Forget what you’ve heard about malls these days. Since undergoing a $600-million renovation, La Jolla’s Westfield UTC has reopened with delicious local and national eateries, hip boutiques, artisan coffee, Archlight luxury cinemas, and just about every couture fashion brand imaginable. This outdoor shopping experience encapsulates the San Diego and SoCal lifestyle.
Raised by Wolves
Where: 4301 La Jolla Village Dr Ste #2030, San Diego, CA 92122
Take a page from the book of CH Projects, the people behind many of San Diego’s most visionary restaurants and bars: Polite Provisions, Soda and Swine, Underbelly, Craft & Commerce—the list goes on. This upscale bottle shop with a bar hidden behind a rotating fireplace carries a large selection of liquors along with cocktail books and barware. Look for upcoming classes and special events so you can learn how to elevate your cocktail game to CH Projects level.
Shake Shack
Where: 4309 La Jolla Village Dr #2350, San Diego, CA 92122
California may be the birthplace of hamburgers as we know them, but many San Diego residents have found room in their hearts—and stomachs—for East Coast-transplant Shake Shack. Slake your shopping-fueled appetite with Angus beef burgers, hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken sandwiches, craft beer, and impossibly dense frozen custard.
La Colombe
Where: 4545 La Jolla Village Dr E, #2025, San Diego, CA 92122
Shopping requires a lot of decision making. Stay sharp with coffee and espresso in uncommonly stylish mugs. This shop is the first San Diego location of the Philadelphia-born chain serving up painstakingly sourced coffee beans.
Queenstown Bistro
Where: 4545 La Jolla Village Dr #9028, San Diego, CA
Spare yourself the long-haul flight and tuck into New Zealand-style grass-fed beef and lamb burgers, chicken pot pie, and salmon spread toast right here in San Diego, where sheep do not outnumber people.
Smokeyard BBQ and Chop Shop
Where: 4313 La Jolla Village Dr #2265, San Diego, CA 92122
This South African resto does not want you to leave hungry. The only question is whether you should wait until you’ve finished all your shopping to chow on smoked bacon skewers, loaded corn bread, spare ribs, tri-tips, and pork chops.
Aēsop
Where: 4545 La Jolla Village Dr #2118, San Diego, CA 92122
This Australian skincare brand peddles fine skin and hair products—and the price reflects the quality—in a retail environment that evokes a spa-meets-laboratory-meets-futuristic-movie-set.
Red O
Where: 4340 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92122
PBS-food-show chef Rick Bayless brings upscale Mexican cuisine by way of Red O, his restaurant heavy on dishes in regional styles from Oaxaca, Baja, and other areas, which Bayless is regarded as an expert in.
Bonobos
Where: 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite D23, San Diego, CA 92122
The online men’s clothing retailer does have several IRL locations, where customers can try on office-, beach-, and golf course-appropriate menswear. Prices may be on the higher end of the spectrum ($178 for casual pants) but the style assistance from sharp-eyed “Guides” goes a long way.
Quay
Where: 4545 La Jolla Village Dr Ste E-25, San Diego, CA 92122
San Diego has no shortage of sun. Nor of stylish specs to protect your eyes and complement your personal style. When it comes to the sun, Aussies know best, as demonstrated by this Australian retailer’s line of fashionable men’s and women’s shades at prices hovering in the I-can-actually-afford-to-wear-them-everyday range of $50 to $65.
Photo Credit: Priscilla Lezzi.