Eyeworld

EW ASCRS PREVIEW 34 February 2011 compiled by EyeWorld staff San Diego shopping A lthough San Diego has adopted outdoor—and in- door—malls as a way of life, city neighborhoods offer specialty shopping that is perfect for picking up sou- venirs and gifts. Sales tax is steep here at 7.75%, so visitors often have larger items shipped home to avoid paying this. Malls Westfield Horton Plaza Shopping Center 324 Horton Plaza 619-239-8180 www.westfield.com/hortonplaza Located in the heart of a revitalized city center, this mall covers more than six city blocks and offers shop- pers more than 130 stores, including departments stores Macy's and Nordstrom. There's even a perform- ing arts center here: the Lyceum Theatre. Opened in 1985, this mall attracted attention for its unique look—a mix of towers, bridges, paths, and eye-catching colors. Fashion Valley 7007 Friars Road 619-297-3381 www.simon.com In a city filled with large shopping centers, this outdoor mall is the most upscale and attractive. There are five department stores—Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy's, Bloom- ingdale's, and JCPenney—and an array of featured stores, such as Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Coach, and Gucci. Neighborhood shopping Gaslamp Quarter Quirky boutiques and unusual stores can be found among the big chains, such as Adidas and Urban Outfitters, in this downtown neighborhood. Cuban Cigar Factory 561 5th Ave. 619-238-2496 www.cubancigarfactory.com This is San Diego's original factory and the largest manufacturer of hand-rolled cigars on the West Coast. If you have time to spare, enjoy the lounge. Villa Moda 363 5th Ave., Suite 106 619-236-9068 www.villamoda.com This boutique specializes in designer women's clothing—casual and for- mal—fashionable jewelry, and acces- sories. Additional services include fashion consulting, custom jewelry design, and alterations. Hillcrest This compact neighborhood is per- fect for strolling and shopping. In addition to hip boutiques and home-furnishing stores, there are vintage shops stocked with books, clothes, and records. CoHabitat 9364-C Cabot Drive 619-688-1390 www.cohabitathome.com This home-focused shop's mission is to celebrate the cultural heritage of the artisans of India, promote their art, and reward their creativity. Come here for the unique, hand- crafted home furnishings and acces- sories, directly from the source. Mint 525 University Ave. 619-291-6468 www.mintshoes.com This boutique is a Hillcrest high- light. The minty green exterior is unmissable, and the store always has a large selection of fashion-forward shoes for men and women. La Jolla This upscale community near San Diego offers numerous clothing, jewelry, and art boutiques. Even if you're not in the mood for shop- ping, walk down Prospect Street, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Emilia Castillo 1273 Prospect St. La Jolla, Calif. 858-551-9600 www.emiliacastillolajolla.com Emilia Castillo is a renowned silver- smith based in Taxco, Mexico, whose whimsical take on nature mixed with her expertise has made her home décor and jewelry pieces widely coveted. This boutique is the only shop in the U.S. dedicated to her work. Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps Inc. 7463 Girard Ave. La Jolla, Calif. 858-551-8500 www.raremaps.com Tourists with an interest in history should make it a point to visit this shop—a leading dealer of fine an- tique maps and atlases. The store is known for its top-quality authentic antique maps and its eagerness to help and inform both experienced collectors and first-time map buyers. Outlet centers Las Americas Premium Outlets 4211 Camino de la Plaza 619-934-8400 www.premiumoutlets.com This is the area's largest and most beautiful outlet center. With 125 stores, such as Calvin Klein, Ken- San Diego, March 25-29, 2011

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