Westfield’s UTC Mall is one of the most popular malls in the San Diego area. It is conveniently located in the University Town Center area of University City, just east of La Jolla and the University of California at San Diego (UCSD). It is easily accessible from downtown San Diego via the 5 and 805 freeways, and will eventually be the last stop on the forthcoming UTC trolley line.
This gorgeous open-air mall was recently renovated in 2017. The renovation transformed the mall into a dining and entertainment destination. The outdoor area is full of water fountains and cozy fire pits, and charming San Diego-themed art installations.
UTC transforms during the Christmas season, when they have an ice-skating rink, Christmas trees and Santa’s Village. This is featured in our Holiday Season Guide to San Diego Christmas Activities.
The mall also has an AMC movie theater (called AMC UTC 14), a play space for kids, and a dog park. The movie theater offers an upscale experience with both blockbuster and independent movies.
The selection of shops is excellent, with designer and budget fashion brands, tech retailers, beauty brands, toy stores, bookstores, and much more. Nordstrom and Macy’s are the anchor department stores here, but there are also over 100 boutique options to choose from.
The UTC Mall is also known for its incredible dining. Expect premium steakhouses, charming cafes, and global cuisines. Many popular local restaurants have outposts here, including Great Maple, Queenstown Bistro, Eureka, and more.
Adults can even enjoy specialty cocktails, wine, and beer at the mall’s excellent array of bars. One of the most lauded bars here is Raised By Wolves, a speakeasy that focuses on vintage cocktails and even hosts mixology classes.