My second day in Costa Mesa I decided to do something I infrequently do, shop. Luckily for me South Coast Plaza was a just steps away from my hotel, so after a bit of time in the gym, a hearty breakfast and a small prayer that I’d find something that fit, I was off.
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South Coast Plaza has 250 stores and restaurants and is set in the heart of Orange County, it’s more like a shopping theme park than a mall. 23 million visitors have been through the plaza since it opened in 1967 and it boasts annual sales of $1.5 billion.
South Coast Plaza is recognized as one of “America’s Most Famous Streets to Stay, Shop and Dine,” a distinction shared by only a select few cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia. Dolce and Gabana is about to open here and you’ll find a Bloomingdales, Macy’s and top dining options including Marche Moderne, The Capital Grill and Din Tai Fung.
I didn’t dare go into Louboutin in case a pair of those red soled shoes “accidentally” made it into my bag, but Macy’s had several things that I picked up without breaking my less than overflowing piggy bank. Thank god for the woman who helped me in Macy’s as I was almost trampled in the shoe sale. No shopper am I!
So what’s a gal to do when the stress of shopping gets too much? Lunch, of course. I am far better at that. Marche Moderne is amazing and I had several very well crafted cocktails there to calm my nerves. The three course is excellent, don’t miss the superb scallops, and the salad choc full of freshness and binded by goat cheese and avocado. There’s also a VIP Lounge in the plaza that you can visit if you are weary. Husbands can lounge while their wives shop and here is where you’d meet with your private shopper should you choose to go that route. Perhaps that would have saved me from the shoe department trample.
After an afternoon rest back at the hotel, I went back to the plaza. I avoided the shops but was ready for some more drinks and dinner. The Capital Grill is the way to go for steak lovers. Excellent beef and superb service here. You’ll want to stay a while and linger over a bottle from the wine list and dessert.
Chalked up over 20,000 steps on my Jawbone UP24 this day and had a very good night’s sleep.
More About South Coast Plaza from the Plaza
Renowned as a major global shopping destination, South Coast Plaza is home to more than 250 prominent boutiques, critically-acclaimed restaurants and the adjacent celebrated Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Its unparalleled collection of diverse retailers, from Balenciaga, Cartier and Hermès to Diane von Furstenberg, Gucci, Roger Vivier, J. Crew, Zara and more – along with its customized concierge services, makes it Southern California’s premier shopping experience. South Coast Plaza is located in Orange County, California, in the city of Costa Mesa. Information: www.southcoastplaza.com
*This trip was made possible by Travel Costa Mesa, John Wayne Airport and Avenue of the Arts Hotel. All thoughts on this site are always my very own.
