The complex was adjacent to the recently-completed US 80 Freeway (which was redesignated as Interstate 8 in 1964). MISSION VALLEY CENTER was the third shopping mall in "America's Finest City." It followed SOUTH BAY PLAZA {National City}, which opened in 1954 and 1955, and COLLEGE GROVE CENTER {Lemon Grove}, which debuted in 1960.
Photo from the San Diego Historical Society