The open-air concourse at GROSSMONT CENTER is thronged with shoppers in this October 1961 grand opening day snapshot.
Photo from "The Webb Spinner" / December 1961 / Del E. Webb Corporation / Sun City Museum, Arizona 

The Marston Company was an anchor of the original mall. With the completion of the complex, the rivalry between May Company and The Broadway was extended from Los Angeles to San Diego. May Centers had built MISSION VALLEY CENTER. Broadway-Hale Stores (under the auspices of its Marston's subsidiary) now presided over their GROSSMONT.
Photo from "The Webb Spinner" / December 1961 / Del E. Webb Corporation / Sun City Museum, Arizona

On the opposite end of GROSSMONT CENTER was Montgomery Ward. The store was comprised of 2 levels and 122,000 square feet. It included an attached Wards Auto Center.
Photo from "The Webb Spinner" / December 1961 / Del E. Webb Corporation / Sun City Museum, Arizona