August 14, 2007
Fabulous Finds: "Soleful" PurposeCAMPing Trip
by Cassandra Frembling
I’ve taken up camping and I can’t get enough of it. Keep in mind that I don’t like camping in the traditional sense (especially if there’s no bathroom…a girl’s got to have indoor plumbing and a mirror). My kind of camping is at The CAMP.
You might call it an anti-mall of sorts because it’s peaceful and earth conscious. It’s where I go to relax, have some fun and connect with like-minded people in a unique setting, that feels more like a cozy desert campground (hence the name…) than a mall. But still, it’s all about shopping, eating, entertainment, culture and wellness, with many cool stores and restaurants for the conscious-minded or great outdoors lover in all of us.
Since shopping is definitely my thing (but always with a sustainable eye), Humanitaire is a personal favorite there. The animal-friendly accessories boutique has stylish purses, wallets, jewelry, t-shirts, make-up…oh, and did I mention shoes? Everything in Humanitaire is wholly vegan and sweatshop free, which means that you can buy an amazing pair of faux-leather heels and a coordinating jewel-tone handbag without harming a thing. And the best part? None of it looks like pleather.
Now let’s talk food. What’s a “mall” without a food court! Well, there’s no food 
court here, but there is a “yurt” (basically a really strong, watertight, round tent) at the center of The CAMP, which is home to Native Foods, a gourmet vegan food restaurant, that fuses ethnic cuisine and healthy cooking. I always get the Baja Surf Tacos!
Staying true to its name, The CAMP is a haven for sports enthusiasts. Whether you’re a hiker, biker, surfer, mountain climber or pretty much any other die hard sports devotee, there’s a store there for you. You can even get certified in an on-site dive pool. Scuba anyone? And let’s not forget the Bikram Yoga studio upstairs for a nice warm…and I do mean warm…yoga class.
For the avant-garde crowd looking for an entertaining evening, The CAMP has a great nightlife, becoming a showcase for lifestyle related art shows and exhibits, such as live local musicians playing acoustic around the fire pit at CAMPFire. And, yes, the gourmet organic and global cuisine restaurants are there to entice you, like AIRe (check out the tapas and wine bar), Old Vine Café and 118 Degrees.
And one last note for all you shop-a-holics, The CAMP is located right across the street from South Coast Plaza, so you can combine your camping trip with a little designer detour. I could just go on and on, but you’ll have to check it out for yourself. CAMPing, for me, anyway, has never been so invigorating!
Event Alert! Don’t miss The CAMP’s sidewalk sale this Saturday, August 18th, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with savings up to 60% off, live music and food discounts!
The CAMP
2937 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-444-4CMP // www.thecampsite.com
