Where to shop?

[JenniferK]

We will be arriving on a Wednesday in Feb. We are using Lansky Transoport to get to Camelot Inn from LAX - we get a 20 minute grocery stop to either Trader joe's, Target or Walmart.

We want to pick up water, paper products (plates, paper towels, etc), breakfast stuff for one week and snacks. Trader Joe's would have been best as it is a small store and doable in 20 minutes. But we won't get to the store until around 9:30pm and TJ will be closed. Anyone familiar with the others in that area tell me which will be faster to get in and out of and have everything? Both open until midnight.

 

[SteveMP]

Well there are 2 walmarts, 1 is a "neighborhood market" , mainly groceries, the supercenter is a little further away but has "everything". That said I would pick Target(though more expensive) for 2 reasons:

1. Don't have to deal with "the people of walmart"
2. People at Walmart in the self checkout lines seem to have never seen a technological device before, like a scanner or cash register, and seem to have never used a credit card before. I literally face-palm everytime I am in a walmart self checkout line at people struggling for 15 minutes to figure out how to scan and pay for their Depends and Red Bull. What should take me less than a minute to checkout ends up taking 15-20 minutes.

 

[SMD]

If the Target closes at 10 and WalMart is open later, pick WalMart.

 

[lalasmama]

The Walmart Neighborhood Store is quick, easy, and small-ish. Has everything you would need without that huge Supercenter feel/experience.

 

[dec2009mama]

when we have used lansky's we have requested wal-mart so long as it has market section! Once we got a target and didn't get half the items I was looking for, now I know to try to be as specific as possible when requesting a stop

we usually go here (supercenter)


last trip our driver took us here (neighborhood market)

 

[JenniferK]

According to their websites, both are open until midnight (assuming the hours will be the same in Feb). I am thinking that the smaller market might be easier to get through in the allotted time.

I am looking to buy:
case of water
hard boiled eggs
cream cheese
butter
milk
yogurt
ham
sliced cheese
cheese sticks
fruit
half and half

bagels
cereal
oatmeal
nuts
granola bars
popcorn
applesauce
plates
bowls
cups
utensils
paper towels

Honestly, looking at that, I don't know if I can get through a store and check out in 20 minutes with that list. Maybe I will just do the top half there (cold items) and bring the rest from home, either checking or shipping a box. I kind of hate to do that, but I don't know about being able to get that done in 20 minutes....

It sounds like the Walmart neighborhood market would be better for trying though? I am assuming they should have all the stuff I listed.

 

[SteveMP]

I wouldn't stress. Just take an Uber to Walmart the next day, or walk. Its a mile away so Uber charge will be minimal.

 

[deetman]

Speaking generally (not the specific locations), Walmart is trash. They are bad for the community, treat their workers like crap (which is well documented), and generally carry inferior products. Target isn't perfect, but it would be my choice all day every day.
I'm sure this is going to elicit some opposite responses, but do a little homework online. Sam Walton was a good, modest man with a good idea. His heirs are horrible people running a horrible organization.

 

[Sun_soakin]

We always go to Vons if we are picking up food for our stay (although I actually haven't done it in awhile). I never even consider Walmart. TJs takes forever locally (chatty cashiers), so that would be out IMO too regardless of their hours.

 

[kylie71]

Have you thought of using Von's delivery??
Also, their are a Walgreens and a CVS, right up Harbor, at katella.... they would have MOST of what is on your list. Very walkable!

--Lori

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Can you order the non-perishable items from Vons.com or Amazon to be shipped to your hotel? That would cut your list in half. Call your hotel first to check their policy on deliveries for guests.

 

[JenniferK]

I don't know why I didn't even think of delivery - I will check the hotel to see if they will allow that. Then I can have the water delivered too, one less thing on the list. The rest of it should almost all be in the same spot, so I should be able to get it done in 20 minutes. Then I don't have to worry about shipping or checking another bag. Thank you!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I would suggest having the non-perishables delivered and picking up the perishables on your grocery stop. Also, if you have more than one person shopping, break up the list so that everyone is responsible for grabbing a few things. I generally prefer Target to Wal-Mart. However, our local Target stores have limited choices for groceries. I might pick up a few grocery items if I'm already at Target, but I never go there just for groceries.