If you grew up in Costa Mesa, Irvine, or Newport Beach, the arrival of the South Coast Plaza Easter Bunny isn’t just a calendar event. It’s a ritual. People here take their mall experiences seriously, and South Coast Plaza—being the luxury titan it is—doesn’t just throw a person in a cheap polyester suit and call it a day.
It’s about the setup. The aesthetics. The weirdly high stakes of getting that perfect photo without a toddler meltdown in the middle of a world-class shopping center.
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Honestly, it's kinda fascinating how a shopping mall managed to turn a seasonal photo op into something that feels like a local heritage site. You’ve got families who have been coming for three generations. Grandma has the 1980s Polaroid, Mom has the 2005 digital print, and now the grandkids are getting the high-res digital download sent straight to their iPhones.
The Two Gardens Strategy
Most malls have one bunny. South Coast Plaza has two.
It sounds like overkill, but it’s actually a brilliant bit of logistical engineering to handle the crowds that descend on the center every spring. You have the Carousel Court location and the Level 1, North Court (near Macy’s) location.
The Carousel Court setup is usually the "main" one. It’s colorful. It’s whimsical. It’s right next to that iconic, slow-spinning carousel that defines childhood for half of Southern California. If you’re looking for that classic, vibrant "Easter Garden" look with the oversized flowers and the picket fences, this is where you go.
Then there’s the North Court. This one often feels a bit more "editorial." It’s still for kids, obviously, but the floral arrangements and the backdrop often lean into that high-fashion, polished aesthetic South Coast Plaza is known for.
Choosing between them is a whole thing. Seriously. Parents will check Instagram tags for both locations to see which backdrop matches their kid’s outfit better. It’s that deep.
Why the Bunny Experience Here Is Different
Let's talk about the "Easter Craft" element.
Usually, mall photos are a "sit, snap, pay, leave" transaction. South Coast Plaza tries to make it an afternoon. For years, they’ve offered these little bunny ears—usually cardboard but surprisingly sturdy—that kids can decorate. You’ll see dozens of toddlers wandering through the halls of Gucci and Hermès wearing these lopsided, glitter-covered ears.
It’s a strange juxtaposition. High luxury meets Elmer’s glue.
The staff at the South Coast Plaza Easter Bunny sets are also notably patient. Dealing with a screaming three-year-old who thinks the giant rabbit is a subterranean monster is a specific kind of stress. The "bunny wranglers" here (the staff helping with the line) are generally pros at the "look at the camera" rattle-shake move.
The Cost of Tradition
Look, it’s not cheap. You aren't just paying for a photo; you're paying for the "South Coast" brand.
Prices vary year to year, but you're usually looking at a tiered package system. You’ve got your basic digital prints, your physical copies, and then the "all-in" bundles. In recent years, they’ve shifted heavily toward digital-first options, which makes sense. Who actually carries a wallet photo anymore?
One thing to watch out for: the line.
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If you show up on a Saturday afternoon two weeks before Easter, you’re going to have a bad time. You'll be standing there for an hour, sweating in your Sunday best, while your kid slowly unravels. The veterans go on a Tuesday morning right when the mall opens.
The Fashion Stakes: Dressing for the Bunny
Because this is South Coast Plaza, the "Bunny Photo Outfit" is a legitimate retail driver.
Go to the kids' sections at Jacadi, Janis, or even Zara Kids in the weeks leading up to the bunny's arrival. You'll see the same frantic energy as a bridal shop. Seersucker suits for the boys. Smocked dresses with floral patterns for the girls.
There is an unwritten rule in certain OC circles that the outfit must complement the garden decor. Since the garden changes slightly every year, this requires some reconnaissance.
Is the bunny sitting on a yellow bench or a white one this year?
Are the tulips pink or purple?
These details matter to the "Discover" feed crowd.
Logistics and the 2026 Season
If you're planning a trip to see the South Coast Plaza Easter Bunny this year, you need to be aware of the reservation system.
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The mall has moved away from the "just show up and pray" model for the most part. While they usually take walk-ins, the reservation slots fill up weeks in advance. If you don't book a time, you’re basically at the mercy of the gaps in the schedule.
Where to Park
Don't park by Din Tai Fung. Don't park by the Bridge of Gardens.
If you're heading to Carousel Court, aim for the parking structure off Bristol and Sunflower. If you're going to the North Court, the parking near Macy’s Home is your best bet.
Honestly, parking at South Coast Plaza is its own circle of hell during the holidays, so give yourself a 20-minute buffer just to find a spot that isn't a three-mile hike from the entrance.
Misconceptions About the Bunny
A lot of people think the bunny is only there for the two weeks before Easter Sunday.
Not true.
The South Coast Plaza Easter Bunny usually makes his grand entrance about three to four weeks before the actual holiday. This "early bird" window is the secret to a stress-free experience.
Another misconception: it’s just for kids.
You’d be surprised. You'll see teenagers doing "ironic" photoshoots, couples getting their first "family" photo with their dog (though check the mall's current pet policy, as it's usually restricted to service animals unless it's a specific pet-photo night), and even groups of college students from UCI or Chapman.
Beyond the Photo: The Full Experience
If you're making the trek, you might as well do the whole thing.
- The Carousel: You have to. It’s like five bucks (prices subject to change, obviously), and it’s the quintessential South Coast experience.
- The Treats: Stop by See’s Candies for a chocolate egg or go to Sugarfina for some "bunny tail" marshmallows.
- The Flower Exhibits: Sometimes the mall has auxiliary floral displays that are basically built for your phone's portrait mode.
The real pros make a lunch reservation at Quattro Caffé or Vaca (if you're feeling fancy) to decompress after the photo session. Taking a toddler to a high-end restaurant after they've been poked by a giant rabbit is a bold move, but hey, that's the OC lifestyle.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you want to survive the South Coast Plaza Easter Bunny experience with your sanity intact, follow this checklist. No fluff, just what actually works based on years of observing the chaos.
- Book the earliest slot possible. The bunny is "fresher," the staff is more energetic, and the mall hasn't reached peak volume yet.
- Bring a "bribe" toy. Something small, new, and distracting that you can hold right above the photographer's lens to get your kid to look up.
- Check the lighting. The North Court has different lighting than Carousel Court. If you're using a professional camera, North Court usually has a bit more natural light spill from the skylights.
- Avoid the "Matching Outfit" trap. You don't all need to wear the exact same shade of mint green. Just stay in the same color family (pastels, neutrals). Too much matching looks dated; "coordinating" looks modern.
- Review the photos before you leave the booth. Once you walk away, that's it. If your kid's eyes are closed in the "best" one, ask if they can do one more quick snap. They usually will if the line isn't a mile long.
The South Coast Plaza Easter Bunny is a weird, wonderful, slightly overpriced, and deeply entrenched tradition. It’s a slice of Orange County culture that persists because, at the end of the day, there’s something genuinely sweet about those awkward, glossy photos that end up on the mantelpiece every year.
Next Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of your visit, jump on the South Coast Plaza official website right now and check the "Events" section. This is where the reservation link goes live. If the slots are open, grab one for a weekday morning. After you've secured your time, do a quick "recon" trip to the mall or check recent Instagram location tags to see the current year's backdrop colors. This will save you the headache of an outfit clash. Finally, make sure your phone is fully charged—you'll end up taking more "behind the scenes" videos than the professional photographer takes photos.