The reasons why South Coast Plaza is a US shopping paradise
The idea of going shopping in the United States has been around in Mexican culture almost as long as building large spaces dedicated to buying practically anything you need. Moving to the “other side”, where the dollar prevails and where the supply is much larger, has been a tradition that has changed over time.
Previously, people used to travel to the United States for shopping due to the lack of items available in Mexico, but in the era of fast fashion and online shopping, retailers They have adapted with the passage of time and without a doubt, the place that is ahead of the trend and instead marks the way to offer new experiences to its customers is South Coast Plaza.
South Coast Plaza has been an essential part of California culture, especially Orange County, since its inception in 1967. At the time, building this type of plaza was still striving to provide a new experience for consumers as well as investing in modern architecture that drove people to walk its aisles , used the latest technology. For example, the South Coast Plaza was one of the first indoor malls with air conditioning to withstand the high temperatures in California.
According to Ian Bogost of Atlantic Oceanthe malls were looking for something old-world:
He wanted to import the pedestrian experience of modern European cities like Vienna and Paris into the United States, where the automobile was king. By creating community spaces in the deserts of the suburbs, he hoped to get people out of their cars and connect with one another. Malls will be for shopping, yes, but they will also offer food, relaxation, and green spaces. In their original concept, the malls will also connect to residential, commercial, healthcare, library, and other public spaces.
Although the idea Mall He suffered through the second half of the 20th century and with the advent of online shopping his demise has been predicted since the beginning of this century, and the reality could not be further from these ideas. South Coast Plaza is a city within Orange County and one of the spaces that truly lives up to Bogost’s words, being a cornerstone of the local community, but is also a mecca for people traveling to the States looking for a truly authentic experience.
South Coast Plaza is hard to pin down, because unlike a plaza where you find what you need, it’s a place where every space is a new experience to discover. This is where the stores are Main From the world’s best fashion houses, world-class local restaurants, Michelin stars, expert bespoke experiences and much more.
We visited South Coast Plaza and can confirm that it is something incomparable with any other experience, as it not only gives you everything you are looking for but always goes above and beyond. It is no coincidence that around the South Coast Plaza there are now entertainment centers, huge works of art, museums and much more that make this place a place for which, yes or yes, you have to make a trip to the States.
Here are just a few reasons why South Coast Plaza is an ideal destination when looking for where to go for your next trip.
Major stores
If you visit cities like New York, Dubai or London, you can find independent stores of the most important brands. In California, this is no exception, but South Coast Plaza has the potential to turn its stores into true works of art that not only rival, but surpass, those of the independent stores.
The process of Dior, Channel, Prada, Louis Vuitton (which has three different stores on the square) and other of the world’s most exclusive brands, is to continually renew themselves, going to the best SCP areas and offering the new with every visit. The boutiques usually have an avant-garde design on the outside, a super idiosyncratic treatment on the inside, and they always have versions that aren’t found everywhere.
A first class tasting experience
Forget the idea of food courts with the most famous fast food companies in the world. When visiting SCP we used to arrive very early and even then there were already people queuing outside Din Tai Fung, a Taiwanese restaurant that surprised everyone. Lines don’t stop all day long and everyone wants to try dumplings filled with soup, crispy pork fried rice, spicy noodles or vegetarian.
Bloomingdale’s has a gastronomic section where in addition to finding Brazilian churros, Persian dishes and an endless selection of Asian restaurants to satisfy all tastes. Tiffany’s also has a joint division with Petrossian, the largest caviar name in America and during the day you can enjoy a selection of oysters with caviar and champagne in-store.
Knife fold
All food is fun worth eating for breakfast and lunch inside SCP, but Knife Pleat, a Michelin-starred restaurant inside SCP, is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown. This cozy little French restaurant from Chef Tony Esnault and restaurateur Yasmine Sarmadi is something that can only exist in SCP. They have an appetizing menu that changes every few days, but they also have a set menu for lunch and dinner on weekdays.
The Knife Pleat offers the ultimate dining experience you could wish for, ranging from prosciutto with stracciatella, truffled lobster, and duck with onion pearls.
Nearby attractions
SCP is just an epicenter of something much larger going on in Orange County. Arts and entertainment centers have grown around it, such as the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, which provides space for works and concerts by three of the Philharmonic Orchestras who are in residence, ballet and much more.
However, in addition to the Richard Serra monumental sculpture and Japanese Garden located just a few feet from the SCP, perhaps the most important attraction of the moment is the recently opened Orange County Museum of Art, which in addition to holding first-level community exhibitions, is one of The few freebies in the US where everyone can go enjoy its facilities.
South Coast Plaza has evolved to be an example of a commercial space in this day and age. Yes, it is a space for shopping and dining, but it is also a place where the stories of those who visit intertwine, where art is breathed in and out, and where a full experience is created when visited.
Here you can find everything to make your trip to South Coast Plaza a complete success.
“Future teen idol. Hardcore twitter trailblazer. Infuriatingly humble travel evangelist.”