Hi , We will be driving US highway 1 , in September , from San Francisco to LA over a period of 5 days . One day will be given to shopping prior to our return to England. Can you please advise which is the best outlet to visit for clothes in this area . Many Thanks

The Camarillo Outlets are between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, and would be a quick detour from your coastal drive:

www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=20

There are outlets in Gilroy as well. Depending on your route from SF to Monterey, you might be going right through Girloy. If you drive the coast from SF to Monterey, it will be about a 30 minute detour.

Hello joanna, just be aware that the Premium outlet stores don't generally sell the same products that one finds in regular stores. Clothing especially is different. Cheaper material and workmanship for example as the clothing is produced just for the outlet stores even though they will have the same brand name as clothing in regular stores. I live just walking distant from our Premium Outlet stores and hardly ever bother to shop there unless I am looking for a kitchen item for example. But if you have the time they can be fun to wander through of course. One store that I have had excellent results with is the Clark store, a brand familar to you I am sure. Do enjoy your time in California!

A great resource for outlet info is www.outletbound.com. Even if it's not the same merchandise, I've gotten some great deals at the outlets...

There is Citadel Outlet in LA. If it were me- I'd go to Camarillo Outlet center.

+1 for Cammarillo outlet center

Whether an outlet sells first run (usually prior season or overruns) or second label merchandise varies from store to store. Some sell both types. Ask the salesperson at each store and it is amazing what you'll learn. If they are selling secondary merchandise, the label will usually be different.

My favorite outlet is Cabazon but they aren't on your way. Even at Cabazon there are usually only a handful of stores that I will visit. I'm usually looking for samples (Timberland shoes and Karen Kane clothing).

I often find better prices at Macys or Kohl's than at the outlets, and at the Macy's customer service desk you can show your passport and get 10% off your purchases.

Here's an outlet center that's very convenient if you're coming down route 1, smaller and on weekdays usually has very little traffic:

http://www.primeoutlets.com/locations/pismo-beach.aspx

I often find better prices at Macys or Kohl's than at the outlets,
__________________________________________________ _____________
DMM makes a valid point. The outlets aren't the steal they used to be say 8 or 9 years ago. But coming from England... woohoo! you'll hit the jackpot.