From the Beaches to the Rolling Hills of  San Diego County –

Just minutes away from the San Diego International Airport and within easy reach of all that San Diego has to offer,, Mission Valley and Mission Trails provide a medley of things to see, do and explore from history to hiking and biking to skateboarding to world-class shopping – and more.

Mission Valley has become one of the most popular regions in San Diego.  It is the 18th Best neighborhoods in San Diego.
In fact, Mission Valley offers San Diego’s second largest convention space, a 27-hole championship golf course (Riverwalk Golf Club), two premier shopping malls (Fashion Valley Mall and Mission Valley Mall), family-friendly restaurants, movie theaters and SDCCU Stadium, home to the San Diego Chargers. After undergoing a series of renovations and updates, Mission Valley hotels offer excellent accommodations for a desirable price point.

Quaint boutiques, mouth-watering restaurants, colorful art galleries and festive theatres also populate Old Town, making it a not-to-be-missed stop. Mexican cuisine is the specialty in Old Town. Here you’ll find authentic delectable fare at any of the many cantinas. Just follow the aroma of freshly made tortillas and take a seat outside on the patio. Enjoy the sounds of local mariachi, or watch traditional folkloric dancers as you sip on the best margaritas in town. Visit the Old Town San Diego Guide for an up-to-date list of attractions, restaurants, shopping, hotels that are in and close to Old Town. The site also includes a list of historic sites and a calendar of Old Town community events.

The Area is conveniently located just 10 minutes from San Diego’s major attractions (San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, San Diego Old Town, SeaWorld), as well as San Diego’s International airport. In addition to having several stops along the San Diego Trolley line, Mission Valley sits at the crossroads of the county’s main highways and features many affordable options for groups and leisure travelers.

Just south of the Area is Old Town San Diego, known as the birthplace of California. Offering a glimpse of early California life, it is filled with 17 museums and historic buildings, including the Whaley House, which tops Travel Channel’s America’s Most Haunted list. Old Town is also home to a theatre, colorful shops and art galleries, a Haunted and Historical hotel (Cosmopolitan) and numerous restaurants serving authentic Mexican cuisine.

The Mission Valley planning area comprises approximately 2,418 net acres and is located near the geographic center of the City of San Diego. Part of the San Diego River floodplain, it is generally bounded by Friars Road and the northern slopes of the valley on the north, the eastern banks of the San Diego River on the east, the southern slopes of the valley on the south, and Interstate 5 on the west.

Throughout the history of Mission Valley, the San Diego River has been a primary attraction, first as a source of fresh water and later as a scenic recreational asset. After the Kumeyaay Indians came the Spaniards, locating the Mission San Diego de Alcala there in 1769. Sand and gravel extraction was introduced in 1913, and began in earnest about 1923. Major urban development has occurred since 1958, primarily as a result of improvements in the regional highway network. The construction of U.S. 80 (now Interstate 8) provided an impetus for commercial development in Mission Valley, and for displacement of the agricultural economy. Other significant projects include San Diego Stadium (former Qualcomm Stadium) which was completed in 1967.

After adoption of the East Mission Valley Area Plan in 1963 and preparation of the West Mission Valley Report in 1971, a community plan that unified the east and west and incorporated the entire valley was adopted in 1985. The community is now a regional center of office, hotels, retail sales, and a growing residential community, tied together by the San Diego Trolley.

The School District of Mission Valley is above average