Sout Coast Plaza - Costa Mesa - TravBuddy

This place is GRAND. Here's some history; South Coast Plaza has always had a strong design element in its building. In addition to the original center by Victor Gruen, numerous additions and store buildings over the years included designs by such architects as William Blurock and Ellerbe Becket. The 1986-1987 expansion included a recurring pyramid motif. Chandeliers took the shape of inverted pyramids, and the escalator atrium leading to the mall's third floor is loosely modeled after the Grand Gallery of the Pyramid of Khufu. In 2000, the pedestrian bridge, known as Bridge of Gardens, and accompanying Garden Terrace were completed by landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson. There are also carousels placed in wide rest areas.

South Coast Plaza has about 2.6 million square feet (260,000 m²) of gross leasable area and over 280 stores, making it one of the largest shopping malls in the United States. Its stores generate revenue of more than a billion dollars per year, making it the highest-volume mall in the United States. It is also home to the Orange Lounge, a small branch of the Orange County Museum of Art.

South Coast Plaza is a premiere destination for ultra-luxury and luxury shopping. Many ultra-luxury brands, which have very few boutiques nationwide, have chosen South Coast Plaza as one of their few (and for some brands, their only) store locations. Many luxury brand stores gather here as well, with some, such as Tiffany's, reporting their locations at South Coast as having the highest sales in the United States.

In 2004, South Coast Plaza received the Federal Trademark as "The Ultimate Shopping Resort."

South Coast Plaza also houses the flagship locations for a handful of brands and stores. The new Bloomingdale's location will be an addition to the San Francisco West Coast Flagship and the full-line store in San Diego, both opened in Fall 2006.

To date, South Coast Plaza continuously brings in approximately 24 million visitors annually.

While South Coast Plaza has numerous restaurants throughout, it has no "food court".

I just LOVE this mall. I come here every time I'm in OC and it's not only for shopping. It's an adventour in itself just walk around this marvelous mall. So much to see there, and I will be back there next time in Cali. :o))

PS. Even though you find the very expencive designer stores here, you also find Macy's Sears, Victoria's Secret and H&M to mention a few cheaper ones.