My Approach to Visiting the Gucci Store
Okay so I really wanted to check out that Gucci store in Costa Mesa after seeing pics online. Figured I’d just show up whenever like at Target, right? Nah – luxury stores don’t work like that. Learned that the hard way last year when I drove to a fancy boutique 30 minutes away only to find a “Closed for Private Event” sign. Felt like a total dumbass wasting gas and parking fees.
This time I got smart. Grabbed my phone and opened Google Maps. Typed in “Gucci Costa Mesa”. The listing popped up but the hours showed this weird “Temporarily Closed” alert. Panicked for a second – did they shut down? My cousin told me they just renovated last month. Pulled up Gucci’s actual website instead. Had to dig through three menus to find their store locator page. Felt like solving a puzzle just to get basic info. Shouldn’t be this complicated!
Finally got the real hours:
- Monday-Saturday: 10am – 8pm
- Sunday: 11am – 6pm
Noted they open later on Sundays – good to know since I planned a weekend trip. Also spotted in tiny font: “Holiday hours may vary”. Christmas is coming up so I bookmarked their contact page just in case.
Wanted to avoid weekend crowds so I picked Tuesday afternoon. Figured weekdays = less tourists. Drove down from LA around 1pm. Huge mistake – hit brutal Orange County traffic near Irvine. Took 2 hours instead of 1. Lesson learned: always check Waze before leaving. Got there at 3pm sweaty and annoyed. Staff gave me water though, props to them.
The store itself? Beautiful marble floors and those fancy glass displays. Sales guy mentioned they get super busy after 4pm when South Coast Plaza shoppers trickle in. Glad I came early – got to try belts without waiting. Saw three people turned away at the door because their bags were too big. Security guy said no large backpacks allowed. Weird rule but whatever.
Ultimately grabbed coffee at the mall’s Starbucks while waiting for traffic to die down. Pro tips if you go:
- Weekday mornings are dead empty before 11am
- Call ahead if coming during holidays
- No photos allowed inside – guard stopped some influencer wannabe
- Parking costs $$$ near the mall entrance, use the structure behind Bloomingdale’s
