Go Shopping for Less at These San Diego Outlets

San Diego outlets provide ample opportunities to save money on your favorite designer and brand-name clothes, shoes, accessories, and housewares. We have stand-alone outlet stores that carry products from their associated department stores and San Diego outlet malls that group individual brand stores together. Both need to shed products at a discount to retail pricing.

Our outlet malls are all outdoor, and most include decent eating options when you need a break from browsing and shopping. Also, (mostly) gone are the days of messy racks and disheveled shoe boxes as San Diego outlet malls strive to provide nice shopping experiences that, in some cases, are worth special day trips.

I’ll share where to go and what you’ll find at outlets spread across the county (and a few further afield).

Carlsbad Premium Outlets

Address: 5620 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Conveniently located just off the 1-5 freeway, Carlsbad Premium Outlets are my favorite San Diego outlets. They’re near LEGOLAND California, and quite close to top Carlsbad hotels, so those who are basing their vacations in the area won’t be going out of their way to shop for less.

Here, you’ll find around 85 designer and name-brand stores in an outdoor, Tuscan-style setting. Inventory is usually pretty good, and I never walk out of this San Diego outlet mall empty-handed.

Save up to 65% on brands like Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Tumi, Vince, PacSun, Coach, Carter’s, Havaianas, Banana Republic Factory Store, Adidas, Lacoste, and more. A handful of these San Diego outlets now provide curbside pickup. Call in your order, and they will provide instructions on how to retrieve purchases without stepping inside the stores.

The most popular place to eat is probably Ruby’s Diner, though you’ll also find a Blaze Pizza, Starbucks, Rubio’s, and other fast-casual options.

Carlsbad Premium Outlets is part of Simon Property Group, which manages several malls across the United States, including Las Americas Premium Outlets.

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Las Americas Premium Outlets

Address: 4211 Camino de la Plaza, San Diego, CA 92173

The largest of the San Diego outlet malls is Las Americas Premium Outlets, with its more than 150 stores. You’ll find it near the Mexico border in San Ysidro which is about 20 minutes south of downtown San Diego and 20 minutes north of Tijuana.

Brand name stores include Polo Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, J.Crew, Nike Factory Store, Calvin Klein, The North Face, Armani Exchange, Converse, Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, and many more. Savings range between 25-65% off retail prices.

Due to its border location, you’ll also find a UETA Duty-Free store with duty-free cosmetics, wine and spirits, handbags, and other accessories. Those who meet the duty-free criteria will qualify for these savings.

If you’re wondering where to eat, the most popular restaurant is definitely Achiote. It’s an authentic Mexican eatery with a robust menu and famous for chilaquiles. Quick options include McDonald’s, Sbarro for great New York style pizza, and Starbucks. Entertain the kids in between stores in the small children’s play area.

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Plaza Palmera (used to be Outlets at the Border)

Address: 4463 Camino De La Plaza, San Ysidro, CA 92173

Plaza Palmera is connected to Las Americas Premium Outlets and an entirely separate outlet mall with different ownership. Here, you’ll find just over 20 stores but they include some names not seen in the other San Diego outlet malls like H&M, Justice, O’Neil, Volcom, and Asics.

They have a separate, generous VIP Perks Club that includes a free monthly perk (such as lattes, lunch, and gift cards from your favorite stores) in addition to coupons and deal alerts.

Dining options here include Cinnabon, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and a Taco Bell Cantina (with a Taco Bell specialty menu plus alcoholic beverages), but I still think Achiote is the best sit-down option.

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Viejas Outlet Center

Address: 5003 Willows Road, Alpine, CA 91901

Between the Willows Spa, multiple restaurants, a concert venue, a bowling alley, a skating rink, hotels, and other family-friendly activities, there is a lot to do at Viejas Casino & Resort besides gaming. One of the most popular activities, though, includes saving on high-end brands at the Viejas Outlet Center.

It’s not quite as large as the two San Diego outlet malls mentioned above. But, you’ll find up to 70% off at around 20 apparel and accessories stores such as Chico’s, Coach, Nike Clearance Store, Skechers, GAP Outlet, Polo Ralph Lauren, and others.

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Bloomingdale’s Outlet

Address: 1646 Camino del Rio North, Suite FSU13, San Diego, CA 92108

I assume this Bloomingdale’s Outlet in Westfield Mission Valley Mall receives past-season inventory from the Bloomingdale’s store in nearby Fashion Valley Mall.

Usually, you’ll find more housewares here than at Nordstrom Rack next door. Higher-end handbags and shoe brands like Chanel, Dior, alice + olivia, and others have been spotted on sale from time to time.

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Nordstrom Rack

Mission Valley: 1640 Camino Del Rio N, San Diego, CA 92108
La Jolla: 8875 Villa La Jolla Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
San Marcos: 173 S Las Posas Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078
Oceanside: 2168 Vista Way, Oceanside, CA 92054 (this location opens on May 23, 2024)
National City: 3010 Plaza Bonita Rd Suite 2036, National City, CA 91950
Carmel Mountain Plaza: 11940 Carmel Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92128

There are multiple Nordstrom Rack stores across San Diego County, including La Jolla, Mission Valley, National City, and San Marcos and Oceanside in North County San Diego. Browse a rotating inventory of men’s, women’s, kid’s, accessory, and shoe brands that Nordstrom stores typically carry, but at discounted prices. (FYI: The La Jolla location is not in Westfield UTC mall — that is a regular Nordstrom store.)

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Saks OFF Fifth

Mission Valley: 1750 Camino De La Reina, San Diego, CA 92108

OFF Fifth is the Saks Fifth Avenue outlet, where I have been able to score various deals throughout the years. I often go to their Mission Valley location (it’s across the street from Nordstrom Rack and Bloomingdale’s Outlet) for designer sunglasses (Prada, Tom Ford, Gucci, and more) and to browse the shoe aisle. Also, they usually carry a nice selection of men’s designer ties like Ermenegildo Zegna.

You’ll find prior-season women’s and men’s shoes, clothes, and accessories, with a few housewares like candles and picture frames sprinkled in. The prices are discounted, but what I love is that almost every time I go, there’s an additional percentage markdown on top of what’s on the price tag.

Saks OFF Fifth also had a store in Carmel Mountain Rd but it recently closed down.

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Restoration Hardware Outlet

Address: 1990 University Dr, Vista, CA 92083

This popular but pricey furniture store used to have its outlet in the La Mesa Grossmont Center, but it’s now moved to Vista in north county San Diego. Furniture, lighting, and other accessories on sale include floor samples and pieces with minor cosmetic blemishes that cost significantly less than retail pricing.

We bought my daughter’s RH Teen desk at the Restoration Hardware Outlet at the La Mesa store and we got lucky because the exact desk she wanted was in stock, though with a couple of scratches. All I needed to do was order a paint pen from Restoration Hardware to fix them. Some of the furniture and accessories look brand new. Others are clearly damaged and severely discounted so a visit can be hit or miss.

The new Vista store tends to look a bit samey with various huge white sofas as far as the eye can see, but if you have time to explore you can pick up some nice one-offs that have more of an individual look.

You’ll want to time your visit with a shipment of new furniture, which can happen several times per week. Call the store, and they’ll tell you when the next one arrives. The downside is that they do not deliver. You will need to fit purchases in your car or arrange for a furniture service to pick them up.

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American Freight (Formerly Sears Outlet)

San Diego: 1210 W Morena Blvd San Diego, CA 92110
La Mesa: 8805 Murray Dr La Mesa, CA 91942
Oceanside: 2505-B Vista Way 1 Oceanside, CA 92054

If you’re looking for home appliances, mattresses, furniture, tools, sports equipment, electronics, and a whole lot more (that isn’t apparel), check American Freight. They’ve merged with Sears Outlet, so they offer even more brands now than they used to. You can shop the stores online or in-person and have the goods delivered to your house.

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Nearby Southern California Outlet Malls

If you’re looking beyond the outlet malls San Diego has to offer, you can venture out a bit further afield. As you travel to other popular Southern California destinations like Palm Springs, Big Bear, or Los Angeles, you may pass these outlet malls along the way.

outlets at Lake Elsinore

Located about 20 minutes north of Temecula, you’ll find about 40 outlet stores at Lake Elsinore Outlets. These include The Children’s Place, GAP Factory, Levi’s, VANS, and more in addition to some fast food options like Dairy Queen. Print this coupon and take it to customer service for extra savings. (No designer brands are here and it’s a no-frills mall.)

Outlets at San Clemente

Located just off the I-5 freeway in San Clemente, you’ll pass this on your way to Los Angeles or Disneyland Resort. A couple of brands not seen in many other outlet shopping malls include Tillys, Under Armour Factory Outlet, White House Black Market Outlet, and New Balance Factory Store. Join the VIP program and browse the full list to see if it’s worth a stop.

An added bonus is that there is now a large movie theater located at the outlets. It contains an IMAX theater, and the regular theaters have options of heated recliners or rocker seats. It’s perfect for when you need a break from shopping.

Desert Hills Premium Outlets

Tourists bus in from Los Angeles to visit this outlet mall for a good reason. Even I stop here every time we visit Palm Springs because it’s enormous and home to over 180 designer names.

Shop prior-season Balenciaga, Prada (I always find shoes here), Fendi, Gucci, lululemon, Moncler in addition to brand names like Zumiez, UGGs, and others. I personally think Desert Hills Premium Outlets is the best outlet mall I’ve ever been to. I buy my Frette sheets and towels here.

See also: Where to Go Shopping in La Jolla