Outlets at San Clemente Open Thursday

If Orange County shopping was missing anything, it was an outlet mall facing the ocean. But no longer, O.C.—we’re about to get a full-scale outlet shopping center with a million-, no make that a billion-dollar view just in time for the holiday shopping season.

The Outlets at San Clemente will open Thursday with a groundbreaking ceremony followed by a weekend of activities. The highlight of the weekend will be the tree-lighting concert on Saturday, Nov. 14 featuring Top 40 artists American Authors, American Idol winner Nick Fradiani, and a local singer from the first season of X-Factor, John Lindahl. Orange Coast is the media sponsor. The free concert and lighting ceremony—the tree will be lit by 3,000 twinkling lights—will be hosted by Valentine of 104.3 MY FM’s morning show.

The 325,000-square-foot Outlets at San Clemente features casual eateries and a slew of cool places at which to discount shop (we love discount shopping!) such as Bass Factory Outlet, Calvin Klein, Chico’s Outlet, Cole Haan, Columbia Sportswear Company, Converse, GUESS Factory Store, H&M, Levi’s Outlet Store, Nike Factory Store, The PUMA Outlet Store, Tilly’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour, Vans, and White House Black Market.

Courtesy of the Outlets at San Clemente

SWL was lucky enough to chat with Susan Jennrich, general manager of Outlets at San Clemente, to get some intel on O.C.’s newest shopping mecca:

Why was San Clemente the right place for the center?
SJ: Location! We’re atop the sandstone bluffs of the Marblehead Coastal development, right between the Pacific Ocean and I-5 freeway. There’s nothing else like it. For 18 years, the site has been the subject of development, with concepts to build everything from a housing community to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum to a power station. We believed San Clemente would be the ideal location to offer outlet shopping to Southern California consumers and tourists, and the City agreed.

What makes Outlets at San Clemente different from shopping elsewhere in O.C.?
SJ: It’s not only rare for a shopping center to have an ocean view and such easy freeway accessibility, but we’re also the only ocean-facing outdoor outlet shopping and dining center anywhere in Orange County. When locals think of San Clemente, they think of the city’s Spanish architecture and village vibe. We designed the center to look like an Andalusian village developed over time. As you walk through the property, a story unfolds. No two building facades look the same, and we included visual surprises throughout the property, like 350 archways, decorative turrets and balconies, pink bougainvillea blooms and stately specimen trees. It’s worth visiting for the architectural tour alone.

Courtesy of the Outlets at San Clemente.

What’s the most exciting thing about Outlets at San Clemente, what will people find here to delight them?
SJ: They’ll find an incredible collection of stores offering deep discount pricing in an environment that looks like a resort with ocean views. Our guests will experience five-star service and amenities, including a luxury VIP loyalty program and lounge, valet parking, a concierge-style customer service area, complimentary baggage check, complimentary stroller and wheelchair rentals, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Plus, we’ll host year-round special events and family-friendly entertainment. We want Outlets at San Clemente to be a hub of community activity for everyone to enjoy.

The Outlets at San Clemente

WHEN: Thursday, November 12 – Sunday, November 15, 2015
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Thursday, Nov. 12 at 10:30 a.m.
Tree Lighting Concert:  Saturday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m.

WHERE: 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente

For information go to outletsatsanclemente.com