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junebug
03-06-2007, 09:17 AM
We are staying in Anahiem for 7 nights and would like to spend a day shopping. Where are the BEST outlet malls to shop within an hours drive? We will have a car during our stay.....but..... if I wanted to head out on my own, is there tour bus that goes to the outlet malls?

I see there is one called Ontario Mills. If I were to go there is there anything in the area for my son and husband to do? They are not shoppers!

Thanks in advance for any and all of your opinions!

samsma
03-06-2007, 09:28 AM
WE LOVE Ontario Mills outlet! There is so much to do there. You're Husband and Son can spend time at Dave and Busters playing pool or arcade games.There is a Rainforest Cafe there(always fun to check out). We have gone to Anaheim twice, and gone to Ontario Mills both times.We also like the Block at Orange, and Citadel Outlets, although both of these malls are outdoor(strip mall type)shopping, but still good.It should take you about 40 min from Anaheim to Ontario Outlet, 5min for the Block,and 30-45 for Citadel (traffic).HAPPY SHOPPING!
P.S. I was so excited when I saw this thread, as outlet shopping is my "THING".

GORGON
03-06-2007, 09:30 AM
Has anyone been to the just opened Burlington Mall Store Yet.? If so any updates on what was there:|

Bytebear
03-06-2007, 09:39 AM
I would also recommend the Irvine Spectrum or South Coast Plaza. They are not outlet malls but will have more than what you want.

adriennek
03-06-2007, 03:46 PM
The Block at Orange is also not an outlet mall. Just FYI.

Adrienne

disney jones
03-06-2007, 08:49 PM
Where are the BEST outlet malls to shop within an hours drive?i'm not a shopper nor do i play one on the web, but they say Cabazon is the best outlet mall in So Cal- it could be made in an hour, but it'd take a lead foot and avoiding traffic flows - ie leave Anaheim and head east on the 91 in the morning about 10 am is by best guess, then 60 E, then I-10 East.

At 70 mph, it'd be an hour, maybe a few minutes more.

Bytebear
03-06-2007, 09:43 PM
Cabazon is by far the biggest and probably the best, but it is a trek to get to. If you are ok with doing a road trip, it will be fun. And you get to see the dinosaurs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Bell%27s_dinosaurs) from Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. If you have to do an outlet mall, do Cabazon. If not, I would do South Coast Plaza.

Rkkm
03-06-2007, 10:02 PM
The Citadel, in the City of Industry off the I-5 and about 10 miles from Disneyland, has outlets from Calvin Klein, Hanes, Le Cruset, Ann Taylor, Jones New York, Eddie Bauer, Izod, The Sunglass Hut, Maidenform, Claire's, the Gap ... about 30 stores total. They even have valet parking for $4 and a decent food court.

For a real shopping experience, hit the Fashion District in downtown Los Angeles. Lots and lots of brand-name seconds and over-purchases .. clothing for men and women and kids, purses, sunglasses, jewelry, luggage, fabric. A lot like shopping in a foreign country what with the accents and languages and haggling and cheaper-if-you-pay-in-cash sales, but absolutely safe and the plus of easy parking in public lots. The prices and the "finds" are absolutely breath-taking. I go several times a year and come home with piles of goodies that you could not find anyplace else for those prices ... everything from deeply discounted Donna Karan and St. John knits to beaded skirts from India, unique jewelry and faux-designer purses from Asia. (On a recent trip, I got some Mickey and Minnie gold necklaces that had the saleslady from Vault 29 asking if they were Mickey Couture. I smiled .. I paid only $10 per necklace!)

disney jones
03-07-2007, 12:42 AM
Cabazon is by far the biggest and probably the best, but it is a trek to get to. If you are ok with doing a road trip, it will be fun. And you get to see the dinosaurs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Bell%27s_dinosaurs) from Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. If you have to do an outlet mall, do Cabazon. If not, I would do South Coast Plaza.not necessarily - the dinos you'd have to travel a mile or so further east.

mamatojade
03-07-2007, 06:09 PM
Cabazon is pretty spectacular, but I didn't really notice anything nearby that would be of interest to non-shoppers.

Bytebear
03-07-2007, 07:22 PM
not necessarily - the dinos you'd have to travel a mile or so further east.

Oops. you are correct. They are a few miles up the freeway. I usually just pass the outlets on my way to Palm Springs, but we like stopping at the Dinos. I think they are worth the extra effort, if you are out that way.


Cabazon is pretty spectacular, but I didn't really notice anything nearby that would be of interest to non-shoppers.

There is the indian casino, but not much else.

Koukla
03-07-2007, 10:06 PM
The Lake Elsinore Outlets are within your one-hour driving range, especially if you head out this way in the morning and are back in Anaheim by the afternoon. At least you'll be going against traffic.

Head eastbound on the 91 freeway to the southbound I-15, and exit at Nichols Road. You'll see the outlets right there parallel to the freeway.

You can check out their stores and other local area attractions at
http://www.lakeelsinoreoutlet.com/default.cfm.

Have a great trip to Anaheim!:D

nightdesigns
03-08-2007, 06:17 AM
The Carlsbad outlets are good too. That's about an hour south, maybe a little more.

Phantom2006
03-08-2007, 06:31 AM
The Carlsbad outlets are good too. That's about an hour south, maybe a little more.
I work in the Carlsbad Premium Outlets, it is a great mall. Right now the Flower Fields are starting to bloom if that's something you would like to see. Lecost is opening up next week, some are excited about that.

adriennek
03-08-2007, 11:48 AM
The Lake Elsinore Outlets are within your one-hour driving range, especially if you head out this way in the morning and are back in Anaheim by the afternoon. At least you'll be going against traffic.

I'm equal distance between LE & Ontario Mills. Given a choice, I'd go for Ontario Mills in a heartbeat - it's bigger and there'd be more for the husband and son to do.

Adrienne
Still bitter that they closed the LE Harry & David outlet.

The old man
03-08-2007, 12:14 PM
Can someone explain to me why they like outlet malls? The concept changed many years ago. Most of them do not have discontinued bargins, but stuff that is made especially for the outlet mall locations.

samsma
03-08-2007, 12:18 PM
Variety! Also we don't have actual outlets in Alberta,so the stuff they make for the outlet locations is all "new" to us!Also it's a large shopping area, with a lot to do, and not so many"STUFFY" stores, if you know what I mean.

adriennek
03-08-2007, 12:31 PM
Why I like shopping at Outlet Malls -

1 - Many of the stores at outlet malls aren't available at regular malls. Say, for example HARRY AND DAVIDs. (Bitter, party of me.) Also, the Hush Puppy/Merrell store has the same shoes that department stores have but for lower prices - because I've seen them in both. I am frequently more successful looking for shoes at Ontario Mills than I am in the mall. My last trip I picked up a pair of very comfortable heeled loafers at Nine West for $30 - and they've held up very nicely, too. My mom and I like to buy pantyhose at the outlet stores, too. They come many to a package and for a better price than the products at department stores, even Target.

2 - Selection/size of inventory. The Children's Place store at Ontario Mills is HUGE compared to the stores in malls. If I want to go there and get all three of my boys coordinating outfits for the holidays, the selection and size of inventory at Ontario Mills makes it much easier to do than at my local mall. And they do have clearance racks. I can get footsie pjs in the Spring for clearance price and store them in the closet until next winter - I just buy them a little big. Same with shorts and tshirts in the fall.

3 - Variety of stores. For whatever reason, when I go to the local mall, I may go into 3 to 4 stores, but when I go to Ontario Mills, there are many more stores that interest me, overall.

4 - Their prices ARE better. Last fall I bought some clothes at Ann Taylor in Ontario Mills that were much less expensive than if I'd purchased them in the Ann Taylor store in the mall. You just have to 'know' what you're looking for. I've been at the Disney Outlet when they had older-season'd pajamas for a very good price - they were the same pajamas that had been in stores and catalogs but had now been moved to the outlet.

Adrienne

junebug
03-08-2007, 02:34 PM
Thank you all for the information. The reason I would like to shop at the outlet mall is....I come from a small town where there are no Gaps, Old Navy, etc...and to have all of these stores in one stop is great! Also, because I live in Canada it is really fun to go into all the the American stores that we do not have up here (especially in BC). Adrienne, your last post has me so excited that I am not sure where I should go first - Disneyland or Ontario Mills!

It is Disneyland of course but if it is raining that day???

Thanks again!

Bytebear
03-08-2007, 02:42 PM
I still think South Coast Plaza is closer and has what you want. Gap, Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack, Crate & Barrel, Z-Gallery, Pottery Barn, plus a ton more. Also, the Ikea is just a couple blocks away. Of course, I like furniture more than clothes, so maybe I am leading you astray.

adriennek
03-08-2007, 03:15 PM
I still think South Coast Plaza is closer and has what you want. Gap, Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack, Crate & Barrel, Z-Gallery, Pottery Barn, plus a ton more. Also, the Ikea is just a couple blocks away. Of course, I like furniture more than clothes, so maybe I am leading you astray.

Now, don't get me wrong because I went to school at UC Irvine and my husband can watch planes land at John Wayne from his office window - so I'm no stranger to South Coast Plaza. (Don't get me started on how much I miss the Magic Pan...)

To get to all those stores at South Coast Plaza is a lot more work than at Ontario Mills. Also, the prices at Ontario Mills will be a lot better than at SCP. ;)

I'm glad I have you excited, Junebug, and that you're not cursing me for tempting you ;) (I get that a lot.) Here's my advice: Avoid a weekend if you can!! Weekdays are much better at OM.

My favorite places at Ontario Mills (in no particular order) -

Bath & Body Works (ooh, sale on soap!)
Ann Taylor (very helpful sales associates - cute clothes)
Nine West
Hush Puppies/Merrell (they have some cute shoes for men, women and children, too)
Clarks (more shoes!)
Stride Rite/Keds (for the kids)
The Children's Place (yeah, I can get in trouble buying for the boys here.)
Cost Plus World Market (I don't know about restrictions on taking wine home but you can get some deals on CA wine!)
Haines/Legg's (pantyhose & socks!)
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Old Navy

There are others but these are the off the top of my head top stops.

Adrienne

disneyrox
03-08-2007, 03:29 PM
(Don't get me started on how much I miss the Magic Pan...)

Adrienne

Adrienne, I think you're trying to torture me...first, talk of the Harry & David outlet (we had a couple where I used to live) and now, talk of the Magic Pan, where my family ate on a regular basis when I was growing up. I still remember their chicken and mushroom crepes. :p

adriennek
03-08-2007, 04:46 PM
Adrienne, I think you're trying to torture me...first, talk of the Harry & David outlet (we had a couple where I used to live) and now, talk of the Magic Pan, where my family ate on a regular basis when I was growing up. I still remember their chicken and mushroom crepes. :p

I'm sorry! :(

I remember the soup with the little pot of sherry on the side... and the chicken and mushroom crepes... and the chicken cordon bleu crepe with an apple crepe... :crying:

Here, have a blackberry gallete cookie.

Adrienne

reoking
03-11-2007, 11:27 PM
Brea Mall is also a great place, although it too is not an outlet, but is on the way up from the Disney Outlet store in Fullerton.