Where do the locals head for a day of shopping, eating, and playing in south Orange County? If the parking lot is any indication, the Aliso Creek Marketplace is one of their favorite spots.
On your average weekend night, this gigantic outdoor shopping center is overrun with a combination of hyper teens, canoodling couples, adorable families, and an assortment of groups having a boys’ or girls’ night out. This comes as no surprise when you consider the amazing mix of shops and restaurants the Aliso Viejo Marketplace has to offer.
For the teen crowd, there are few hotter spots in south Orange County. The heart of the center is swimming pool-sized fountain, perfect for loitering around. The fountain sits right in front of one of the best Edwards movie theaters in the whole county, with twenty screens, stadium seating, and oversized chairs with moveable armrests. For those looking to get the most out of their last few dollars of allowance, there are plenty of great low-cost eateries like Fat Burger, Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, and Mobtown Pizza.
If your kids are still young enough to not be embarrassed by being with you, the Aliso Marketplace makes for a great family night. After dinner at one of the many restaurants with both a great adult and kid’s menus (Wingnuts, On The Border, Chili’s, or the Burger King with a huge indoor playground), you can stroll over to the Candy Castle for some dessert. You can finish the night by checking out the cute
animals at the local Petco.
In the romantic “date night” department, the Aliso Marketplace has some great places to curl up with a good menu. The Macaroni Grill serves up a great selection of Italian cuisine, fine wines, and cozy décor. For culinary adventure seekers, Opah offers a unique variety of upscale California cuisine like Rock Shrimp Wonton Nachos and Macadamia Crusted Mahi-Mahi.
Last but not least, for the boys’ or girls’ night out, the Aliso Marketplace gives you the freedom to hit multiple hot spots without having to move the car. You can start the night sampling the fresh creations at the Stadium Brewery located next to the movie theaters. Then you can stroll over to Kanpai for some incredible sushi or
ThaiBite for some spicy dining. You can cap the night by putting your feet up and enjoying a sample from the vast humidor at Cigar Oasis.
The Aliso Viejo Marketplace is located on the corner of Aliso Creek Road and Pacific Park in Aliso Viejo, right off of the 73 toll road. Parking can be a little crazy right in front of the movie theaters, so consider parking in front of the Barnes & Noble.
Learn more about Aliso Viejo.
