Fashion Valley Mall

The Fashion Valley Mall has an excellent selection of dining options for the whole family. There is a large open-air food court as well as several standalone restaurants. And don’t forget the cafes in the department stores I mentioned above!

The mall has dine-in and to-go options. If you’re having trouble deciding where to eat, here are some of my favorite spots.

Blancos Tacos & Tequila at Fashion Valley Mall

Blanco Tacos + Tequila

Blanco Tacos + Tequila is my choice when I’m feeling like street-style tacos in a relaxed indoor or outdoor atmosphere. The restaurant’s inside seating is casual and stylish but their outside patio with the blue skies and warm breeze is my favorite spot to eat.

Whether for lunch or dinner, I’d recommend the Carne Asada Tacos with the avocado and cotija cheese, or from the Tuscon Chimichanga section of the menu, the Short Rib Machaca is a delicious choice. The meat is tender and there is something about the guacamole and pico de gallo that just makes it enjoyable.

If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, the Grilled Avocado Tacos have a nice pickled onion taste with the crisp of fresh purple cabbage and tortilla strips that make them as beautiful as they are tasty.

They also have a selection of fajitas, burritos, bowls, as well as enchiladas and salads. For drinks for the adults, you can’t go wrong with their Classic Margarita but they also have sangria, a nice selection of local, craft and Mexican beers as well as of course plenty of tequila!

Blanco Tacos + Tequila, also known as Blanco Cocina + Cantina, has a location in Coronado as well, just across the Coronado Bridge from Downtown San Diego and not far from the famous Hotel del Coronado and Coronado Beach, one of the prettiest beaches in San Diego.

Craft House Fashion Valley

The Fashion Valley Mall is part of our team’s Best Things to Do in San Diego list, and while the selection of stores, relaxed atmosphere and family atmosphere are reasons it made the list, the awesome variety of places to eat helped a lot too!

Whether you’re a serious shopper or just browsing like me, convenient in-mall options like the Craft House Fashion Valley are among my top recommendations to take a break and enjoy a tasty meal!

You’ll mostly find American fare like burgers, sandwiches, and seafood on the menu. The restaurant describes themselves as ‘new American Mexican fusion’, and I think that is pretty accurate. They have really tasty burgers and fries, with the Shrooms + Truffle being my personal favorite.

If you’re conscious about where your food comes from, know that Craft House is big on all-natural and local ingredients which I really love. They’ve also got a hefty drink menu with beer, wine, and cocktails.

The Cheesecake Factory

Speaking of hefty menus, The Cheesecake Factory is known for its massive selection.

To me, this restaurant is about the family atmosphere and energy as the servers dart around taking care of their tables. But it’s also quite nice that with so many options, everyone can find something they want to eat!

I’m a fan of their Flat Bread Margarita Pizza but I can say that the Old Fashion Burger served with all the fixings is pretty tasty as well. You can’t go wrong with any of their cheesecakes either with the Fresh Strawberry and Oreo Dream Extreme Cheesecakes being two of my personal favorites.

And know that the portions are pretty generous, so if you don’t have space to split a slice of cheesecake after your dinner, you can get one to go - and yes, even the cheesecake selection is big!

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse isn’t actually part of the mall, but it’s so close that it felt worth including.

The restaurant is perfect for families with a large selection of pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads and more. Their wings and sliders are my favorite starters and the Pepperoni Extreme Pizza and the Parmesan-crusted Chicken are two of my go-to entrees.

I’d say if you’re on a diet, don’t look at the dessert menu as it’s a treat for the eyes, and the stomach! If you decide to indulge, I’d recommend the Salted Caramel Pizookie or for sharing, go with the Pizookie Trio where you can choose three Pizookies, each served with a scoop of ice cream.

As good as the food is at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, I’d have to say that my favorite aspect of the restaurant is how it feels to eat there. It has a relaxed brewhouse vibe that’s backed up by the excellent craft beer on offer, making it one of my favorite spots to eat near Fashion Valley.

The Fashion Valley Mall is a hit with families. Todd says his kids still love it even now that they are a bit older. And that is because beyond just the shopping, there are plenty of things to do for visitors of all ages.

Fun Bars to Grab a Drink at Fashion Valley Mall

Family Dining

Most of the restaurants in the mall are very kid-friendly, plus the food court provides plenty of different cuisines for those who have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or just different tastes.

Kids will particularly enjoy the sweet treats available throughout the mall, including Pinkberry, Parfait Paris, Haagen-Daz, and Wetzel’s Pretzels. Also, all four of our choices for the best restaurants in and around the mall were approved not only by us, but our kids as well!

Urban Outfiters at Fashion Valley Mall

Stores for All Ages

Many of the stores at Fashion Valley cater to kids and teens. Build-A-Bear, LEGO, and Gepetto’s Toys are great choices for family entertainment. You’ll also find stylish kids clothing throughout the mall at places like Gap Kids and H&M.

Teens won’t feel left out at the Fashion Valley Mall either. Teen classics like Hollister, Abercrombie, Pink, Foot Locker and American Eagle all have shops at Fashion Valley.

The AMC Theater at the mall is also a great place for an afternoon family movie or for my teens to meet their friends. And for me and my family, we can always spend time at the mall’s huge Apple store!

Services for Parents

The Fashion Valley Mall also has plenty of amenities that cater to young families.

The children’s play area on the first level is the perfect place for kids to let out some extra energy. If you need a stroller, rentals are available and family restrooms with baby changing areas can be found at the mall as well.

Getting to the Fashion Valley Mall is very easy, no matter where you’re coming from in San Diego. It’s conveniently located at the intersection of I-8 and Route 163 in the Mission Valley neighborhood of San Diego.

Fashion Valley Mall is also found directly across from an area known as Hotel Circle. This area is full of popular resorts as well as hotels for business travel. If you are staying in this neighborhood, you’ll be able to easily walk over to the mall.

Directions and Parking

The fastest way to get to the mall from Downtown San Diego is by taking route 163 north to the mall and exiting on Friars Road. If you are coming from Ocean Beach or from anywhere further west of Mission Valley, you will need to take I-8 to reach the mall. If you are traveling south from La Jolla, take I-5 to I-8.

And as easy as the mall is to find, parking at Fashion Valley is just as easy! The Fashion Valley parking structure that surrounds the mall offers a good amount of free parking so finding a space even at busy times should be possible.

There are also valet services available for added convenience, including a text message-based valet system.

If you have an electric vehicle or a Tesla, you’re in luck because the mall features multiple charging stations.

Kids Riding the MTS Trolley in San Diego

Using Public Transportation

If you don’t have a car, it’s good to know that you can reach Fashion Valley via public transit as well. The mall has its own stop on the San Diego Trolley green line. The trolley connects the mall with many other parts of San Diego, including Downtown San Diego, La Mesa, Chula Vista, and more. I personally find the Trolley easy and convenient and I’d recommend you give it a try.

Using a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft is also a quick and affordable way to get to the mall. Fashion Valley has six designated rideshare drop-off and pickup points throughout the mall.

Since Fashion Valley is such a large mall, it’s best to plan ahead to ensure you have an enjoyable visit. Below I’ve put together a few tips that I think will be helpful.

Fashion Valley is a Two Level Outdoor Mall

Best Times to Visit

Since San Diego has consistently excellent weather, you’re likely to have a great visit no matter when you go.

For me, the best time to visit is in the spring or fall, when the weather is most likely to be warm and sunny without any scattered thunderstorms. But know there is surely no bad time to visit!

Dress for the Weather

Since San Diego is warm, you’ll want to wear light clothing that will keep you cool. Make sure to bring sunscreen and sunglasses, since the mall is partially outdoors. You’ll also want to make sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be on your feet as you explore the mall.

Check Ahead for Sales

While Fashion Valley is known for its upscale luxury brands, there are also plenty of sales throughout the year where you can get great deals!

Before you head out, check to see which stores are offering the best bargains. You’ll also want to check the movie schedule at the AMC theater for any exciting features.

Exterior view, Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

Consider Staying Nearby

If you’re planning on spending a significant amount of time at the mall, there are plenty of convenient nearby options for lodging. For the closest options, the Hotel Circle area has several popular hotels to choose from within walking distance of the mall.

Our top recommendation if you’re looking to see a little more of the city is the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, right in the historic Gaslamp Quarter district which has tons of walking tours and historic buildings.

The hotel is about a 10 minute drive to the south at just under 5 miles by car. After an afternoon of shopping, you’ll pass one of my favorite places on your way to the hotel - Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo! If you’re looking for a fun activity to try with your family between shopping trips, I’d highly recommend the zoo.

If you’re in the mood for more shopping near the hotel, there are lots of locally-owned boutique stores accessible that you’ll be able to get to by foot.