Flower Hill Promenade

I’ve been going to this small mall for more than 20 years and they certainly have seen some changes. Had lunch here today and really was taken back a bit by all the improvements and decided to walk around after my meal. What a difference.
I remember back when there was a movie theater that was fairly dilapidated. They showed great movies but it was just so run down. The theater has been replaced by Whole Foods and Sharp outpatient clinic. Other than a few shops of interest, most of this mall was pretty run down and just not worth coming to.
But now they have upgraded quite a bit with Yogurtland, Chipotle, Burger Lounge and some other new additions. Some of the older shops remain and there is some good shopping here that goes unnoticed by many, but they certainly have their following when you notice the parking is quite full. They even have a car detail service behind Whole Foods so you can drop your car off while enjoying a meal at one of the many restaurants.
Warning to those visiting this shopping center; people drive incredibly fast in this very tight mall. If you’re backing out of a parking space, take extra precaution and do it slowly because the people around here are quite rude and will drive around you while you try and back out. If you are crossing from the parking area to the sidewalk or store… run! Again, no courtesy here. The drivers stop for nothing and they drive ridiculously fast for such a small place. I was crossing to go to a restaurant and the cars were racing past like they were on the freeway. Not ONE car gave the slightest indication they would slow let alone stop for people crossing so be forewarned.
I admit I have been here since they went through the upgrade and now I’m sure I’ll be back again to try some of the other restaurants and check out the shops.

typical mall… nothing special to report. Parking is very good and very convenient. The stores are very high end and expensive… no discount or outlet style shops here. I guess if you’re looking to spend some dough this is a great place! Otherwise it is one of those walk around and look at all the stuff you can’t afford places…

Very cute and fresh looking outdoor strip mall with lots of eccentric shops and dining places.
We stopped at Nothing Bundt Cakes and Three Dog Bakery and noticed they have a Burger Lounge here, YAY! There are two stories to this place and lots of places to sit and enjoy a coffee. I need to go back and explore it some more.

They have added a few 5 minute spaces during the lunch hours so you can run in and pick up food.

The more I visit this mall, the more I like it. Not only is located in a very nice area in Via de la Valle, but also in every visit I get a new surprise. This shopping center is definitely a rising star where seems that life is to be sipped and savored. Remember you have wonderful restaurants there such as Sea and Smoke and Cucina Enoteca, my favorites. Last week I also found out about Café Cantata and simply can´t wait to go back (sorry Pannikin, I can’t resist their charm substituted your coffee). There are many cute yet luxurious boutiques without the fuss. You won’t regret spending a brunch Saturday morning there for sure!

It’s been a long time since I’ve come here but it’s really been built up. The parking garage addition was really a necessity and is much appreciated. It has more than it’s share of smaller boutiques too. Might be a good place if that’s your thing.

My favorite strip mall, easily! And I know most of the shopping public agrees with me, as it gets harder and harder to find parking. Granted, it’s still pretty easy. just go in the garage! But it used to be super-​duper easy. The good olé days. during the remodel, before word had spread how much better it had gotten. Sigh.
Anyway, they have a ton of shops here that I love. Venissimo, a top-​notch cheese shop and the best I’ve been to yet; The Wine Connection, a fantastic wine shop; Whole Foods; Pannikin; Dallman’s Chocolates; Pangaea; and Core Power (whenever it is that I restart going to yoga).
And it’s super easy to get to, i.e. right off the freeway. Pretty much can’t beat the great shops to overall shops ratio anywhere.

I’ve been driving past this mall to get to coast hwy everyday to bypass the nasty rush hour traffic but never stopped in. Today was my 1^st time at the mall attending a Unilocal event @ Sea & Smoke. I like that there’s not only parking space in front of the mall but also a large parking structure behind it. The mall has many restaurants and boutique specialty stores. I think I’ll be back soon to check them out!

At first glance, Flower Hill Promenade looks like a «typical» strip mall. First impressions couldn’t be more deceiving! There are gourmet food and wine offerings, ample restaurants, beauty stores, pet shops, home décor stores, yoga studios, and clothing stores of all kinds– men, women, children, maternity, etc. It’s really wonderful!
The outdoor feel is casual and classy at the same time. I feel lucky to live so close but, even if I didn’t, I would find myself shopping here very often!

Whole Foods, Sea & Smoke, Pannikins and Burger Lounge insure you won’t go hungry.

Remodeled and lovely and dust free finally! I’m sure the business owners in Flower Hill must be all sighing relief as the construction is mostly over and the Whole Foods opening is really bringing people in their doors again.
The layout of this shopping center is cozy and makes you feel really connected with the business owners. They’re close knit and the storefronts are beautifully re done. I’ve been in and out of several new and old businesses and I’m really impressed and how everyone has kicked it up a notch to compliment the new structural look.
There’s outdoor seating and new landscaping, including tile murals and fountains. It’s really a place that I truly might spend and afternoon and I can’t recall the last time I ever said that about a retail shopping «mall» –I suppose it’s started to embody the «promenade» implications a lot more.
Get that coffee at Pannikin, downward dog at Core Power, get a cigar, grab some cheese, home goods maybe? Something shiny? Lunch? The Spa? You’re only trouble might be parking but don’t forget the parking structure in back: It’s quite accessible.
I’m highly anticipating Chef Matt Gordon’s new restaurant to perfectly round out this center: It’s been a long dusty loud road Flower Hill, but you made it. Cheers!

I agree with many of the reviews. They have ruined Flower Hill Mall. It doesn’t make sense to go there anymore so I won’t. They have taken away the two best things there: The movie theater and the bookstore/​coffee shop. It has NO appeal anymore, what a pity.

The remodel has destroyed all the character of the original and turned it into the same bland ticky tacky cookie cutter mall that you have seen at a hundred other locations. No one took any risks here. Lowest common denominator all the way. It is a shame.

i have lived in the area for years and never really came into the shopping center. i remember seeing jaws 3D back when it first came out in the movie theatre here… it was a double feature with some airplane movie… hmmm…i think i fell asleep while my male cousins got giddy over the jets on screen… jaws 3D rocked tho! that was my very 1^st 3D movie ever, so flower hill has some sentimental value.
since then i would stop in to grab take out from pick up stix or eat an average meal at chevy’s or milton’s…but never ventured inside the mall itself…
now that i have kids… we do the halloween/​xmas/​easter events at the local shopping centers. we live much closer to the del mar highlands center… but that place is a madhouse! so one year we came to flower hill. We did the store to store trick or treating (my son was 3 i think)…much nicer b/​c he could actually walk without getting run over by kids fighting to get a piece of candy. And in addition i was exposed to all the really cool shops tucked away here. Most of which are overprices and hoity toity… but some that are super fun…
here is what i like here
1) gepettos… yes we have one in DM highlands… but this one is huge… it used to be a different toy store, which moved up off lomas santa fe…
2) the wine connection… great service. great selection… not way to overpriced
3) Venissimo Cheese… great selection of unique cheeses
4) nothing bundt cakes! .yum…best cakes. better than costco!
5) pannikin… check it out… super comfy, chill atmosphere
6) taste of thai
ya…that’s about it… the clothing stores are interesting… but del mar lame fashion just isn’t me… i would rather shop at costco or gap for my clothes. or even Target!
avoid PARADISE GRILL… they are lame and the service sucks… food is above average but not worth the lame service…
the theatres here… well they are old… but never crowded… so choose your battles. if you want plush stadium seating. this is not for you. if you want to see a movie that is convenient and not crowded… you may like it here…

I’ve come here on several occasions. I’ve been to Pannikin and Milton’s in the past, but have seen other eating establishments that I would like to try. I never noticed that there is a walkway into this outdoor shopping center with small shops. Conveniently located right off the exit and an excellent place for a meet up.
I really want to come back to visit Nothing Bundt Cakes, but their hours make it difficult for me to make the drive. Although I would like to try Paradise Grill, esp since they look like they have an amazing patio section, I have heard different reviews. It’s still up for debate.
Parking could be a bit busy here. A lot of OLDER and pish posh patrons visit this center, so be mindful when you see them driving erratically throughout and cross in front of you without looking.
It’s Del Mar — they’re a different breed here…

Flowerhill is going downhill… fast!
The Paradise Grill is a cute restaurant with terrible food and even worse service. We’ve tried it a couple of times and each time was worse! Avoid at all costs!
The new mall owners cancelled the lease on the movie theater and are planning for a Whole Foods. The parking is terrible in this mall, so adding a crazy busy Whole Foods seems like a dumb idea. Plus, we need a movie theater on the coast for indie flicks. Keep the theater open!!!
In a second horrible decision, the mall owners kicked Thinker Things to the curb after 30 years in that location. Happy to hear that the store is moving to the Solana Beach shopping center by Vons/​Ross. Yeah!
There are a lot of empty stores in the mall. And the few remaining stores are over priced and just not worth a trip. In fact, I’d probably never go into this mall if not for two great places: Pannikin and The Book Works.

There is some really cool stuff here.
Mostly limitted to 3 things:
1. The Book Works. This is one of the finest bookstores in the county. Truly awe inspiring.
2. The Pannikin Del Mar. A hang out that has been here since the dawn of North County it seems. They continue to have great coffee and one of the best business simbiotic relationships I have seen with a shared door to The Book Works.
3. Thinker Things. The best Toy Store I have EVER been in. LOVE this place.
Besides that I am kinda lukewarm on the place.
It used to be a real neighborhood kinda place with kids running around and enjoying the different levels and a sense of fun in the air.
Not the air is think with a sense of snobbery.
Gone: Swensons Ice Cream from my youth.
Gone: The little play bridge in the middle of the mall replaced by a snobby firepit/​grille type restraunt.
Gone: Nurseryland
Gone: KooKooRoo
Replaced by super upscale snobby dining places.
The place is saved by the survivors of a bygone era for now … but I find perverse pleasure in the fact that Pick Up Stix survives here.

Pegged as one of San Diego’s première upscale shopping plazas, and rightfully so and they price tags are up there, it still carries a bit of an eclectic vibe which makes it less snooty and all the more appealing.
It is home to Flower Hill Cinema featuring on many occasions independent/​art films, Pannikin coffee house and The Book Works. Milton’s Deli lives here as does yummy Taste of Thai and the pretentious but also yummy Paradise Grille to name a few. There are many other filler boutiques and specialty shops offering home décor to that lovely Rancho Santa Fe home just up the road and of course a primo children’s boutique that I don’t think I’ve ever bought anything in.
If being posh isn’t your thing, then Pannikin’s and The Book Works as well as the cinema are definitely worth a visit. Parking can be a problem as there isn’t a lot of spaces but just turn on the parking karma wizard and one will magically appear.
Find all the shops at: