Best Sample Sales in Orange County (2026 Guide)
By Mereyah Smith · Updated October 20, 2026
Orange County doesn't get the same sample sale buzz as LA, but it has a steady calendar of its own, mostly in Irvine, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach and Lake Forest. This guide covers the venues that host OC sales most often, the sales on the calendar this fall, and how entry works at each one. Everything here comes from public sources, which we link. For the current list, filter the StealDrop SoCal calendar by "OC".
The two OC venues to watch
- Eclipse Irvine (81 Technology Dr W, Irvine). Eclipse Sample Sales runs sales here as well as in West Hollywood and DTLA. The Irvine Company's event page for Alton Marketplace at Irvine Spectrum lists Eclipse sales running Oct 11 to Oct 25, 2026: Reformation (Oct 11 to 17) and a Multi-Brand Luxury sale (Oct 21 to 25) with pieces from houses including Valentino, Gucci, Balenciaga and Givenchy (Irvine Company Retail). BargainsLA reported that the Reformation sale had free admission with three lines: VIP members, RSVP and public walk-ins (BargainsLA).
- Alternative Retail Tustin (2227 Park Ave, Tustin). Alternative Retail runs rotating brand warehouse sales in Tustin, Santa Ana, Carlsbad and Corona (Alternative Retail events). Its Tustin calendar for Oct 22 to 25, 2026 lists Santo Studio, Spiritual Gangster and Z Supply, Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm.
How Alternative Retail entry works
This is the part that catches first-timers. According to Alternative Retail's own event policies:
- You need a free ticket from Eventbrite, one per person, and it gives you one hour to shop.
- Standby entry is available daily on a first-come, first-served basis, but it isn't guaranteed.
- There are no fitting rooms, you can't try things on, and bags and backpacks aren't allowed inside.
- All sales are final. They take cards and cash, but not AMEX.
- Parking is free.
A multi-brand event at the same location needs only one ticket, so you can shop every brand there that week.
Brand warehouse sales around OC
Some brands run their own sales outside the big venues. On the StealDrop calendar this October: the Stussy Outlet Warehouse Sale in Irvine, Stitch + Feather in Huntington Beach, Ethika in Lake Forest (Oct 24 to 25), and the multi-brand womenswear sale in Costa Mesa. These were sourced from BargainsLA, so check each listing's source before you go.
Tips for OC sale weekends
- Reserve timed slots for Tustin as soon as tickets go live. Popular brands sell out.
- Since there are no fitting rooms at Alternative Retail, know your measurements or wear fitted basics you can layer over.
- Thursdays and the first hour of each day usually have the best selection. Sundays are for leftovers.
- Corona (Inland Empire) is about 30 minutes from central OC without traffic, and Alternative Retail runs sales there too. This month it has Oakley and Fox Racing (listing).
Get the weekly StealDrop email. Every week we send the new SoCal sales in one short email. Sign up on the SoCal calendar page.
More guides
- How LA Sample Sales Work: A First-Timer's Guide (2026)
- How to Find Pop-Up Shops in LA (Markets, Brand Pop-Ups & Sample Sales)
- San Diego Sample Sales & Warehouse Sales (2026 Guide)
- Best LA & OC Sample Sales by Month: October–November 2026 Calendar
- What to Bring to a Sample Sale: The Complete Checklist
- Warehouse Sale vs. Sample Sale: What's the Difference?
- DTLA Sample Sale Guide: Cooper Design Space, CMC & The New Mart
- How to Get Early Access to Sample Sales in LA (VIP Days, RSVPs & More)
- LA Designer Warehouse & Sample Sales 2026: Where They Happen and What's Coming
- Holiday & Black Friday Sample Sales in LA 2026: Confirmed Dates