Things to Do in Garden Grove: Shopping
When it comes to shopping, Garden Grove offers considerably more variety than the traditional mall experience. You will still find world-class shopping centers within driving distance, packed with top brands and myriad stores. However, you can also find unique boutiques, vintage stores, and local businesses. When looking for things to do in Garden Grove, its central Orange County location also makes shopping an easy add-on to a Disneyland, beach, or convention trip.
Shopping Near Garden Grove
Historic Main Street / Downtown Garden Grove
Is browsing locally owned stores more your style than spending the afternoon inside a conventional mall? Then Historic Main Street should be near the top of your shopping list.
Garden Grove’s downtown has plenty of shopping venues while also opening your day up to delicious eats, artisan coffee, and the city’s character. Then, with your shopping complete, you can indulge in a live event at the Gem Theatre or the Garden Amp.
Location:
Main Street at Garden Grove Boulevard
Garden Grove, CA 92840
Types of Shopping:
- Vintage and antique shops
- Independent boutiques & specialty stores
- Gifts and collectibles
- Locally operated businesses
- Combining shopping with lunch or dinner
Average Price Range: $–$$
- Small gifts and vintage finds may start below $25
- Clothing, collectibles, décor, and antiques can range from approximately $25–$100 for basic finds
Walkability: 9/10
Parking Situation:
- Public parking is available close to Main Street
- Nearby street parking is also an option (but may be more competitive).
- Review signs for time limits and restrictions (e.g., street cleaning days) before leaving
your vehicle. - Public parking is available within approximately a block of Main Street businesses.
Local Recommendations:
- Main Street Cards: Hot spot for trading cards for collectors and hobbyists, including One Piece, Magic, and Pokémon.
- Chuck’s Reserve Thrift Store: With the right amount of patience, find inexpensive vintage pieces in an eclectic space.
Asian Garden Mall and Little Saigon
When you shop at Asian Garden Mall, also known as Phước Lộc Thọ, it doubles as a cultural experience. You will find the center along Bolsa Avenue in the heart of Little Saigon. Within, you
can browse Vietnamese clothing, goods, gifts, and more provided by roughly 200 locally operated businesses specializing in myriad products. Before or after shopping, you can explore neighboring Little Saigon for more shops, restaurants, and snacks.
Location:
9200 Bolsa Avenue
Westminster, CA 92683
Types of Shopping:
- Vietnamese gifts and specialty products
- Fine and fashion jewelry
- Traditional áo dài and clothing
- Beauty products and cosmetics
- Accessories
- Home décor
- Toys and collectibles
- Specialty foods and snacks
Average Price Range: $–$$$
- Small accessories, snacks, and gifts may cost under $25.
- Clothing and specialty merchandise frequently fall into the $25–$150+ range.
- Fine jewelry can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Walkability: 8/10
Parking Situation:
- Asian Garden Mall provides multiple parking areas.
- Additional parking areas are accessible from Bishop Place and Moran Street.
Local Recommendations:
- Hoan Anh Jewelry: With hundreds of reviews establishing a 4.9-star reputation, this indie retailer has a substantial stock of gold jewelry, fine jewelry, and more.
- Novelty: This family-run clothing boutique specializes in áo dài and occasion clothing. Even if you aren't shopping for traditional Vietnamese clothing, visiting the space provides unique insight into Vietnamese culture and aesthetics.
The Outlets at Orange
The Outlets is an open-air center with over 120 stores, among them national brands. Score outlet/off-price deals from stops at the Nike Factory Store, Nordstrom Rack, and more. The
space also has plenty of places to eat, and then wind down with some entertainment afterward at either the AMC cinema or Dave & Buster’s.
Location:
20 City Boulevard West
Orange, CA 92868
Types of Shopping:
- Outlet fashion
- Athletic apparel and shoes
- Designer merchandise
- Children’s clothing
- Accessories
- Beauty
- Casual fashion
- Off-price department stores
Average Price Range: $–$$$
- A reasonable budget for many apparel and footwear purchases is roughly $20–$200 per
item. - Designer merchandise can exceed that substantially.
- Keep in mind that outlet promotions can make actual prices vary considerably.
Walkability: 9/10
Once parked, you can comfortably explore the entire open-air center on foot.
Parking Situation:
- Large parking areas surround the center.
- Multiple entrances are available, allowing visitors to park wherever space is available.
Local Favorites:
- Nordstrom Rack: A staple for discounted clothing and accessories, Nordstrom Rack’s broad offerings match a range of styles.
- Bloomingdale’s – The Outlet Store: Fashion accessories and designer apparel from well-known brands, but without breaking the bank.
South Coast Plaza
Do you want your time shopping to be more of a full experience rather than an in-between activity? Then the world-famous South Coast Plaza in neighboring Costa Mesa should be your destination. Packed with 250+ boutiques and restaurants, the shopping center houses options
for any budget, from H&M for affordable finds to Hermès, Gucci, and Chanel for luxury pieces.
Location:
3333 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Types of Shopping:
- Luxury designer fashion
- Contemporary fashion
- Department stores
- Fine jewelry and watches
- Beauty and cosmetics
- Shoes and accessories
- Home furnishings
- Gifts
- Children’s apparel
Average Price Range: $$–$$$$
- Mainstream stores provide merchandise starting below $50 (e.g., H&M)
- Luxury apparel, jewelry, handbags, and watches can easily run to $1,000+. This is by far
the highest-priced shopping destination on this list. - Dining ranges from $15 to $50+ per person, depending on the restaurant.
Walkability: 9/10
The center is extremely walkable once inside. However, it can become very busy during peak seasons. It is large enough not to feel crowded, but you may need to account for waiting in lines at some shops.
South Coast Plaza’s size means visitors should expect to cover considerable distance.
Parking Situation:
- Parking areas and structures surround the center.
- Paid valet parking is also available, currently listed as $15 at designated locations. See their site for valet parking locations.
Local Favorites:
- Personal Stylist Program: Want a professional eye to help you elevate your wardrobe? South Coast Plaza can match you with one of their dozens of experienced fashion stylists.
- Gucci: Gucci’s two-floor presence in South Coast Plaza makes it worth a visit for its broader inventory.
- Chanel + Chanel Fine Jewelry: Build a new high-end outfit and then pair it with the perfect piece of jewelry for a synchronous match.
The Promenade at Garden Grove
If you want practical with a side of flair, try The Promenade. Yes, it has some of the value-oriented basics like Walmart, Marshalls, and Ross Dress for Less. But you could always find a
decent bargain in the area.
While it might not be best for a full shopping outing, the open-air shopping area is worth spending some time in after attending a film at Regal Cinemas.
Location:
9635–9959 Chapman Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92841
Types of Shopping:
- Discount apparel
- Family clothing
- Household essentials
- Groceries
- Beauty and personal items
- Pet supplies
- Forgotten vacation necessities
- Replacing clothing, shoes, toiletries, or travel items
- A shopping-and-movie evening
Average Price Range: $
- Roughly $5–$100 range.
- Larger household purchases will naturally cost more.
Walkability: 6/10
Parking Situation:
- Large parking areas are available.
Local Recommendations:
Which Garden Grove Shopping Destination Should You Choose?
Choose Historic Main Street for:
- Indie stores
- Vintage & antique shopping
- A walk-and-shop vibe
- Local dining and entertainment
Choose Asian Garden Mall and Little Saigon if you want:
- A culturally distinctive shopping experience
- Vietnamese gifts, clothing, jewelry, and specialty products
- Shopping with a side of outstanding Vietnamese food
Choose The Outlets at Orange if you want:
- Name-brand discounts
- Outlet fashion
- Shopping next door to Disneyland
- A shopping-restaurant-movie combination
Choose South Coast Plaza if you want:
- Luxury and designer shopping
- Hundreds of options to choose from
- Fine jewelry and watches
- Shopping as the day’s main event
Choose The Promenade at Garden Grove if you want:
- Affordable shopping
- Vacation essentials
- Discount retailers
- Convenient everyday purchases
Shop, Stay, and Explore Garden Grove
Shopping is only one way to build out a Garden Grove stay for visitors. Between shopping trips, visitors can explore Garden Grove’s restaurants and cultural neighborhoods, drive out to nearby beaches, or (of course) visit Disneyland and other theme parks. Turn your visit into a multiday event by booking a room at one of Garden Grove’s resort hotels renowned for their amenities and service.