Shops at La Jolla Village plaza

Shops at La Jolla Village is a small shopping plaza near UCSD with bright murals and a large, easy parking lot. Here you can relax at Philz Coffee, shop at Whole Foods market or Nordstrom Rack, and eat at Cava Bowls, Rubio's Coastal Grill (good mango avocado salad) or Mendocino Farms cafe. This is a very convenient and beautiful branch of Mendocino Farms cafe and I found myself coming back here over and over again on my trip. Both the indoor and outdoor eating is lovely. There is a cute outdoor area with potted plants on the wall. I love this spot! Many students and professionals grab a sandwich here at lunchtime- come early to avoid the line! I recommend the Sweet Spicy Thai Chicken sandwich. You can eat it before going on a wonderful walk at Scripps Coastal Meander Trailhead (park on La Jolla Shores Lane), an eight minute drive away, or  La Jolla Cove, a seventeen minute drive away.

Sometimes you just want a suburban-style shopping plaza with easy parking, and this is the ticket!
This shopping center has views of tall palms in the sky, and stands of eucalyptus trees in the distance, plus the twin spires of the Mormon cathedral nearby. 
Across Nobel Drive is a more claustrophobic shopping plaza with a Trader Joe's, Crumbl Cookies, Urban Plates cafe, World Market Decor for colorful international gifts and home decor, Best Buy, Ross and Marshalls.
UCSD is not far from here, and that is why you see students in the coffee shops!
After, walk along the beach by Scripps Pier, which belongs to UCSD. Or look at the bright turquoise water at Wedding Bowl in La Jolla. Another fun outing is to Birch Aquarium, where you can stand on its terrace over Scripps Pier enjoying sweeping views.

Directions

Shops at La Jolla Village plaza is located at 8795 Villa La Jolla Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037. 
Mendocino Farms cafe is open 11am-9pm daily.

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