Best factory outlet in california - pls help

[Froggy]

Planning a trip in May to attend a friend's wedding in Hawaii. Since have to travel so far might as well fly over to continental USA for some sightseeing, makan and shopping but limiting to California only.

Can anyone here give some suggestion to which outlet is the best? I use to go Gilroy most of the time but may have newer and better ones now.

 

[eatshitndie]

biggest and bestest by far in norcal is in gilroy, 60 miles south of sf and 20 miles south of san jose. the most convenient for me is the great mall in milpitas, only 45 miles from sf and 5 miles from sj. if you're looking for coach bags for your wife, concubines, mistresses, sisters, daughters, nieces, aunties, mom, granny and sometimes mother in law (gotta be careful with the last one), the outlet store at the great mall sells a huge variety at steep discounts, sometimes by as much as 70%. it's so successful that lines are as long as muthukali's lingam. they just opened up a coach store next door solely for men. other branded retailers are following coach and opening outlets in the same mall. you can find the site to the great mall by searching google.

 

[singveld]

makan - eat this lor http://www.innout.com/default.asp

 

[Froggy]

Thanks eatshitndie.

I will be traveling with wife la. You see as I've said since I'm traveling so far to Hawaii for the wedding I might as well go a little farther to California for a short holiday. Also there is no direct flight from Bangkok to Hawaii so need to transfer in Taipei or somewhere in Japan or even in Manila. But then I think its gonna be very confusing and may be using non Star Alliance airlines. So decided to use Thai Airways fly directly into LA spend a night there then catch a flight to Honolulu for 4 days then back again to LA for 10 days.

10 days in California wish to do Las Vegas and San Francisco so plan is to drive from LA to SF along the coast on HW1 (very scenic). LIke to spend 3 nights in SF and then drive from SF to LV. Spend 2-3 nights in LV then back to LA. I'm not planning to stay long in LA because there's nothing much there except Hollywood, Universal Studio, Disneyland so LA 2 nights should be enough.

What say you? Any advise to offer please?

biggest and bestest by far in norcal is in gilroy, 60 miles south of sf and 20 miles south of san jose. the most convenient for me is the great mall in milpitas, only 45 miles from sf and 5 miles from sj. if you're looking for coach bags for your wife, concubines, mistresses, sisters, daughters, nieces, aunties, mom, granny and sometimes mother in law (gotta be careful with the last one), the outlet store at the great mall sells a huge variety at steep discounts, sometimes by as much as 70%. it's so successful that lines are as long as muthukali's lingam. they just opened up a coach store next door solely for men. other branded retailers are following coach and opening outlets in the same mall. you can find the site to the great mall by searching google.

 

[Froggy]

makan - eat this lor http://www.innout.com/default.asp

thank you singveld, the double cheeseburger looks delicious.

 

[chuckyworld]

Go to TJmaxx it is value for your money, www.tjmaxx.com

 

[Froggy]

Wow thanks chuckyworld, been to US many times but not heard of this, sounds interesting.

Go to TJmaxx it is value for your money, www.tjmaxx.com

 

[Ramseth]

I don't really like LV. If you're in SF and want to play a few games, there're legal casinos near the city now. For scenic drives, I'd recommend Lake Tahoe or Reno. They're also casino towns in Nevada but nearer to California and more scenic than LV. Expecially now the winter season isn't completely over, you'll get very good snowy scenery. The most scenic drive is still from SF on US 101 northward to Seattle (about 2 days). The problem is there's nothing much to do in Seattle except enjoying the scenery along the way. Most of factory outlets in SF Bay Area are south in Burlingame area, i.e. nearby around SF airport. I seldom go there to shop since I lived either in downtown SF or Richmond in east bay area. The distance and time wasn't worth the discount as I didn't buy too many things at one go too to worth the while.

 

[Froggy]

Thanks Ramseth. I'll take note on your recommendation. Right now its still in the planning stage so I really hope more suggestions from anyone. I've not been to states for 7 years so its really time to go again.

Oh by the way I am planning to go LV just to bring the wife to see the decorations and designs of the casinos and also the "show" outside the casinos every night. I hate gambling so will not go into any because don't wanna waste time la.

I don't really like LV. If you're in SF and want to play a few games, there're legal casinos near the city now. For scenic drives, I'd recommend Lake Tahoe or Reno. They're also casino towns in Nevada but nearer to California and more scenic than LV. Expecially now the winter season isn't completely over, you'll get very good snowy scenery. The most scenic drive is still from SF on US 101 northward to Seattle (about 2 days). The problem is there's nothing much to do in Seattle except enjoying the scenery along the way. Most of factory outlets in SF Bay Area are south in Burlingame area, i.e. nearby around SF airport. I seldom go there to shop since I lived either in downtown SF or Richmond in east bay area. The distance and time wasn't worth the discount as I didn't buy too many things at one go too to worth the while.

 

[Ramseth]

Thanks Ramseth. I'll take note on your recommendation. Right now its still in the planning stage so I really hope more suggestions from anyone. I've not been to states for 7 years so its really time to go again.

Oh by the way I am planning to go LV just to bring the wife to see the decorations and designs of the casinos and also the "show" outside the casinos every night. I hate gambling so will not go into any because don't wanna waste time la.

If the purpose is to show your wife the wonders of architectural decors, neonlights and shows, LV is the place. I haven't been to LV for more than 10 years. Perhaps next time I feel like going there, I can bring your maid along. But tell her first, I don't live in 5-star hotels and I don't gamble. I like the small-town style small and cheap motels. The cost is of course a factor but the pretension to luxury isn't necessary. The cost saved can be better used in good shopping and dining.

 

[eatshitndie]

.......

What say you? Any advise to offer please?

yup, agree that there's nothing much in l.a.

if you're staying in lv, recommend the bellagio. about usd290 and up per night, but it's the best hotel casino experience in lv besides wynn's encore. the atrium with the garden goes thru' decor and floral renewal depending on the festivity. they have a cny themed decor during cny week. by next week, it will be redecorated for valentine's. in may, they will be a spring theme. your significant other will like it. the cafe is cozy and gelato shop fantastic. restaurants are all good. casino floor is the largest, i think, and best decorated in luxurious italian palacio style. just a couple of nights stay at the bellagio is good for the worldly soul. and get a dinner reservation facing the fabulous fountain. the rest of lv is a big facade with the same casino, hotel, shopping, dining repetition plastered on the outside by fake lookalikes...new york, paris, venice, etc. gotta check out the spanking new city center.

the best california experience in spring, imo, is a drive along the beautiful coast from sf to san luis obispo (slo) and then morro bay. recommend going north to marin county from sf via the golden gate bridge to check out muir woods. long windy drive on 1 from the 101 freeway to stinson beach. along the way is muir woods. need to go early before 9 am. if you arrive at the gate before 9am, entry is free. anyway, you need to be early as there is limited parking. place fills up fast after 9. muir woods is a forest reserve with a creek running thru' it. creek is surrounded by tall giant redwoods. fabulous place for a morning walk. after muir woods, you can head to stinson beach and check out cold foggy beaches of norcal. go back over the ridge thru' the windy road and find your way to sausalito. have breakfast or brunch there at the restaurant facing sf and the golden gate and bay bridges. will provide name of restaurant if i find it. unforgettable view and experience. great for pictures of sf.

going south, recommend taking the i-280 freeway, detour on i-880 north and head to milpitas for outlet shopping. back on i-880 but going south then to los gatos for lunch. if brunch, recommend the palacio restaurant in downtown los gatos. mexican fusion in a victorian setting. must dine at the patio out in fresh air and sun underneath the big palm tree. take a walk along santa cruz avenue in los gatos and get a feel of small town life in norcal.

go back on i-880 south and it becomes highway 17. it will lead you to wonderful monterey county where pebble beach, carmel and pacific grove are. detour to highway 1, and wind your down to pacific grove first, stay in a hotel there or in carmel. spend some time along 17-mile drive where pebble beach is. it is between pacific grove and carmel. your wife will like shopping at carmel, and you may like jogging or hiking along the beautiful coast of pacific grove.

lunch now. will contribute later.

 

[garlic]

I went to the outlet at Las Vegas, it was superb.. great savings especially on American brands... Below is the SF outlet


http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=23

 

[eatshitndie]

the restaurant in sausalito overlooking the bay bridge and sf is called the spinnaker. the golden gate bridge cannot be fully seen from sausalito as it is behind the ridge.

muir woods is off highway 1, and you have to approach it via the panoramic highway which is off highway 1 and then take muir woods road. it's a national monument, and thus it is run by the national park service.

between sf and santa cruz, there is a small coastal town by the name of half moon bay. every early spring, maverick waves may hit the shore, and the best surfers in the world would congregate in this town to compete in the "maverick", an annual tournament pitching the top 100 surfers against each other for the top surfing trophy. surfing the web and trolling in cyberspace do not count. my favorite restaurant there is barbara's fishtrap. they serve some of the best fish, calamari and chips on the west coast. almost all her seafood are caught locally, as there is a fisherman's pier nearby at pillar point.

further down highway 1, there's the town of pescadero. best with artichoke bakery, sundried tomatoes and organic foodfare.

san luis obispo, we called it slo as life is slower than in the bay area, will be a marvelous stop over, either for gas or for lunch. spanish style architecture, but retains the charm of a laid back cal state university town. a favorite among young white chicks for studies and fun in the sun.

further south and not too far away is the ocean town of morro. may need a night there if you're going slow motion with the driving. better to get to these places via 101 than highway 1. highway 1 between carmel, big sur and san simeon is lonely 2 way windy driving for endless miles. of course, san simeon is a must if you're thinking of hearst castle. and the vineyards of paso robles are not far away.

if you're driving from l.a. to sf, suggest that you stop over in santa monica, santa barbara and solvang. cannot cut thru' vandenberg air force base, thus you need to skirt around on 101 going north.

and don't forget sonoma and napa. if you're a foodie or gourmet fanatic, drive up to yountville from napa on 29 and savor the best french cooking at the french laundry, bistro bouchon and bistro jeanty. top 3 french restaurants on the west coast. all on the same street, couple of blocks from each other. in oakville near napa, if you are a wine junkie, you need to pay homage to the spirit of robert mondavi at the winery by the same name.

have fun!

 

[singveld]

thank you singveld, the double cheeseburger looks delicious.

double cheeseburger with onion is great indeed , what is even greater, is their french fries.
eat once, you will agree. yum yum.

 

[Froggy]

Garlic and singveld thanks

the restaurant in sausalito overlooking the bay bridge and sf is called the spinnaker. the golden gate bridge cannot be fully seen from sausalito as it is behind the ridge. . . . . .

have fun!

eatshitndie you're an angel, thanks for the details. I will surely want to do what yo suggested. May I ask you in your two connected posts above how long is this complete trip (like how many days) you described starting from the "before 9am" starting point.

 

[eatshitndie]

.........

eatshitndie you're an angel, thanks for the details. I will surely want to do what yo suggested. May I ask you in your two connected posts above how long is this complete trip (like how many days) you described starting from the "before 9am" starting point.

sf to muir woods - half day
muir woods to sausalito - half day
sf to sonoma and napa (optional) - 1 day
sf to milpitas great mall - half day
sf to half moon bay - half day, only 30 mins driving
sf to monterey - 1 day, only 2.5 hours by driving
pacific grove, pebble beach, carmel (monterey) to big sur (optional) - 1 hour
monterey to san luis obispo and morro bay - half day
big sur to san simeon - half day
san simeon, paso robles to santa barbara - half day

total will be about 5 days comfortable driving with stops and bed and breakfast, minus the optional day trips. if you include extra days in sonoma/napa and monterey, total will be 6 to 7. that's my 1 week sightseeing drive recommendation from norcal to socal.

 

[Ramseth]

Joetys, Eatshitndie is surely a good tourguide for California. Don't forget the restaurant at Sausalito and Monterey if you decide to go there. Both are just by the seaside. Excellent view and ambience. The food is also excellent and the price is very far from exhorbitant, very reasonable, even better now US$ has dipped so much.

 

[palden]

The one in JB sucks.

 

[Froggy]

total will be about 5 days comfortable driving with stops and bed and breakfast, minus the optional day trips. if you include extra days in sonoma/napa and monterey, total will be 6 to 7. that's my 1 week sightseeing drive recommendation from norcal to socal.

thank you thank you thank you eatshitndie . . . . . I will make plans for this in fact I think 7 days is also ok because I can spend another 3 days in LV and then 4 days in Hawaii total 2 weeks liao very nice. In fact since will be spending more time in SF I should fly this way:

fly Bangkok to Los Angeles (spend a night)
fly Los Angeles to Honolulu (spend 3 nights)
fly Honolulu to San Francisco (spend 7 days)
fly San Francisco to Las Vegas (spend 3 nights)
short flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles and transfer to Bangkok

This way no need to waste time in Los Angeles (of course in between the above will do the Mall and Outlet shopping, ok maybe do a one day Hollywood trip)

Joetys, Eatshitndie is surely a good tourguide for California. Don't forget the restaurant at Sausalito and Monterey if you decide to go there. Both are just by the seaside. Excellent view and ambience. The food is also excellent and the price is very far from exhorbitant, very reasonable, even better now US$ has dipped so much.

Thanks Ramseth will definitely do this.

The one in JB sucks.

Not just JB palden, in Thailand also have many outlets like on the way to Pattaya, Hua Hin, Khao Yai but all sucks as well. USA is teh best of the best I think don't know Europe has this or not.

 

[Fook Seng]

thank you thank you thank you eatshitndie . . . . . I will make plans for this in fact I think 7 days is also ok because I can spend another 3 days in LV and then 4 days in Hawaii total 2 weeks liao very nice. In fact since will be spending more time in SF I should fly this way:

fly Bangkok to Los Angeles (spend a night)
fly Los Angeles to Honolulu (spend 3 nights)
fly Honolulu to San Francisco (spend 7 days)
fly San Francisco to Las Vegas (spend 3 nights)
short flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles and transfer to Bangkok

Is there no BKK to HON flight? I remember making a LA to Honolulu and Honolulu to Singapore once. Your itinerary is like going backwards. Honolulu is not so close to LA. It's in the middle of the Pacific.