Southern California Malls & Shopping
From Santa Barbara south to San Diego, you'll discover a shopper's Paradise!
In the slide show above, you're viewing pictures of Southern California malls! From Santa Barbara south to San Diego, visitors enter a shopping wonderland featuring lovely malls brimming with every type of store you might be seeking. As you can tell from these photos, many of SoCal's malls are open-air centers, featuring attractive landscaping, interesting architecture, and surprising decorative touches.
On this pages, you'll discover a list of the best California shopping, with a tempting selection of shopping choices selected from all areas of the region.
Southern California Mall Overview
Many cities feature world-class shopping options...but you'll find that Southern California shopping choices are even more numerous and varied than many other metropolitan areas.On this website, though, we'll focus on some of the best places a tourist can go to find something of interest. Some visitors head to Southern California specifically to shop...particularly those tourists who don't have a full range of options in their own home town, state or country. Other guests visit California as part of an RV trip or other extended tour...and need to stock up on the basic "supplies of living" as they travel along. And, virtually all tourists to the area are looking for unique items by which they can remember their adventurous vacation and gifts they can present to friends and relatives "back home."
Of the many shopping options available from Santa Barbara to San Diego, the ones on this website were chosen for their tourist-appeal. These venues include:
1.) Major Southern California Malls, which draw both local residents and tourists like a magnet because of the many choices they offer. These major mall frequently offer shops, restaurants or entertainment options which may be difficult to find elsewhere
2.) Malls and shopping centers with easy off-easy on freeway access are in-demand with Southern California visitors (because most tourists rely on the freeway system to get around the area. They simply don't know the city streets and back roads like locals do.)
3.) Special shopping venues that are so attractive, so unique, or offer such unusual store choices that tourists should bother to learn how to reach their more off-the-beaten-path areas
On this page, you'll discover what shopping info is available on this website, and links to take you to the pages you'd like to investigate further.
List of top Southern California Malls---
Southern California Shopping: Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County is so JAM-PACKED with great malls and shopping centers that it takes a huge chunk of this website just to discuss them all! Despite the many shopping destinations covered within these pages, there are hundreds more from which you could choose. Nevertheless, Southern California visitors simply won't have the time to enjoy them all. So, here's a listing of the greater Los Angeles malls and shopping centers most convenient for travelers and/or the most noteworthy for out-of-town guests to visit:1.) Arcadia: Westfield Santa Anita Mall, an ultra popular shopping mall near the Santa Anita racetrack and Los Angeles Arboretum in the town of Arcadia. The terrific Santa Anita Mall will be getting even better soon...if that's possible! A 2nd new open-air section is currently being added that will further increase the number of stores and restaurants from which you may choose.
2.) Beverly Hills: Beverly Hills Shopping, an introduction to shops and services you may enjoy on your visit to the world-famous Rodeo Drive and the streets which surround it
3.) Burbank: Burbank Town Center, a conveniently-located mall which, combined with the adjacent downtown Burbank shopping district, forms a destination with a huge choice of shops, restaurants and entertainment
4.) Canoga Park: Westfield Topanga Mall, which recently DOUBLED in size...and created a tonier store mix.
5.) Cerritos: Los Cerritos Center Mall, a climate-controlled shopping mall directly off the I-605 Freeway in the lovely town of Cerritos
6.) Culver City: Westfield Culver City is a newly renovated mall not far from LAX. Formerly known as the Fox Hills Mall, its attractive new decor and list of stores make it a good shopping choice that's close to both I-405 and the Marina Freeway.
7.) Glendale: Glendale Galleria, an attractive and versatile enclosed shopping mall featuring popular stores for the whole family
8.) Glendale: The Americana at Brand shopping center is a beautiful, lavishly landscaped and decorated outdoor mall featuring terrific options for shopping, dining and entertainment. There is currently not a review on this website about the Americana at Brand, but if you'd like to discover what treats await you there, here's a link to the Americana at Brand website for your convenience.
9.) Hollywood: The Hollywood & Highland Mall (6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA) is a can't-miss destination for tourists. Even if you don't like to shop, its fun & funky architecture will delight you...and you won't want to miss its great views of the Hollywood Sign, either. (This review is currently under re-construction; meanwhile, here's a link to the Hollywood and Highland official website.)
10.) Lakewood: Lakewood Center Mall, a large center with something for everyone, nestled among the tree-lined streets of Lakewood, California
11.) Los Angeles: Beverly Center Mall, an urban shopping destination with a unique and interesting roster of boutique shopping ops.
12.) Los Angeles: Westfield Century City, a much-visited and newly-updated mall set amid the gleaming high-rises of the Century City office park...and a tourist favorite.
13.) Los Angeles: The Grove and Farmer's Market, one brand-new "beauty" side-by-side with one venerable old hangout...which together form an interesting and varied large shopping destination
14.) Los Angeles/West: Westside Pavilion Mall, a full-service, climate-controlled mall that tourists will find conveniently located as they trek to various Los Angeles attractions
15.) Long Beach: Long Beach Towne Center, a power center directly to the side of Interstate 605 that's one of the hottest shopping destinations in Long Beach
16.) Montebello: Montebello Town Center, a climate-controlled mall that's very convenient for visitors traveling along the CA 60 Freeway
17.) Northridge: Northridge Fashion Center, a large, full-service mall which has recently added a small open-air dining and entertainment area
18.) Palmdale: Antelope Valley Mall, in Palmdale; vibrant hub of a complex of shopping centers
19.) Pasadena: Paseo Colorado, an attractive open-air shopping destination on Pasadena's Colorado Blvd (well-known to tourists as the Rose Parade's route!)
21.) Santa Monica: The 3rd Street Promenade, an older, but ever-favorite shopping destination located a mere 2 blocks from stunning Pacific Ocean views, the beach and pier.
22.) Sherman Oaks: Sherman Oaks Fashion Square, another fashionable mall that's closer to the core of the city.
23.) Torrance: Del Amo Fashion Center Mall, the absolutely HUGE Torrance shopping mall which just added a festive open-air section
24.) Universal City: Universal Studios Citywalk, known for its whacky architecture, many restaurant and entertainment options, and its unique stores where one can browse for hours
25.) Valencia: Valencia Town Center, a beautiful mall in the Santa Clarita Valley which features both a traditional indoor mall PLUS a large open-air segment. /p>
26.) West Covina: Westfield West Covina Mall, a bustling San Gabriel Valley enclosed mall with convenient access to the much-traveled Interstate 10.
Orange County Malls & Shopping
1.) Anaheim: The Anaheim GardenWalk is a new outdoor mall located in Anaheim's resort district. Local residents and tourists staying in hotels near Disneyland Park now have new shopping and dining options!
2.) Anaheim: The Downtown Disney District, the Disneyland Resort's own shopping, dining and entertainment destination. It's FREE to enter!
3.) Brea: Brea Mall, a large & popular indoor mall conveniently located to the side of the CA 57 Freeway
4.) Buena Park: Buena Park Mall, an established mall close to Knott's Berry Farm, which recently opened an attractive outdoor entertainment & dining section
5.) Costa Mesa: South Coast Plaza Mall, the largest Southern California mall...filled with a mix of both "regular stores" and luxury boutiques
6.) Huntington Beach: Bella Terra Mall, Huntington Beach's attractive "new" shopping destination...that's actually the old Huntington Beach Mall reborn with a totally new open-air layout
7.) Irvine: Irvine Spectrum Center, a lovely outdoor venue that's great for dining and entertainment as well as shopping
8.) Irvine: Tustin-Irvine Marketplace, an absolutely huge power center to the side of I-5, which also offers you a large list of restaurants you'll enjoy PLUS two Edwards theaters
9.) Laguna Hills: Laguna Hills Mall, a mid-sized mall that's handy for travelers plying the Interstate 5 freeway
10.) Mission Viejo: The Shops at Mission Viejo/Kaleidoscope Malls, two great shopping destinations that are an important focal point of shopping in southern Orange County
11.) Newport Beach: Fashion Island Mall, the lovely open-air venue in Newport Beach which features a unique mix of stores...many of which are hard-to-find< /p>
12.) Orange: The Block at Orange, a hugely popular outdoor venue with a heavy emphasis on entertainment, dining and stores popular with youthful shoppers
13.) Santa Ana: The Westfield MainPlace Mall, convently located to the side of Interstate 5...and not far from Disneyland Park!
14.) Tustin: Tustin-Irvine Marketplace, See listing under "Irvine" (above)
15.) Westminster: Westminster Mall, a convenient, climate-controlled destination for family shopping located directly off Interstate 405
San Diego Malls & Shopping
You'll also find interesting shopping venues in San Diego County, the California Coast's southernmost region. You can indulge in some shopping fun at the following malls---1.) Carlsbad: Carlsbad Mall, (official name: Westfield Plaza Camino Real) another "mature" mall, very handy for those traveling along the CA 78 Freeway.
2.) Carlsbad: The Forum at Carlsbad, a mid-sized center in the Encinitas/Leucadia area which offers consumers a number of high-quality shopping choices.
3.) Chula Vista: Otay Ranch Town Center, greater San Diego's newest mall (opened Oct. 2006 in Chula Vista) that's actually not even fully open yet, since the movie theaters and several of the best restaurants still have yet to open.
4.) Chula Vista: Chula Vista Center, an older-but-handy mall that's undergone some recent renovations, and still needs more work.
5.) El Cajon: Westfield Parkway, a handy mall in El Cajon...one of the first full-service shopping centers visitors encounter after roadtripping into greater San Diego along Interstate 8
6.) Escondido: Westfield North County, formerly the North County Fair Mall, a full-service mall which is a hub of activity for residents of (and visitors to) Escondido
7.) National City: Plaza Bonita Mall, in an interesting state of flux, since major renovations are in progress throughout 2007. I'm sure we all can't wait to see the results!
8.) San Diego/Downtown: Horton Plaza, a zany mall in the heart of Downtown San Diego that makes a great addition to any tourist's itenerary; also, one of the few malls that can boast of hosting a live theater company.
10.) San Diego: Fashion Valley Mall, San Diego County's glitziest shopping mall. You'll find a Bloomingdale's here, along with many other high-quality boutiques and restaurant.
11.) San Diego: Mission Valley Mall, near the Fashion Valley Mall, but catering to average and budget-minded shoppers. A terrific movie theater is here (often less-crowded than its sister-theater at Fashion Valley), along with a nice selection of restaurants both in and around the mall.
12.) San Marcos: The lovely new San Marcos Grand Plaza proves that "gone are the days" of bland, blah shopping center styling. Towers, stonework, varied storefront designs...these are all hallmarks of shopping centers of the future (and are available at Grand Plaza right now.)
13.) Vista: The park-like setting of the Vista Village shopping center, along with its cute little "Main Street" style district make this plaza a great place to stop and relax along the 78 Freeway. A modern Krikorian stadium theater, The Wave water park, and a good assortment of restaurants make this plaza an entertainment magnet, as well.
Southern California Malls -- Inland Areas
San Bernardino and Riverside County Shopping
1.) Chino Hills: The new Shoppes at Chino Hills outdoor mall is a gracious new addition to shopping options along the 60 Freeway. Restaurants, landscaping, and decorative touches (such as water fountains) make this a location where you can kick back & relax after your shopping safari.
2.) Corona: Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos, a recently-opened example of the new outdoor "Main-Street" style malls, this time in Corona, California. Restaurants and a new Krikorian Theater make Dos Lagos a place to relax as well as shop.
3.) Montclair: The Montclair Plaza Mall, one of the oldest malls in metro LA, but still looking great--check out its recent upgrade. It's also a supremely convenient mall for shoppers heading into So Cal along Interstate 10.
4.) Moreno Valley: The Moreno Valley Mall, a convenient shopping mall (directly to the side of the 60 Freeway) that's surrounded by a number of other shopping centers
5.) Rancho Cucamonga: Victoria Gardens open-air mall is one of the largest of the new lifestyle center, "looks-like-Main-Street" type of shopping venues in all of Southern California. Anyone who likes malls and shopping ought to check it out. But even if you don't, the Victoria Gardens selection of restaurants will make your visit worthwhile.
6.) Riverside: The Galleria at Tyler, a cornerstone of Riverside shopping that's already made its move to ensure a good future. Recently added stores, restaurants and a brand-new all-stadium movie theater make this mall a popular spot for both shopping and relaxing!
7.) San Bernardino: The Inland Center Mall is a San Bernadino "oldie-but-goodie" that seems to keep re-inventing itself, adding popular new stores on a regular basis
8.) Temecula: The Promenade in Temecula, a mall which serves both as the hub of Temecula, California's shopping as well as a popular center for dining and entertainment.
9) Victorville: The Mall of Victor Valley, convenient for both locals and tourists alike (sitting directly to the side of Interstate 15) and surrounded by a sea of shopping centers and restaurants.
Greater Palm Springs Shopping
1.) Palm Desert: The Gardens on El Paseo outdoor mall is Palm Desert's oh-so-lovely shopping plaza. Though it has no movie theater, you'll find good restaurants here, plus a good selection of top-quality stores...including a Saks Fifth Avenue.
2.) Palm Desert: Westfield Palm Desert Mall is Palm Desert's full-service shopping mall. It's a "traditional" climate-controlled mall featuring products and services for the whole family.
3.) Rancho Mirage: The River open-air mall in Rancho Mirage, California is simply "too cute." (The photo at the top of this page was taken at The River; also, the picture to your left is of a statue at The River's popular Babe's BBQ Restaurant.) The River is a wonderful dinner-and-movie destination in the greater Palm Springs area.
Imperial Valley Shopping
El Centro: The Imperial Valley Mall is attractive, convenient, and a welcome, air-conditioned oasis on El Centro's hot summer days! Located just south of I-8, visitors simply can't get lost when heading to the IV Mall. In addition to shopping, mall guests will also find movies, a carousel, and good choice of fast-food and table-service restaurants!Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara's shopping venues are so lovely that you should think up something that you need, even if your shopping list is "empty," just to feast your eyes on this city's lovely malls and its downtown shopping district. Santa Barbara's architecture stays true to early Spanish styles, and is invariably punctuated with colorful flags and flowers, copious trees and other greenery, and details such as fountains or interesting tile work. Outdoor shopping has always been the emphasis in Santa Barbara. Other towns who are only now starting to feature open-air "lifestyle centers" have surely studied Santa Barbara...a city that "did it right" and deserves to be both praised as well as copied.Current Santa Barbara county shopping pages on this website are:
1.) Goleta: Goleta's Camino Real Marketplace, a shopping center in the northern Santa Barbara 'burbs that's both beautiful AND a good choice for tourists in a hurry
2.) Santa Barbara: La Cumbre Plaza, a major mall not far off the US 101 Freeway...which is surrounded by other shopping plazas, as well
3.) Santa Barbara/Downtown: Paseo Nuevo, an ultra-scenic open-air mall that's a major part of the Downtown Santa Barbara shopping experience
Ventura County Shopping
Ventura County's shopping centers and malls are delightful. Some are "cutesy," some are ultra-convenient...and many are both! Guests to California who head northwards from Los Angeles towards the Central California Coast (or who choose to explore Ventura County's interesting tourist attractions) will pass a number of venues for a great shopping excursion as they drive along Ventura's transportation "backbone," the US 101 Freeway (or the CA 118 Freeway, as well.) Currently, the Ventura County shopping pages on this website are:1.) Simi Valley: Simi Valley Town Center, an extremely attractive new open-air mall directly off the CA 118 freeway
2.) Thousand Oaks: The Oaks Mall, and established mall that's recently been completely renovated and has added an open-air segment; some of shoppingdom's top retail stores can be found here.
3.) Thousand Oaks: Janss Marketplace, AKA Janss Mall, also an older mall that's convenient and recently "cutsiefied."
4.) Ventura: Pacific View Shopping Mall, an attractively redone mall that's a very important shopping destination in the city of Ventura
Kern County Shopping
Valley Plaza Mall: This website includes information about one Kern County Mall, and that's the busy Valley Plaza Mall in Bakersfield, California. Travelers heading south into Los Angeles along CA Route 99 will find this a very convenient shopping stop---it's located directly to the side of the freeway! This full-service mall will probably have everything you need...and you'll get right back on your way without a chance of getting lost!Southern California Outlet Malls!
To see a list of Southern California factory outlet malls, along with photos, directions, list of stores, and contact information, please visit the Southern California Outlet Malls page of this website.Backwards Links: Family-Vacation-Getaways.com HOME :: Latest News :: Privacy Policy :: Advertising Policy & Disclosures :: Back to top of "Southern California Shopping"
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