Sorry I had to do it: Americana (Glendale, Oxnard: condos, hotels)

[LArenter]

So who's been? How is the parking? Did you shed a tear for the Galleria?
How were the condos? Whats the crowd like?

I'll probably go midweek but would love to know people's thoughts

[Prince of Lombards]

What did they do to the Galleria?

[CESpeed]

I don't see myself going all the way to Glendale to see a newer, albeit bigger, version of the Grove. I don't think it's going to hurt the Galleria as much as people think. Once people realize that the Americana is extremely high end (expensive) they'll keep going to the Galleria. Besides, they have completely different shops. Though I assume that the Americana will be very crowded for the next month or so just because of the curiosity factor.

[pushkinswife]

...speaking of shopping. Me and my mother will be visiting later this month. I am a cheap-o but my mother is a shopaholic who could care less what things cost. Whenever we vacaion together there's this dichotomy between us. She wants the high price stuff and I want bargains!! She does not like bargain hunting and calls me "cheap." Anyways, I don't mind driving at all and I still have not found a hotel "suitable" enough for her yet affordable for ME. We'd be at the expensive Hilton Beverly Hills if I let her have her way. But I saw this Double Tree in Torrance that might be a good compromise (any comments are welcome). So I need assistance with the following. I have done some research on my own but I am stil having a hard time:

Thrift stores/outlets: I looked up the following outlets: Camaritto (sp?), Citadel, Ontario...are they any good? I see they have the Banana Republic outlets and Bebe outlets (my favs). Are there others I should try? Thift stores: I found one called "The Address" on Wilshire Blvd and It's a Wrap in Burbank. Any others that are any good? I would love to get my hands on some BCBG and DKNY thats not regular price.

Malls: A high end one (for mother) and just a regular one for me. I would love a place that has a little bit of everthing. I see someone mentioned the Galleria. Is it any good?



We will most likely try to go one or two places a day depending on the traffic. I am trying to get a hotel that is not TOO far from LAX. So most of the driving will be FROM a central location preferably close to the aiport.

Thanks in advance- I would have started my own thread but I did a search and had a hard time finding info

Push

[calipoppy]

DO NOT STAY NEAR THE AIRPORT!!! And Torrance is just too far away from where you want to be.

Since your mom loves high end shopping I would recommend staying in the Santa Monica area. This will put within a close driving distance "LOTS & LOTS" of great shopping. In Santa Monica you will be close to Montana Avenue and the Third Street Promenade. You will also be really close to Brentwood, Century City and Beverly Hills

The consignment shop "The Address" is in Santa Monica on Wilshire and there are a few others in the area very worthwhile. Its a Wrap is good too but not worth the drive unless you will already be out there.

Outlet Centers - here's a quick overview in order of best shopping

1) Cabazon - Desert Hills Premium Outlets near Palm Springs - the best if you have time
2) Camarillo - between Thousand Oaks and Oxnard - good, not as many stores as Cabazon
3) The Citadel - don't bother...you will be disappointed

Malls - not ranked but just good shopping

1) Beverly Center - 3rd and La Cienega - and while you are over there drive across the street to Loehmann's - you will both be happy at Loehmann's (The Back Room - top designers like Prada, YSL, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karna Collection, etc)
2) The Grove - 3rd and Fairfax
3) The Rodeo Drive area
4) Century City Shopping Center - on little Santa Monica Blvd
5) The Westside Pavillion
6) Old Town Pasadena and the Paseo Colorado - if you will be out in the area

[CESpeed]

From one cheapo to another: the outlet stores do not sell at outlet prices, they sell at regular retail sale prices. highly disappointing. For a reasonably priced hotel Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars -- Discount Airfare | Priceline.com. They have higher end hotel at lower end prices. The best bargains are downtown in the Santee Alley. You can get name brand stuff at wholesale or almost whoesale prices, just be sure you leave before the sun starts to go down.

[VLWH]

Drop mom off at the BH hilton and then check yourself into one of the areas many affordable hotels, such as holiday inn, marriotts, etc....

Originally Posted by pushkinswife

...speaking of shopping. Me and my mother will be visiting later this month. I am a cheap-o but my mother is a shopaholic who could care less what things cost. Whenever we vacaion together there's this dichotomy between us. She wants the high price stuff and I want bargains!! She does not like bargain hunting and calls me "cheap." Anyways, I don't mind driving at all and I still have not found a hotel "suitable" enough for her yet affordable for ME. We'd be at the expensive Hilton Beverly Hills if I let her have her way. But I saw this Double Tree in Torrance that might be a good compromise (any comments are welcome). So I need assistance with the following. I have done some research on my own but I am stil having a hard time:

Thrift stores/outlets: I looked up the following outlets: Camaritto (sp?), Citadel, Ontario...are they any good? I see they have the Banana Republic outlets and Bebe outlets (my favs). Are there others I should try? Thift stores: I found one called "The Address" on Wilshire Blvd and It's a Wrap in Burbank. Any others that are any good? I would love to get my hands on some BCBG and DKNY thats not regular price.

Malls: A high end one (for mother) and just a regular one for me. I would love a place that has a little bit of everthing. I see someone mentioned the Galleria. Is it any good?



We will most likely try to go one or two places a day depending on the traffic. I am trying to get a hotel that is not TOO far from LAX. So most of the driving will be FROM a central location preferably close to the aiport.

Thanks in advance- I would have started my own thread but I did a search and had a hard time finding info

Push

[katenik]

Originally Posted by VLWH

Drop mom off at the BH hilton and then check yourself into one of the areas many affordable hotels, such as holiday inn, marriotts, etc....

and i'll pick her up, and take her shopping...if she's treating.

[greggd]

Originally Posted by calipoppy

DO NOT STAY NEAR THE AIRPORT!!! And Torrance is just too far away from where you want to be.

Since your mom loves high end shopping I would recommend staying in the Santa Monica area.

+1

Staying at the airport hotels is going to put you in major traffic. Santa Monica is the way to go. Your on vacation, so have a nice vacation.

[John23]

Ok, here's a first hand report, went this afternoon, got sucked in by the hype.

-Absolutely jam packed. Like being in Vegas.

-The parking structure is pretty cool, like the Grove structure, only the view isn't as great. But still a great view of Glendale and the area. I parked on the 2nd or 3rd floor from the top, not sure what the top looks like.

-No where to eat, the line at Cheesecake Factory was ridiculous. And the Galleria was packed, a 45 minute wait at Red Robin. Their food court was packed. Is the Galleria always this busy on a weekend, or was it all spill over traffic from Americana?

-The actual Americana, it isn't as big as I thought it would be. It didn't look much bigger than the grove, I thought it was 3 or 4 times as big? Maybe they were measuring square footage. The lawn and fountain were huge, like the Bellagio fountain in Vegas.

The lawn and fountain are in the main square area, and then there are two blocks of shops, making a square. I didn't see much to eat. The pizzeria was coming soon. There was a mexican cafe on the opposite end of the main entrance, it didnt look open.

Didn't see the trolley running.

The lobby of the parking garage looked like a hotel, with bellman/uniformed workers in blue uniforms. Not sure if they were concierge or with guest services. Or with the garage itself. The most glamorous garage in LA? It looked like it.

The shops...higher end than the grove. It looked like the Century Mall, only more glamorous. Or the shops on Two Rodeo, at the end of Rodeo Dr.

I dont go to Glendale much or that part of the valley, it doesnt fit the area at all. And next door to the galleria, what a contrast. The other stores in the area are going to look so odd, like Big 5 down the street. The mall looks like Beverly Hills in the middle of Glendale.

The hype with Rick Caruso and "lifestyle centers", I dont know. Hes a great promoter, like Steve Wynn with hotels. Does the hype last, who knows.

The condos above the stores...why would anyone want to live above a mall? Errr...lifestyle center?? Have no idea. The condos, the streets, the lightposts, etc....it all looked like Vegas, Disneyland, maybe even the Epcot countries.

I dont know...fun if you dont take it too seriously. I think it'll be crowded for months. The grove in glendale basically.