LA JOLLA VILLAGE SQUARE @ LA JOLLA Parking is honestly the main reason I'm giving this shopping center three stars. The parking lot is one of the worst parts of the experience. I come here pretty often for places like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, and there are also plenty of other great stores and restaurants, including Chipotle, Ralphs, and more. Unfortunately, the parking lot feels poorly designed. The layout is confusing, the turns are very tight, and it can be frustrating to navigate, especially when it's busy. That being said, I really enjoy everything else about this shopping village. It's very UCSD-friendly, so you'll see a lot of students hanging out here throughout the day. The atmosphere is great, everything is very walkable, and I love the palm trees and overall scenery. The area is also kept clean, which makes it an enjoyable place to spend time. The variety of stores is excellent, and it's convenient to be able to shop, grab food, and run errands all in one place. If the parking situation were improved, this would easily be one of my favorite shopping centers in the area. Overall, despite the frustrating parking, I still think it's a great place to visit because of the location, store selection, walkability, and overall atmosphere. read more

It felt utterly dreary here! This place has 2 stories and the parking routes are odd. Its simple bc its just one big circle, but the parking has weird entrance points. Inside this district is just sad. Its so open with nothing in it and feels lifeless. I think there should be some couches and plants to offset the ugly flooring. They have a fencing place here. That's interesting. There's nothing that I would come here for but the theaters. The movie tickets are also more expensive here. 17$ for matinee ticket here. So, I will pass on that as well. This place is so dead the service also feels dead. I didn't enjoy being here. read more

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Ralphs & Trader Joe's good. Otherwise, be prepared to struggle finding parking in the poorly designed lot. The mall is now overcrowded near the above mentioned stores and also not as safe as it used to be with vagrants all over and lots of theft at Ralphs (we see it every day) and lazy security guards who are barely ever around. Watch out for the unsafe concrete area near the entrance doors to the mall as it's been in disrepair for years and floods when it rains. There's a lot of theft everyday at Marshalls & DSW too. What a mess. read more

La Jolla Village Square feels overpriced and somewhat generic. The shopping options are mostly high-end, but not particularly unique. The courtyard is nice, but it's more about seeing and being seen than actual value. Overcrowded and pricey parking doesn't help. Not the worst place to grab a bite or do some window shopping, but not worth going out of your way for. read more

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What is one of the greatest places that you can see across to the many areas of Point Loma and the Naval Center? Yes, there are many places that have great connections to the many areas of San Diego and those on or near the Point Loma area with the many places of San Diego there are many connections to each other. Travel by Trolley and the many busses you can tell the many areas of La Jolla and the Hillsides are filled with the many large house and the many medical and Research Labs. Yes, the many areas of La Jolla have the many colleges and the Shopping zones which cover from the University Town Center and the many smaller shopping areas. The many areas of La Jolla have one point that has been the center point of the many malls which has been the La Jolla Village Square with the split of the main street that runs down the middle you can get to the banks and the restaurants that are there. Selection of the La Jolla Village Square is the Ralphs Fresh fare Store with one of the best delis and the store that prides itself on the customer service and the large parking lot. The many times that I have visited the Village with the theater you can still get the same prices for the movies they have with the AMC theater group that has opened many locations with the new one at UTC Shopping Mall. There is many a selection of the grocery stores with whole foods markets and the out of state grocers that have custom made dishes and the specialty foods for large groups and those that need vegan foods, and there are those stores that have the specialty foods and the sit-down restaurant it's called a mixed media store for those which are Jewish and preferer the Koecher. With the many locations at the La Jolla Village Center you will find a full-service transit center you can catch the many buses that can take you to the many areas of the City of La Jolla where you can contact the many express busses and the city of Oceanside. With the Two Parts of La Jolla Village, you can walk to either side and still have time to make the movies or to one of the many great restaurants. As a Yelp Elite Reviewer, the La Jolla Village Shopping Center is one that has two parts the great eateries and with the AMC theater you can see the many movies and get some playground shopping at Best Buy. With the Trolley at the Nobel Station, you can take the day and go exploring and have your own walk about with the La Jolla area there is so much to explore and the great history to find and learn about. La Jolla Village is one of the best places to chop and get to the theater and have time for lunch. read more

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I don't have any photos it was that good!! I got the lobster roll, Clam chowder, and lobster brisk all amazing. read more

I used to live across the street from this place. The security they have now are just unfriendly and rude. Do they not realize the customers are the ones who pay their salary? Had yet another unfortunate run in, as I had to run to Ross, Marshalls, and Ralph's to pick up some items. As I was transferring bags, with the stuff I bought clearly visible, I got a work text. A security guard comes over and starts yelling rudely "you can't stand here, it's loitering". First off, buying something from one store and sending a 2 minutes text outside that store is not loitering, maybe someone should train these people. Second, I still had other shopping to do, and just felt unsafe as she drove by me 2 other times as I walked to the other stores. Get a grip, you're not even mall cops. The business owners should take note, spend more than a few hundred bucks at the stores/food venues here a month when I'm in town, hire better security. read more

La Jolla Village Square is a rather tired shopping center these days with a good number of vacant stores. It sits on two levels with underground parking, above ground parking lots, and a new parking structure shared with the Nobel Drive San Diego Trolley station. The upper (west) level is dominated by a Ralphs and a Trader Joe's. Parking on this level is rather screwy and tight. The lower (east) level has multiple discount stores Marshalls, Ross, World Market, DSW, and others, along with fast food and casual dining. There's an AMC theater inside on the lower level. Indoor storefronts tend to be personal and professional services, but the indoor part of this center is rather dead. Twenty years ago, this was a bustling place. I hope the Trolley Station can help bring back some life. read more

La Jolla Village Square - Lower (East) Parking Lot - Shopping Centers Near Me - La Jolla, California

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My friend and I arrived in separate cars. We were just a bit early as Marshalls and Ross were opening in about 30 min and we planned to shop and eat at that mall afterwards. I wanted to grab a coffee across the street while waiting for Marshalls to open. We plan to take my car, leave friend's car behind, grab my coffee, and be back to shop at La Jolla Village Square. We were approached by security that we could not leave her car even for a minute or he would have it towed!! Mind you, my friend purchased a small snack at Tous les Jours before I arrived. Even with showing this purchase, the security guard kept threatening us that the parking lot was for retail customers and store employees, and we could not leave her car even just going across the street for my coffee! What did he think two old ladies would do?? It was just RIDICULOUS threatening paying customers, and we frequently meet there usually for lunch time, but just arrived earlier than usual and were harassed and threatened because of that. It would have been "okay" per security if we stayed in our cars to wait for the stores to open. So RIDICULOUS and such an upsetting encounter by parking lot security at the La Jolla Village Square!! read more

I usually leave the car at home and take the Amtrak down to San Diego these days. With the finishing of the northern section of the UC San Diego blue line trolley, I finally get to revisit some of my old stomping grounds in the La Jolla area with relative ease. Back in June, I hopped on the blue line trolley and got off here at the Nobel Drive Station. That afternoon, I visited Chipotle, the AMC La Jolla 12, and Starbucks. It was a nice change of scenery as the downtown area has gotten worse throughout the years. read more

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I wish this village square was better . We come here for AMC as the theatre itself is decent . But agree with others that many escalators don't work . Sometimes both up and down escalators . Parking outside (DSW , ULTA, etc) can be tight and crowded on busy days . The underground parking by theatre is usually empty so a star there . Plus it's nicely air conditioned once you walk into the building . But overall , the inside (theatre , yoga , pizza ) feels eerily empty . I've visited pretty much every vendor at this village. So hopefully they put some improvements into the escalators in the future . read more

I have lived in this neighborhood for 20 years, LaJolla Village Sqaure used to be an interesting place to go with all sorts of different possibilities. Pier 1 closed before Covid, Ulta beauty store has closed, islands restaurant closed before Covid, CPK recently closed. So now there is absolutely no restaurants now at La JollaVillage Square, except for some fast food! I'm thinking the owner and or leasing agent is money hungry and not sure why they're not leasing any of the space or Adding any additional amenities to the center! Don't really understand it, Trolley stop is even now open with huge parking area come on get it together read more

La Jolla Village Square was never a good mall, even when they had Tower Records. I'll admit that I used to be a regular at AMC and the Sports City Brewery on the second floor. That was a long time ago, and this place just doesn't do anything for me anymore. Okay, something good. - The view of the Mormon Temple - Ralphs - Urban Plates moving in. Complete insanity. - Parking. - Schlotzsky's? Bahahah There are so many reasons NOT to come to this mall but Urban Plates isn't one of them. read more

La Jolla Village Square - Finally, something worthwhile coming to LJVS! - Shopping Centers Near Me - La Jolla, California

All the decorations in December are blue and white. Both trees are blue and white, presents blue and white. Wall sconce, elevator blue and white. No red or green anywhere. Everything blue and white. Why is that? read more

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THIS parking lot is Cursed, I tell you, CURSED!!! Friday, 12:30 AM, late night fly-in, my "Better Half" parks and runs in to Ralphs for some packaged salads cause there ain't no food in the house. I roll the seat back to take a nap. A few minutes later I begin hearing loud rattling and smashing near me. "Wasted Dude" is in the lot, launching shopping carts at bushes, cars etc. He thinks no one is in our car so he rolls one downhill at us. I jump out and Tae-Bo it before it crashes in to our Audi. As I'm pushing it away "Wasted Dude" says, "Huh, Huh, Huh, you must have been taking steroids to produce a kick like that!" I reply, "Yeah, and your Mom must have been having sex with your Uncle to produce a Lowbrow like YOU!" I take out my cell phone, call Ralph's and ask, "Where the 'F' is your security?" Another morning I go for my run at Torrey Pines and stop for my regular Golden Spoon peanut butter with brownie crumbs. Three other people and I are in the ped. crosswalk when suddenly they start scattering. Dude in a F150 speeds through and almost takes out all of us. He stops, I assume to apoligize, but instead laughs and speeds off. Don't worry Twinkle Toes, I hexed your ass. Your third set of t*sticles will begin growing in next week. What can I say? We still come here, but, be afraid, be very, very AFRAID!!! read more

Who designed this place, the entire place reeks of stupidity! #1, the parking lot is maze there is no flow to it. Once you head down one direction you're cut of from going to other places in the parking lot. It's like a choose your own adventure book, there's no going back once you've chosen a direction. The parking stalls are narrow, they need to be 6 - 12 wider! How the heck do you get in there? It's so confusing! I was trying to get to the theater which is in the mall, but i couldn't find the entrance! I walked under the LARGE sign saying 'entrance', it was the entrance to Ralph's! Take a long walk around down a handicap ramp to the lower level and eventually found an entrance past a bunch of restaurants. The whole mall needs to be redesigned! Whoever created this malls' floor plan is stupid! From the parking lot flow design to the mall itself, its just confusing and and random. The layout of the entire mall is spread out and convoluted. Break it down and start all over! read more

La Jolla Village Square is dangerous place to shop and for movies as follows Covered parking lots of water on floor and long electrical cords on concrete floors without warning signs to colored tape covering Bathrooms dirty Elevator and escalators out of service lots of times Will contact city San DIEGO about lack of maintenance and safety Don't go there!! Dave San Diego read more

This shopping center has the WORST parking/parkers I have ever seen. Ever. A few months ago I was completely blocked in by someone who literally parks like an idiot (I'd use a different word, but trying to keep it G-rated). See picture. Today, a woman rear-ended me. When I pulled over to park and look at my bumper she kept on driving. Really? How is that okay? If this shopping center wasn't so conveniently located near where I live I would avoid it like the plague. I recommend parking far away from everyone else and staying away from the main road that runs closest to the stores and restaurants. read more

La Jolla Village Square - Worst.Parking.Ever. Completely blocked me in. (note lane line) - Shopping Centers Near Me - La Jolla, California

This is NOT the place you want to meet at if it's you or the other person's first time. I've had everyone that has tried to meet me here for their first time be late! I warn them that it is confusing, that for sure they won't find me and sure enough...they call asking for help. It's often hilarious... but pretty traumatic if you are the one driving. Essentially there is an upper level, and a lower level....and each level has it's own directions. Just keep driving and looking, you'll find your destination. There is often a security guard roaming around- don't be afraid to ask. The La Jolla Village Square has a great selection of shops at your convenience in one area....... that is if you can find them! HAHA! You have grocery shopping from Trader Joe's to Ralphs and foodie places such as Chipotle, Starbucks, Z pizza, Jamba Juice, Fin's, Daphne's, Croutons, Pick Up Stix, CPK, Island's , Ginza (inside the mall), a movie theatre, PetSmart, DSW shoes, ULTA, Ross, Marshalls, Best Buy, a Dentist ...and a few more. There is ample parking and you will find parking! The area in front of Trader Joe's and Starbuck's does not have the best parking design (expect cramped and small parking spaces) and traffic flow to be not so fun...but you'll get through it. Happy shopping and eating! read more

As everyone else have pointed out... THIS PARKING LOT IS ATROCIOUS! They are SO lucky they have Trader Joe's and Golden Spoon or that plaza would be empty. I used to live across the street from the TGIF next door and would be able to walk to Trader Joe's, since I moved away EVERY TIME i've gone here parking, getting in, getting out has been a complete NIGHTMARE. And every time i leave thinking, "i need to write a review on yelp about this". Once, I parked in the Trader Joe's side and ACTUALLY got PARKED in. Someone decided it would be a great idea to park in front of the planter next to me WHICH IS ACTUALLY NOT A PARKING SPOT. It fits CARTS, not cars. Then the A**hole to my left parked EXTREMELY close to my driver door. I was literally STUCK in my spot unable to open ANY doors whatsoever and forced to wait for one of these crazy drivers to return to pull out of the spot blocking me out. so unless all idiot drivers who don't know how to use common sense stay at home, i would avoid this place like plague.... unless of course you are craving Golden Spoon's coffee flavored soft serve with almond roca topping. read more

Why, dear God, why are there so many great stores in this mall - but such crappy parking? While La Jolla Village Square has a plethora of great stores (Trader Joe's, Fins, AMC 12, and even the Marshall's), and the mall is visually pleasing, the parking situation is just plain horrible. Even when Tower Records was open here back in the day, I dreaded parking in the upper area where TJ's, Ralph's, and Islands were. The parking garage is no better - I thought that the Convention Center's was bad, but this is far worse. It's like whoever drew up the plans for the place failed to take into consideration the vehicles we Americans drive (or the gas guzzler rage from a few years back). Still, I'll come here for Trader Joe's, Fins, and the occasional movie at the AMC 12, but I'll park across the street! read more

Hate coming here due to the traffic and parking situation. The Square does have its perks... Or should I say perk... TJs = Trader Joe's = open late until 11p. FTW!!! read more

Basic shopping center with fairly easy parking. The retail stores have average stock, but good to browse. read more

La Jolla Village Square - Shopping Centers Near Me - La Jolla, California

Bottom Line: Not nearly as nice as you might expect for a shopping center with "La Jolla" in the name but my biggest gripe is the parking and traffic patterns. It seems any shopping center that has a Trader Joe's in it will be congested. Then, tack on the fact that Trader Joe's is located right next to Ralph's. Although its nice to do both types of grocery shopping without moving the car, the parking lot can be crazy in front of those too stores. Weird traffic patterns and cramped parking are not unique to the grocery stores though. That seems to be an issue throughout the shopping center with some areas being worse than others. In addition to two grocery stores, there is an AMC Movie Theater and a plethora of big box stores. My favorite stores here is Cost Plus World Market and as a bonus there is a Pier 1 Imports too. I also like that there is an Urban Plates in this shopping center too. But, given the congestion of La Jolla and this shopping center, I would generally try to avoid this no-frills, kinda dated shopping center. read more

I'm not going to lie. Parking by the Ralph's sucks. Outside of that this is a great shopping center that has everything from a 24-hour Ralph's (with free wi-fi, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Golden Spoon Yogurt inside), Marshall's, Trader Joe's, Best Buy, Chipotle, Pick Up Stix, Jamba Juice, Daphne's, Croutons, Sol Yoga, etc. If you park anywhere but in front of Trader Joe's by Ralph's the parking is fairly easy. There's also an underground lot you can get to by entering off Nobel. You could literally get almost everything you could want to buy in this shopping center so I'm giving it a solid 4 stars. read more

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I must be old when I remember this place used to be an actual mall. It started to go downhill when everyone started to go to UTC instead. It got a new life with the conversion of it from a traditional mall to a what I guess is called a food and entertainment center. It has a few shops and a wide variety of places to eat. The variety of places to eat is nice. The biggest complaint like everyone has mentioned is the parking. Everyone enters and departs through the main entrance. It is easier to enter and leave from the west and south. They have less traffic and more parking. read more

From DSW to Daphne's Greek Cafe, I love the shops and restaurants here, but the parking lot is a clown show. Narrow spaces? Yes, great idea! Narrow spaces next to 2 grocery stores? Nope, no oversight here. Lots of one way twists and turns? Why not? Let me put it this way - I haven't seen Labyrinth since I was still wearing LA Gear light up high tops and drinking Squeeze Its, but every time I go here, I understand young Sarah's plight. Jareth might as well have designed this parking lot. (In which case, I almost wish he had because David Bowie is badass and I would have given one more star.) Bottom line: some things are great tight and narrow. Parking spaces and lots are not one of them. read more

I totally agree with everyone below. There are only a few stores I go to here (Trader Joe's, PetSmart, Ralph's rarely) but each time I do it's like fitting puzzle pieces to shoehorn your car into those tiny ass spots!! I think we should all just start taking up two spaces. We don't all drive Smart cars or bicycles!! I have found that parking back by the PetSmart has much better parking, and easy in-out access, and the underground parking has horror flick written all over it! Just come in from Via Mallorca. Way easier and no door dings. read more

Its been 10 months and 14 days since my last review...now BOTH escalators are broken...FIX IT!!!

Yes, one of the worst parking lots in San Diego. It's amazing that the psuedo-La-Jollans put up with it. Oh yeah, they are the ones SPEEDING through the parking lot! Come on people... parking lots are supposed to be less than 10 MPH. The layout of the shopping center can be a bit confusing with the upper level and lower level. I love Trader Joes, but this particular one is too small. Jamba Juice, Islands, CPK & Daphnes Greek Cafe are good. I like browsing at Cost Plus, Marshalls & Ross. Some stores are passable: DSW, Best Buy, Ulta, Fins Mexican food is decent. The AMC theatres here is old and doesn't have stadium seating, so take that into account. Nice that it's not crazy busy, but I don't like paying the same price as I would for nicer seats in Fashion Valley or Mission Valley Center. Ralphs (my least fave grocery store) has one of the worst parking lots EVER. I avoid the upper part of the shopping center completely. La Jolla Village Square needs an overhaul and parking lot remodel... PLEASE! read more

This place is always over-crowded and the parking lot is a nightmare. Since they added the train station it's only gotten worse.

This place really isn't as horrible as everyone says it is. It's got ample parking spaces and a lot of great stores. The only badly designed area to park at is in front of trader joes and Ralph's, so try not to park in that area if you can. Overall, lots of places to eat and shop with plenty of parking. Very conveniently located as well. read more

I think La Jolla Village Square is a great shopping center and was surprised that some of the reviews are so negative. Firstly this IS NOT a mall. It's a shopping center! Come for your errands. Groceries, dry cleaning, fast-casual restaurants, a movie theatre and some retail stores. If you want a shopping mall, go to UTC or Fashion Valley! Some of my favorite places to visit: Ralph's: best grocery store ever! They basically have everything you could ever need or want. Great produce and pharmacy too! Trader Joes: 2nd best grocery store ever. Lots of interesting products and TJ brands at great prices. Starbucks: gotta get coffee, am I right?! Marshall's: love bargain hunting here! Lastly, the parking lot is MASSIVE. At certain parts of the center at certain times of the day it can get busy, and some of the parking spots are WAY TOO SMALL. However, you can definitely get around it! Not a huge issue. read more

My car was stolen here. The stuff in the car were missing. But we I called back today to ask the cameras if they saw suspect. No one left the message to the supervisor working today. And the manager refused to help me to ask the coworker for processing until Monday. read more

This must be the worst parking lot I've ever seen. None of the arrows make sense. They guide you in the way that seems to take the longest to get in or out. The side with Best Buy and DSW isn't so bad, although following the arrows as you enter the lot forces you to drive all the way around the lot before you can park. The Ralph's/Trader Joe's side is ridiculous. The parking space are small, the lanes between rows of parking are narrow, and some of the turns you have to make are very sharp. This lot is basically a deathtrap at every turn. Combine all this with ignorant pedestrians and people's shitty socal style parking... I sat at the Starbucks and had a front row seat to the parking madness. I saw two or three cars that were unable to make that turn under the height measuring thing, because you have to make like a 270 degree turn. People walking around had to check multiple times to make sure a car wasn't going to careen out of nowhere and kill them (and I think that happened a couple of times). Amazingly, I didn't see any signs or posts getting knocked down, cars flipped over each other, or any other destruction and carnage that you can find evidence of here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=2218043255&ref=ts Anyway, that said, if you can successfully park and walk into the shopping center, the establishments here are generally decent... The survey below asks if this place is wheelchair accessible...I GUESS it is...but the chances of staying alive while accessing this place??!... read more

I looked at the reviews for this place, and couldn't believe that after 24 reviews, the average stars that this got was 2.5. ...Then I thought about it. Yeah, you're right, other yelpers. This place has the most random set of stores, unbelievably inconvenient to walk around, and has a lack of even ENOUGH parking spaces for people to actually come here. If not for the World Market and the Best Buy, not sure if I would need to come back. The two times I've been here in the past year resulted because I either: 1. Really needed some good wine. 2. Really needed to pee. (The bathrooms in Best Buy are rather nice.) ...Really? read more

If you are from the UK and you MISS the shopping then come here. Straight away you will remember just what you hated about the shopping areas. First off the parking- hard to find a space and there are cars everywhere. The spaces are teeny. You go in the mall part- its dark and there are empty stores. Oh and lets not forget the non functioning escalators. Whilst it is not a very aesthetically pleasing there are some great stores here- a large Trader Joes, a large Ralphs, a Best Buy, Staples, Petco and World Market to name a few. read more

Great little mall to cruise into and get some shopping done.. good luck parking on the south west side by Ralphs sometimes as it gets bogged down. To name a few It has Best Buy, Fins, Daphnes and Staples and you can basically get all your shopping done here and watch a movie! Careful of the parking situation, You've been warned!! read more

Just rating the parking lot like everyone else because it is the parking lot from hell!!! Not only was this confusing lot clearly designed by someone with an IQ lower than a tomato, I got my fricking stereo stolen here!! In fricking La Jolla!!! The hell??? And they broke my car's window to get it! The security guy in his goofy little golf cart was useless and said that he couldn't look at the film from the security cameras near Ralph's to see who did it because the cameras are fake. The hell??? Then what's the point?! Be careful if you park in this lot late at night!! read more

negative eleventy billion stars for the parking lot...seriously, if you don't want to get dinged/ into an accident and actually find a spot that fits your car, don't attempt to drive and/or park anywhere near LJVS. one star for Trader Joes and Fin's. read more