Take a leisurely walk from the Gaslamp Quarter or Horton Plaza and escape the madness of the city for awhile. Stroll down miles of cobblestone paths taking in the greenery, ponds and fountains as you make your way around 54 one-of-a-kind shops, 13 casual dining eateries and four fine-dining restaurants. Unsurpassed views of the bay, its ships and the San Diego-Coronado Bridge surround the park. Complete with a carousel dating from the 1890s, this is a great place to visit for the day. A monthly calender features live blues, jazz, country and swing bands.

This newly renovated shopping mall was built on farmland in the early 1960s when the valley was still an agricultural paradise; things have changed, but avid shoppers still think they are in paradise. Dozens of shops and restaurants make the open-air shopping mall a perfect place for serious shopping, browsing and feeding. The new AMC 20-screen multiplex has revitalized the popular center, which continually draws large crowds, especially on weekends.

Completely renovated in 1997, this elegant outdoor mall is your best stop for serious shopping in San Diego. Less tourist-like than the flamboyant and exciting Horton Plaza, Fashion Valley Shopping Center is much easier to navigate. It is the main hub for upscale and designer shopping. Exclusive names like Hermès, Neiman Marcus and Rolex are among the luxury brand stores. With 200 stores, seven restaurants, a food court and a movie theatre, even the most discriminating shoppers will find what they are looking for, including foreign currency exchange.

Plaza Bonita mall has 140 specialty stores and four major department stores to choose from. Also on hand are more than 15 restaurants, a movie complex, and beauty salons. Everything from appliances to toys can be purchased at this major bi-level shopping mall serving clientele in the South Bay area for nearly 20 years. The mall has undergone an extensive makeover in the past few years and is bigger and better than ever. Extra perks include Wi-Fi facility throughout the mall, a family lounge and a mall walker program.

Conveniently located just 20 minutes from downtown is the major shopping center referred to as UTC. Here you will find shopping majors such as Sears, Macy's, and Nordstrom's. More than 160 specialty shops, banks, seven eateries, 16 fast-food sites and an ice skating rink that will entertain and delight you. Events and entertainment are scheduled on weekends. Plenty of free parking is available.

Otay Ranch Town Center has a great number of stores and restaurants, including Macy's, Panera, Gap, and See's Candies. They set themselves apart by providing a dog park. Man's best friend has 10,000 square feet in which to run and play here. If you visit on a Tuesday, you'll find a farmer's market here. You can pick up fresh produce and locally made products while enjoying live entertainment!

Located just 20 minutes from downtown of San Diego, Las Americas Premium Outlets offers upscale outlet shopping with an impressive collection of 125 designer and name brand outlet stores. Enjoy incredible savings on your favorite labels and designers at this outdoor shopping center. Stores include BCBG Max Azria, Calvin Klein, Coach, Tommy Bahama, Gap Outlet, Guess, Adidas, J.Crew, Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and many more.