UTC Shopping Center
University Town Center

University Town Center shopping center, or simply UTC, is located in the "Golden Triangle" (a piece of land bordered by highway 5, highway 52, and highway 8). This means the mall is easily accessible by car and by public transit.

Some shopping centers cater to tourists, while others cater to the rich. UTC shopping mall welcomes all ages and social-economical groups. This mall has something for business executives, young professionals, teenagers, children, parents, and pregnant moms. It is a place where regular, everyday people go to shop and unwind.

UTC is organized with a central water fountain and 3 walkways radiating away from the water fountain. One walkway leads you to Macy's, the other to Nordstrom, and the third to Sears. (see layout here. In between the 3 anchors are 150+ more stores. Many of these can also be found in Horton Plaza and Fashion Valley:

Department stores: Macy's, Nordstrom, Sears
Men's Fashion: Men's Wearhouse & Tux, Eddie Bauer
Women's Fashion: Charlotte Russe, bebe
Kid's Fashion: The Children's Place, Gymboree
Healthy and Beauty: Sephora, The Body Shop
Home Decor: Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn
Stationary: Hallmark, Papyrus
Specialty: Apple Computer, The Office Games           See entire list here

In addition, there are little kiosks that sell specialized items. These vendors come & go as the seasons go by. So, it is impossible to tell in advance who's there. One year, a kiosk sold hermit crabs. Another time, a kiosk sold belly dancing paraphernalia (and if you like that, note that UTC also has a Victoria’s Secret). In December, calendars and/ or toys may be sold in these stands.

One thing that differentiate UTC from the other shopping centers in San Diego is that it is very kid-friendly. Whoever designed this mall probably had kids and know how hard it is to shop with kids in tow. Kid-friendly elements include:

Central Water Fountain: A great spot to meet up with friends. Plenty of tables and chairs around. Kids enjoy running around the fountain and watching the birds frolicking in the water. Dolphins and Seals: On the South end of UTC, you will see large basins of water with dolphin sculptures. These look pretty but are not climb-on-me structures. Kids can stick their hands in the water and do low-key splashing, but don’t let them climb into the basins for a swim. The ends of the basin are made of see-through plastic, so kids can look through and see the dolphins under the water. The dolphin sculptures are visually stimulating and quite refreshing. At the north end of the mall, you will find climb-on-me seal sculptures. In the summer months, they turn on the water and the seals will squirt out water. Kids have a great time trying to run through the water jets without getting wet (is that possible??). Some parents bring extra clothes so that the kids can play freely, change, and then go home dry. Thanks Mom! Playground: Also at the north end of the shopping center, in front of Sears, is "Playtown". This small playground is a haven for tired parents and bored kids. It includes stationary play structures, a mini choo-choo train, and an inflatable jumpie. The play structures are free, but the train and inflatable cost about $5. Suitable for children 5 and under. Indoor Ice Rink: Figure skaters in-training do swirls & jumps. Hockey players show speed & skill. And everybody else – well, it’s fun to see them scramble & fall. Sit rink-side and watch or be part of the fun: rent a pair of skates and give it a try. Read more...

There is a food court offering Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Italian, Indian, and faux Mongolian food. Included are common brand names such as Hot Dog on a Stick, Burger King, Starbucks coffee, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, and more. See entire list here.

Indoor seating is beside the ice skating rink. Outdoor seating is beside the central water fountain. In the summer, musicians may set up shop by the water fountain and you can eat while listening to a live band.

Full-service restaurants include Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Miami Grille, and Cozymels Mexican Grill. Cozymels is very nice, see restaurant review here.

Bathrooms are hard to find so listen carefully. There are 2 public restrooms: one is at the far end of the food court (near Burger King) and the other is near the ice rink. There are bathrooms in Macy and Nordstrom if you don’t mind trekking through the store to use their bathrooms.