Most of Orange County shopping centers on larger shopping malls, and some of them are so big and popular that they're practically a tourist attraction in themselves.

The Block at Orange

20 City Boulevard W., Orange

(714) 769-4000

www.theblockatorange.com

One of Orange County's most popular destinations, the sleek, trendy Block at Orange includes more than 100 shops and restaurants in an outdoor shopping plaza. Besides a big lineup of clothing and accessory shops, bookstores, and food outlets (including Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom, a longtime Venice Beach favorite), you'll find a Bose Factory Outlet and the Burke Williams Day Spa. Nonshoppers (or those who've shopped until they dropped) can entertain themselves (or be entertained) at the Vans Skate Park, visit the enormous, thirty-screen AMC movie theater, or bowl at Lucky Strike Lanes.

The mall is located about a ten-minute drive from Disneyland and is accessible by the Anaheim Resort Trolley.

The camp

2937 Bristol St., Costa Mesa

(714) 444-4CMP

www.thecampsite.com

The camp is a must for the person who loves the outdoors, with retailers such as Patagonia and Cyclewerks, as well as other shops and activities, all in a natural compound setting. Besides shopping, you can get certified for scuba diving here, take a yoga class, or enjoy some vegan cuisine.

Fashion Island

Pacific Coast Highway and Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach

(949) 721-2000

www.shopfashionisland.com

One of Orange County's premier shopping destinations for more than thirty-five years, this beautiful, outdoor mall is home to Orange County's only Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus stores, along with over 35,000 square feet of retail space housing 200 other shops and exclusive boutiques, restaurants, and cafés. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the open-air ambiance and architecture, and the custommade Venetian carousel is a local favorite.

Laguna Beach

www.lagunabeachinfo.org

Laguna Beach's charming downtown offers plenty of chances to shop. You'll find a wide variety of stores here, including antique shops, clothing boutiques, specialty gift shops, and some excellent art galleries. The best shopping area extends along Pacific Coast Highway and up Forest Avenue.

Orange County Market Place

88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

(949) 723-6616

www.ocmarketplace.com

Held every weekend at the Orange County Fairgrounds, the Market Place features more than 1,100 vendors strung along over four miles of aisles, selling everything you can imagine (and some things you never thought of) in a swap meet-style atmosphere. Admission is $2 for adults; children under twelve years old get in free.

South Coast Plaza

3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa

(800) 782-8888

www.southcoastplaza.com

Some people call this mall Orange County's equivalent of Rodeo Drive. One of the country's largest retail centers, covering over 128 acres, South Coast Plaza has no less than nine anchor stores and 300 shops. The Jewel Court between Nordstrom's and Saks Fifth Avenue is home to many of the same shops found on the famous Beverly Hills drive including Gucci, Versace, Hermès, Tiffany, and Van Cleef and Arpels. It also has two carousels.

More than just a shopping center, South Coast Plaza is a popular tourist destination that has its own hotel (Westin South Coast Plaza). The Orange County Performing Arts Center is next-door. South Coast Plaza also puts on a sumptuous Christmas display, including two Santas, one at each end of the huge complex.