Otay Ranch Town Center050

Otay Ranch Town Center has quickly become a great addition to shopping in San Diego. The outdoor mall is huge, thoughtfully laid out, and definitely family-friendly.

One of the things they've done well is group most stores of interest to kids in one area, right by the food court. You'll find Geppetos, Discovery Store, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and Gymboree in the same general area. This area also features a Chalk Garden where kids can draw - or scribble - on the ground to their hearts' content, and a "popper fountain" with water that spews up from the ground at unexpected intervals.

Food is certainly not an issue at this Southern California-style mall. They've got it covered from one extreme to the other. You'll find everything from Wetzel's Pretzels for a snack to more upscale restaurants like Cheesecake Factory and PF Chang's China Bistro.

Otay Ranch Town Center launched its Tuesday evening Farmers' Market in May 2008. The market features locally-grown, seasonal produce, fresh flowers, children's activities, and more.