For some visitors, a visit to L.A. isn’t complete without shopping for bargains — and that means scouring the great outlet malls in Los Angeles. These four major outlets offer a wide range of stores, featuring designer shops and popular chains like Banana Republic and J.Crew, at prices that are typically 25 to 70 percent off retail.
Citadel Outlets
The Citadel Outlets shopping center is one of the closest outlets to Los Angeles. Appropriately named, the collection of shops is located within a “castle,” complete with 115 brand-name stores. All of your favorites — Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger — are available with merchandise at discounted prices. Take your time, and if you need a break, don’t hesitate to check out the upscale restrooms, which locals have jokingly claimed as major attractions in their own right.
Ontario Mills Outlet Mall
Located east of L.A., Ontario Mills is a retail sight to behold, especially with the Improv Comedy Club anchoring the nightlife scene. Obviously not just for shopping, Ontario Mills Mall also boasts AMC movie theaters and Dave & Busters, in addition to its 200-plus stores, which include favorites such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Kate Spade, Levi’s, Polo Ralph Lauren and Lacoste.