Best Mall/Outletstore in SFO Area? (San Francisco, Vacaville: for sale, coupons, renting)

[Douglas Dakota]

Hi,

I am going to visit SFO in 3 weeks. What do you think is the best/cheapest location to get some clothes?

Thx

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by Douglas Dakota

Hi,

I am going to visit SFO in 3 weeks. What do you think is the best/cheapest location to get some clothes?

Thx

The nearest outlet stores (in Vacaville, Tracy, Gilroy) are 50 or more miles from SF - not really worth the trip to save on clothes. Otherwise, clothes are probably cheaper where you live than here - and you can add on 9% or more for sales tax in California.

[Douglas Dakota]

Thank you. Well, I live in Germany and clothes are usually more expensive here than in the US with the current dollar/euro ratio. And the sales tax is 19% here...

But if its 50km or more, you are right, that its not really worth to spend such a trip on holiday.

[Stacy From Cali]

Well its not cheap but there is some very good shopping on Market St. Downtown. Heck, if you're from Germany it will probably be cheaper than you are used to just because of the exchange rate (not as good as it was, but still good). There is even a mall down there (with a Bloomingdales and a great food court in the basement...not that I would recommend eating at the mall over trying food in Chinatown or North Beach!). Fun times.

[PeixeGato]

I find that most "outlet" malls/stores are a waste of time. They are now generally stocked with merchandise specifically made for the outlet (i.e. they were never sold in a retail store to begin with) and the prices are often times higher than you would pay for standard retail merchandise that you catch on sale at Macy's.

What type of clothing are you looking for? Are you into high end designer, large department stores (like Macy's), outdoor wear, shoes, etc?

I think the outlets would be a waste of time for you, especially since you'd have to go through the trouble of renting a car, navigating through the nightmare that is the "maze" (mish mash of highways that all come together at the Bay Bridge to get you into the City from points East), and driving to a place the has nothing to offer outside of those outlet stores. To get to Vacaville, you are looking at an hour from Union Square WITHOUT traffic.

[NewToCA]

I would take a look at Marshalls Dept Store at 5th and Market St, downtown San Francisco.

[sonarrat]

I always shop at JC Penney's. Last time I did so I got four complete sets of casual work clothes for less than $200.

[Douglas Dakota]

Hi,

thanks again for your help. I have been to Macy's and JCPenny's in the Garden State Plaza Mall in New Jersey last month, when I visited New York. They were nice, but maybe a bit more expensive than in California as I heared from a friend.

I will have a car for one day, that should be no problem, and I am looking for "normal" clothes, like some Converse Shoes for my sister, Hilfiger Polo Shirts, and so on.

I think I will go to a Dept Store Downtown. It is not worth to spend the holiday in a traffic jam just to save a few cents.

[coolbay]

Close to SFO there is a mall called Tanforan. Other malls close to SFO are Hillsdale Mall (near Hillsdale Caltrain station), Serramonte and Stonestown near 19th avenue.

Enjoy Shopping! Spends some money and boost the economy

[Carla125]

I tend to shop at Gilroy and they have all the stores you are talking about, it is an outlet. The drive is not that bad and it is 50 miles not 50 Km, that is about 25-28 KM. They have a Polo Store, Hilfiger, Converse, Coach, etc. Go by the outlet mall offices and they will provide you with coupons for more discounts. Look them up online- Gilroy Oulet Malls Califonia. Happy Shopping.