Viejas Outlets - Hidden Places

Take the 8 East from San Diego and the landscape changes sharply from urban to wilderness

Out in the sage scrub of the Laguna Mountain foothills reside the Viejas band of Luiseno Indians, the Viejas Casino and Outlet Stores.

A mall in itself is not very interesting at all. It's really just a collection of stores where you can shop for things you need and want. The Outlets at Viejas, however, have some unique features that highlight native culture and the surrounding wild habitat.

The Dreamcatcher fountain is a focal point of the center. It's a great place on hot summer days for kids to play in the patterns of jetting water.

During the winter months, the large quad in the center of the mall is converted into an ice rink ... while we were there yesterday, it had not yet been set up, only the insulating pads had been stacked nearby...

Our visit took place as the sun was setting, so getting pictures of some of the many bronze native animal sculptures was challenging and beautiful.

The revered river otter, no longer seen in southern California outside of zoos ...

A proud eagle overlooking visitors near the bowling alley ...

These mule deer ...

And a mountain lion moving her kits ...

If you're exploring San Diego, be sure to venture out of town to the places hidden in our hills!

As always, I Steem for my kids...