Looking northwest.
Thomas Bros map: page 1269 grid C2-3
GPS: 32 46.095N 117 08.919W 43m (post-SA; reading taken in movie theater plaza directly above chargers)
Site description: Mission Valley Center is an elevated open-air shopping mall on the north side of Camino Del Rio N, a frontage road that parallels the north side of the I-8 freeway. It is anchored by a Robinsons-May on the east end and a Montgomery Wards on the west.
From westbound I-8, exit at Mission Center Rd and double back to the east on Camino Del Rio N. From eastbound I-8, exit at Auto Circle/ Mission Center Rd. Turn left (north) at the top of the ramp, cross I-8, and turn right (east) on Camino Del Rio N.
Charger description: The chargers are in the ground-level covered parking garage below the mall, directly underneath the AMC movie theatres, to the left of a row of handicapped spots. (The photo above was taken prior to the installation of the handicapped spots).
From eastbound Camino Del Rio N, turn left at the second light. This leads north into the main garage entrance, painted purple.
Continue to the raised east-west island that divides the garage in half. Turn left and follow the driveway around the first set of pedestrian ramps. The two wall-mount chargers are on your right just before the second set of pedestrian ramps, near the U and V aisles. The spots are up on the island, with ramps to get you over the curb.
What to do while waiting: Lots of stuff - see a movie, shop, eat.
ICEing: Never encountered. Remarkable for such a busy site; the separation of these spots from regular parking spots seems to help a lot.
San Diego Trolley: Mission Valley Center stop on the Blue line on the north side of the mall.
Charger supply voltage: 208
Notes: Though this site is rather confusing to find at first, it is now my favorite EV recharging stop. The parking spots are quite premium, and the walk up to the shopping level is very short. I'd really like to see more installations like this one.
Since this photo was taken, handicapped parking spots have been created to the right of the chargers.
If someone can come up with a clearer set of directions for finding these chargers, please send them to me.
The pedestrian traffic at this site is heavy, especially on evenings and weekends. Be prepared for lots of people peering into your car and asking questions if you're anywhere nearby.
Entry by: Phil Karn, 29 Nov 1999; updated 28 Aug 2000
Photo by Ted Walton; courtesy of SDG&E