Outlet shopping?

[alisonbestford]

We will be visiting CA next month
Staying in Capistrano Beach, visiting San Diego, LA, Hollywood and driving up to San Francisco to fly home.
We're not great lovers of shopping but I know DD (14) will be on the look out for new Converse...........My question is, are there any outlets on our travels like the ones in Orlando?
Thank you for your help

 

[bcla]

We will be visiting CA next month
Staying in Capistrano Beach, visiting San Diego, LA, Hollywood and driving up to San Francisco to fly home.
We're not great lovers of shopping but I know DD (14) will be on the look out for new Converse...........My question is, are there any outlets on our travels like the ones in Orlando?
Thank you for your help

There's one in San Diego right on the border with Tijuana. Other than that, most of the outlet malls in Southern California are well inland from most of the tourist spots.

If you're driving up to San Francisco finding an outlet mall depends on which route you take. There is an outlet mall on US-101 in Pismo Beach. There's also a great outlet mall in Gilroy on US-101. If you take the fastest way (I-5) you have some options. There's a tiny outlet mall in Tracy on I-205. There's a new one on I-580 in Livermore. You could also go to the Great Mall in Milpitas. That's sort of mostly outlet mall and partly traditional mall. It was built in the old Ford factory. They have several displays of the Ford cars that were built in the former factory.

 

[alisonbestford]

Thank you
Think I'd best make a list

 

[bcla]

Thank you
Think I'd best make a list

http://www.mallseeker.com/californiaoutletmalls.aspx

 

[bcla]

I'm not that experienced outlet shopping in Southern California. After looking at a map, Camarillo and Carlsbad are closer to the major highways.

I personally go to the one in Vacaville, California, but I live closest to that one. A nice stop along the way there is the Jelly Belly candy factory in Fairfield, California. They have free tours and free samples. They also have a bargain section with out of season and bulk candies that can be really cheap.

 

[rpbert1]

I found they whre not as good as florida, although found the Vegas one not to bad. we did a bit in Marshalls and Dress for less, some good bargains in them

 

[alisonbestford]

Thank you again
The ones at Gilroy and Pismo Beach look promising but I will check out the mall seeker now
DD and myself seem to have bypassed the "shopping gene" but I know she will be on the lookout for Converse

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We stop by the outlets in Carlsbad a few times a year. It is a nicer, outside shopping mall. It is much smaller than I remember the outlets in Orlando being. There are several shoe stores (one of which certainly should carry Converse), Le Creuset, Crate & Barrel, Bare Essentials, Barneys, Off 5th, a Ruby's, and a Starbucks, etc. There are outlets just south of DLR by the Block at Orange. I know there is a Neiman Marcus outlet, and you could Google for a listing of the other stores. There is the Citadel Outlet right off the 5 fwy, maybe 30 minutes or less north of DLR (depending on traffic). They have a Gap outlet and probably have a store that sells Converse. If you go north on the 101 fwy about 90 minutes (less if traffic cooperates), you will get to the Camarillo outlets. That is a very big complex. You are sure to have luck finding shoes there. Hope this helps.

 

[bcla]

We stop by the outlets in Carlsbad a few times a year. It is a nicer, outside shopping mall. It is much smaller than I remember the outlets in Orlando being. There are several shoe stores (one of which certainly should carry Converse), Le Creuset, Crate & Barrel, Bare Essentials, Barneys, Off 5th, a Ruby's, and a Starbucks, etc. There are outlets just south of DLR by the Block at Orange. I know there is a Neiman Marcus outlet, and you could Google for a listing of the other stores. There is the Citadel Outlet right off the 5 fwy, maybe 30 minutes or less north of DLR (depending on traffic). They have a Gap outlet and probably have a store that sells Converse. If you go north on the 101 fwy about 90 minutes (less if traffic cooperates), you will get to the Camarillo outlets. That is a very big complex. You are sure to have luck finding shoes there. Hope this helps.

The in fact have a Converse outlet store.

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/store_listing.asp?id=66

 

[alisonbestford]

The one at Carlsbad looks the most convenient but the one at Gilroy not only has a Converse store but, also, an American Apparel.............Oh my.
We'll see how we go
We're spending 2 nights at Monterey on our way up to SF - does anyone have any idea how far away Gilroy is?
I'd rather just visit the one outlet and the one question DD asked was about AA..........!!

 

[bcla]

The one at Carlsbad looks the most convenient but the one at Gilroy not only has a Converse store but, also, an American Apparel.............Oh my.
We'll see how we go
We're spending 2 nights at Monterey on our way up to SF - does anyone have any idea how far away Gilroy is?
I'd rather just visit the one outlet and the one question DD asked was about AA..........!!

Living in the US, we still use miles, so about 43 miles. Passing through Gilroy is the fastest way to San Francisco unless you were intent on seeing the coast and that stretch of road from Monterey through Santa Cruz to San Francisco is spectacular. US-101 there is a major freeway. CA-1 is scenic but slow and prone to traffic jams around Half Moon Bay.

There's a small outlet mall in Pacific Grove within walking distance from Monterey's Cannery Row. No Converse store per se, but Factory Brand Shoes would probably carry some.

http://www.americantincannery.com/

Here'e the trip on Google Maps:

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=C...QG44CFgDEgTc9aM2-m5g&oq=fisher&mra=ls&t=m&z=9

 

[alisonbestford]

Blimey, I love these forums
Looks like Gilroy it is
DD loves most of the clothing that comes from the US - we probably spend as much on the postage as on the clothes!!
Thank you all.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Gilroy is also famous for growing garlic. There is a famous garlic festival held there every year. Be sure to stop by some shops to see all the different things that can be made with garlic. Certainly unique!

 

[alisonbestford]

Oh my, I love garlic........just taken a look at the Gilroy online shop

 

[rms123]

Just FYI in case it isn't obvious if you go, the Gilroy mall is in four sections that you really need to drive between. Kind of a pain, but oh well. So, pull up a map of the stores so you know where you are going.

 

[alisonbestford]

Just FYI in case it isn't obvious if you go, the Gilroy mall is in four sections that you really need to drive between. Kind of a pain, but oh well. So, pull up a map of the stores so you know where you are going.

Thank you
you've probably saved me hours wandering around wondering why I can't find the stores we want!
Best look now and get printing

 

[Judy from Boise]

The Camarillo outlets are nicely positioned for a break after having driven from anaheim your first day........I would use my time in Gilroy to go see the garden park ! It looks so pretty . It is on my list to do someday.

 

[rms123]

Gilroy Gardens is a cute theme park if you have kids under 5. There are some nice rides. But, the lines are usually long on weekends and if you have a baby and a kid, forget about it. The gardens are cute but not worth the price. We had season passes when my daughter was 1-3 but now that we have two I just can't make it work.

 

[GenGen22]

There is also more shopping on 10th street this is the next exit after leavesley if your heading south on 101. They have a kohls, super walmart, sports authority and many restaurants mimis cafe, chilis, king egg roll if you wanna snack they have the best eggrolls!! & much more... gilroy gardens is a great park if you have smaller children who like animals rides & beautiful landscaping w/waterfalls.