Gilroy Premium Outlets — Attraction in Gilroy

These outlets have been a go-to shopping destination for my entire extended family for at least the last 25 years. We used to make the trip up to Gilroy from Monterey every year for back-to-school shopping because there simply weren't comparable shopping options anywhere on the Monterey peninsula where we could find affordable new clothes for the whole family before the new school year started—especially back in the 90s/early 2000s before online shopping was even really a thing. But even back then, we were always able to make a day of it & come home from the outlets having found everything we needed for both my brother & I to be ready to start school. Plus my mom would frequently even end up starting her Christmas shopping early because there were such good clearance deals offered during the back-to-school season & such a huge variety of stores to shop at. We also used to look forward to getting In n Out whenever we'd go to Gilroy since we didn't have one locally until a couple years ago 😄🍔

These days, I think there's an even larger selection of shops & restaurants than there was back in our school shopping days. The outlet center itself seemingly just always continues to grow. There's a ton of parking throughout, however even despite the thousands & thousands of parking spots it can get so crowded it actually does fill up at times—especially during major sales like before school starts, Black Friday, leading up to Christmas, etc. It attracts THAT many people to Gilroy to do their shopping at the outlets, even though online shopping is now an...

As someone who loves shopping, I was really looking forward to visiting the Gilroy Outlets. With three separate shopping areas and a wide variety of stores, there’s definitely potential for a great shopping experience especially if you're looking for good deals.

However, a few things made the visit frustrating. I was disappointed to see that most of the stores had signs saying “no public restrooms,” and unfortunately, none were available throughout any of the outlet sections. It became a hassle to leave the shopping area just to find a restroom at a nearby fast food place.

Another issue was the limited store hours. Opening at 12 p.m. and closing by 6 p.m. just doesn’t feel reasonable, especially when there are long lines to try things on or check out. Extending the hours would really help, particularly for weekend visitors and out-of-town shoppers who want to make the most of their trip.

I also noticed a lack of visible security throughout all three sections of the outlets. With how busy it can get, having a stronger security presence would help shoppers feel safer and more comfortable.

Lastly, I wish there were more dining options nearby. After hours of shopping, it would be great to have convenient places to eat without having to leave the area entirely.

Overall, while the Gilroy Outlets offer a wide range of stores and deals, the experience could be improved with better amenities, longer hours, visible security, and more...

Wide array of "outlet" stores. Not my thing to trapes store-to-store just to look. I do my browsing online. In-person, I go to a store with purpose - specifically to get a needed item. But, for those who enjoy going store-to-store just see what they have, well, you have a wide range to cruise thru. Just remember this is an "out-door" mall, so walking between stores is outside in the elements be they blistering summer Gilroy heat or cold soak-you-to-the-skin winter torrential downpours. Also, this is a flat, single story layout with parking further spreading things out instead of a multi-level mall like East Ridge, Westfield Valley Fair, or Ala Moana. I prefer the later more compact design with escalators allowing you to traverse and see a large number of stores more efficiently (and INDOORS with air-conditioned thank you) as well as having multi-story covered parking structures (all though navigating Ala Moana's parking can be a bit of a pain). So, yes, between the 2 locations of Leavesly and 10th street ("Outlets" and "Crossing") you may find what you are looking for close by, but I'd rather go to Valley Fair to "shop"...