Issue link: http://globelitetravelmarketing.uberflip.com/i/622384
2 0 1 6 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A 75 heraldic griffins, the Citadel Outlets holds 700,000 square feet of retail bargains inside a one-time 1929 tire plant modeled on an ancient Assyrian palace. And between the Farmer's Market and The Grove shopping center, the Grove Trolley provides shoppers free rides along First Street. The West Hollywood Design District fea- tures high-end fashion, interior design, furniture, decorative arts and luxury brand stores on Melrose Avenue and Robertson and Beverly boulevards. Sunset Boulevard's world famous Amoeba Music is the nation's largest music emporium, stocking an overwhelming selection of vinyl, CDs, tapes, posters and collectibles—at rock- bottom prices. In Santa Monica's breezy, outdoor Third Street Promenade, find the usual mall sus- pects, Anthropologie and Gap, as well as celebrity-soaked Fred Segal and Zara, a trendy European chain. Artsy shoppers should head to nearby Venice Beach's hip art galleries, bookstores and vintage shops. For bargains, drive north to Camarillo's giant 160-store Camar- illo Premium Outlets. In Orange County, quintessential SoCal shopping experiences await in huge open- air malls, complete with valet parking. Inspired by Spain's Alhambra, the Irvine Spectrum Center holds 130 stores, restau- rants and a 21-screen cinema, anchored by Nordstrom and Macy's. Fashion Island, with its casual resort setting featuring splashing fountains and a koi pond, overlooks the Pacific. Leading with Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, this coastal center has more than 100 shops and 36 restaurants. Beyond the malls, Laguna Beach's stylish art galleries line streets sloping to a pretty beach. And, if heading to Palm Springs, stop at the 180-store Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon for luxury designer brands. Southward in San Diego, begin your shopping trip with a delightful morning at waterside Seaport Village. Then, hop on the Coronado Island ferry and cruise to the Coronado Ferry Landing Shops for more sunny shopping. San Diego's own Rodeo Drive—Prospect Street in La Jolla—has art galleries, bou- tiques and sweeping Pacific views. In the city center, the 16½-block Gaslamp Quarter features mall chains as well as hip shops and art galleries occupying restored Victo- rian buildings. In coastal Carlsbad, north of San Diego, you'll find an elegant outlet mall, the Carlsbad Premium Outlets. Northern California Elegance San Francisco's massive malls and quirky boutiques showcase the city's European style. Join the Prada-clad parade circling downtown Union Square to max out your platinum card in the upscale department stores. Stroll down nearby Maiden Lane, once lined with Barbary Coast brothels, for more luxury. Nearby, the Westfield San Francisco Centre is an architectural gem with 200 stores, restaurants and two food empo- riums under a stunning 1908 dome. Don't miss San Francisco's great shop- ping neighborhoods. On Chinatown's Stockton Street you can pick up Asian antiques, silk clothing bargains or rare tea. Herbal pharmacies proffer Chinese medic- inal remedies, ginseng, deer antlers or herbs costing $100 per pound. CARMEL PLAZA in Carmel-by-the-Sea, leX; shopping in Pasadena, below.