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West Coast Repository

THE WCR WILL STOP ACCEPTING SAMPLE REQUESTS AS OF 15 JUNE 2008. REQUESTS FOR WCR REMAINING CORES WILL BE FULFILLED AT THE BCR AND GCR WHEN THOSE CORES HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED.

Please see the Core Redistribution Plan (IODP web portal) as cores are in the process of being moved to the three IODP repositories.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA 92093-0231
Phone: (858) 534-1657, Fax: (858) 534-4555, E-mail: wcr@ucsd.edu

About the WCR

The West Coast Repository (WCR) is located at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus. The WCR is physically located at 8603 La Jolla Shores Dr., Building B.

The WCR is staffed by one full-time Texas A & M University employee, Steven Prinz. In addition to handling the day-to-day operations, core maintenance and sampling he aids visiting scientists and dignitaries and performs special "Show & Tells" for local groups and many colleges and universities located in Southern California, Arizona and Mexico.

The WCR houses all of the cores recovered from the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Red Sea by the Glomar Challenger. This includes DSDP Legs 5-9, 16-27, 30-34, 54-70 and 83-92. All cores recovered by the JOIDES Resolution in these areas are housed at the Gulf Coast Repository, located at the IODP-USIO headquarters at Texas A&M University.

The WCR has one primary sampling lab and one secondary lab. While most visitors will be scheduled to use the primary lab, if there is a guest already scheduled or if the request requires a lengthy visit or unusual equipment, the second lab may be assigned. The primary lab has 2 computerized sampling stations, but the secondary lab is not computerized at this time and all sampling information must be entered on a NCR form. Both labs have a water lubricated rock saw and drill press, and the normal assortment of sampling tools and supplies. Both labs are air-conditioned and have filtered air to remove pollen.

Equipment and Supplies

The WCR has an assortment of petrographic and binocular picking microscopes for use by visitors. It has an extensive smear slide collection and a more limited thin section collection from the DSDP/WCR cores.

The DSDP Initial Reports, the ODP Initial Reports and Scientific Results, Hole Summaries of the more recent ODP legs, and Technical Notes are available for reference. Images of all DSDP/ODP cores are available for viewing: Composite photos (Legs 1-43), 35 mm slides (Legs 1-96), and videodisc (Legs 1-146).

The repository is equipped with a photo table that allows close-up photography. The stand is equipped with 3200K tungsten lights and requires Ektachrome Tungsten ASA 160 or ASA 50 or Kodachrome Type A ASA 40 films. An 18% gray card is available to insure proper meter settings. It is advisable to purchase the film before your visit as photography stores are not convenient to the WCR. The WCR does not furnish film or camera.

The WCR also has Internet access in case the visitor needs email access or to check their accounts at their home institution. Microsoft Word & Excel, WordPerfect, and File Maker Pro are available on PC and Mac computers.

The list of equipment available at the WCR includes:

• Sampling Equipment
  • Felker Saw
  • Drill press
  • 1", 3/4", 1/2" minicore drill bits
  • Isomet-mini slab saw
  
  
• Sampling Supplies
  • 5cc sample tube (disposable)
  • 5cc sample scoop (disposable)
  • 10cc sample tube (disposable)
  • 10cc sample scoop (disposable)
  • 20cc, 40cc, 100cc Stainless Steel Sample scoops (Reusable)
  • Ethafoam sample plugs
  • Sample bags & Sealer
    • 4 X 6" IODP Sample bags
    • 4 X 6" Kapak Sample bags (for organic chemistry samples)
  • Mini slab sampler (for fabric studies)
  • U-channel samplers
  • Paleomagnetic sample cubes
  • Miscellaneous (spatulas, needles, glass slides and cover glasses, razor blades, etc.)
  
  
• Laboratory Equipment
  • Microscopes
    • Picking (2 each)
    • Polarizing (no reflectance scopes) (4 each)
  • Balance, Triple beam
  • Balance, Electronic, 2 kg capacity, 0.1 gram precision
  • Balance, Shipping, Electronic, 125 lb. capacity
  • Fume hood, portable
  • Hot plate
  • UV light, portable
  • Lap wheel
  
  
• Photography
  • Photo copy stand and lights
  • 4x5 core camera/lighting system (permanently mounted, not portable)
  • Digital camera (Kodak DC40)
  • Ricoh 35 mm Camera with 3X zoom/Macro lens
  • Light meter
  
  
• Computers & Peripherals
  • MicroVAX
  • Pentium Server
  • PC compatibles, 486 (3 each)
  • Macintosh (1 each 7100 PowerMac, 1 each SE/30)
  • JAZ Drive, Iomega, 1 GB, attached to PowerMac 7100
  • Printers
    • Color printer (Epson Stylus 500)
    • Laser printers (LaserWriter 630, HP LaserJet 5M)
    • Bar code printer (Zebra Stripe 500, 3 each)
  • Scanner, Flatbed (600 dpi resolution, color, connected to PowerMac 7100)
  • Full Internet connectivity
  
  
• Computer Programs

  Program	PC	Mac
  MS Windows 3.11	X
  OS 8.1		X
  MS Word	X	X
  MS Excel	X	X
  Netscape	X	X
  FileMaker Pro	X	X
  Adobe Illustrator		X
  Photoshop 3.0.5		X
  Telnet	X	X
  Canvas 5.0		X
  Eudora Lite	X	X
  Pegasus	X
  ODP Sampling	X

  
  
• Office Equipment & Supplies
  • Typewriter (2 each)
  • Copier (2 each)
  • Answering machine
  • FAX
  • VCR
  • TV
  • Videodisk player
  • Notepads, paper, pens, envelopes, etc.
  
  
• Shop Equipment
  • 10" Sears Table Saw
  • 12" Table saw, portable
  • 12" Cut Off Saw, Skil
  • Band saw, Sears
  • Bench Grinder
  • Tools, hand, assorted
  • Tools, power, hand (saw, drill, etc.)
  • Torch, Propane
  • Normal Plumber's torch
  • Mini High Temperature torch
  • Soldering iron
  
  
• Miscellaneous Equipment, Supplies
  • Heat Gun for shrink tubing/drying things
  • Light table
  • Dehumidifier
  • Battery charger, 12/6v
  • Battery charger, household battery size
  • Vacuums (shop, household, handheld)
  • Fans, electric room
  • Safety gear (dust masks, eye shields, ear plugs, etc.)
  • Work clothes (lab coats, gloves, insulated coveralls, jackets)
  • Dremel Tool and various bits
  • Forklift, 4 ton capacity, vintage model
  • Lab vacuum pump.

If your request requires special equipment for sampling tools, supplies or shipping, you should bring them with you to insure its availability. The WCR will handle and pay for routine shipping of samples.

One consideration for a visitor to the WCR is the close proximity (across the parking lot) to the Scripps Core Collection. The Scripps Core Collection includes piston cores, box samples and dredge hauls from all of the world's oceans, but emphasizes the Pacific and Indian Oceans. A summary of the SIO Core Collection can be found on their web site. Email inquiries should be directed to Warren Smith, the Assistant Curator or he may be reached by phone at (858) 534-2037.

If You Are Going To Visit the WCR

To sample, view or photograph cores the West Coast Repository (WCR) an investigator needs to have an approved sample request in hand. The sample request form may be submitted electronically. After submitting the form, spend some time browsing the Home Page, as it is an excellent source of other information about IODP and the services that it provides to the research community.

Blank sample request forms may be obtained from the office of the IODP-USIO Curator. The Curator may be reached at:

Curator
Integrated Ocean Drilling Program
1000 Discovery Drive
College Station, TX 77845-9547
Phone: (979) 845-0507
Fax: (979) 845-0876
Email: Curator@iodp.tamu.edu

The completed sample request should be submitted to the Curator at least two months before the planned visit. This is especially true if the request is for unusual samples (i.e. large volume, high resolution, critical intervals) or requires special handling procedures (transportation or special equipment, for example).

It is important for you to contact the WCR to schedule your visit as soon as you submit your sample request and before you purchase any airline tickets. The WCR has only one full-time employee and if he is scheduled to be away from the WCR, a visit will not be scheduled, even if you have already purchased a ticket. Simply notifying the WCR when you are arriving is not enough. You need either a comfirmation email or to speak directly to WCR personnel before your visit can be confirmed. Even with a confirmed visit, if an emergency occurrs that takes the Superintendent away from the WCR it may not be possible to visit and/or sample until his return.

You may contact the WCR by telephone (858) 534-1657, Fax (858) 534-4555, or email: WCR@ucsd.edu.

Once you have scheduled your visit, reserve your motel room early. This is especially important if you wish to visit during the summer when the more reasonable motels and inns are fully reserved months in advance. When you make your reservations, be sure to mention that you are going to visit the WCR on the UCSD campus and would like a government discount as many of the local motels cater to UCSD visitors. If a government discount is unavailable, ask for a University discount.

Because of the vastness of the San Diego area it is recommended that you rent a car. If you do not plan to visit any other location than ODP/WCR then you may wish to stay at any of the motels that offer shuttle service to and from the airport and Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO). There is public transportation, but it is slow and not necessarily convenient nor very intuitive to use. If you plan to visit the main University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus, there is a shuttle that runs between SIO and the main campus.

Where to Stay

Please understand that information concerning motels, prices, and schedules are constantly changing and may be different than listed on the web. The University maintains a page listing most of the hotels close to UCSD and the WCR, but you should reconfirm all information with the particular motel at the time you make your reservations and plans. Prices are approximate as each hotel has a variety of room options depending on whether you can get a Government or University discount. Generally, the Government discount is best, but may not always be available.

Past guests have preferred the The Residence Inn and the Andrea Villa because of either their location or the services included in the basic price. During the summer months UCSD Campus Apartments are available and may prove more economical for extended stays. They may be reached at (858) 534-4220.

There are Bed and Breakfasts in and around the WCR. If this is your cup of tea, your best bet is to do a search on the web. You should be able to find something to suit your liking and budget.

Finally, for the the most economical minded and who do not mind roughing it, there are several state beaches (San Elijo State Beach, Carlsbad State Beach, San Onofre State Beach) and several local public and private RV parks where you can pitch a tent. A complete list of State Beaches, including non-camping beaches, may be found on the web.

How To Get To The WCR

There are several ways of getting to the WCR from out of town, some requiring more driving than others. The closest major airport is Lindbergh Field, San Diego's international airport, which is about 15 miles from the WCR. Other major airports available to visitors are Los Angeles (LAX) and Ontario, both of which are a 2 to 2 1/2 hour drive from San Diego. The drive from LA or Ontario is sometimes offset by lower ticket costs. However, driving anywhere in Southern California is not for the faint hearted as rush hour traffic can only be experienced, not described. There is a smaller airport at Carlsbad, about 30 miles north of the WCR. The small commuter planes used to fly into Carlsbad are offset by the lack of hassle and a short scenic flight from LA.

From San Diego
When you exit the airport, go east on North Harbor Drive and turn right on to Laurel St. (about 1 mile). Continue on Laurel St. about a half mile and turn left on to India St. and continue almost a mile to the I-5 on ramp. Continue north on I-5 and take the Ardath Rd. off ramp (about 6 miles). Take Ardath Rd. to La Shores Dr. (about 2 miles, presently the 3rd stop light). Turn right on to La Jolla Shores Dr. and continue north to SIO complex (about 1 mile). Continue a short distance up the hill to Down Wind. A pedestrian overcrossing is immediately beyond the turnoff. Turn right and then make another immediate right into the parking lot. The WCR is located in the East building. The WCR has 2 reserved parking spots immediately in front of the repository, but you will need to obtain a dashboard parking sticker from the WCR personnel to prevent getting a ticket. If they are occupied, park in a non-metered spot and obtain a temporary parking sticker, also from the WCR personnel! .

From LAX (Los Angeles)
Take I-405 South as you exit the airport. I-405 will eventually merge with I-5 in Mission Viejo. The traffic to Mission Viejo can be intense during the day and early evening and may add substantially to the commute time. Continue south to San Diego (a little over 100 miles). Take the La Jolla Village Drive exit and go right (west). Continue West about 2 miles to La Jolla Shores drive which will be on the left. Turn left and go for a little over a mile. After coming out of a S-shaped curve turn left at Down Wind Dr. (second driveway entrance on the left and just past the pedestrian overcrossing) and immediately turn right into the parking lot. The WCR is located in the East building. The WCR has 2 reserved parking spots immediately in front of the repository, but you will need to obtain a dashboard parking sticker to prevent getting a ticket. If the reserved spots are occupied, park in a non-metered spot and obtain a temporary parking sticker from the WCR personnel.

John Wayne Airport (Orange County)
Take I-405 South as you exit the airport. I-405 will eventually merge with I-5 in Mission Viejo. The traffic to Mission Viejo can be intense during the day and early evening and may add substantially to the commute time. Continue south to San Diego (a little over 100 miles). Take the La Jolla Village Drive exit and go right (west). ). Continue West about 2 miles to La Jolla Shores drive which will be on the left. Turn left and go for a little over a mile. After coming out of a S-shaped curve turn left at Down Wind Dr. (second driveway entrance on the left and just past the pedestrian overcrossing) and immediately turn right into the parking lot. The WCR is located in the East building. The WCR has 2 reserved parking spots immediately in front of the repository, but you will need to obtain a dashboard parking sticker to prevent getting a ticket. If the reserved spots are occupied, park in a non-metered spot and obtain a temporary parking sticker from the WCR personnel.

From Ontario Airport (San Bernadino County)
Take I-10 east and go south on I-15. Continue on I-15 until State Highway 52. Go west on 52 till it ends at Ardath Road (stay to left as you approach Ardath otherwise you will end up on I-5). Continue on Ardath over the hill to the 3rd stop light (La Jolla Shores Dr.—there is a Chevron station on the corner). Turn right on to La Jolla Shores Dr. and continue a little over a mile till you see the pedestrian overcrossing. Just before the overcrossing, turn right at Down Wind and make another immediate right into the parking lot. The WCR is located in the East building. The WCR has 2 reserved parking spots immediately in front of the repository, but you will need to obtain a dashboard parking sticker to prevent getting a ticket. If the reserved spots are occupied, park in a non-metered spot and obtain a temporary parking sticker from the WCR personnel.

From Palomar Airport (Carlsbad, California)
For a different experience, there are also commuter flights into Carlsbad's Palomar Airport from Los Angeles. The planes are small (8-10 passenger planes), but they only fly at 10,000 feet and give you a spectacular view of the coast and is only a 30-45 minute flight. Best of all, there are no crowds, luggage is immediately available, no traffic (by So. California standards), rental cars (Enterprise) are available, and is only about 30 minutes from the WCR. To get to the WCR, just head west on Palomar Airport Rd. to I-5, then south. From this point you can follow the LAX instructions to get to the WCR.

Travel Notes

• There are emergency call boxes every fourth mile along most Southern California highways and freeways. Should you experience an emergency anywhere along the way, stop at one and use it to call for emergency help. The Highway Patrol prefers if your car is operational to get off the freeway first, then call for assistance as stopped cars on the freeway are a magnet for impaired drivers. If you car does fail, however, use the phone to call the Highway Patrol. They will contact the car rental agency, AAA, towing company (anyone who will be able to help you) if that is all that is needed, or they will come out themselves if it is a true emergency. Do not move from the call box until assistance has arrived.
  
  
• If you fly into San Diego and choose not to rent a car, many of the motels have shuttles that will pick you up at the airport at no cost. Be sure to check with the motel when you make your reservations.
  
  
• If your motel doesn't have a shuttle service there are cabs and commercial shuttle services available just outside the terminals. They offer door to door service. With the shuttles, be sure to agree on a price, which should be about $20, before you leave. Shop around as they all charge different rates. Taxis are metered so you need to make sure they take the most direct route.
  
  
• Bus service is not recommended from the airport. While it is cheaper, it takes a great deal of time and you will have to transfer at least once. Bus service is OK if you are going between La Jolla and San Diego. It's just slow.

Food for Work and Pleasure

Those who like to work while they eat have very few options at the WCR. There is a "Sidewalk Cafe" located one building north (Nierenberg Hall) where relatively fresh sandwiches and salads can be purchased along with an assortment of drinks, cookies, bagels, scones, etc. For a quick meal without driving, the Scripps Snack Bar is available. This is a pleasant place to eat right on the beach, just a short 5 minute walk down the hill (7+ minutes back up the hill, especially after eating).

If you would like to brouse during the lunch hour and still have a bite to eat, the Scripps Aquarium is just up the hill from us and has a sidewalk vendor who sells a variety of snacks and sandwiches. The aquarium also has an excellent gift/book store and is worth at least one visit. You do not have to buy a ticket to the aquarium to get into the book store.

For those willing to drive a mile, there are several additional options available located at La Jolla Shores. There, one can find Chinese, Mexican, hamburger, pizza (will deliver to the WCR) and sandwich shops. With the exception of the sandwich and pizza shops (which are take-out only), all are either eat in or take-out. A favorite thing to do is to get take-out food and head for "the Wall", the local name for the local city park on the beach. There, one can enjoy the beach, the food and the view (especially in the summer). For more formal eating, there are many restaurants in La Jolla that serve as a elegant meal as one would want. For a price, of course. Unfortunately, the ubiquitous Denny's, is now history with a food mart taking its place.

Harder to get to, but just as close, is the Price Center on upper campus. The chances of finding a non- metered parking spot there at noontime is nil to none so the only real option is to take the shuttle, which runs every half hour during the midday. At the Price Center, there are a variety of fast foods ranging from pizza through hamburger to Chinese (typical university student food) and a large outdoor patio to eat your choice of food. An added benefit to the Price Center is the University Bookstore, one of the best in San Diego. The bookstore itself is worth at least an hour or two as it sells computers, software, snacks, souvenirs, school supplies as well as a very large assortment of books. If you look hard enough, you might even find text books.

For breakfasts and for after work meals, the world is open to you. San Diego has a wealth of restaurants ranging from the ubiquitous greasy spoon to very elegant dining and it would be impossible to cover them without narrowing your options. The ethnic restaurants available to the visitor would read like a listing of the countries in the United Nations and is much too long to list here. It is far better to "let your fingers do the walking" through the local phonebook and to ask around once you get here. It is doubtful you could not find something to your liking just by driving around a little.

What To Do With Your Spare Time

All Day Activities

1. Sea World—This is an excellent way to be entertained as well as having hands-on experiences with various ocean life. There are displays of sharks and penguins, shows involving killer whales, walruses, seals, porpoises. A variety of gift shops will help you spend money and enough eateries to help you forget how much you spent to get in ($29.95/adult).

2. San Diego Zoo—The best there is. Definitely worth the price of admission ($15/adult). Take your camera and lots of film. For a quick visit, take the bus tour, but for a more enjoyable visit, just walk around. Better yet, do both. The zoo is always evolving so even if you visited it a few years ago, there should be new displays for your enjoyment.

3. Wild Animal Park—($18.95)/adult) Pretend you're in Africa as you ride the monorail among the tigers, lions, giraffes and wildebeests. They have an excellent bird show daily and other shows which generally change with time. Like the zoo, you can walk a lot also. The zoo and the park have a special rate if you visit both within 5 days ($28.50).

4. Museums—Adjacent to the zoo are several museums, all worth spending a good portion of a day. These include the Museum of Man , Natural History Museum , Aerospace Museum , and the , Ruben H. Fleet Space Theater . There are others, but these are the most popular. To get a more complete list click "Museums" at the beginning of this paragraph.

Just as interesting as what's inside the museums is the local color that collects around them. Along the walkways and fountain you will find card readers, jugglers, musicians, balloon blowers (make animals), all in costumes worthy of their culture. The cost of admission to the museums varies (the people shows outside the museums are free) so be sure to check ahead of time. The first Tuesday of each month one of the museums, on a rotation basis, will have free admission.

5. Anza Borrego Desert State Park—About a 2 1/2 hour drive from San Diego, this is especially great in the spring and fall when the temperatures are livable. From the end of March to mid-May can be a blaze of color, especially if the winter has been a wet one. There is an excellent visitor center at Palm Canyon and, if you have a couple of days, there are usually good camping sites available. The view of the badlands from Fonts Point is worth the drive on a dry stream bed. Avoid the area in the summer unless you're a masochist.

6. On the way back from the desert you can stop at the historic town of Julian and enjoy apple pie and apple cider made from locally grown fruit. For the more daring, Sarsaparilla is available at some of the restaurants. If you have a couple of hours left before leaving Julian, there is an excellent tour through an old gold mine. If you can't make it to the desert, Julian would be an excellent excursion by itself, especially in the fall during the annual apple festival. For the fun of it, take the horse and buggy ride through the town. Julian is a local favorite so be prepared to share it with the rest of San Diego County.

7. Beaches—The beaches are always good except during storms and in the summer when the sand is covered with the masses. There are a few isolated beaches near SIO which generally are not overly crowded, but be prepared for a liberal view of human flesh as they are unofficially bathing suit optional beaches. During the summer body surfing is a favorite lunch time activity so be sure to bring a bathing suit. Unless, of course, you prefer one of the more isolated beaches.

8. Disneyland / Knotts Berry Farm—Both are located about and hour and a half north of San Diego. Lots of rides, lots of goodies, and lots of fun so you don't really notice how expensive it is ($30+/person).

9. Tijuana—A little less than a hour south of SIO, this is the epitome of the tourist trap. Fun to go once to say you've been there, but, unless you're a high school student, there's little reason to go a second time. Be careful of pickpockets and be sure to barter as everything is overpriced. Generally car rental companies do not let their cars into Baja. There are horror stories about foreigners having auto accidents and being arrested for not having proper insurance. If you do decide to drive into Mexico, be sure to purchase Mexican insurance before crossing the border. There is parking on the American side and range from $5/day on up, depending how far you wish to walk and/or how hard you look for the bargain parking lots. One way around the car/parking problems is to park in downtown San Diego and take the Trolley to the border. This may be more expensive, but it is also more fun, relaxing and safer. Visitors from overseas should insure their passports and visas are valid in Mexico.

10. Baja interior—The beauty of Mexico and its people is found south of Tijuana and in the interior and is definitely worth your consideration. In making your plans, however, the same warning goes here as for Tijuana about driving rental cars. The interior of Baja offers some excellent camping and hiking in all but the summer season. The more southern cities are also nicer as they haven't been corrupted by their neighbors North of the border.

If you have your personal car and still want to go south, be sure to buy Mexican insurance before entering Mexico. As with any of the deserts you always want to be watchful for rattlesnakes. They can be of truly immense size and a definite danger to your health and possibly your life. Take plenty of water with you as you will find none in the interior. Emergency supplies are almost mandatory should you decide to go into the interior as the area is very sparsely populated and help may literally be days away should you suffer a breakdown and need to walk for help. Be sure to let people know your itinerary should you head south of the border. Again, visitors from overseas should insure their passports and visas are valid in Mexico.

11. Palomar Mountain —A nice ride any time. Picnic and visit the observatory as well as its small gift shop. After a storm has cleared the air, the view of the desert and ocean is spectacular and well worth the trip. The view of the 200" telescope is an awesome one, especially when one considers when it was built.

Half Day Activities

1. Scripps Birch Aquarium—This is a new facility and is the best in Southern California. It's great to see the ocean life without having to go into the water. There are other excellent displays. The best part about the aquarium is that it is within walking distance from the WCR so you wont have to pay a parking fee or battle the traffic.

2 Torrey Pines State Preserve—This is a preserve that contains the most endangered pine tree in the world. It is a nice park where one can relax and hike the woods. It can be particularly beautiful in the spring when the wild flowers are out. There are still a few deer that call the Preserve home. Surprisingly, the Preserve is only a few miles from the WCR.

3. Harbor Cruises—You can enjoy a cruise on the Bay and see the Navy's ships close up and view San Diego from a whole new perspective. This is about as close as one get to the various aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines, etc. without joining the Navy.

4. Shopping—San Diego is blessed with stores and entire neighborhoods dedicated to separate you from your money. As with other cities, the malls are the favorite and draw people from miles around. The malls are only second to Balboa Park (where the zoo and museums are located) in its collection of diverse character types making them something of a human zoo, but without the cages. Some of the larger malls are:

• University Town Center (UTC)—about 5 miles from the WCR, the UTC is an open air mall where there are more types of stores than are found in most moderately sized cities. There is a skating rink should you care to ice skate, a movie complex where one can see the latest releases and enough concessionaires to satisfy even the most ardent fast food junkie. For the slower eaters there are a variety of restaurants to satisfy even the most discriminating tastes. One could spend a day here or just a lunch hour.
  
• Horton Plaza—A part of downtown San Diego redevelopment, the Horton Plaza has a enough boutiques, clothing stores, movies and junk foods places to satisfy the most ardent shopper. Parking in the adjacent parking structure is free also if you buy something and have the parking stub validated.
  
• North County Fair—This mall is located in the south end of Escondido, about 35 miles north of San Diego on I-15. It has the same range of stores as does UTC, and is on the way to the Wild Animal Park should you wish to be efficient with your time.
  
• Plaza Camino Real shopping Center—Located just South of Highway 78 between Oceanside and Carlsbad on the El Camino Real, about 35 miles north on I-5, this shopping area offers a little more as there is actually a collection of shopping centers in the area that has a larger selection of stores on both sides of the freeway. For shoppers and people watchers, this shopping center is hard to beat.
  
• Fashion Valley—Located on the west end of Mission Valley, it is easily accessible from the hotels/motels found in and round Motel Circle. It is also on the way to Mission San Diego.
  
• Mission Valley—Located on the east end of Mission Valley, it is easily accessible from the hotels/motels found in and round Motel Circle. It is also on the way to Mission San Diego.

Other