Things to do
Things to do in Mission Valley
Malls, the river, the stadium site turned campus, and a transit spine the rest of the city keeps arguing about.
Things to do
Mission Basilica San Diego de AlcalaLandmark
The first of California's missions, founded in 1769 and moved here in 1774; the current church is the fifth on the site, a National Historic Landmark since 1970 and a minor basilica since 1976.
10818 San Diego Mission Rd, San Diego, CA 92108
Snapdragon StadiumSports
The 35,000-seat stadium opened Aug. 19, 2022, and hosts San Diego State Aztecs football, San Diego Wave FC and San Diego FC, plus concerts.
SDSU Mission Valley River ParkPark
A 34-acre park along the San Diego River built as part of the SDSU Mission Valley development next to Snapdragon Stadium.
Fashion ValleyShopping
San Diego's largest mall, opened in 1969, with about 200 stores anchored by Nordstrom, Macy's and Bloomingdale's under open-air, Spanish-tiled walkways.
Mission Valley CenterShopping
The valley's first shopping center, opened in 1961 on former dairy land, with its own Green Line trolley stop.
San Diego River TrailTrail
Paved and dirt segments follow the river through the valley, linking parks, apartment districts and trolley stations.
Town and Country ResortNightlife
A mid-century resort that dates to 1954, with pools, the Monkeybar lounge and live music, and a regular host of conventions.
Hotel CircleLandmark
The loop of motor hotels along I-8 that began with the first hotel in 1953, still the valley's lodging strip and a snapshot of postwar roadside architecture.
Green Line trolley rideFamily
The trolley runs the valley floor past Fashion Valley, Hazard Center and Mission Valley Center, an easy car-free way to see how the district fits together.
Eat & drink
The Waffle Spot at Kings InnDiner
A retro counter-and-booth diner inside the Hotel Circle South Kings Inn, serving breakfast through dinner daily.
Amigo Cantina at Kings InnMexican cantina
The Kings Inn's Mexican bar, with a 3 to 6 p.m. happy hour popular with hotel guests and locals.
ARLO at Town and CountryRestaurant
The resort's main dining room, part of the property's mid-century modern renovation.
MonkeybarCocktail lounge
Town and Country's lounge for cocktails and live music, a Hotel Circle night out that doesn't require a drive downtown.
Albie's Beef InnSteakhouse
A dimly lit, old-school prime rib and martini room on Hotel Circle, one of the valley's few surviving mid-century restaurants.
Annual events
San Diego State Aztecs football seasonSeptember to November
Home games at Snapdragon Stadium bring tailgates and trolley crowds to the east end of the valley.
San Diego FC seasonLate winter through fall
The MLS club, which began play in 2025, uses Snapdragon Stadium as its home.
San Diego Wave FC seasonSpring through fall
The NWSL club has played at Snapdragon Stadium since the venue opened in 2022.