Fashion  Valley (13) at 7007 Friars Rd. (619-688-9113) is the largest and ultimate shopping destination in San Diego County! It has more than 200 specialty shops and restaurants, 50 exclusive stores and five department stores including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's.

Farther east on Friars Road is one of the newer shopping centers in the valley, Fenton Marketplace (16). Anchor stores include Costco, IKEA Home Furnishings and Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse. Complementing these stores is a host of places to eat.

For Asian cuisine look no further than Oki Ton Japanese Bistro (16) (619-284- 8036) in Fenton Marketplace. Traditional Japanese and Asian-influenced entrées are served in a captivating and contemporary atmosphere. Their specialty is Ton Katsu. They also have a very inviting sushi bar. Healthy lunch specials are served daily, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and they're open nightly for dinner till 10 p.m. And don't miss their happy hour 3 p.m.-7 p.m. daily, with reduced prices on selected sushi, beer and cocktails.

For the ultimate ice cream experience, it's definitely the Cold  Stone Creamery  (16)  in the Fenton Market- place (619-521-6794). So why this Cold Stone Creamery? The owner is a man of passion who is never happy unless his customers are happy. So he and his staff are always eager to please. For the best ice cream experience including take home items like birthday cakes, this is the place.

This frontage road, which parallels Interstate 8, runs in an east-west direction. Westfield Shoppingtown Mission Valley (17), 1640 Camino del Rio North (619-296-6375) is a major shopping center featuring almost 150 stores, shops, a food court and restaurants.

Don't miss dining at Bully’s East (12) at 2401 Camino del Rio South (619-291- 2665). It continues its over 40-year tradition as the best restaurant and bar for prime rib in San Diego. With a wonderful selection of daily specials and a variety of fresh seafood, they have what you're looking for. Other reasons for dining here are their weekend brunch Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; early bird dinner specials Mon.-Fri., 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.; and happy hour Mon.-Fri., 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. and 10 p.m.-12:15 a.m.

Diners will rave about their discovery of Todai Restaurant (27) at 2828 Camino del Rio South (619-299-8996). A mind-boggling 200 feet of sushi, seafood, beef, chicken, fresh fruits, salads and delicious desserts await you at this incredible upscale Japanese seafood buffet. The quality and selection are impressive! Plus, the aquatic murals and decor create a feeling that you're dining in the undersea world of Atlantis.

A popular place for breakfast is Adam's Steak  n'  Eggs (20) at 1201 Hotel Circle South (619-291-1103). For lunch and dinner, choose Mission Valley's favorite dinner house, Albie's Beef  Inn (619-291-1103), which is next door and also at 1201 Hotel Circle South in front of the Travelodge Hotel. This steak and seafood restaurant legend of fers live entertainment in their piano bar starting at 7 p.m., Tues. -Sat. and a fantastic happy hour Mon.-Fri., 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m. If you dine in the piano bar, ask for booth 4.

For a glimpse into the fascinating way of life of the Franciscan missionaries who first colonized San Diego back in 1769, visit the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá (33), 10818 San Diego Mission Rd. Contact the Visitor Center (619-281-8449) or Parish Office (619-283- 7319). An excellent mapped, self-guided tour of the grounds and building is available. Suggested donations are ($3) for adults, ($2) for students and seniors and ($1) for children 12 and under.

A really delightful must-see store is City Lights Collectibles (11) at 1212 Knoxville St. (619-275-1006). Imagine 40,000-sq. ft. of everything you could ever want for Christmas and more. The mesmerized with glittering ornaments, holiday decor and jolly Santas. Use their coupon to receive a free ornament with purchases over $15.

For the best Cuban cuisine this side of Miami, dine at Andre’s Cuban and Puerto Rican Restaurant (24) at 1235 Morena Blvd. (619-275-4114). Andrés has been a favorite for 29 years for their savory Cuban and Puerto Rican dishes served in an atmosphere of tropical plants, romantic background music and attentive service.

A fabulous dining destination near Mission Valley is Kearny Mesa, which is San Diego's answer to Chinatown in other cities. See Kearny Mesa on the Mission Valley map. Here you'll find fabulous cuisine from China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Plus, you'll find some of San Diego's favorite American restaurants here, too.

A great restaurant on the dining scene is China Max (1) at 4698 Convoy St. (858-650-3333) in Kearny Mesa, serving outstanding Cantonese seafood cuisine. You'll be impressed with their healthful cooking style and delicious entrées like their award-winning pan-fried lamb chops topped with a spicy black pepper sauce. Adding to their acclaim are rave reviews from the San Diego Union-Tribune and San Diego Magazine. Visit China Max and see for yourself why they were voted “Best Chinese” three years in a row by Channel 10 News A-List.

For fantastic pancakes served daily, look no further than The Original Pancake House (5) at 3906 Convoy St. (858-565-1740). Their name says it all! Here you can enjoy house specialties like the oven-baked apple pancake with a cinnamon glaze or the Dutch baby which is served with butter, lemon and powdered sugar. Also featured are wonderful crêpes, waffles and omelets made with farm fresh grade AA eggs.

A block farther down Convoy Street at Aero Drive is Emerald Chinese Seafood Restaurant (3) at 3709 Convoy St., Suite 101 in the Pacific Gateway Plaza (858-565- 6888). Diners flock here for their superb dim sum delicacies, fresh seafood and an incredible array of main course selections prepared Hong Kong style.

Another local favorite is Sunrise Buffet (5) at 3860 Convoy St. (858-715- 1608). They offer more than 100 entrées. Diners come for their great food, and come back because of their affordable prices.

A few blocks north is Phuong Trang Vietnamese Restaurant (4) at 4170 Convoy St. (858-565-6750), which is the most recommended Vietnamese restaurant in San Diego. They have received accolades from the Channel 10 News AList and the San Diego Union-Tribune, as well as praise from San Diego Magazine, The New York Times and Fodor's. Their specialty is delicious-tasting Vietnamese cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood and healthy vegetarian entrées.

The Butcher Shop Steakhouse (2) at 5255 Kearny Villa Rd. (858-565-2272) is everything you would expect from a great steak house and more! This classy restaurant, which specializes in prime rib, also has wonderful steaks and seafood. Sunset dinner specials, which are priced from ($13.99), are served 4 p.m.-6 p.m. daily, except major holidays.

A great discovery is the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant and Lounge (6) at 8885 Balboa Ave. (858-560-6771). This restaurant has fabulous food and a view of planes taking off and landing at Montgomery Field. A Sunday Cham - pagne Brunch Buffet is served 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., except holidays; come before 10 a.m. for their “beat the clock” discount. Early flight dinner specials are offered 4 p.m.-6 p.m. daily except major holidays. Complete meals priced from ($18.99).

A sensational find that has everybody's talking is Khan's Cave (7) an exceptional Asian tavern and grill at 9350 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. (858-279-9799). It's popular with the lunch crowd who flock here for a quick lunch before heading back to work, and it's an equally popular happy hour spot as well. But dinner really takes the cake with one memorable Asian inspired entrée after another. And the prices are like a neighbor hood restaurant where you get great quality at reasonable price.

Another local landmark is Studio Diner (8) at 4701 Ruffin Rd. (858-715- 6400). This retro-themed diner was featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives for its extensive menu of American favorites. Their selection includes eggs Benedict, prime rib and everything in between, including hear ty burgers, savory soups and no less than 18 sandwiches to choose from. Plus, they are open 24-hours a day so you can have a great meal at any time.

And a shopping treasure located on Aero Drive is Canyon Pottery Company (10), at 8575 Aero Dr. (858-279- 2600). They have the largest and most impressive collections of outstanding planters and architectural accent pieces in Southern California at 40 percent discount prices on most planters and accessories! Gainey Ceramics, Talavera planters, architectural supplements, handcrafted Italian terra cotta and ceramics and Raku vases, along with wonderful rustic planters are just a few of the many beautiful pieces you'll find at this 2 -acre showroom warehouse. Present their ad in this book and receive $10 off your purchase of $50 or more of retail prices (excluding tax)! Present their coupon to receive $10 off purchases of $50 or more!

The Town and Country Resort Hotel at 500 Hotel Circle North (619-291-7131), has been in Mission Valley for over fifty years. They offer luxurious accommodations, countless amenities, and our devoted attention to vacationers and convention delegates alike.

The Handlery Hotel and Resort at 950 Hotel Circle North (619-298-0511), boasts 217 lodging accommodations many with a balcony or patio, including five one-bedroom suites. Some of their rooms are poolside while others have spacious Mission Valley views.

The Doubletree Club Hotel at 1515 Hotel Circle South (619-881-6900), features 219 new guest rooms with pampering, world-class amenities, casual sophistication and conveniences to make your travels stress free. Each deluxe room provides the ease of a personal office, the comforts of home and extra touches such as private balconies and panoramic views.

Less than two miles from the many hotels in Mission Valley is the Sports Area, which is home to you guessed it, the San Diego “Valley View” Sports Arena and a host of delicious places to dine too.

At the top of this list is Yummy Buffet (25) at 2855 Midway Dr. (619-222-3388) [yummybuffet.com]. Their all-you-can-eat Asian buffet is second to none. This crowd pleaser also features a 10% discount when you present their coupon. Their wide array of cuisine includes king crab legs served at dinner only as well as baked salmon and a 20-foot long fresh salad bar as well as freshly made sushi. You name it they've got it. It's also great for family dining and parties.

The big attraction though, is the Valley View Casino Center (1), formerly the San Diego Sports Arena at 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. (619-224-4171). It is a year-round local attraction in more ways than one. Yes, it's home to touring attractions like the ice follies, sports events, rodeos, family shows and rock concerts.

Yet the biggest attraction is Kobey's Swap Meet (1) (619-226- 0650). This swap meet is the largest in the county. It is held every Fri.-Sun., 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission ranges (.50-$1). Many vendors accept credit cards. Use their discount coupon for $1 off regular adult admission!