MAINPLACE/SANTA ANA AT A GLANCE

Address: 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Most unusual store: Units, a women’s clothing store that uses cubbyholes instead of racks and hangers and customers instead of mannequins. Merchandise is one-size-fits-all knit tops and bottoms that are sold in Zip-lock-type bags and modeled by employees and by shoppers trying on clothes. Very futuristic.

Best place to kill time: The Sharper Image, an “adult toy store” that features miniature pool tables, rowing machines, state-of-the-art exercise equipment and madcap merchandise that customers can play with in the store. An example: Eye of the Storm is a $179 purple orb that emits lightning bolt-like rays that pulsate when touched by heat or sound. A lava lamp for the ‘80s.

Best kids’ store: Gymboree, which carries children’s clothes and toys, invites kids to play with the toys and assorted gym equipment while Mom or Dad shops for clothes. Store also features hard-to-find baby equipment such as sun screens for cars and disposable bibs.

Best place to browse: Z Gallerie as wonderful framed prints and whimsical decorative items, including chairs shaped like hands, phones shaped like pillows and clocks shaped like Charlie Chaplin.

Best quick bites: Fresh-squeezed lemonade, gourmet brownies and fresh French fries available from the various booths on the second level.

Services: MainPlace has wheelchair rentals, but no stroller rentals or on-site babysitting. Valet parking and hotel shuttles are planned for the holiday shopping season.