About Mission Valley in San Diego, CA
Mission Valley is a wide river valley trending east-west in San Diego, California, through which the San Diego River flows to the Pacific Ocean. For planning purposes it is divided into two neighborhoods: Mission Valley East and Mission Valley West. Mission Valley was the site of the first Spanish settlement in California, established in 1769. Mission Valley nowadays serves as an important shopping and entertainment center for San Diego. Some condominiums and apartments can be found in the area as well.
Attractions
Westfield Mission Valley, one of several large regional shopping centers in Mission Valley. Toward the eastern end of Mission Valley lies Mission San Diego de Alcalá, for which the valley is named. At the southwestern end overlooking the valley is Presidio Park. At the foot of Presidio Hill lies Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, the original site of the town of San Diego. All three attractions are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Three major shopping malls located in Mission Valley are Fashion Valley Mall, Hazard Center Mall and Westfield Mission Valley. Many other commercial developments can be found in the valley as well, including smaller shopping plazas, auto malls and vocational schools. The frontage roads parallel to Interstate 8 west of Highway 163 are named Hotel Circle North and Hotel Circle South, for the many hotels and motels located on them. The frontage roads east of Highway 163 are called Camino del Rio North and Camino del Rio South.
Qualcomm Stadium, home of the San Diego Chargers and the San Diego State University (SDSU) Aztecs football teams, is located in Mission Valley East near the I-8/I-15 interchange. At the outlet of Mission Valley lie SeaWorld, Mission Bay, and other San Diego attractions.
