Big 5 did a good job on promotional items this Christmas season. Good enough for me to visit its store multiple times in the last 2 weeks. I was able to find items on sale with price clearly marked. There was only one assistant in the shoes section the last few times I stopped in and I usually see a customer or two waiting to be served. The check-out line on the other hand is getting better. I no longer have to print out the coupon sheet as I used too. The clerk can scan the barcode on my phone and it works for all items that are on sale that day. Too bad their system only allows one coupon per transaction which is intentional I'm sure. read more

See all

Great service and I'm really glad they have more sporting goods than housewares kind of stuff. We will for sure be back to get some baseball and camping gear. read more

I like this store ! Big 5"s have one of everything that is sporting or camping related. We were looking for a fishing scale which isn't a common item anymore and sure enough they had 1 .. just 1 but hey that's all we needed. Parking is easy and plentiful. Service was good and like I said.. they have everything in that little store. read more

My honey came here on a Wednesday night to get a pair of cleats because he left his other pair at home. The store was pretty empty on a Wednesday night around 5:30. The selection was a bit lacking but the price was decent. Service was good and we got what we were looking for in a fairly short period of time to make it to our game. read more

I've been looking for trail running shoes and court shoes. Looked on Amazon, it's convenient! Went to Kohl's bought a pair but decided to check out Big 5. Honestly, I didn't think they were still around but remember going there years ago so gave it a shot. Wow! So impressed with their selection and prices!! They had kswiss court short that are great and new balance trail shoes that I saw at kohls but didn't have my size. Got both pair ay Big 5!! I appreciate too that I could do this myself rather than a sales rep hovering. But, I did ask if they had my size in the trail shoe in the back. The guy was super nice and positive! Thank you Big 5, I wish I would've gone there first! I will be returning my other shoes to kohl's. read more

Sadly I barely shop here anymore. It may not be entirely their fault but "it is what it is." I bought all my athletic footwear here for decades because their selection was solid regarding brands and styles and up to above average models. Unfortunately within the past couple of years I was advised by staff that they no longer carry 2E (wide) and only carry (4E (extra wide) running shoes. They informed me its because they do not sell enough of them. It's too bad that they do not at least have them available online but it appears it is an across the board company wide decision to not sell them. I actually have normal width feet but I have plantar fasciitis so I need to use OTC orthotic inserts. These orthotics typically do not fit in normal width running shoes. Plantar fasciitis is pretty common so I figured many people would seek out these 2E (wide) shoes but apparently that is not the case. As a result, I barely shop here anymore unless it is for something like an outdoor basketball, pocket knife or exercise bands. I hope that one day enough demand might warrant them carrying these other wide shoes. read more

Got a coupon for $10 off for purchase over $30 in the mail so I decided to stop in since I was in the neighborhood. Please seemed a lot bigger when I was a kid and it was nostalgic to be in there again. Probably haven't been in there since the early 2000s. Honestly I couldn't find one thing I'd like to purchase and I was trying to spend money. Bit disappointed in that. Inventory was meh. Also, while the manager (assumption) greeted me and was pleasant, he watched me shop from a distance and that made me uncomfortable. I use to work retail so I'm familiar with the randomly fix something in a close by aisle to keep an eye on someone routine. Left soon after. Guy seemed nice though, just doing his job I guess. Overall, place seems like it needs to be revitalized. read more

Good service and the availability of the sports equipment that is needed. The sales person was also very helpful and knowledgeable

Assistant manager, Carson help me out with the transaction. He is extremely professional and know how to take care of the customer. I see a great career ahead of him. read more

As of late, it has been a exceptionally colder than usual. I had a sunset/full moon sail set for a Friday evening; just outside of Dana Point. We were going to be aboard "Sharona," a beautiful, Catalina 36. If you've ever been out on the water as the sun sets, you know that the temperature drops drastically. It goes from mild/cool to. "Brrrrrr...", within minutes. I was going to have seven people aboard, including myself and my crew, AL. Amber had mentioned hand warmers, something I've never really considered. (Overall, my body temperature runs hot; unless I'm sick. Then, I'm just freezing all over.) As skipper of the upcoming evening saill, I try to be prepared to help people feel comfortable so they can enjoy their outing. So naturally, I set out to buy a party pack of hand warmers. It was a last minute thought but I figured, how hard could it be to find a place to buy hand warmers? Well... Walmart - Strike one (Out of stock) Home Depot - Strike two (Available online only) Big Five Sporting Goods - Success! Who would've thunk that buying handwarmers would be that challenging? The reason I ended up at Big Five, the gentleman at Home Depot made the suggestion when I asked him who he might think with carry them. As I walked in, there were two young men working near the back; restocking shoes. I was greeted as I approached and inquired about having hand warmers in stock. - "DING! DING!! DING!!! We have a winner!" My search for hand warmers has come to an end. The first worker walked me over to a display of XL warmers, jumbo pack. Cool, I started making my way over to the counter and asked, "Do you have hand warmers in add-on to these extras large warmers?" The second team member added that they did have the jumbo pack of hand warmers. - "Yes, please!" I was taking seven people out for the sunset/full moon sail and that would enough hand warmers for everyone aboard. (Thumbs up) Eight hand warmers: $16 - Great deal! So, unless you plan accordingly and provision for hand warmers before you cold adventure outing; highly recommend stopping by your local Big Five Sporting Goods. To the two team members who helped me, thank you very much for the assist! My crew was definitely appreciative on that beautiful and brisk evening sailing outside Dana Point. Make it The Best Life! - Big Aloha! Overall rating: 4 Stars Food: n/a Ambiance: 3 Service: 5 Value: 4 read more

Howdy from Newport Beach California ... when I go to big five sporting goods they treat me with a lot of respect... and they are very helpful.. I bought three air rifles.. fishing equipment.. i'm looking forward to buying more air rifle and more fishing equipment.. I do recommend big five sporting goods in Lake Forest... i'm looking forward to going back again... read more

Big 5 Sporting Goods - Sporting Goods Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Very helpful staff. If I'm around I will be back. Thank you for the great service. I wish laguna Hills has this kind of service read more

Ladies and Gentlemen: had an hour to burn while my elderly mother was having a dental procedure. I wandered into store 56 in Laguna Hills to investigate a product that I was considering purchasing. However, my excursion to the store was strictly for information gathering. I was directed to a lanky, pleasant young man named Christian. He is what this communication is all about. I only had a rudimentary knowledge of the product I was looking for. It was obvious from every minute that passed that Christian was an expert in this area. He was everything----knowledgeable, thorough, engaging, and patient. He spent 45 minutes with me. So...my looking trip turned into a purchasing trip. Although he detailed other options in the category I was looking for, he did not push to up-sell me---he simply presented the options to me, answered my questions and allowed the time for me to decide on what would be best for me. He also detailed what products I would need to accessorize my item, and detailed those options as well. After I stated that I was going to purchase the item, rather than just investigate it, Christian and a co-worker hunted down the tool needed to install an upgraded accessory of my purchase---and then he installed it for me! Who is this guy?!!! I retired from a clinical, patient care job after 42 years last Friday. For 3 of those years, I detoured and worked as a hospital products Sales Representative for a Fortune 100 company. Please believe me when I state that I know sales, and that I know customer service. Christian's knowledge, attention to detail, patience, enthusiasm, listening and sales skills are exemplary, especially when comparing them to interactions that I have had in almost every other business that I have engaged with in the last 10 years. Only in Japan, and in a Ritz Carlton hotel have I had an interaction with a customer service-based worker that is of this high caliber. I am writing this to not only thank Christian, but to compliment Big 5 for having such an outstanding Sales Associate that exemplifies the qualities of product knowledge, patience, congeniality and customer service that every company in America wishes that they had in every employee partner. I am not Christian's favorite uncle writing this to garner him attention. I'll tell you who I am---a very satisfied customer whose expectations were exceeded. This young fellow has renewed my faith in customer service skills. THANK YOU! read more

Service is terrible. 3 times I visited to buy shoes and was completely ignored. The first two times I had other things to buy so it wasn't that big of a deal. But today, like the other two times I was the only one in the store and there were four employees either talking or looking at merchandise. None of them looked my way or said hello as I walked in, which is a surprise because it's a very small store. Well one employee stopped talking but seemed annoyed having to help me with a pair of shoes. Of course after going to the back for about 10 seconds I'm told they did not have my size or anything close. I can't imagine this store will be around much longer treating customers like crap. I will never return. In addition due to construction, traffic and poor physical location it's not a easy store to visit. I just wished the employees would think about how their actions effects their jobs and the company they work for. Very sad. read more

Kudos to FIVE STAR Brian who works in the shoe department at this location on Swartz Drive in Lake Forest. I called ahead to see if they had my size in some New Balance shoes and he found both of them and held them for me. Thank God he did because by the time I got there around 5ish he had gone home for the day and there was absolutely no help to be found as far as the shoe department goes. I had to interrupt the one person working there to half-heartedly retrieve the shoes for me from the back; after that he ignored me completely. Even after he finished the two customers that were ahead of me, he walked away without asking if I needed any help, until check-out of course. He alone is why I'm giving the two star rating. I'm very happy with my shoes, Thank you Brian! read more

big 5 products are fine but what is not good are the guns! I had a return and was sent to the gun department to return it. I actually said "Youre gonna make me look at guns to return this"? Yes, So I didnt look at them. read more

Yesterday I paid $30 for a skateboard that won't even roll (wheels are almost locked) and that basically isn't functional. I didn't know this until I took it out because the back half of it was in a box when I purchased it. I came back in today ready to exchange it and to spend more money for something a bit nicer, but the manager refused to even give me store credit for the board I bought. Instead of taking responsibility, she blamed Big 5 Corporate and said that they "aren't allowed to take returns until after May 31st." Just ridiculous and horrible customer service overall. Leaving this review on here until then and if they allow me to exhange it, I may change it to a two or three star review. read more

JUAN IS AMAZING. It was so busy this evening and there was a manager and another guy at the register. No one was helping Juan. The manager(owner maybe?) noticed but didn't step in. Very lazy employees! But Juan went above and beyond any expectation. He was in the back looking for so long and after 3 hours and 8 different locations of looking for boots for my work he found a pair that worked for me. He tried so hard and was genuinely so amazing. GIVE JUAN A RAISE!!! Only 5 stars for Juan! read more

I go here every now and then. The coupon offers in the mail are $10 off a purchase of $30 worth of merchandise. Read the fine print on the coupon to ensure that you can redeem the coupon for the items you want. They often have sale clothing and accessories. Some of them are heavily discounted. I'm most likely heading back soon as the coupons are regularly mailed to us in the "junk mail". One person's junk is another's treasure. For sure, ya! read more

I had a great experience at Big 5 when I went in to buy guns for home protection during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the long lines and mad rush, the manager behind the counter, a hard-working young woman (sorry, I forget her name) was patient and helpful with each of the customers. She was also extremely knowledgeable about guns, which was important lest I blow my head off accidentally. I bought four guns and lots of ammo and left a happy camper. My wife joked that she felt like Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman where she wanted to run back to Turner's and show them all of our purchases with the words, "Big Mistake. Big! (Big 5 is best!)" I will shop at Big 5 for all of my gun and ammo needs from now on. A huge shout out to the excellent, patient, hard-working staff at this store, especially the hard-working, knowledgeable young woman behind the gun counter. read more

Good inventory. Good service. I always enjoy visiting. I especially like the inventory of camping gear and running shoes

Avoid this location! Rude employees - I called to ask a simple question and got hung up on after a short conversation where he was obviously not interested in helping me. read more

I am writing to share my experience as a black man returning an item at your Lake Forest store. On February 3, 2021 I entered your store to return a thigh wrap. I purchased two but realized I only needed one.  I entered the store masked and was next in line.  When my turn came I told the cashier Sean that I wanted to return this item.  He called for the manager and I waited.  As I waited, a blonde women with a ponytail came in with an item that she wanted to return.  She was behind me.  As I waited for the manager, more people came and go in line.  Eventually the manager came to the register and approved the cashier to accept my return.  Sean began processing my return and I heard the manager say she could help the next person, the white blonde women. Sean scanned  my item and said in a tone that took me by surprise, whats wrong with it?  The tone was not pleasant, more accusatory, like I had done something wrong.  I said there is nothing wrong with it, I purchased two and only needed one.  My awareness of his treatment towards me heightened.  He then said he needed to see my ID.  I was surprised by this request because I had my receipt and credit card I charged it to.  I showed him my ID which was in my wallet exposed through the plastic covering. He then told me I had to give it to him because he had to scan it. This seemed unusual for a $11.00 return and it again took me by surprise. Sean was not engaging nor did he try to establish a rapport with me. I felt uneasy by the way I was being treated. I looked over and closely observed the white blonde women and her transaction with the manager as she returned her item.  Not once was she asked to show her ID. Her return process required no questions or doubt about her reason for the return or what was wrong with it.  I felt like I was being given the third degree and the white blonde women had the red carpet rolled out for her.  After I finished my transaction with Sean which made me feel less than I watched the manager with the white blonde women.  After the women left, the female manager noticed me watching and asked if she could help me.  I told her I noticed she didn't ask the women for her identification.  She said they sometimes do and sometimes don't but she had her receipt and it wasn't necessary.  I told her I had me receipt yet not only was I asked to show it. I had to take it out to be scanned.   I said as a black man it felt that I was being treated differently.  She quickly said it wasn't like that.  She didn't speak to Sean so how could she know what his thoughts were.  I said to her as a black man it sure felt that way.  Her response of sometimes we do and sometimes we don't has me wondering, do we do it when it's black people and do we not do it when it's white people. I left frustrated, feeling discriminated against and in disbelief.  When I got in my car I felt this treatment needed to be elevated.  I looked up Big 5 and called customer service.  I got Jessica and shared my experience.  She went on to tell me the policy but I left more frustrated than ever.  I felt like she had no empathy for my situation.  I left feeling where was this going and would it fall on deaf ears.   Jessica never requested my name, a contact number or a sense that someone would get back to me.  It was only when I mentioned it to her did she take my name and number. I truly hope that the mistreatment and inconsistency in treating customers is a value that Big 5 does not support and the staff will be appropriately addressed. The district manager called and apologized for the staffs behavior and committed to getting back to me to ensure the matter was appropriately addressed. He also offered me a $20.00 gift card. I have never heard back from him ensuring me that the issue was addressed as he committed. read more

I do like this store but why doesn't the clerk wear a mask. The customers do. Really makes us all feel unsafe shopping there. read more

Big 5 Sporting Goods - Customer has mask but not the clerk, - Sporting Goods Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Good products at good prices not a bad place to visit if you need quality camping and sporting goods.

I want to compliment the excellent service I received at this location. I was There to purchase a particular pair Of hiking shoes and thanks to the help of two salespeople I was in and out in 5 minutes. I didn't get the gentleman men's name but the other helpful person was Toby.. I will definitely bring my business back. P.S. the sales price was nice also. read more

This location is crammed with inventory which is good for the company, but bad for the customer. It's a bit hard to navigate with the lack of obvious layout. I was also surprised to see they didn't have any licensed apparel with the exception of a very very small selection of MLB team hats. read more

Big 5 Sporting Goods - Sporting Goods Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Glad they still have a store near me. Great prices. Great items. And there were coupons I was able to use. Hope they continue to stick around. I'll support them as much as I can and would encourage others to do the same. I was able to find my daughter's soccer gear and get some great outdoor hiking shoes for my wife for an upcoming trip to Zion. Had I bought online it would have cost me at least 30% more I think. My bank also had a 10% cash back reward and so I made out really good. Will be back. read more

FAIL! The manager refused to allow me to return a pair of nice leather hiking shoes because they were purchased in May, 2017. Brand new in original box, mint condition. I won't say his name out of respect for him and to not make it personal, but I was disappointed to say the least. Big-5 official policy is to allow returns for any time period. NOTE: A way to circumvent this problem is to simply say you lost the receipt, and they will give you the lowest sales price. BUT I had decided to do what I considered was right, and I provided the original receipt. LONG STORY SHORT -- He told me no, and not sure why? I think he just didn't feel like doing more work. I went straight to another Big-5 location, and the manager there was HAPPY to issue me a full refund! NO WAY I AM EVER GIVING BUSINESS TO THIS LOCATON, thanks to the manager not caring about customers! For sure I will be patronizing the other location instead! SEE PICTURE I UPLOADED AS PROOF of my full store credit from another location an hour later! read more

Big 5 Sporting Goods - This location REFUSED to give me credit. I got this elsewhere. Thanks, Jeff, for not helping me when it was easily possible. - Sporting Goods Near Me - Lake Forest, California

My review is to acknowledge excellent customer service by an associate named Garrett. I had an issue with a Christmas gift and I came to the store in hopes of getting it resolved. Garrett wasn't working the cashier, he was on the floor, but he overheard the conversation taking place. He immediately, without any direction, when to look at stock on hand. He came back and told the cashier the fact of the situation. Garrett then took me to the area on the floor with the merchandise and assisted me. It's important to recognize and praise people that go above and beyond their normal duties. Garrett is one of these people and I hope that management knows his potential. These types of good experiences are the reasons why Big 5 is my go to store for all sporting goods. read more

Sent a nice text message the same nights regarding this and was told they would get back to me within 2 days. Two days passed and still no response from anyone. Their customer service on the corporate level is just as bad as the store that I complained about! Good grief. How hard is it for you to pick up a phone and talk to a customer for 5 minutes? So I called their customer service department. Nice phone manners and very polite but just a generic "We''re still investigating this complaint" what? How long does it take to call a store manager and ask a few questions? Just remember, TURNERS OUTDOORS is only about a mile away in Lake Forest. And... They're open per their hours that are posted. Nice read more

See all

Ok. Last 3 visits to this place are my last. Once while with my girlfriend, a girl that worked there, made an insulting comment about her trying on child's size snow pants. I'm sorry my girlfriend is a petite but that was the size that fits her sometimes. The last 2 times was Kelsey helping me in ammunition sales. She totally misinformed me about buying ammunition with the new requirements by state of California. I'm fine with the process, after asking questions about it. But She gives attitude like I'm supposed to know already. I haven't purchased ammo or a firearm in several years so You would expect some clarification from a customer. Turns out she was wrong about ammunition purchasing. I found out after going to other Big 5 in Capo beach, because the Lake Forest store was out of a specific type of round, they rejected me because of the new requirements, but the gentleman there told me the correct process. Also took about 5 minutes of standing there before I asked for assistance. They weren't even busy. Take it from me and go to another store read more

Never going back. Service is non existent. Unfortunately this is not a one time occurrence. The last few times I have been there to buy shoes/boots, I always have to search out help. Today I walked in, knew exactly what I wanted. Stood around for 10 minutes waiting for help from an employee. Finally had to go to the front to ask for some help. Asked to try a shoe on in my size, was told they only had the next size up. I thought I would try them, was handed a box, and went to sit down to try them on. Opened the box and they looked small, sure enough they were 4 sizes smaller than I asked for. Got up to ask for the right size and the employee was gone. Found her on the other side of the store. This was 60 seconds after I was handed the box. Walked out. I'm done. I have tried to give them the benefit of the doubt. Bummed. read more

It's not the nicest store or the cleanest but they always have the off the wall stuff that Dicks doesn't have. The staff is always helpful as well. read more

Excellent customer service Lake Forest off Swartz! The manager-Logan went above and beyond making sure I was taken care. I purchased a super size umbrella and told him one of the supporting wires broke off and I had noticed overall the umbrella had a hard time closing prior and i would take great care in closing it but it still broke. He said no problem ma'am we will give you a new one and our store will return this one to the manufacturer. End of story........................................Adrian answering the phone was also very kind and referred me to the manager. UNLIKE the manager-Mike (Michael) at Alton & Barranca, Irvine store.....the young kid working there said that they can possibly send it back to the manufacture but had to check with "the manager." Well the manager came up to me and straight out said no.....Didn't ask me to elaborate on what was going on. I asked if I was stuck with a $70 umbrella and that they couldn't send it to the manufacture and he basically said yes. He did NOT WANT TO BE BOTHERED. That was obvious. Even my 10 year old daughter said..."mom that man did not want to help". I later called the manager on the phone and told him he should learn from other managers at big 5 what customer service is and maybe consider listening to what the customer wants to say. My impression was he didn't want to go through the trouble to send it back to the manufacturer. Thank you Lake Forest Manager Logan off of Swartz. Sincerely appreciate your help. read more

Piss poor customer service. Literally horrid. I go through running shoes every 3 months or so. I'm set on a brand I like to run in (New Balance), know what size I wear (6.5) and want to be in, out and on with my life as fast as I can. Went in, picked out 3 shoes I wanted to try on and had them in my hands. Stood on the floor staring (read: glaring) at three employees talking and eating for a good 10 minutes, yes TEN, until I finally went up to them and tapped one of them on the shoulder. I asked him if I could get these shoes (holds up shoes) in a size 6.5 to try on.....please. He looked put out. Upset even that I asked for help. I mean, hello....you're getting paid to help me, even if it's $8 an hour. Go help.... He finally came out with only one pair of the shoes and claimed the others weren't in my size. Thankfully the one he brought out fit me well and I like them. So, I left happy (kind of). The only reason why I'd ever come back to Big 5 is for their prices. You can't beat $39 for running shoes....ever. If it wasn't for the prices, than I wouldn't come back. Please Big 5 staff, be happy the next time you come into work. Thanks, your friend, Michelle. read more

This location needs more employees. There were two employees in the store. One cashier and the other one on the sales floor. The cashier went to lunch and the sales floor employee had to stop helping us to start ringing up the people waiting in line to pay for their items. We were looking at items behind their glass casing so we couldn't just help ourselves. We understood why he left, so we waited, after 10 minutes passed by and he was still ringing up customers we decided to go look at other items. We are going on a camping trip soon so we were looking at some last minute items we needed to purchase. They had a good variety of camping and fishing items. The prices are great compared to some of the other stores we went to go see earlier. We decided to get in line and pay and the guy still hadn't been off the register. He apologized and we told him we'd come back some other time when there were more people to help. This location is rather small compared to some of the other Big 5 Stores I have been to. It's located in the back of a shopping center right off the 5 freeway. This store would be great if it had at least one other employee on the sales floor at all times. read more

Great service at Big5 on El Toro in Lake Forest, CA I received top notch service from Chris K (shoes) at this location. He was very knowledgeable and quite patient with all my questions about the shoes. He brought a number of them out for me to try on. I bought some comfortable Nike's. Managers were very nice, too. I had been to other sporting goods stores and couldn't find what I was looking for... Nor did I received great service from these other companies. I'll definitely be back to this Big5 after my experience today! read more

I get most of my sporting goods here. Sometimes you can find really good deals here. The only thing is that the store can look messy and organized sometimes but no big deal advantages are much greater. read more

Big 5 Sporting Goods - Sporting Goods Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Was in the market for some racer back one piece suits for swimming laps. Along the lines of speedos or Nike swim suits. Didn't have much money so I wanted to spend less than $30 if I could. Went to marshall's and Ross and both were fails so we came here thinking that if it was too expensive I'll eBay it. Came here, they had a rack full of active one piece tech swim suits! Tried on five, liked two, bought one (Nike racer back) for $29.99 plus tax so like $32 ish. They were having a sale (maybe July 4th sale). #deal read more