Laguna Beach: PCH and down Forest Avenue. All the way up and down Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, you’ll find unique beach-oriented shops. Clothing stores are mostly boutiques and can be pricey, but if you’re looking for stores you can’t find anywhere else, Laguna Beach is the place to go. If you walk down Forest Avenue in Downtown, you’ll find more shops as well. Laguna Beach is the perfect place to look for art, as there are a million art galleries lining PCH.
Shops at Mission Viejo/South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa. These two locations are the epitome of the words “shopping mall.” Both stores boast shops from the best and most famous fashion designers of clothing, purses and jewelry. You’ll also find some tasty restaurants to stop and rest at during your trips. With two stories of shopping at Mission Viejo and three at South Coast, you’ll most likely need a break.
Irvine Spectrum Center/Fashion Island, Newport Beach. The shopping here is outdoors, great for a perfect Southern California day. The Irvine Spectrum keeps growing larger and probably has your favorite shop in it, with a Ferris wheel, late-night entertainment options and some amazing food options as an added bonus. Fashion Island is more like South Coast, in the style of expensive designer stores, but it’s close to the beach and nice to walk around in.
Tustin Marketplace. You will find absolutely everything at the Tustin Marketplace, no joke. With more than 120 shops, it’s so large, you may have to drive to the stores you want to go to. Here you’ll find clothing (with some good deals too), furniture stores, restaurants at every price range, shops for kids and shoe stores (including some incredible bargain stores!). My favorite part about the Marketplace is the good deals and great food.
The Block at Orange. The furthest north of the bunch, the Block is a hangout for kids and adults alike. This shopping area is a little different because it has a bowling alley and skate park in the middle of it! Here you’ll also find late night entertainment, some good cheap food options and a movie theater in addition to all the shops. The Block also has some great accessory shops and a day spa!
