The Laguna Hills Mall has been the “bad” mall in South Orange County for some time - Sears and a very redundant Macys were the anchor stores, and both have closed.
MEANWHILE, just a few miles away, the Irvine Spectrum, an outside mall, is thriving and expanding. They have focused on a pleasing environment with lots of fountains and many restaurants. The only “anchor” store is a Nordstrom - lots of smaller stores.
A little further away you have both South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island, very upscale malls. The Laguna Hills Mall never offered much to anyone.
Yes, I have been to Irvine Spectrum and South Coast Mall. All very nice.
The south county bus lines converge there. Makes the area more easily accessed by people who live outside of the box.