What’s a vacation without some shopping? Here’s a complete list of Southern California Outlet Malls so you can shop for name brands and luxury designer brands at a substantially lower cost. As of 2023, there are 14 outlets in Southern California. You can choose to visit Ontario Mills – the largest outlet mall in California or Citadel – the closest outlet mall near LAX airport. Or, if you want premium outlets in Los Angeles, perhaps the outlet with a Gucci store? Then visit Desert Hills Premium Outlet or Camarillo Premium Outlets.
What is an Outlet Mall or Factory Stores?
An outlet mall is a shopping destination that offers your favorite name brands at a cheaper price than their retail counterparts at the mall. Outlets in Southern California offer their discounted models, overruns, items not typically sold at regular stores, and in some outlets, you’ll also find retailers that are not usually in the malls like Corningware.
But wait, are outlet malls really cheaper? Yes, because manufacturers sell their stock directly to the public typically a season or two behind in the styles at outlet malls. They are usually outdoor malls located far away from a big city so they can enjoy lower rent and you can enjoy the lower prices. At the outlet malls in Southern California, you’ll find a mix of name brands, factory stores, and luxury designer goods like Gucci & Prada.
The outlet malls in Los Angeles or nearby are pretty popular due to tourists arriving in L.A. I would advise arriving early to find parking especially during the weekends or when there is a big holiday where they further discount their merchandise.
Shuttle to Outlet Malls – some of the outlets in Southern California offer a shuttle service (like Citadel Outlet) to and from your hotel or to LAX or Downtown LA. Check with each outlet’s website if you need this service during your trip.
Complete List of Southern California Outlet Malls
1. Citadel Outlets
100 Citadel Dr, Commerce, CA 90040
Citadel Outlets is the only outlet mall in Los Angeles. The rest are near L.A. but technically not within Los Angeles County. If you need an outlet mall near LAX Airport for last-minute shopping a day before your flight, you can shop at Citadel Outlet. It is located 22 miles away from LAX so roughly between 40 minutes to an hour depending on LA traffic. It’s easily accessible from the 5 and 710 Freeways.
This 700,000 sq.ft. Los Angeles outlet mall houses more than 130 stores and restaurants like Coach, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Tommy Hilfiger, Armani, GUESS, Hugo Boss, Nike Factory Store, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, and more.
2. Ontario Mills
1 Mills Cir, Ontario, CA 91764
Ontario Mills is the largest outlet mall in California with more than one million square feet and hundreds of retail stores, restaurants and entertainment venues. It is an indoor outlet mall near Los Angeles – only a short one hour drive east of L.A. with Ontario International Airport as its nearest airport. Some of the outlet stores at Ontario Mills include Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Hugo Boss, Corningware, Disney Outlet, Gap Factory Store, Lacoste, Vans Outlet, and more.
While you’re in the area, you may want to visit Victoria Gardens to do more shopping – it is one of the best malls in California.
3. Desert Hills Premium Outlets
48400 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230
Desert Hills Premium Outlets is one of the 2 outlet malls in Palm Springs, California. It is located on the freeway before you reach Palm Springs proper. Locals call it Cabazon outlet but there’s actually another Cabazon Outlet which is located next to it but both are actually located in Cabazon, California. Desert Hills Premium Outlet has 180 stores and when tourists needed a high end outlet mall – they come here for stores like Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Prada, Fendi, Saint Laurent Paris, and Tom Ford. There are several dining options at Desert Hills Premium Outlets such as Blaze Pizza, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, and Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom.
This outlet mall is a 2hr drive from Los Angeles Airport but less than 30 minutes away from Palm Spring Airport. You can stay at Morongo Resort and Casino next door or if you’re traveling with the kids, make sure to drop by the Cabazon Dinosaurs. If you have more time, I would suggest visiting Palm Springs for a getaway and also checking out the Rodeo Drive of the Desert – El Paseo, for more brand name shopping.
4. Cabazon Outlets
48750 Seminole Dr #100, Cabazon, CA 92230
The other outlet mall near Palm Springs is Cabazon Outlets. It is located next to Desert Hills Premium Outlet that it’s hard to tell that it actually is separate. You can cross over easily so you can check out all the stores. This quaint 65,000 square foot Cabazon outlet mall features 18 stores including Adidas, Le Creuset, Oakley, etc.
The best time to visit both of these outlet malls near Palm Springs is during the cooler months. It really gets really hot in the desert during the summer.
5. The Outlets at Orange
20 City Blvd W, Orange, CA 92868
If you’re traveling to Los Angeles to visit the theme parks, the outlet mall near Disneyland Park and Knott’s Berry Farm is The Outlets at Orange. It is located 13 minutes away from Disneyland & 18 minutes from Knott’s Berry Farm. Also nearby is the Angels Stadium, Honda Center, and the Anaheim Convention Center.
The Outlets at Orange is home to more than 120 outlet stores and value stores including Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Nordstrom Rack, Banana Republic Factory Store, Tommy Hilfiger Company Store, and more. In addition to shopping, this outdoor outlet mall in Orange County also offers fun and entertainment for the entire family with over 25 restaurants & cafes, plus an indoor Vans SkatePark, Dave & Buster’s, Lucky Strike Bowling and a huge AMC 30 movie theatre with IMAX.
The nearest airports are John Wayne Airport, Long Beach Airport, and Los Angeles International Airport.
6. Outlets at San Clemente
101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, CA 92672
The Outlets at San Clemente is located near the coast between Los Angeles and San Diego. It just opened in 2015 so it’s one of the newest outlets in Southern California.
This outlet mall in Orange County comes with a coastal view. If you’re visiting the City of Dana Point which is popular for whale watching cruises, I would suggest coming by to shop at the Outlets at San Clemente. There are more than 65 stores and restaurants at the Outlets at San Clemente which includes a Nike Factory Store, Bass, Calvin Klein, Converse, Crocs, H&M, Swarovski, and many more. They also have Tesla superchargers on site.
7. Carlsbad Premium Outlets
5620 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Carlsbad Premium Outlet is one of the premier outlet malls in San Diego County with more than 85 designer and name-brand outlet stores including Barneys New York Warehouse, Coach, Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors, Nike Factory Store, and more.
Carlsbad Outlet is located near LEGOLAND California and/or San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Also nearby is one of the popular surfing destinations on the West Coast – the City of Oceanside.
8. Las Americas Premium Outlets
4211 Camino de la Plaza, San Diego, CA 92173-3049
Las Americas Premium Outlets is located just 20 minutes south of downtown San Diego and 20 minutes north of Tijuana, Mexico. It is at the crossroads of two countries, two major cities and the busiest international border crossing in the world. Shop at 125 designer and name-brand stores including Banana Republic Factory Store, J.Crew, Nike Factory Store, Michael Kors, and Tommy Hilfiger. You can also enjoy a Mexican restaurant or a variety of restaurant options at the Food Court.
Area attractions near Las Americas Outlet include beautiful beaches, SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Old Town, and Seaport Village.
9. Outlets at the Border
4463 Camino De La Plaza, San Ysidro, CA 92173
Outlets at the Border, at 140,000 square feet, is a much smaller outlet mall than its neighbor – Las Americas’ 560,000 square feet but it offers an additional 35 retail and food stores while you’re in the area.
10. Viejas Outlets
5003 Willows Rd, Alpine, CA 91901
Viejas Outlets features dozens of America’s most popular names in apparel, accessories, footwear, housewares, and so much more! It is steps away from Viejas Casino & Resort so while you’re staying in the hotel or after some gaming fun at the casino, you can drop by the outlet stores! Kids of all ages can enjoy our interactive fountain and multi-media performances in the ShowCourt!
11. Outlets at Lake Elsinore
17600 Collier Ave, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Stop by Outlets at Lake Elsinore while visiting Temecula Valley Wine Country – the heart of California’s South Coast wine region – located 20 minutes away on the 15 freeway. The Lake Elsinore outlet has 45 stores including Nike, Gap, and Guess in its 318000 sq.ft. shopping center.
12. Camarillo Premium Outlets
740 Ventura Blvd, Camarillo, CA 93010
Let’s drive back north and visit another outlet mall near Los Angeles – Camarillo Premium Outlets. Camarillo Outlet is located in Ventura County – 55 miles northwest of Los Angeles International Airport. There are 155 stores at Camarillo Outlet including Gucci, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, DKNY, Tory Burch, lululemon, Barneys New York, Armani, and many more.
The nearest airports are Hollywood Burbank Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. While visiting Camarillo Premium Outlets, I do recommend grabbing breakfast at Waypoint Cafe, hiking up Ventura Botanical Garden for a view of the pacific, and eating at the Annex Food Hall in Oxnard.
13. Outlets at Tejon Ranch
5701 Outlets at Tejon Pkwy #170, Arvin, CA 93203
Outlets at Tejon Ranch is located on the 5 freeway between Los Angeles and Bakersfield. It’s a nice stop for those driving to the Central Valley to stay at Visalia or Fresno for their visit to Sequoia National Park or Yosemite National Park. This outlet mall has over 40 stores including Pottery Barn, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Carter’s, Coach, Nike Factory Store, and more.
14. Pismo Beach Premium Outlet
333 Five Cities Dr., Pismo Beach, CA 93449-5001
Pismo Beach Premium Outlet is located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on California’s Central Coast in the heart of the regions vast wine country. Enjoy shopping at 40 designer and name brand outlet stores like Aeropostale, Calvin Klein, Carter’s, Coach, Guess Factory Store, kate spade new york, Levi’s Outlet, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen and many more.
Other Fun Things to Do in Southern California:
- Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles
- Strawberry Picking U-pick Farms near LA (spring)
- Romantic Weekend Getaways near LA
- Apple Picking in Oak Glen (fall)
- Southern California Halloween Events (fall)
- Los Angeles Lunar New Year Events (January or February, varies every year)
- Best Pumpkin Patches in LA (fall)
- California Discount Theme Park Tickets
