :( it was the first place I got to experience a Ruby’s diner

[@marjoriemorris5849]

I love the architecture of that restaurant! So Googie!

[@tw364]

It was really San Diego’s first regional shopping center. In its 60s and 70s heyday it was the best. May Company and Montgomery Wards were the primary anchors, but MVC always had a lot of cool shops that weren’t typical for a mall. It always had a look and style that bespoke the swinging 60s. Hopefully it will get back on track.

[@kyoohki]

The location of the charity used to be a food court. Unfortunately it closed a few years ago. But they opened a Panda Express which should draw business. Then there used to be a Sports Chalet where Michael's is now located. Memories

[@waynereineke368]

When I lived in San Diego Mission Valley in the 90s, this was my go to mall. Loved it a lot and glad to see its still going. San Diego has the best year round weather for out doors Malls like this.

[@PixelatedH2O]

I know Ian supposedly works at a video game store but it's nice to see he actually isn't locked in Pat's basement for real.

[@boxingvortex4364]

This mall was jumping back in 97' 98'!! When I lived in San Diego this was the mall I frequented the most. The Late Jr. Seau of the San Diego Chargers owned a restaurant called Seau's on the east side of the mall that closed not too long after his death. I met my first serious girlfriend at that restaurant in 98 at a Boyz ll Men after party. The food was pretty good too! I took a date to the closed Rubys 50's style restaurant, it was a disaster lol! I used to go to that movie theatre a lot too. A lot of good memories at Mission Valley mall!

[@foxycritter]

This was my FAVORITE mall as a teenager!

[@JeremiahHartmanPhotography]

WOW..i left SD in 2005 and it still looks the same (minus the store closures and it used to be bright colors). This was my neighborhood mall..Thanks...brought back some memories!

[@hurricanefreak101]

That parking lot always floods during El Niño season

[@davider3568]

Thanks for this Eric. Really enjoyed it, as always. Best wishes for a successful 2020!

[@SD420]

They had a Newberrys and a Bobs Big Boy in that mall as well. Me and my buddies from the neighborhood used to run those malls Fashion Valley Mall and Town and Country Hotel as well in the late 70's early 80's.. Good times! 👍

[@kriw1083]

You missed the tiny dog park on the other side of the Macys. There's also another section that has a BWW and a Bed Bath and Beyond. It's connected by a weird walkway that doesn't have any store fronts between the two sections. The BWW used to be a Junior Seau's restaurant. Also during Halloween there's a haunted house in the unused part of the Target parking lot, and this year there were TWO different Halloween stores.

[@thobbs4526]

This mall used to be so busy, it was where you went to buy anything. It was built in the valley where the San Diego River is located, and before climate change, the whole area routinely flooded during the winter rains, due to poor planning. It was a local joke (the flooding, every winter)

[@cardfrek]

I've been to this mall a few times in the late 1990's when I was a Sailor in the US Navy. I remember it being fairly busy back then.

[@rindordrums]

I shopped there quite often. I loved the ATC FActory. A sandwich shop. ATC - Avacado, Chicken and Turkey. I lived in San Diego during the time they were building the AMC theater. I got really excited when I found out what it was going to be. :)

[@jellydonutsrule]

I still love going that mall. I too believe SoCal has the best outdoor malls. That floor in the Macy's store is also one of my favorites. Thanks for posting.

[@garylangley4502]

I remember when it opened. I was about 7 years old. Down at the end where the Montgomery Wards was, there was a J.J. Newberry's, and directly across from it was a Thrifty Drug Store, and they were always busy selling Ice Cream, more than any other Thrifty I've been to. There were no shops in the middle of the mall, and more of that area was open to the parking area. They had some stairs, ramps, and the "people conveyor belts" as my Dad called them. The entire area where Macy's is didn't have anything there, as a few stores were closed and demolished to make a walkway to the Macy's area. In one open area on the parking level was a concrete play structure. It was in the shape of a dragon that they had named Lucy. I enjoyed playing on it. When the shopping center was built, Mission Valley was mostly corn fields and cow pastures. To the west of there was Westgate ball park where the Pacific Coast League Padres played. Just south of there was the Town and Country Hotel. Just East of Westgate Ball Park was Hazard Building Supplies. They made bricks and concrete blocks there. Before Mission Valley Center, most shopping was downtown. The first open shopping mall in the US was built in the Linda Vista housing development during WW2. Elinor Roosevelt dedicated the Linda Vista Shopping Center. At first there was the Linda Vista Department Store, Later, it was taken over by Walker Scott department store. The Westgate Ball Park was demolished and Fashion Valley Shopping Center was built there.

[@falovepa]

When I was little, this was my favorite place my mom shopped because, in the underground parking, there was a sandbox with a big dinosaur to climb. Mothers would just leave their kids there while they shopped. In an underground garage with all that exhaust, unsupervised. It was the 60's, it was a different time. We laugh about it now.

[@barbereh]

Yes! I just commented on that. Leaving my 5 and 6 year old nieces to play there with no worries about safety or possible abduction. We would just yell down occasionally to make sure they were OK.

[@jhey5639]

I LITERALLY love your videos, your comments and your tone of voice.... and of course the content! Loved subscribing to your channel :)

[@SPYDEE7]

WOW....I WORKED FOR ROBINSONS-MAY THERE...NOW/WAS A MACYS...IN 2002...IT STILL LOOKS THE SAME...GREAT VIDEO...THANKS

[@bludhound73]

Memories. I used to,go there as a kid. My brother got lost there. It was quite the chore to find him.

[@MrButch-ls8vl]

6:38 - that pattern of red bricks has a name: basket weave.

[@omegaforeverpahrump4436]

This mall is cool , back in 1990 when I was pregnant with my son went to target to buy baby’s first Christmas ornament🎄. When going to the parking garage, there was a Rolls Royce parked there. Thank you this brings back fond memories.

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

The 1st Retail Archeology Video of 2020. I Love It

[@DragonBlue68]

Brings back memories.... I lived in San Diego from 1979 to 1989. My mom loved to shop Montgomery Ward (Focus). As a teen, I'd hang out at the record store. On the lower level, there was a small children's playground with a dragon -if I recall. There was a severe flood in the mid 80s that put much of the area under water. AMC theater was in Fashion Valley at the time -I worked there a few Summer Vacations. Judging from the video, there seems to be a clutter of new buildings/businesses crammed into the main thoroughfare.

[@leukybear]

Finally a mall I've been too!

[@user-yx8wm1zh4w]

Around 2016 or 17 I went up to the top floor of that Macy's to use the restroom and decided to walk further down the creepy hallway.. there was a room full of old display units, chairs and what not all thrown away in there and another further back creepy restroom.. also a giant locked door that you could peek through the keyhole and see just complete darkness Love your videos and have been wanting you to do one on this mall for quite some time!

[@shiftintohigh5564]

Went there in hr 80s, loved the open air 60s vibe. A great visit back👍👍😎😎

[@stevevoelker6834]

The crazy art-deco looking restaurant was a Ruby's Diner- used to eat there a lot when there was a Wizards of the Coast located catty corner to it. This was one of my first Mall Memories, visiting here for the first time in 1972.

[@thevacdude]

Thanks for the tour.

[@gp.5989]

A fairly busy outdoor mall is Bella Terra near where I live in Huntington Beach. A risen from the dead mall is the Westminster Mall. I went there with my mom for nostalgia sake to shop for my son's and the place was pretty busy.

[@jamesarguello7560]

Awesome, you finally got around to Mission Valley Center! Lot of memories at MVC. Went to that AMC a lot when I was in High School with my friends back in the late 90's. My mom used to work at May Co. before it became Macy's and shut down. Yeah, lots of parts of this mall remain unchanged since the late 90's. It is kind of like time-warping back to 1997 at most parts of MVC. LOL. They used to have a large sports bar/restaurant called Seau's, named after the then star player of the SD Chargers team Jr. Seau. I just remember it being the ultimate in 90's sports bar kitsch.

[@Paramount531]

This was the mall of my youth. The original mall was very attractive, The brick columns and walkways are original. The first expansion of the mall was in 1974-5, when they added the wing to the north that contained Bullocks, now Macy's Home Furnishings. They designed the addition to be consistent with the original architecture. Around 1980, they added a whole bunch of stuff to the east of the Bullock's, it was not at all consistent with the original architecture. Montgomery Ward folded in early 2000, as you face it from the mall side, there was a huge Newberry store with a Holland House Cafeteria. Across from that was a Thrifty Drug Store, now Outback Steakhouse. They closed the Ruby's Diner (it wasn't Johnny Rockets), which was built on an infill, it used to be open to the parking lot below with a kids playground and a very cool fountain. As of my last visit, about a year ago, it was looking more run down and desolate. May Co/Macy's is still empty.

[@DanBriggs3000]

The Macy's Home Store opened at as Bullock's, as there was no room for it at Fashion Valley Mall down the way. The May Co (now the closed Macy's) had a restaurant that was opened up before the store closed, and someone took pics of it and posted them on Facebook. Most of the original lights and wall art were there, but Macy's walled off the opening. At lest this Mall still has some of it's old charm...Fashion Valley has little left (Bloomies, Macys and JCP still have some of their outer facade left, but have been drastically altered.

[@CryptoJackk]

1:39 it was also a Ruby’s diner as well 😊

[@tonytouch22]

I miss the arcade there.

[@nickgir]

It's strange, I hate shopping and haven't been to a mall in years. But for some reason, I like watching these videos.

[@allanrscott]

Junior Seau had his restaurant there (Seau's).

[@noreenanthony-tabar2148]

I got stationed in San Diego early 1990's and married mid 1990's and we lived in San Diego, and this was one of three malls we would go to. And that retro building was Ruby diner went there a few times before it closed down.

[@ReyG_HKSH]

The "empty" spot with the charity used to be a food court if it's not there now. Haven't been to that mall in at least 3 years so looks like a bunch of stuff has closed since then. Problem with Mission Valley Mall is it's very close proximity to Fashion Valley Mall (a more upscale mall, literally down the street) which had somewhat recent renovations.

[@giovannipavone8048]

The food court is closed now but if you look in the window you can still see the inside and the signs are still there.

[@surban4369]

The original color of the hexagon "fascia" on the former May Co building was a brown mustard color. We enjoyed playing on the concrete dinosaurs on the lower level.

[@kathyg.6531]

I used to go to this mall in the 60s and 70s with my grandmother and great aunt! I remember Broadway and Buffums. Both long gone. There used to be dinosaur playground in the mall. Changed a lot, but it's an awfully long time ago.

[@Sydney.Knight]

I'm pretty sure you're thinking of Fashion Valley Mall. It had Broadway, Buffums and Robinsons. Mission Valley Mall was nearby and had May Company, Montgomery Ward and Bullocks.

[@calihustler08]

Thanks for sharing Dan!! One of your biggest fans! 👊🏻😎

[@JazzyBabe56]

YAY! It's been awhile - so glad to see you posting a vid! Happy New Year to you and yours! ♥

[@superray21]

They used to have a pretty cool arcade there. Loved the anime store there, too

[@michaelbarfield528]

I remember when the new AMC opened in June of 1996 and ID4 (Independence Day) was shown July 2, 1996. The theater area was very crowded and I saw the movie twice! Good memories as a 33 year old stationed at NAS North Island.

[@lagatitabruja]

That was a Ruby’s not a Johnny rockets. This mall, at least the anchors will never be dead as this area is so central to the surrounding neighborhoods for shopping! However this is the lesser mall compared to the much better and fancier fashion valley down the street. As a kid this was always the more “ghetto” mall in comparison to fashion valley. We never came here only to the movies or the anchors I think I’ve only walked the inside a couple of times.

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

Glad to see you in 2020. Happy New Year.

[@TomMarvan]

Great video, thank you for posting. The Target here is always very busy, particularly around the holidays, including Christmas (this year was no exception). The Nordstrom Rack with the Target I think ensure that this mall can still thrive if the removations make sense and are not over the top like they were at UTC. The theatre, the Yard House and possibly Outback Steakhouse may help the future of the mall, too. Not far away is the Fashion Valley mall, possibly the best mall in San Diego (the University Towne Centre (UTC) $1 billion revamp notwithstanding). The comics and such has been moved around a few times, and right across from Wetzel's and DQ there used to be a Burger King, closed probably 4 years ago. The Ruby's diner closed about 3 years ago after a long presence in the mall, and the Forever 21 replaced Sport Chalet about 3-4 years ago. The Tilted Kilt net to Macy's used to be popular with local sports fans especially, but closed down soon after the San Diego Chargers left town. Several years before that Seau's restaurant, on the other side of the now-closed Macy's, slowly faded into obscurity once Junior left the Chargers for New England over a decade ago. Did you try the buffet a few doors down from the US Post office? Don't! ty again.

[@dmac7128]

Since your visit, they have started renovations on the eastern end of the mall where at the old Michael's location. Plus they have been making more of an effort to attract tenants. A Sandbox VR and a Windsors apparel store have opened near the Target. Southern California outdoor malls are the best and it would be sad to see it share the same fate as Horton Plaza. Only time will tell.

[@yanksrock1000]

Unfortunately most of this mall’s traffic has been lost to the Fashion Valley mall right down the road. Fashion Valley even has a nicer AMC theater. The only reason I visit this mall is for Target and Tender Greens

[@meesterb3rns]

Actually, the 50s style empty restaurant space was a Ruby’s Diner. I know because I moved down to San Diego in Spring of 2017 and have eaten there a few times. I do think that the Mission Valley part of SD is overmalled because Fashion Valley Mall is just across the river, and is very much alive with more higher-end stores and anchors.

[@tammysilverwolf1085]

I lived in San Diego for a long while, I discovered D&D through the Kaybe Toys there and there was the arcade on the first floor catty corner to the theater (under the food court)... Then there was Tower records on the outside, and a card/game shop that closed down early. I miss this place, I genuinely do. I keep saying I'll go back one day just to see the place, but I think I'm just lying to myself. :) That diner was one called Ruby's Diner, same kind of aesthetic with 50's ciche but a bit different. There was also a Gretta's Chocolates (I think) near the highway entrance that apparently closed down. Man so many memories... Great video.

[@MisterMikeTexas]

This mall reminds me of the old Seminary South open air mall in Fort Worth, Texas. That mall was originally developed and I believe owned by Sears' commercial property division, and of course had a Sears dept store as one of the anchors. It was converted to a closed mall in the late 80's and renamed Fort Worth Town Center. I haven't been there since that conversion. Today I've read that it is now La Gran Plaza, catering to the predominantly Latin community in that area today.

[@mysty042]

You made a very good comment about Macy's playing games with thier prices and they should just put that real price on there. That would make complete sense. But customers don't think that way. I ran and managed a candy store between 1997 to 2015. We had started out with not being gimmicky, great product for not a huge pricepoint. Sales were flat! It was not until I started saving 'sales' and giving away coupons etc, that the sales shot up!

[@movieguy84]

Wow, it’s crazy seeing this mall look this way. I grew up in San Diego, not too far from this mall, in the 90’s and it was such a cool place to go to as a kid. The fact that is was outdoors was a neat thing to me since I didn’t see too many malls like that. My favorite memories though are visiting that AMC theater. It was the first one I went to that had stadium style seating and (at the time) was huge with 20 screens. I saw all three re-releases of the Star Wars movie there in ‘97.

[@movieguy84]

Also, the Northfield Mall a little bit north of this was another big mall in the 90’s we went to a lot.

[@Traindude7777]

Subscribed recently. I gotta say, you have amazing content!

[@mirandahall4079]

Sis and I used to go here alllll the time during out college years in the 2000's. Just recently went there with a couple of clients for job observations. A lot has changed since recent memory...

[@atomicmom3383]

Another fantastic video, Eric!!! 🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏 Thank you for cataloging our malls before they die away! The closed restaurant was a Ruby's Diner, they used to be a 50's themed place, but then went towards 60's and totally changed their menu which really turned alot of people off, myself included... They were known for their large and delicious shake menu. The Buffalo Wild Wings in the back by Bed Bath and Beyond was opened by Junior Seau of the San Diego Chargers and was his namesake restaurant until he sadly passed away in 2012, after almost 16 years in business... Across the plaza from Nordstrom Rack was a Michael's craft store until last year, I believe. The Onami moved from next to the Macy's, by the side of the Papaya, and then a Tilted Kilt went in there for a few years and just closed within the last 2-3 years. And, the Post Office used to be where the DXL is now, next to the Macy's furniture store. The tile and the atrium area with the escalators in the Macy's furniture store is my favorite. 😁

[@amirmoradi9595]

Mission Valley was the main mall for my friends and I in high school to go see a movie. It had a trolley station nearby which was great for high schoolers that couldn't drive. We used to enter the mall from the post office because it was the nearest entrance to the Trolley station.

[@cal88usa]

I went to this mall two years ago. I was in town for a graduation. It’s a nice outdoor mall.

[@MrUpscaleman]

I loved shopping at that mall in the 90's

[@thomasrichardson-ev1wp]

I remember when our family went to mission valley to buy vegetables from the farmers. It was all farm land before mission valley was born

[@iokcs]

@5:17 I bought my very first couch and bed set at this Macys back in 1999 haha

[@KO-eu6jv]

Pacific View Mall in Ventura, CA please! Sears is closing, and the whole mall is supposed to be apartments by the next couple years! Has a semi-popular Macy’s and JCPenney, Target is really popular, but Sears and most of the mall is scarcely populated and half empty. Last big renovation was 1992, first opened in the late 50s, I believe, with totally different anchor stores. Would be interested in a history of this mall!

[@MGhomel]

Used to work at this mall until they closed down our store 2 years ago.. SUPER slow days especially during the holidays since Fashion valley mall was next door

[@kmm129]

My friend went to San Diego State University in the late 70s and this was the cool mall. I don’t remember much but I could never forget the vibe . Surprisingly my friend would remember everything .

[@giznot]

When that amc opened it was the place to be if you were a kid in SD. That movie theatre is my favorite. Malls not bad either but Fashion Valley nearby is the classier mall where you go to be seen

[@groton27]

when i lived in SD I would hit it up. But Fashion Valley is by far the main mall in that whole area and has been for the past twenty five years or so

[@mungox1]

UTC has been redone, more upscale & no empty space. Sears is gone.

[@mlenz2553]

Grew up going here all the time, but now only when I go to Bed Bath and Beyond. Fashion Valley mall has all the high end stores and restaurant that the wife and kids like to go to, so we usually go there now.

[@LikaLaruku]

I usually don't like open-air malls, (because they're usually ugly strip malls) but this one is kinda unique. It's structured like an indoor mall.

[@GeorgeVCohea-dw7ou]

In California, open air malls do usually work well and are designed to be enjoyable, especially around San Diego. The weather in almost any other part of the country usually makes development foolish and impractical. There is the reasoning that sales are slow during rainy days, which is true, but of course, it is still possible to actually shop in a traditional mall during a downpour.

[@kNo1bdy]

My mom likes to go there for the Nordstrom rack.

[@ladyfire44]

For me, it's Torrid because I like the clothing choice there

[@SearsCool]

This is a beautiful mall

[@paulmadkow9143]

Also check out fashion valley mall to the west. Also grossmont center to the east. They are both right off interstate 8.

[@clifffton]

Haven't been for a few years but it is a busy area, as is all of the valley. It's nice for an old mall.

[@dennik535]

you're in my neighborhood! if i go to the mall, it's that one. i like that it's still an outdoor mall. i grew up near lakewood center mall, near long beach, ca. it was an open-air mall until around 1980. they enclosed it and it lost all of it's character. i like that mission valley mall still retains that nostalgic feel. i was surprised they closed that macy's, yet kept the macy's at horton plaza open. i don't know if they'll ever do a big renovation at mission valley mall. it's never going to be that busy, and with fashion valley just up the street, the major anchor stores are going to stay there. it should stay just as it is.

[@Zizumia]

I like watching your videos because you always visit malls I have been to. This video brings back memories. I remember getting myself a cup of coffee then sitting on that bench under that Macy's sign, since it was the one bench that was almost always in the shade.

[@theconciergerecommends3981]

I went with my mom in 1975 to the opening of Bullocks (now Macy's Home Store ). They have essentially not done one thing to the store since it opened... except for maybe a couple carpet replacements. Originally it looked very 1970s hip! They had a huge Lego display on the top floor between the escalators... Mom wouldn't buy me any as they were $20 for a very small box back then!

[@baggins1]

I cruised this mall back in 85 when it was full on awesome!

[@pyrobison2002]

So neat. And man is this place clean!*

[@Bubblun1]

Hopefully you visited the Fry's in San Diego also. I was just in town on vacation and realizing it was a former Incredible Universe store I had to see it for myself. Completely dead and empty of product like all Fry's but had some cool neon and other signage that had to be from the Incredible Universe days. I missed out on seeing this mall during my trip.

[@zorilla0]

You can hear all the individual relays clicking on and off as the bulbs cycle on that marquee sign hanging from the second floor. That store is in such disrepair that on the five days a year it rains, they have to put a bunch of buckets out to trap water from the massive roof leaks. Last time I saw this happen, the entire front row on the right side of the store was blocked off from customers because all of it was soaking wet.

[@theconciergerecommends3981]

The concrete caps on the columns were added in the 90's... they used to be all block brick all the way up...

[@patricksaxon3983]

This is not a indoors mall, it is a outdoor shopping center. It reminds me of the Domain in Austin, Texas.

[@ConnorRB]

1:33 That was actually a Ruby's Diner . It was themed like the 1950's from the inside and out. I personally miss it.

[@icedcoldkilla]

The empty restaurant in the middle used to be a rubys

[@franksjourney7419]

Munozl360 its gone!? WTH!!???

[@icedcoldkilla]

@@franksjourney7419 yeah sadly. This mall is half dead, last time I went some guys who collect money for unicef kept bugging me. Really annoying. Was the mall of my childhood.

[@michaelleary9233]

Visited my cousins and went here in 82, we heard Valley Girl by moon Unit Zappa for the first time and felt so Cali!

[@jamesborlan2850]

Wetzels pretzels dairy queen and orange julius the trifecta of food court malls