Once a bustling hub Plaza Camino Real opened in 1969. It was San Diego County’s sixth mall. This enclosed regional shopping center was a significant development. May Centers Inc created it. It boasted 548000 leasable square feet. The mall’s location was 32 miles north of San Diego. It sprawled across 90 acres. Some parking even extended into Oceanside.
May Company California and J C Penney were the original anchors. May Company occupied a massive two-level 148200 square foot space. J C Penney had a similarly large two-level 154000 square foot store. The initial phase included 63 stores. A Lower Level F W Woolworth added to the mix. Across Marron Road the Cinema Plaza opened. It was San Diego County’s first twinplex.
Plaza Camino Real’s expansion in 1979 was remarkable. This second phase added a substantial 500000 leasable square feet. The Broadway a Los Angeles-based department store joined. Sears opened a 148900 square foot store. Bullock’s a 115000 square foot store opened in 1980. Plaza Camino Real became the largest shopping center in San Diego County. It held this title until Fashion Valley Mall expanded in 1981.
The 1980s brought renovations. New tile flooring escalators and a glass elevator were installed. Water fountains graced the entrances of May Co and Sears. A unique mechanical clock was added to the Broadway Court. The 1990s saw more changes. May Company became Robinsons-May. The Broadway transformed into Macy’s Women’s Store. Bullock’s became Macy’s Men’s and Home Store. Westfield Holdings acquired the mall in 1994. They rebranded it Westfield Shoppingtown Plaza Camino Real.
The 2000s presented challenges. Robinsons-May closed in 2006. Steve and Barry’s briefly filled the space but closed in 2008. A revitalization plan was announced in 2009 but delayed by the economic downturn. The 2010s brought a long-delayed renovation. The Robinsons-May space became a 24 Hour Fitness and a Regal Cinemas. Westfield rebranded it Westfield Carlsbad. It was later sold to Rouse Properties. They renamed it The Shoppes at Carlsbad. Sears closed in 2019.
Today The Shoppes at Carlsbad continues its evolution. It faces challenges adapting to changing consumer preferences. It hosts events to engage the community. Plaza Camino Real’s history is rich and complex. From its humble beginnings as a large regional mall to its current state as a shopping center undergoing change it remains a landmark in Carlsbad.