San Gabriel Square

Arrive early, or just wait until someone leaves to get their parking spot. Gazillion shops. Blew cpl hundred bux just buying stuff and eating. Can’t complain.

Beside the parking plot’s problems and how awful people left their carts around, blah blah I want to share my own experience which is unbelievable. My friend and I was talking and waiting to get in the elevator. The door opened and a man came out. My friend got in first and I waited for the man to get out of the elevator and got in. We continued our conversation in the elevator as my friend were complaining about how badly his shoes were designed. I agreed and said: That is stupid. All of sudden, I heard a loud voice as the door was closing, something like who do you call stupid? I was shocked but the elevator door had closed. I assumed he was drunk and thought I talked about him. Unfortunately, the elevator went down and back to that floor which that man was waiting. He screamed at me who do you sat stupid? I answered that: I was talking to my friend. Then, he jumped up to my friend and cursed something in Mandarin but I couldn’t remember what he said. Then, we pushed the 1^st floor so the door opened and we ran outside. He continued to chase us out of the elevator and consistently tried to push my friend and dared to hit my friend. I was scared and asked help from a small group of people close by to call 911 since I really did not know how to react at that time. The group of people said no no and ran away left me and my friend with the guy. But fortunately, I guess after he heard police, he backed up and said he would sue us blah blah and left. I felt so bad if my friend got into a fight that night. I watched some mistaken situations on dramas but would never thought it could happen like this in US. I thought this like ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ chance happens in this world but really drunk people are dangerously driving their cars as well as controlling their senses. I don’t know who is fault but I will never go to this plaza again even though I like the foods here.

This Mall has changed with time. It is still very much Chinese — with Capital Seafood above it all on the top floor of the main building. But there are other spots here that are well worth a visit — like the 2^nd floor Mongolian Hot Pot restaurant adjacent to Cap-​Seafood… or the many Hunan restaurants on the upper level that offer authentic Human spicy cuisine (very salty and peppery).
Don’t miss the Taiwanese ice place. Or the high end and super expensive Ginseng boutiques.
This Ranch 99 Market is one of the better ones in LA.

I was told that this is an Asian Mall and is also known as Chinatown by a local friend. The question is how is this Chinatown when its a small outdoor mall. There are plenty of parking in front so that is plus. Only thing that I can see people come here for is 99 Ranch Market. I don’t see what so great about this mall.

The vast mall has too many outlets to review so I’ll only address the overall mall. Tons of parking, spacious fountain & plaza, wide walkways, wonderful views from the promenade, dozens of stores with mostly food-​related ones, easy location & kept clean make it the best Chinese-​American mall still after many years. I could spend many hours slowly eating between places then shopping 99 Ranch.

Of the whole San Gabriel Valley Plazas, I probably hate coming here the most. You come on weekends or during the week at lunch time, the parking lot becomes a mad house.
The supermarket parking area is probably the worst place to be. You will see shopping carts rolling around the parking lot, the shoppers will push their carts to your parking space, so close to your car that you can’t even squeeze out when you leave. What happened to all the bag boys from the market who is suppose to return the carts to the proper places? Well, the problem is there are locations around the lot to return the carts. It’s just the fact of lazy people.
The whole parking situation at San Gabriel Square stinks during peak hours. There is no right of way, and you basically across the parking lot at your own risk. Yes, there is a higher possibility of a car hitting you here than anywhere else.
Trying to make things better, the San Gabriel Parking Enforcement drives around writing citations to handicap offenders who may not have their placards visible, and cars improperly parked. But it doesn’t seem to help because they park in the middle of the roadway blocking traffic just to look for violaters which seems to make the situation worse.
I personally try to avoid this plaza. I would not come unless I really had a reason to do so. They however do have lots of restaurants and stores here. Come check it out and support the local economy. But do park at your own risk.

Love/​Hate Relationship
I take 3 xanax’s before attempting to enter this plaza. Luckily I have a ton of doctor friends to prescribe them because I go here a lot. On top of that I live above a Ralphs, so it’s super easy to grab Xanax refills them whenever I need. Now if they would just build condos on top of San Gabriel Square so that I can avoid the physical act of coming and going from there that would be wonderful.
Don’t know what I mean? Go there on any given Saturday or Sunday.
Why do I even go here, I love the food there, but can I just get teleported into the restaurant? I’ll have to get Captain Kirk’s USS Enterprise on speed dial so that Scotty can «beam me up!» to where ever I need to eat.

Well good things first, some Chinese restaurants have good food at good price, however, parking sucks, be careful if you drive there. In addition, there are shops selling clothes and shoes stating made in Italy, not sure they are genuine or not, the salesperson stare at you like prisoners but want you to pay top dollars for the fashion there, very suspicious!

2014 Unilocal 365 CHALLENGE — ³³⁹⁄₃₆₅
Stop #2 in my San Gabriel Valley exploration day with my roomie. Seemed like there were a decent amount of shops/​restaurants in this plaza so we decided to go.
Parking: TERRIBLE. Honestly, it wasn’t actually that bad when we got there around 11:30am, and we were able to find several parking spots next to the Ranch 99 Market. However, when we left around 1pm, the parking traffic was REALLY BAD. It was backed up in nearly every aisle of the parking lot and it took me 10 minutes just to back my car out of its parking spot! It was ridiculous! Nobody was willing to stop to let me back out (and give them a parking spot) so it was super frustrating! And it seemed like there were only 2 entrances/​exits into the plaza which was even more terrible! Come here early if you want to snag a spot, and leave before the afternoon rush.
In terms of selection of stores, I was kinda disappointed in the variety they had here. It is VERY asian, mostly Chinese, and I found myself uninterested in most of the stores they had. There is a Daiso Japan, which we spent some time in, and another cute gift shop type store within a store where we bought star paper and some other cute Hello Kitty/​Sanrio gifts. There was a store with a great variety of really cute hair accessories, but it was really overpriced ($ 10+ dollars for a hair clip!) so we didn’t end up buying anything there.
There is a second level which we totally just walked through because it was all restaurants. None of them seemed to be really busy but they had and ok amount of customers. Mostly Chinese, hot pot, and traditional Asian food places.
Overall, definitely don’t think I will be back to San Gabriel Square. It was not worth the 2 stores we found stuff to buy in and the traffic was really horrendous.

Parking is ridiculous here. Asians are ridiculous here. Why bother coming? For the food, of course! There’s such a smörgåsbord of food offering here that you can’t really go wrong. Vegetarian, dim sum, taiwanese, Japanese, Cantonese BBQ, it’s all here. Come and just explore the daiso and 99 ranch. My suggestion is to park a bit further out so you don’t have to fight with the crazy drivers for spots closest to the stores. Seriously it’s an extra 2 minute walk if you park on the opposite side of where the stores are, but there’s always parking there.

In the last few weeks, I’ve been to San Gabriel Square /​Focus Plaza about 5 times.
I’m writing this as a Pubic Service Announcement:
BE CAREFUL WHEN DRIVING HERE!!! Or anywhere in the «area.»
I am Asian, so if you pick up what I’m insinuating on the driving then all I have respond with is, «Yes, maybe I’m being stereotypical but I have the immunity idol because I’m also Asian.»
The pedestrians will jump right in front of your car like a dumb grazing cow, staring at you with dead eyes, as if they are daring you to hit them, because hey, we’re in America now and I can sue the Sh*t out of you. Back home, there’s no such thing as «The Pedestrian Always Has The Right of Way» so now they don’t have to dodge cars; they make cars dodge them.
Once, I was in the underground parking lot and as I turned the corner I found a car going full speed (like 15 miles an hour) in REVERSE, headed right toward me, trying to get that open parking spot. I had to honk for it to end at a screeching stop!
In general, people just do not know how to drive here. They basically drive like bumper cars, just turning or signaling into your lane and hoping they won’t crash into anything.
Please take this seriously, for the love of Buddha, if you are venturing into this pocket of Mainland China Town: WEAR YOUR SEATBELT, pay attention to your SPIDEY SENSES, and maybe even wear your helmet in your car.
I also believe, due to the recent influx of a certain demographic, the manners here have deteriorated beyond belief. Even at the luxury jewelry stores, the staff is rude. If you’re walking outside, dont be surprised if someone hawks a deep-​throated loogie right in your space. People smoke anywhere they want, hold up traffic to drop people off without apology or consideration, and just are generally cut-​throat and low brow.

The plaza is 2.5 stars but since the cosmetics does not have a review space, I am factoring that in. Parking is always a hassle, but only worth it if you are eating Chinese food or going to get your watch serviced at t&j.
The cosmetics lady tried to rip me off because I don’t speak Cantonese. I was considering a new foundation from estee lauder but curious about their perfume, and if EL has green tea perfume like Elizabeth Arden. Hated the perfume selection which all smelled cheap but was $ 85 (probably high-​balled it for me). You won’t find a Serge Lutens here. Whoever buys their perfume has cheap taste or enjoys smelling like stale, rotting jolly ranchers. No, they are not the Scent Bar, of course.
The official Estee Lauder case display with ad (there were two) said «free gift with $ 35 purchase.» I said I do not like the perfume but want this foundation i tested on my hand. She said they were out of makeup (lady, i saw boxes in your window display you are lying) then she said, for me, now its $ 50 not $ 35. The foundation i wanted was $ 37 and she clearly wanted me to just buy a perfume.
How rude. I already put in a complaint with Estee Lauder corporate. Sell it to your mother at that price.

Before this year, I would’ve given this place only 2 or 3 stars… I used to cringe every time anyone said we’re going to «Focus Plaza» (San Gabriel Square). I don’t care if there were 10 levels of parking… we WILL fill it all and still cause traffic jams in the lot! When you enter this plaza, turn your defensive driving switch ON.
So why am I a fan??? Well… because of all the stores/​restaurants of course! Once you finally park, you can enjoy all that this plaza has to offer. They’ve got quick eats, AYCE hot pot, vegetarian restaurant, DAISO, Sam Woo, tea bar, beauty store, DAISO, Chinese book store, DVD store, DAISO, Chinese herbal store, dim sum restaurant, DAISO, clothing stores, optometrist, jewelry store, a large 99 Ranch Market and a LOT more! By the way, their addition of Daiso was way too awesome!
This place is very Chinese… if you’re Chinese and you like all the hustle and bustle of fighting and shouting (either for groceries and/​or parking), you will love this place. As a matter of fact, there’s even a Hilton hotel across from it so that you or your traveling relatives could stay even CLOSER to this crazy place.

Why are these Asian plazas so run down? Is it just me or do most places that are Chinese-​run in the US not very attractive? I know this place is pretty popular among Asians due to the authentic restaurants, but I must say there’s nothing too impressive here in terms of quality or quantity of shops and restaurants. I saw that a Daiso was opening up soon so that’s a big plus. Otherwise I don’t know why I would come here unless my family forced me to.

San Gabriel Square has very a special childhood sentiment for me, since I used to come here with my parents growing up. It was then called San Gabriel Focus Shopping Center, if I can recall correctly?
Crowded parking on weekends — just as I had remembered, with the fabulous designer jewels at Chong Hing Jewelers, San Gabriel Vision (yes, open for eye exams on both Sat & Sun too), and 4 levels of department shopping inside, and a designated floor for separate clothing boutiques on 3^rd floor!
Fine jewelry and artifacts is designated to the fourth floor with various vendors and booths. The jewelry floor reminds me of a small scale jewelry mart you would see in DTLA. There are many choices and selections for competitive pricing on quality, fine jewelry items. With the right negotiations, you can get a much better deal than at the malls, department stores, and chain jewelry stores. :-)
Cosmetics and gifts on the 2^nd floor. Top floor is Sam Wu Restaurant. Lots of little shops, eateries, with 99 Ranch Supermarket within San Gabriel Square. It’s very precious to associate my childhood weekends spent in Monterey Park, with my parents.
I will always be fond of this center…

Wow parking here can be pretty tuff. I hate to say it but manners here are not very good. It’s better to park a small distance away during peak hours then walk to wherever you need to go.
Lots of great restaurants here plus 99 ranch market.

This plaza has been here for such a long time (at least 20+ years) and one of the major reasons why I continue to come back here is for the Ranch 99 Market and occasionally some of the restaurants that reside here. And since I am here, I like to walk around and browse in some of the random stores that are here.
This plaza has a LOT of parking (don’t forget to try the underground parking if you are unable to find anything top side), but on weekends, it can be a challenge because you are not the only one who wants to come here. And yes there are Asian drives who come here, but I have never (knock on wood) had any scratches and dents here while parking in this plaza (and hope to never… again, knock on wood).
This plaza is right across from the Hilton Hotel by the way.
Overall, will keep coming here (usually try to come here on week days instead thought) when I am in the area.

This place is so nostalgic for me as a Chinese-​American kid growing up on the westside. Seriously, I came back this weekend and I was haunted by the childhood memories of being dragged here by my parents every single Saturday after Chinese school to spend an afternoon of being bored out of my fuckin’ mind… That was almost 15 years ago. However, being close to my 30’s I guess I can have an appreciation for what this plaza was and still is.
1. The parking sucks… As in 500 spots will all be full and you have to park far as hell to even get a spot.
2. Herb stores, 99 Ranch, Karaōke machines, Sam Woo, Dim Sum. Hello Kitty store
3. This place is the ultimate torture for young Chinese-​American kids. It was pretty boring then and when I did my lap around I instantly was transformed again to my 14 year old self this past weekend and its still BORING.
4. I wouldn’t recommend coming here if you’re young, can’t read Chinese, Can’t speak Chinese, and if you have 0 patience for Asian drivers.
5. I love the 99 RANCH THOUGH! THATS MY MARKET!
JY

San Gabriel Square is the hub of Chinese-​American shopping and dining for locals and tourists to the San Gabriel, Rosemead, Alhambra area. It may not be the best restaurants, shops, food, prices, or service in the area, but it is the busiest … and an easy choice for those who don’t want to over think where to go or what to eat.
Parking is free, but a complete zoo. Circle the aisles near the shops if you want, but my advice is to grab a spot out by the street, underground, or behind the shops for a less stressful experience. Don’t believe all the stereotypes about drivers you hear. Come here to experience them.
Ranch 99 Supermarket is the anchor and it’s a reasonable choice for fruits, veggies, and seafood for an Asian palate. Restaurants are the better attraction with just about something for everyone. A few recommendations include Sam Woo, New Capital Seafood, or Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot. For shopping, check out the large Focus department store or some of the small clothing, Chinese medicine, and specialty gift shops.
Over the years, San Gabriel Square has evolved as some restaurants and shops come & go, however, it magically feels the same as it did 5 or 10 years ago. It’s busy. It’s convenient. It’s Chinese. San Gabriel Square is like a one-​stop shop to satisfy your Asian impulse.

The San Gabriel Square (also known as Focus Plaza) is a place where Asians walk and drive around aimlessly. If it weren’t for the dim sum at New Capital I would never go to this plaza.
The parking here is terrible! I don’t care what time of day you come, the parking lot is always packed, cars will drive on the wrong lanes/​sides, and people of all ages (babies to 100+) will walk in front of your moving car without hesitation or even looking in your direction.
This place isn’t exactly a «shopping center». Its more of a giant food court with a super market and a few shops. Most of the restaurants here aren’t that great either. My favorite place here is having dim sum at New Capital. If it weren’t for the terrible parking here San Gabriel Square would get more stars from me.