From Wikitravel Shared

Mission Valley is a major commercial center of San Diego lined along the San Diego River, dotted with office buildings, subdivisions, shopping centers, hotels, and parking lots. Mission Valley is also home to Qualcomm Stadium, where the San Diego Chargers football team plays, and the Mission San Diego de Alcala, one of the oldest of the California missions.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

Being mostly suburban in nature, traveling by car is the most efficient way to get in and through Mission Valley. There are many large boulevards and massive parking lots where walking or bicycling isn't very comfortable.

I-8 runs the length of Mission Valley on the south side of the valley, while Friars Road travels along the north side of the valley. A number of north-south freeways divide Mission Valley: I-5 at the western end of the valley, SR-163 near Fashion Valley center, I-805, and I-15 in the eastern part of the valley near Qualcomm Stadium.

Beware of heavy traffic during rush hours, Chargers games, and the holiday shopping season when shoppers flock to Mission Valley's many retail outlets.

[edit] By public transit

This is actually one of the few areas of the city where taking public transit is a reasonable option. In addition to the many MTS bus lines which pass through the valley, the San Diego Trolley [1] Green Line runs the length of Mission Valley making several stops along the way, including at Fashion Valley center, Hazard Center, Mission Valley Center, Qualcomm Stadium, and near Mission San Diego. Nearly the entire line is elevated in Mission Valley to protect against regular flooding of the San Diego River. The Green Line continues west to Old Town and east to SDSU and the suburbs of El Cajon and Santee.

Standard one-way fares run from $1.25 to $3 depending on how far you travel. Day passes run at $5, and there are 2, 3 and 4 day passes available. Tickets have to be purchased from the vending machines at the station before you board the train. There's no formal system to check if you've purchased a ticket, but there are trolley guards that may come around and ask to see your ticket, and the fine is normally around $120 for not having a ticket.

[edit] See

• Mission San Diego de Alcala, 10818 San Diego Mission Road, +1 619 281-8449, [2]. Daily 9AM-4:45PM. The first of the California missions, today Mission San Diego is an active Catholic Parish and a museum dedicated to the history of the mission. Tour the site, with its gardens, museum, and the original chapel. $3 adults, $2 seniors, $1 children.

[edit] Do

• Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Road (near the intersection of I-8 and I-15), Chargers ticket office: +1 619 280-2121 (toll-free: 1-877-CHARGERS), Aztecs ticket office: +1 619 283-SDSU (toll-free: +1 877 SDSU-039), [3]. Home to the NFL San Diego Chargers [4] and the college SDSU Aztecs [5] football teams. Chargers tickets $54-$92.

[edit] Buy

Mission Valley is a major shopping hub for the entire region, with several large shopping centers and many big-box stores and retail places.

• Fashion Valley, 7007 Friars Road, +1 619 688-9113, [6]. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-7PM. Nearly 200 stores and restaurants, including several department stores and a movie theater.
• Mission Valley Center, 1640 Camino del Rio North, +1 619 296 6375, [7]. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Over 150 stores and restaurants, including a movie theater and the large Seau's sports restaurant.
• Hazard Center, 7510 Hazard Center Drive, [8]. Much smaller than the big centers in the valley, but with a nice assortment of shops nevertheless.

[edit] Eat

[edit] Drink

[edit] Sleep

Hotel Circle, located along I-8 in the western part of Mission Valley, is home to a large number of hotels, most of them your basic chain places.

• Hawthorn Suites, 1335 Hotel Circle South, [9]. Free Wifi, breakfast and other amenities.

• Handlery Hotel, 950 Hotel Circle North, ☎ (619) 298-0511, [10]. A warm, friendly welcome and some big, lush rooms. Also has a hotel mini-bus to take you to SeaWorld.

• Hawthorn Suites, 1335 Hotel Circle South, ☎ (619) 299-3501, [11]. Daily complimentary hot breakfast buffet each morning and in the evening and social hour Monday through Thursday.

• Mission Valley Resort, 875 Hotel Circle South, +1 619 298-8281, [12]. $100-$150.
• Town and Country, 500 Hotel Circle North, ☎ (619) 291-7131, (800) 772-8527, [13]. Resort with swimming pools, restaurants, spa facilities, golf, and beautiful gardens.

[edit] Contact

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