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The District at Tustin Legacy
Category: Shopping Shopping Centers Shopping Centers [Edit]
2437 Park AveTustin, CA 92606
(714) 259-9090
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
161 reviews for The District at Tustin Legacy
Review Highlights
"Pick up a gift your honey at the Best Buy."
(in 22 reviews)
"The most fabulous, enormous Whole Foods ever."
(in 65 reviews)
"...a good variety of stores/shops/restaurants in this plaza."
(in 14 reviews)
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161 reviews in English
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Review from Andrew B.
11/29/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Now that The District has been open a while longer I'd have to say I appreciate it more. Initially I couldn't stand shopping/eating there because it was always crowded which made it a pain to get to.
However, now that it's not always chaotic I do enjoy getting out there because it's got some of my wife's and my favorite places. Chick-fil-a is our fast food love, the Costco there is generally less painful to shop at than others in the area, and that vegan restaurant (the name escapes me at the moment) is always a treat. We've also enjoyed getting some good deals at the DSW there.
I do have to say, despite the fact that it's not always crowded, the traffic flow here is NASTY. So many bottlenecks. -
Review from JJ D.
Anaheim, CA
1/17/2012
The unnecessarily heavy traffic here makes entering/exiting Asian shopping centers comparatively stress-free.. the parking lot is full of congested choke points.
It's pathetic.. this place has great potential but the horribly designed layout makes traffic a nightmare and deters many potential shoppers from coming here. -
Review from Nat N.
Costa Mesa, CA
12/31/2011
One of the newest retail centers in Orange County, but one of the worst designed parking and access centers.
Opening a business here will be to your detriment.
Access to the business around the rim isn't bad (costco, kohls, whole foods). Trying to get a coffee @ Peet's may get you killed. Businesses deeper in have little visibility and do not last long.
They designed this place to fail. -
Review from Gene k.
Los Angeles, CA
12/21/2011
This is another great commercialization project in Orange County, just more of the same shit you would find at the Tustin Franchise Lace and the Irvine Spectrum or pretty much anywhere. Just another Orange County shopping plaza with chains with really nothing unique to offer.
While this is much better than the Tustin Franchise Place in terms of walking from store to store, getting in and out is a hassle. It's not friendly in terms of bikes or close to alternate transportation. The food definitely is nothing too great just your average over priced chain.
Although the location has a lot of potential, instead of cramming franchise and chains in every thinkable location in Orange County, bring on some good ass places here. I know there isn't a good mom and pop southern BBQ joint anywhere close, nor a good dive in burger and burritos spot, or even some ethnic food. I just want to see more mom and pop places spice up things.
Instead of making people come here because of the convenience have people want to come here. After a while you just get tired of eating chain food. Not exactly the healthiest either. Now that I'm working in Irvine, I'm sick of chain food everywhere. At least living in LA, it's the food mecca in Socal, so chains isn't even in my horizon. -
Review from Nissan S.
Irvine, CA
2/8/2012 24 Check-ins Here
Parking is terrible. Best entrance in and out of the District is off of Von Karmen (entrance from Barranca is almost always backed up). Shopping and food selection could improve but not bad. In n Out is a favorite.
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Review from ti w.
Tustin, CA
2/6/2012
Who ever designed this place is an absolute idiot! We love the stores, but getting in and out of the place can take 5-10 minutes! Forget about getting gas at Costco! And be careful crossing the streets, you might get run over by the traffic cuz there are no good cross walks! Too bad idiots planned the mall, or else it could of been a great place to shop with your kids.
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Review from Rohlin A.
12/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
This location had a ton of potential, but a fatal flaw in design will prevent from ever reaching that potential. The flaw you ask ... the parking! The parking is in the center of the location which makes every restaurant and store a hike.
The Irvine Spectrum had it right when they built the parking lots and structures around the center. The traffic flow is also very congested with this design.
There seems to be a number of good restaurants and places to eat, but you it is very difficult to get to any of it. I don't understand how an architect would think the design for The District was going to be shopper friendly. -
Review from Donald S.
10/30/2011
As a noted parking lot enthusiast, I feel that I simply must comment on the cluster that is "The District at Tustin Legacy".
I'm not really sure what exactly they were going for in the design of these "streets"...but clearly it wasn't traffic flow, traffic and pedestrian safety or shopper convenience!
In fact, I would submit that the opposite is true...the moron('s) behind the design and implementation of the of the parking and traffic handling at The District must really hate...well, everything!
Perhaps I shouldn't refer to the designer of The District as a moron...maybe there is subtle (yet completely evil) genius at work here.
Someone who is so disgusted and repelled by both conspicuous consumption and the internal combustion engine, that they created the perfect storm of 6 way stop signs, (so very confusing to the million or so soccer moms that try to navigate the parking area), and the many complex "alleyways to nowhere" that dead end into the back of restaurants, curbings, flower planters and Costco Gas Stations.
Add in the various "this lane, left turn only, except when you can't" signs and arrows, and you can see the demented genius at work!
It's like a game of hopscotch designed solely to break your leg!
The Beautiful Carin and I dropped by today to begin our Christmas shopping (only 55 shopping days left...yay).
Even using the back entrance (by Target), you still get your fill of vehicular insanity, run amok!
And it's not really even the fault of the drivers (well except for the old bat in the Range Rover who nearly ran over Carin and I while trying to speed in front of Whole Foods...slow it down in the lot, Ethel).
In any event, I've now made my annual run to The District, and with any luck at all...it will be my last.Listed in: The Fecal Roster
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Review from Lica N.
9/23/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I dont know who the hell the construction or civil engineer was but the in and out traffic driving into the District is absolutely horrendous!
Avoid coming here anytime during the weekday lunch hour it's the absolute worse.
Aside from that this place has plenty of eateries. Some better than others. They also have a Costco, Best Buys, Whole Foods, Target etc.
It's OYVEY why am I not moving in this traffic sadness. -
Review from Madeline G.
Long Beach, CA
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wow!! This place has everything. Every store is located here! It's like a shoppers and eaters paradise. That being said, it was so crowded the day I came. Parking was rough and hard to navigate because of all of the cars and people. When I am in the area, I will come back.
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Review from Jeena E.
The District at Tustin Legacy is supposed to be eastern Irvine's equivalent to The Spectrum in south Irvine and sadly falls well short of that goal thanks to a perplexing and frustrating street design.
If you want to save yourself 20 minutes and a boatload of sanity never, ever, EVER attempt to enter through the "entrance" on Barranca and Jamboree (District Drive). Sounds counter intuitive? Read the other reviews. $20 says they experienced the unfortunate suffering caused by the developers sick and twisted joke on the shoppers of Irvine. The street layout is CRACKSMOKE. You can avoid this by entering at Barranca and Von Karman entrance and walking from there.
Otherwise, may god have mercy on your soul.
As for the merchants themselves, they hold some relative value. Most of the restaurants are big box chains which is indicative of Irvine's dining scene. They are all names you know, there is no point in me listing them. The restaurants that buck the trend are The Winery, Bluewater Grill and Chaparosa Grill, all which serve Chef inspired cuisine.
It boasts a rather large bowling alley and movie theater complex along with the obligatory "hang out spots" that all Irvine malls seem to offer. The Whole Foods is gargantuan and nearly impossible to get to thanks to the aforementioned street design. Trying to navigate to the In N Out, Chick-Fil-A and Best Buy will also have you contemplating murder by the time you park the car.
The District at Tustin Legacy is my least favorite shopping center in Irvine due to the execution of its physical arrangement, and that is really too bad.Listed in: The Bubble, The Great Outdoors!
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Review from carolyn c.
Garden Grove, CA
10/5/2011 13 Check-ins Here
parking lot is extremely shitty. i mean long waits to leave/enter, a freaking guy has to direct traffic at this plaza, and if you exit out of the wrong hole you will be circling around like a trapped rat. HOWEVER i love everything here...
Target, Michaels, HomeGoods, Costco, Whole Foods! hello check check check check check love em all! PLUS if you walk around on the other side there are cute stores to check out, lots of lounge chairs to relax on, water fountain for kids to run through, a movie theater, bowling alley, bars, and um a KOI POND! i dont know about you i love koi ponds...haha
soooooooo relax and sip on a coffee from peets or starbucks or munch on a bundt cake while waiting to exit this place to ease yourself from the stress of the floorplan here and everything will be OKAY -
Review from Noel L.
Irvine, CA
10/2/2011
If you make the mistake of driving into this place at 12PM on a weekday, you'll cry after burning 30 minutes of your lunch break trying to find parking. There's a reason this tribute to mass vehicular chaos was constructed in Tustin and not Irvine. The precision-obsessed Irvine Planning Department and the Irvine Company would not have allowed such a horribly planned monstrosity within the city limits of Irvine.
1 star for the only Whole Foods in the area and 1 star for a decent selection of eateries. -
Review from Priscilla G.
Los Angeles, CA
10/31/2011 3 Check-ins Here
You know, this place could have easily been 4 stars. All the random assortment of stores thrown in together also could have been convenient.
However, the parking lot and overall design truly, truly is THAT bad.
Going to lunch here is like traveling the 405 during rush hour. Congestion to the extreme and everyone is pissed off and forgets how stop signs work. I'm surprised there aren't more pedestrian versus auto incidents.
And not so sound like a beached whale, but unless you are wearing comfortable shoes and have a personal crossing guard with you, it is a quiet a walk depending on where you want to go (from Target to Walmart for example). I wouldn't trust any of the drivers in that parking lot either, so look both ways about 3 times before you cross anywhere.
Suggestion: don't come during lunch or dinner or on the weekends or basically anytime after 11:30 am.
The last two times I've been here were at 9 am and 11 am. Hardly anyone was there. I didn't have to fear for my life as I drove through the place. -
Review from Jonathan Z.
Orange, CA
8/28/2011 18 Check-ins Here
The District is like having a small mall plopped on the side of shopping complex. costco...whole foods...lowes...innout....chick fil a...best buy...target...outside mall?
The District does have a variety of places to shop and eat. They even have an AMC for your movie needs. I just wish they didn't have an awkward main entrance. -
Review from Ryan D.
Covina, CA
9/14/2011 20 Check-ins Here
It's pretty darn clear that this place was not thought out, like at all.
There are some good anchor stores, such as Target, Lowes, and Whole Foods, and a few good restaurants, but there's nothing special about this place. If it wasn't so close to my work, I'd hesitate to come here.
I would give this place a zero just for the crap layout. -
Review from Carrie U.
8/25/2011 8 Check-ins Here
There is a Target, a Lucilles, a TJMaxx HomeGoods, and a Chick Fil A.
I really don't care about the other stores. The parking lot can be hell but you gotta know the tricks. If you don't know the tricks, you'll end up getting T-boned at a stop sign by another person who also has no clue.
COME 2 HOURS BEFORE CLOSING. It really makes a difference. Also, don't expect to get anywhere walking if you plan on buying anything, it is wayyy too spread out. -
Review from Charlie C.
Irvine, CA
7/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
What can you really say, about a corporate owned shopping plaza. Yes it can be your one stop shopping plaza, if you have the time because the traffic here is insane! The best thing about the traffic here is watching the rent-a-cop direct traffic. LOL!!!!!
I like how Costco and TJ Max is located there, been able to find great deals on food and clothes, but other then that I would stay away from this plaza. And WTH is Lowes doing in there?? Oh and another thing the other day my boo almost got ran over by a lady, who was not paying attention to pedestrians crossing the street, so be very very cautious when crossing the streets. -
Review from Jesse D.
6/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Dear The District:
Your traffic system and incorporated parking lots blow! We all already live in the greater Los Angeles area and experience some of the worst traffic patterns in the country. Once we get to our shopping centers and complexes we shouldn't have to also wait in inexplicable traffic jams within them too!
Regards,
Jesse D. -
Review from Jina R.
Pacifica, CA
7/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I used to come here often when it first opened and I just recently came back because I was in the area and I missed it! They sure added a whole lotta stuff since a couple years ago. They have good restaurants, clothing boutiques/stores, Costco, Whole Foods, etc.
I think the parking/traffic's just crazy because they tried to stuff so many high capacity stores into one area, but I found parking fairly easily and I want to go back! -
Review from Steven Z.
Irvine, CA
7/25/2011
Seriously I would like to know which idiot designed the entrance to this shopping plaza! The traffic jam at this place is horrendous at peak hours and on weekends. Good luck trying to get out of there.
The stores and restaurants at the District are OK. You pretty much got everything you need here: Costco, Whole Foods, Best Buy, AMC movie theater, some Asian cuisines like Pei Wei and RA Sushi, Lucille's BBQ, In-N-Out, Chick-fil-A, and some bars like JT Schmid's and Auld Dubliner. -
Review from Tom B.
Irvine, CA
6/5/2011
Yes... I'm actually reviewing an entire mall. Ok... AMC is my go-to theater. There are some decent fast-food joints - In-N-Out, Chick-fil-A. The Target is the best around. It's got a Costco, Best Buy, Lucille's, Pinkberry, and more. Whole Foods would probably be my grocery store of choice and I'd go here a lot more often if it weren't for the fact that THE PARKING LOT IS A DAMN NIGHTMARE! Who designed this place? Were they drunk? Was it a contest to create the worst layout ever? If so, kudos. Really.
They should shut the whole thing down and start over from scratch. -
Review from Miranda B.
Anaheim, CA
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I think someone was paid off to ignore good parking lot design. The parking lot ranks up there with the worst designed ones ever - and this is a NEW place!! Getting out on a weekend - or, god forbid, a holiday weekend - is a nightmare. Sent a note to the Tustin city managers long ago but like the good public servants they are, never got an answer. Go super early, or avoid altogether, or be sure your insurance is paid up and you have lots of time to kill when you want to leave.
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Review from Karl L.
Costa Mesa, CA
8/9/2011 10 Check-ins Here
This is a busy shopping center so don't expect to get rockstar parking too often, or at all. I've been here on weeknights and was lucky enough to get close parking but I've been here on weekends where I had to park in the boondocks. The bottom line is that I always get parking and it's no big deal to me to have to walk a little farther.
To avoid any kind of bottleneck, I would suggest entering the parking lot from the Von Karman & Barranca entrance.
There are over a dozen decent restaurants, a bowling alley, a movie theater, a Pet Smart, a Best Buy, a Target, a Costco and a MASSIVE Whole Foods that has a wine bar inside (win!). It's no wonder parking can be a challenge because this place is basically a one-stop-shop for everything so isn't that worth a little parking stress?? -
Review from Michael W.
La Verne, CA
The District is like some place you might find in a fantasy movie.
Its surrounded by rolling green hills dotted with giant old concrete structures.
The place itself is HUGE! They have a ton of stores and it confusing how you get to what if you dont know your way around.
The Whole Foods is the biggest one I have ever seen.
They also have a Chick Fil A Target Costco Best Buy....
Oh and like people say traffic control is shitListed in: Getting Lost in the OC, Malls.
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Review from Tricia E.
5/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I wanna know who designed the District. Because truly, whoever designed this place should be made to sit in front of the now-defunct Borders Bookstore for a couple hours and watch the parking lot f*ckery.
The freakshow parking situation and lack of proper exits at the District is mind-boggling. Incredibly frustrating. I love the Target at the District, the Whole Foods is cool, Costco is A-OK and who doesn't love Lucille's but I will drive out of my way to go elsewhere just to avoid this place. It's such a nightmare on the weekends, trying to manuever your way in and out of the madness. This place could make even Gandhi curse under his breath.
Anyway, negative five stars for the District's layout. Zero stars for the crappy stores and fake Lucky Strike in the "Wannabe Irvine Spectrum" center part. Two stars only because of the great Target, Whole Foods, Costco, and Lucille's. -
Review from Mary J.
4/4/2011 25 Check-ins Here
I like the district because it has:
++A large Whole Foods location, with great little shops and restaurants inside. The architecture is beautiful and inviting.
++ A bowling alley at Bowlmor Lanes!
++Edwards Cinemas! A large and fairly new movie theater. It's big and clean, just the way I like it.
++Native Foods Cafe, a vegan food restaurant to satisfy the health-foodie in me.
++ Target! My favorite store.. :P
++In N' Out. Self-Explanatory.
++Costco!!
++Peets Coffee!!
And more...
I'm bummed that the Borders is closing down. :0(
The only bad side to The District is the parking infrastructure. Whoever designed it did a terrible job. Weekends and evenings are almost always traffic. They should do themselves a favor and forge another entrance to The District out of the sidewalk adjacent to Jamboree -and- the sidewalk adjacent to Alton. Gridlock is a pain in the butt, especially with all the pedestrians and speed bumps.
Otherwise, great places to shop, eat, run errands, and have fun. :D -
Review from Jeanine W.
Irvine, CA
7/28/2011 18 Check-ins Here
District parking would be perfect...if it was in no man's land.
I've come to accept that there are certain drawbacks to great shopping centers/malls, including parking hell. If you try to avoid this place at lunch and on weekends, you shouldn't have too hard of a time. One trick I learned was to enter from the back. Instead of turning right into the parking lot near the intersection of Barranca and Jamboree, keep driving down Barranca and take a right about one block later. There's a huge sign that says "DISTRICT PARKING". You can't miss it.
The convenience of having many places I frequent all in one area makes up for the parking mess. This includes Target, Michael's, Whole Foods, In N' Out, Native Foods, Lucilles, Peet's, Whole Foods, AMC, Lucille's, & RA Sushi.
However, if crowds really aren't your thing, there are plenty of nearby alternatives to the above stores. But because it can get so crowded, I completely understand the other negative reviews by other Yelpers. -
Review from Archibald P.
Orange, CA
4/5/2011
What Einstein designed the parking lot for this place? Can't get in, can't get out... Nightmare parking situation... is it worth it to even come here? I would rather drive to the UCI campus In-N-Out just so I didn't get trapped in here... it actually saved me time to go out of my way... and if you come on a Friday or Saturday... forget about it.
Most stores are closing down on the strip mall side of things, while the staples (ex: Target, Costco, Best Buy, Whole Foods, and TJ Maxx Home Store) are probably paying the bills to keep this place afloat.
One more thing... that crossing guard lady is totally rude and has no concept of being fair when it comes to letting cars and pedestrians go 'in order' and letting people at the crosswalk cross immediately (which is common law). Today when I wanted to cross (and did without her okay), she muttered "thanks for listening to me!" and it took everything I had to not give her some of my charm. It's no wonder I see people spitting, cussing, and yelling at her every time I'm here. She must get a kick out of it. What's that? No U-Turn? Oh I'm sorry, do you have a badge? Oh, perfect. VRRROOOOM.Listed in: Down & Out in Irvine,…
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Review from Belinda S.
Irvine, CA
10/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Parking and traffic is awful, however there a few stores that I have to go to on a regular basis.
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Review from Kat R.
Orange, CA
4/4/2011
Whoever designed this place needs to find another career!!!
Parking lot is horrible at this place. Great stores and restaurants!
Trying to get in and out and around this parking lot is a complete nightmare!!!!! Make sure you allow extra time and be patient because you cannot get in an out of this place in a hurry!!!! -
Review from Jordan D.
4/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
The idea of this place is cool, the food here is bomb, the shops here are nice, places to go on dates here, but cot damn!!! who the hell designed this place???? lol
Ok don't misinterpret to think the whole place is really messed up because in the main part of the district, where movie theaters are and bowling, the area is really nice, with big screen tvs lots of chairs, fire places, you know, a nice place to stop and kick it. But the problem is, is that from there, you need to get in your car and drive to other parking lots in order to go to the other places. It really makes no sense.
Also for a place so big I dont know why there is only like 2-3 entrances. Traffic is freakin crazy there. Especially on weekdays when people get off work, because everyone is a slut for costco gas. Also I hate how there is an obscene amount of parking and less shops. I mean there is sooooo much parking that there have probably been spots that no one has used since the creation of the district. I dont know but maybe they could have gotten rid of that parking and put things closer together, i dno just a thought, im not an architectural planner or anything
But all that aside this is a place where anything can be done lol. I mean you can go there to get a little shopping done, go out to a restaurant, maybe hit up some happy hour or get some drinks, then hit up bowling or a movie at night. All awesome things to do, but require a short drive from place to place, depending on where you want to go. Really nice place, but like I said I really hate the layout of it.
xxxx.
|(o)(o)|
( (__) ) TOO MUCH DRIVING AROUND!!
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Jordan -
Review from Miyun C.
2/26/2011
When I make a trip to the District, I have to be in a certain mindset. I have to arm myself with patience, forbearance and serenity because provocation is imminent. Between the mindless driving and the endless navigating into and out of the District is lunacy.
Meshugaas!!!
Hazel mentioned "architecture school flunkies" - she's right. How in heaven's name did a group of professionals design this mindless imbecillity of a center?
Between the cars waiting in line to get gas at Costo and the pedestrians heedlessly crossing the streets, it can make you go mad.
So, like I said...I need to REALLY need a sandwich from Whole Foods to prepare for war at the District.
Cheers! -
Review from Anne M.
Tustin, CA
2/26/2011
Parking here is miserable.
For a brand new shopping center with all the modern planning tools and engineering abilities of the 21st century, this place is a major fail! There are some good shops here, Homegoods, Whole Foods, Best Buy, etc. but it is a nightmare to get in and out of the parking lot. Unless you have a Costco sized bottle of Xanax and really good auto insurance stay away from this place, especially on the weekend. -
Review from Alan W.
5/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
This plaza/strip mall is pretty small. It has a theater and a few restaurants anchoring it here, but as for retail shopping its pretty sad. I can't really think of any stores there except for finishline.
The AMC theater is pretty good and the overall food selection has some variety, sushi, american, thai, vegan etc.
Other than its local convenience, there is no reason to choose this place over the spectrum which is better than this place in every aspect. Even at night this place isn't really that poppin', not a great place to come at night IMHO. My opinion just come here for a movie and dinner maybe, but other than that go to the spectrum. -
Review from Maria C.
3/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here for a kick off foodie event. Entering into the shopping center was a hassle and confusing! Traffic stretched throughout the parking lot and there was even traffic control to help sort out the mess.
There is an AMC theater along with various boutiques and shops; Borders is closing; DSW is located on the 2nd level; otherwise, nothing really notable in this shopping center.
Across the way, I noticed a Best Buy, Michael's, Ulta, and several other eateries. Ehhh, it was just OK........ -
Review from Alex B.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
5/6/2011
This place can be really good... but it's not. The main problem is that the stores and restaurants are set up where there three sections of places seperated by two big parking lots and a road that goes through the whole place. Meaning that if you wanted to go to, say, Best Buy then to Target then the bowling lanes, you're in for a lot of walking and dodging morons in their cars.
The second problem is that the section that's best for walking around has only a few places still open. Also, there are no signs or anything else indicating what's inside that section. Unless you know what's there or have that ol' wanderlust, there's no reason to go there.
There are some nice places here and it does have a bit of charm to it but it's too difficult to navigate in any way. Unless, you could teleport or something. -
Review from Josh K.
Cerritos, CA
10/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nice place, but there are a ton of shops empty while walking towards the theater.
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Review from Stephanie W.
Brea, CA
4/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
The pros: A very large whole foods.. large ulta, large target and costco...
The cons: getting in and out... most people use the costco and amc theatre to enter and exit this place and boy does it get bad...
I would hope these people would make a bigger/better entrance and exit area... -
Review from P M.
Orange, CA
8/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I like The District it's almost like the block but better. This place is always busy.
