Tips to make the busiest day of the year easier

As shoppers head out for the start of the holiday gift-giving

season, Newport-Mesa’s most prominent shopping venues are offering

tips to help take some of the insanity out of the experience.

Fashion Island has added a second valet parking station, between

Robinsons-May and Apple Computer. That goes with the existing station

between Thaifoon and the Daily Grill. Valet service is available for

$4 during center hours. For the avid shopper, the center offers a

$100 annual valet pass, available at the concierge desk in the Atrium

Court.

South Coast Plaza offers valet service at four locations: at Bear

Street between Macy’s and Macy’s Men’s Store; near Nordstrom; near

Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill; and at The Clubhouse restaurant. It costs

$6.

As for ways to avoid parking snarls, Fashion Island officials are

recommending shoppers use side entrances at San Miguel or Santa

Barbara drives. One of the best places to park is at the top level of

the parking structure next to Bloomingdale’s, because it’s near a

bridge that feeds into the center.

To cut down on parking-lot frustrations, it’s best to park at the

back of all lots, to cut down on endless circling. The mall offers

some 6,000 slots to shoppers.

The best place to park for South Coast shopping is off Bear Street

near the Crate & Barrel. The center offers 12,750 parking slots,

5,000 of which have been added because store employees agreed to park

off-site.

Both centers are providing a “personal shopper” to offer guidance

for gift buying.

A concierge is also available to provide store information, center

hours, directions, dining reservations and other information. For

Fashion Island, the concierge can be reached at (949) 721-2000. South

Coast Plaza’s concierge can be reached at (714) 435-8571 or 435-2034.

-- Paul Clinton