Shopping in the us

[albatross710]

Hi All
Off to the States for 3 weeks soon, (CA) have been back and fore quite a few times in recent years and know most of the outlets and mostly our shopping has been for clothes.

Can anyone point me to a good general shopping area between LAX & Southern CA. I have two days to spare on an upcoming trip. Interested in staying somewhere interesting - accommodation and access to shopping.

 

[Keith009]

Can anyone point me to a good general shopping area between LAX & Southern CA. I have two days to spare on an upcoming trip. Interested in staying somewhere interesting - accommodation and access to shopping.

South Coast Plaza!!!

 

[straitman]

The Acer Aspire One I recently purchased in Oz comes with an international warranty (need to travel with specific documentation).

Likewise with the International warranty though in the US it was a lot cheaper. (half price or less) Buy with Amex Platinum Charge Card and get the extra years warranty also.

 

[serfty]

Likewise with the International warranty though in the US it was a lot cheaper. (half price or less) Buy with Amex Platinum Charge Card and get the extra years warranty also.

... or Amex Gold Charge

*BTW, this purchase was AU$331 ...

 

[albatross710]

South Coast Plaza!!!

Thanks, fits nicely and plenty of accom nearby.

 

[straitman]

... or Amex Gold Charge

*BTW, this purchase was AU$331 ...

I'll talk to you on the 20th and compare units.

 

[drron]

Can anyone point me to a good general shopping area between LAX & Southern CA. I have two days to spare on an upcoming trip. Interested in staying somewhere interesting - accommodation and access to shopping.

QF009 has given you the upmarket reply and i will take it decidely down market.
For outlet shopping the best are-Carlsbad-just north of san Diego-if any rugrats then Legoland is there.
Desert Hills and Ontario mills-to the west of LA,not far from Palm Springs.
Camarillo-north of LA.Worth a stop if driving from LA to SFO.
Gilroy-south of SF on the inland route-garlic capital.
Great Mall of the Bay area-San Jose.
Vacaville and Napa-obviously Napa valley.

 

[Katie]

For outlet shopping the best are-
Gilroy-south of SF on the inland route-garlic capital.
Great Mall of the Bay area-San Jose.

LOVE the Gilroy outlets. We even made it to the garlic festival one year.
Planning on stopping by in May. I wonder if the Greg Norman store is still in the fourth building??
I've only been to the Great Mall once, maybe in 97 or so, so it's probably changed.

 

[drron]

LOVE the Gilroy outlets. We even made it to the garlic festival one year.
Planning on stopping by in May. I wonder if the Greg Norman store is still in the fourth building??
I've only been to the Great Mall once, maybe in 97 or so, so it's probably changed.

The Greg Norman outlet stores are also a place giving you a 20% discount if you flash your RACQ etc card.

 

[Keith009]

Thanks, fits nicely and plenty of accom nearby.

If you want a nice mix of shopping and relaxing, check out La Jolla also. Good mix of luxury shopping and nice beaches. The shopping isn't nearly as good as South Coast of course, which has some of the biggest designer flagships in one area (oh and check out 18 8 nearby if you want a good men's hair salon), but it's a pretty nice, interesting and glitzy enough place to walk around.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

If you want a nice mix of shopping and relaxing, check out La Jolla also. Good mix of luxury shopping and nice beaches. The shopping isn't nearly as good as South Coast of course, which has some of the biggest designer flagships in one area (oh and check out 18 8 nearby if you want a good men's hair salon), but it's a pretty nice, interesting and glitzy enough place to walk around.

Thanks everyone for the ideas, we will be in La Jolla in a rented house for one week before going back to LA so will check out all the shopping there, and the outlets mentioned and then try and fit in the South Coast Plaza as looks as though we drive right past it on the way back....husband loves the Greg Norman outlet shops and we have been to the one in Las Vegas before so will give the others a check out too and see if they will accept our RACV card for a discount too - loe all this shopping..

 

[drron]

The Carlsbad outlets are just north of La Jolla.Even a reasonable restaurant there by Robert Mondavi-at least there was a couple of years ago.We are actually going to be staying at Carlsbad in september at an HGVC property burning hilton points.

 

[Keith009]

Thanks everyone for the ideas, we will be in La Jolla in a rented house for one week before going back to LA so will check out all the shopping there, and the outlets mentioned and then try and fit in the South Coast Plaza as looks as though we drive right past it on the way back....husband loves the Greg Norman outlet shops and we have been to the one in Las Vegas before so will give the others a check out too and see if they will accept our RACV card for a discount too - loe all this shopping..

There's also a mall in San Diego (short drive from La Jolla) called The Valley, or something like that - i remember it had Valley in its name. Similar concept to South Coast but rather much smaller of course (then again anything seems small compared to South Coast). Skip the Valley if you're going to South Coast anyway.

La Jolla is a bit of a change from the usual big luxury brands, has more of a focus on quirky and unusual stuff if you're into that sort of stuff. On our last visit Mum shipped home some weird voodoo-like stuff :shock:, antique jewellery and some oddly shaped cement block that's now on display at her place. Also has quite a few upscale clothing resellers.

South Coast is in the OC (Costa Mesa to be exact) between LA and San Diego. Please, please promise me you'll make it there - it's a sublime place!!

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Without a doubt we will be at the Southcoast Plaza, on our way back to LA from La Jolla..we are mad shoppers so this will round it off nicely but then I do still have a few days in LA (close to the Beverley Centre) but also want to get to downtown LA and have a look too....

 

[albatross710]

Without a doubt we will be at the Southcoast Plaza, on our way back to LA from La Jolla.

If it is of any use to you, I was just able to pickup nights at Hilton Costa Mesa for US60/nite. used Priceline.com to bid for a room close to South Coast for my shopping trip.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Thanks for the tip re Priceline, I should have thought to use them when booking this trip but ended up booking direct with all the hotels, maybe next time!!

 

[flyer4703]

If you want to get away from the Malls and want a more boutique shopping experience Montana Avenue in Santa Monica is worth looking at.
A few blocks of fashion boutiques, restaurants and other interesting stores with a relaxed atmosphere.