The Camp

From the native vegetation to innovative retailers offering ecologically-conscious and organic eats and wares – green is everywhere at The CAMP. Check out the grass roof above Adventure 16 / Patagonia and the sloped parking lot out back (it looks like that because there is an underground percolation system assuring that no runoff goes out to the ocean!) Searching for hiking, biking or surfing gear, exclusive t-shirts, shoes, and clothing? The CAMP’s authentic boutiques like Adventure 16, Patagonia, Cycle Werks, Active Ride Shop, Liburdi’s Scuba Shop, Humanitaire, and Commissary can’t be found anywhere else. Also enjoy vegan cuisine at Native Foods, breakfast until 3pm at Old Vine Café, international share friendly dining at AIRe, and raw gourmet delights at 118 Degrees. www.thecampsite.com.

...but they are pretensions I don’t mind as much (certainly much less than freakin’ South Coast Plaza up the street). Anyway, this is a bit like the more ‘mature’ version of the Lab across the street, if you squint—when all the young hipsters suddenly start caring about their health, thus the biking store and the scuba diving clinic and etc. But it’s also got Native Foods and the Village Bakery, both good things, and some spots there served as nice temporary artspace for some friends during vacancies. Worth looking into if you’re in the area and anything on its site captures your interest.