The Westfield Mission Valley Mall Maze

Westfield Mission Valley is San Diego's most untraditional mall.

The layout is reminiscent of a multi-dimensional maze, where eager visitors must park, walk, search, re-park, walk, and search to locate their various shopping destinations. However, if you know what you're looking for, the prizes at the end of the maze make your mission around Mission Valley worth it.

Couture connoisseurs will have to head to Fashion Valley for that Burberry handbag from Bloomingdales. But they will find coveted classics in unexpected places. Westfield Mission Valley offers an alternative shopping scene for those seeking fashion finds on a budget. Subtract Neiman Marcus, tweak Nordstrom's, and add a nautical twist to casual wear. The greatest prize is Westfield Mission Valley's signature selection: Loehmann's, Nordstrom's Rack, and Old Navy.

Loehmann's is a discount department store that offers upscale brands off-price. The Back Room provides designer favorites to style-savvy women, at prices consistently 30% to 65% lower than traditional department stores. This is no one-time sale; this is everyday at Loehmann's. And when I say designer, I mean it—Loehmann's keeps customers neck-high in Juicy Couture, Donna Karen, Armani Collection, and Dolce & Gabbana. In addition to women's clothing, shoes, and accessories, Loehmann's also has designs for men and children.

Dedicated San Diego shoppers schedule work, play, and vacation around Nordstrom's annual sales. But budget-conscious San Diego shoppers know where to find Nordstrom's sale prices everyday. Nordstrom's Rack offers clothing in a wide style variety for men, women, and children in addition to accessories, shoes, bath and beauty products, and home décor. Shoppers save 50% to 75% off original Nordstrom prices, without compromising style or quality.

Old Navy is an affordable and reliable department-size store by nature. For him, her, and the little ones, Old Navy provides unbeatable basics for the everyday casual look that classifies San Diego style. Owned and operated by Gap Inc., Old Navy carries on a confident tradition of simple style, at even lower prices than The Gap. Proud San Diego parents, grandparents, and friends must check out Old Navy's trends in baby-fashion. Miniature him-and-her must-haves run under five dollars—before the sales start.  

Westfield Mission Valley is so spread out, the average shopping trip includes a few parking spots and a whole lot of walking. But once you've made it through the maze, the prizes speak for themselves. Westfield Mission Valley may not be a traditional mallscape, but the unconventional stores are making quite a buzz in the San Diego shopping scene.