Fashion Island, Newport Beach, California is one of the most recognizable places in the United States in terms of luxury shopping, fine dining and breathtaking ocean views. Fashion Island is an open-air shopping center that has the best retail shops, award winning restaurants, entertainment and breathtaking scenery; hence it is not a mall as it is a lifestyle experience.
This article will discuss all you need to know about Fashion Island including its history, shops, and places to eat, entertainment, and travel advice.
What is Fashion Island?
Fashion Island is a high-end, outdoor shopping center in Newport Beach, Orange County, California. It was opened in 1967 and it has evolved into one of the most up market shopping centers in South California.
Contrary to the old type of indoor malls, Fashion Island is developed as an outdoor shopping village, with beautiful landscaping, palm trees, koi ponds, and panoramic scenery of the Pacific Ocean. It hosts millions of visitors every year who visit not just to shop, but experience the Californian coastal lifestyle.
History of Fashion Island
- It opened in 1967 with department stores such as Buffums, J.W. Robinson’s and The Broadway.
- Growing over the decades as a world-class retail district.
- Now home to high-end fashion brands, flagship stores, and fine dining restaurants.
- Reputed to combine contemporary posh with the Californian relaxed outdoor lifestyle.
Shopping at Fashion Island
Fashion Island Fashion Island is a heaven of fashion. It has got all types of people with luxurious brands or fashionable daily attire.
Luxury & Designer Stores
High end retailers such as: Fashion Island are located in Fashion Island.
- Neiman Marcus
- Nordstrom
- Bloomingdale’s
- Gucci
- Louis Vuitton
- Chanel
- Versace
- Rolex
Popular Fashion Retailers
Besides luxury brands, there also luxury every-day favorites such as:
- Anthropologie
- Lululemon
- Free People
- Urban Outfitters
- Nike
- Zara
- H&M
Beauty & Lifestyle
Fashion Island also boasts of some of the best beauty and lifestyle stores including:
- Sephora
- Ulta Beauty
- Bluemercury
- Bath & Body Works
- Apple Store
Regardless of your spending power or taste, the variety of Fashion Island is such that it is considered one of the most diverse shopping malls in the state of California.
Dining at Fashion Island
Fashion Island is not only shopping- it is also a food haven. Starting with snacks to gourmet, there is something in between.
Fine Dining Options
- FIG & OLIVE – Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
- R+D Kitchen – Modern American classics.
- Red O – Upscale Mexican cuisine by Chef Rick Bayless.
Casual & Family-Friendly Dining
- Lemonade – Healthy and fresh California-style dishes.
- True Food Kitchen – Organic, plant-forward meals.
- Blaze Pizza – Custom, fast-fired pizzas.
Coffee & Dessert Spots
- Starbucks Reserve
- Gelato Paradiso
- Pressed Juicery
Fashion Island is the ideal place to dine when the family is going on a trip, during the date, or when shopping.
Entertainment and Attractions
Fashion Island has various attractions other than shopping and food, they include:
- Regal Edwards Big Newport & RPX – One of the largest movie screens in the U.S.
- Events /Live Music: Fashion Island has seasonal festivals, fashion shows and live concerts.
- Holiday Experiences- It has a giant Christmas tree and holiday lights and thousands of visitors come to see them every year.
- Children Play Areas- Kids play areas in the family to enjoy.
The Experience: What makes the Fashion Island Special.
Why is Fashion Island different?
1. Open-Air Design– Shop in the Californian sun with ocean breezes.
2. Scenic Views – Panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Newport Harbor.
3. Luxury and Casual – An ideal combination of luxury and normal retailers.
4. Pet-Friendly Atmosphere– Fashion Island is among the pet-friendly malls in California that are few.
5. Lifestyle Destination– It is not only shopping but also food, entertainment and the California atmosphere.
Fashion Island Location & Accessibility
📍 Address: 401 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
- By Car: Easily accessible via Pacific Coast Highway and major Orange County freeways.
- Parking: There is ample parking, including EV charging and valet.
- Public Transport: It is linked by local buses that serve Newport Beach and its environs.
Visiting Fashion Island Tips.
1. Plan Your Day– There are a lot of stores and restaurants, so you can plan in advance whether you would want to see it all.
2. Check Event Schedules – The must-see events are holiday events and live concerts.
3. Dress Comfortably– It is an outdoor mall, so dress in comfortable clothes and shoes.
4. Stay Nearby The Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa are a walking distance away.
5. Bring Your Camera – It is ideal to take Instagram-worthy photos, especially in sunset.
Hotels Near Fashion Island
In case you are not a resident of Newport Beach, among the luxury hotels there are also:
- Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa
- VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa
- Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
- Balboa Bay Resort
These hotels ensure that one can easily experience Fashion island and at the same time visit the beaches and night life of Newport.
Fashion Island and Tourism
One of the biggest tourist destination in Orange County is Fashion Island. It is an ideal place to visit because it is near other tourist destinations:
- Newport Beach Pier (10 minutes away).
- Balboa Island (5 minutes away).
- Disneyland Anaheim (20–25 minutes away).
Fashion Island is a destination that you can never ignore whether you are on a road trip in California or on an upscale vacation.
Final Thoughts
Fashion Island is not only a shopping mall it is also a package of shopping, eating, entertainment and coastal beauty of California. There is a luxury brand, a casual store, fine dining, activities that are friendly to the family, and so on.
Fashion Island is worth a visit in case you are in Southern California. You can be shopping the newest designer fashions, you can be enjoying world-class dining, or you can just be relaxing and enjoying the views of the ocean, Fashion Island can truly be considered the embodiment of an upscale and relaxed lifestyle of Newport Beach.
