Desert Hills Premium Outlets is the best outlet in Southern California for luxury shopping. Its scale sets it apart as over 130 stores (and growing!) make up two separate villages (East Village and West Village) creating an open-air shopping experience unlike any other outlet in the state. Alongside other California outlet centers, Desert Hills has more luxury and designer brands than any other leading to more shopping opportunities with more savings. With a wide array of stores, there are also food options, stores, and services for denim, athleticwear, luggage, kids, and other practical clothing.
The center is located at 48400 Seminole Drive in Cabazon near the I-10 freeway. For LA residents, the easiest way to travel there is to take the eastbound I-10 and exit at Malki Road. Depending on traffic, travel times for Alhambra and San Gabriel communities will be between 1 - 1.5 hours. Unlike LA, Palm Springs is closer. The desert location of the outlet allows it to be an easy stop on longer trips to Joshua Tree National Park, the local golf resorts, spas, mid-century architecture, or other desert attractions.
It is important to check the hours of the stores before you go as they can change. Stores at the outlet typically are open from 10 am to 9 pm Monday to Saturday and 10 am to 8 pm on Sunday. Changes to holiday hours are also common. The outlet is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
If you're looking to tackle the more casual side first, the West Village is the best starting point. For family shopping, it's an ideal place to pick up essentials from Gap, Levi's, Nautica, Vans, Volcom, Billabong, Quiksilver, Aldo, Ann Taylor, Express, and Polo Ralph Lauren Children’s. Shoe shoppers can find UGG, Clarks, Toms, and Ecco, while L'Occitane, Crabtree & Evelyn, and Bose provide a few non-fashion distractions. Lululemon provides the casual side a polished athletic wear option.
The West Village's strongest attractions are its multi-brand clearance stores. Saks OFF 5TH can be particularly rewarding for designer sunglasses and premium denim and shoes, while Last Call, affiliated with Neiman Marcus, has been a good place to find designer clothing, shoes, and cashmere. These stores require more patience than blind enthusiasm: irrational optimism has no place in outlet shopping. It's best to look at fabric, fit, and finish as well as the price for the right markdown.
Diesel, G-Star RAW, and Lucky Brand Jeans call the West Village home, along with many other denim-focused names. J.Crew and other similar staples that offer outlets can be nice, but shoppers should keep in mind that outlet-specific merchandise may lack the quality construction and variety found in full-price stores. This is especially important when shopping for basic items to complete your wardrobe.
At the West Village, a food court is offered for the convenience of shoppers before continuing their journey through the center, with previous options including Five Guys, Häagen-Dazs, and Starbucks, and ones that are now available including Blaze Pizza and Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom. The food court does not need to be a culinary destination. Instead, it is just a sensible place to stop on an otherwise very long shopping excursion.
The East Village is where Desert Hills earns its reputation. With the East Village’s recent renovations, including a new open layout with a parking garage, manageable shopping trips in hot weather are much easier. The western half of the East Village has a considerable amount of luxury offerings, including Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Max Mara, Marni, Mulberry, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tod’s and Valentino. Additionally, it has some polished contemporary offerings such as Banana Republic, Cole Haan, Tumi, La Perla, and James Perse.
Denim and elevated casualwear shops that are worthy of a visit include AG, Joe’s Jeans, Rag & Bone, and True Religion, with Rag & Bone being particularly good for jeans. James Perse is another great spot for refined Los Angeles-style basics while Cole Haan is a good option for comfortable dress shoes. The selection includes performance gear and high-end outerwear, with The North Face, ASICS, and Moncler offering their products.
The East Village's Eastern bit houses more of the big name designer stores like Armani, Balenciaga, Burberry, CH Carolina Herrera, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, Saint Laurent, Stuart Weitzman, Tom Ford and Versace. Burberry, Gucci, Saint Laurent and Tom Ford are the more common reasons consumers come, however, their stock changes regularly, and they can sell out of styles and sizes quickly. This section of the East Village also houses contemporary brands like Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, Alice + Olivia and AllSaints, Calvin Klein, Steve Madden, Swarovski, Ted Baker, Theory and Vince. Vince has great basic and versatile knitwear and AllSaints is great for leather jackets. Theory Men and John Varvatos are also worth checking out for men. Families should also consider the Disney store.
A realistic plan is really beneficial when it comes to shopping here. Getting there right when they open, or waiting until after 11 when it’s not crowded is best for parking and navigation, then you can park at the West Village and walk to the East Village. The outlet is huge so it's important to conserve energy, especially when shopping for multiple items. If your items begin to accumulate you can store them at some of the luggage boutiques like Samsonite. It's best to drop bags to the car after shopping to continue.
Discounted pricing on books can make a noticeable difference for customers when promotions at stores are combined with offers given by the Centre. Coupon books are being sold at Guest Services and at the membership registration desk. Also, shoppers aged 50 and older can get deals on Tuesdays if they present a photo ID. These programs change frequently, but it is a good idea to check up on them, and they should not be seen as certain.
There is another reason to plan your trip to Cabazon: the desert climate. The summer heat can be brutal, and the evenings can be significantly cooler. It's recommended to dress in layers, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring water from the car. The high-end stores might make it look like you're going on a special trip, but this is simply an outdoor mall in the desert.
Desert Hills is not intended for a quick and easy browse. It's a full-day plan for anyone interested in a large selection of premium brands and contemporary fashion combined with outlet-only options in one location. You'll need a short list, a realistic budget, and a significant amount of patience to compare everything. With that said, the center can be one of the most effective shopping destinations in the entire Los Angeles and Palm Springs corridor.
