Michael's Arts & Crafts
Michael's is a great place for craft and happying supplies, but also a good place to browse if you need a gift for a friend or relative. This Michael's is always a little slow. Everyone I have encountered is very nice and considerate, but they take their sweet time. I think there is another Michael's somewhere near here. If you are in a hurry, I would suggest that one. If you don't mind, or would like a lazy morning of perusing, try this one!
Fashion Valley
Fashion Valley is a very nice outdoor mall, that is pretty easy to find, and has tones of parking. It is usually crowded, so you might not get a great parking spot, but you will get one. They have a lot of higher-end stores,and a few less expensive ones sprinkled throughout. My favorite feature of this mall is that it has a movie theatre and tons of restaurants. Whether you feel like CPK, Cheesecake Factory, The Crocodile Cafe, or my personal favorite, : Cinnabon, this is the place to be!
Nordstrom Rack Mission Valley
Nordstrom Racks in general tend to always be untidy and look like a tornado have blow through. At most of the other ones i have been to, though, the employees at least attempt to organize things while they are putting them away. Here, on more than one occasion, I have seen an employee shoving things orderlessly back onto a rack. It's never a great shopping experience if you like a burden on the employees, or if you get the vibe that they just don't care, and that is the aura I get from this Nordstrom Rack.
Banana Republic
This Banana republic is not huge, but one of the nicest I have been to in terms of customer service. I was looking for a gift, and found the perfect shirt, but the size I needed was nowhere to be found. The sales associate and cashier were both very helpful and offered to call other stores in the area to see if they could help me out. They were very courteous and helpful. I would highly recommed this Banana for any true blue Banana Republic shopper.
Claires
Claire's at Fashion Valley is a decent-sized Claires.They are usually pretty organized, not messy. I went there with a friend and we got our cartillage pierced. They sold us an expensive earring sent to pierce our ears, when we didn't need one. We realized it afterwards. I wouldn't return for piercings, and other than that I am not the biggest fan of Claire's.
Furst Flowers
I do not think that this Furst Flowers has the capability to hold a banquet or reception here. I ran in on Mother's Day to grab some flowers, and they had been so picked through that there were no flowers available. I understand that Mother's Day is busy, but this was nine in the morning. I also stopped there to pick up flowers for a graduation, and the selection was disappointing that day as well. Most of the flowers they offered were droopy or scrawny.
Borders
This Borders is in a great shopping center - everything you need is right around you: Target, Coffee Bean, Old Navy, Mimi's... etc.
They have a decent selection of books, and their music choices are impressive. Their cafe is decent sized, but often very crowded. It is not easy to find a place to sit and study or read, unfortunately.
Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th
This Saks Fifth Avenue outlet is a great place to look for the more expensive brand names for less. They have all the same clothing and designers as a regular Saks, just with the added bonus of a reduced price. If you are shopping for yourself, or especially for a gift for a friend, I would highly recommed this stop.
Urban Outfitters
This two-story Urban Outfitters is pretty similar to all other Urbans. With the emplyees, it is a bit of a hit or miss situation. Some days they are great, some days they don't really seem to care....at all.
Prices are pretty uniform throughout Urgan Outfitters in itself, but compared to most other stores they are pretty highly priced. At this downtown store, you will have to pay for parking, most likely in the closest parking lot you can find - it is hard to find a spot in the metered street spots.
Spa At The Del
This high-class hotel is gorgeous, and right on the beach. Coronado is beautiful in itself, but this hotel has it all. It is close to many restaurants, but perfect to relax in.
