Don't forget to read about our adventures with porn stars on Molokai!

A Place of Fantasy and Delight

Over the course of our 15 years together, we’ve often thought about visiting adult stores, which offer the advantage of immediate gratification and “hands-on” access to merchandise that leaves the internet lacking. After all, how can you really know the details of a particular toy and whether it will fulfill your particular needs, or, for that matter, the feel of fabrics, the slippery softness of certain lubes, the effectiveness of restraints, or the textures of naughty lingerie?

What kept us from actually making such an adventure, aside from our chronic shyness about such things, was our shared perceptions that these establishments were,  how do I put this gently – gross. Visions of seedy neighborhoods, trench coat wearing perverts, and sticky floors made even the thought of venturing into an adult business an immediate negative. The added stigma of running into someone we might know (however remote) only deepened our hesitance.

That, however, was back in the late 80’s and things do change. Hustler opened a store in Hollywood featuring brightly lit aisles, clean design, and a display of merchandise that might have you thinking you’re in a department store in your local mall. Our defenses now lowering a smidgeon, we were delighted when a friend 60 miles south of us called to say we just HAD to see the new adult store that had recently opened in her neighborhood.

So, down to the quaint neighborhood of Dana Point, California, we drove to a beautiful store named Intimate Obsessions, full of erotic toys, clothing and items that, they promise, will fulfill many an erotic night.  Once you walked through the doors, you realized that this store was breaking all those stereotypical myths that erotica was sinful and perverted.  Intimate Obsessions is a retail store created for people who seek to enhance their sexuality through high quality products and knowledge.  In other words, they have created an environment just perfect for couples like Freddy and myself.

First, their store is huge, with over 3800 sq. feet of toys, clothing and all kinds of erotic fun. The store has an open, airy feeling and the walls are painted in a rustic golden color that gives off warmth and passion.  There are seven rooms, believe it or not, each one specifically tailored to a certain aspect of sexuality. From toys, to videos, to BDSM, each room is an adventure waiting to happen and one could spend hours exploring their huge inventory and still not see everything.

The first two rooms, which proved to be the biggest drain on our pocketbooks, are dedicated to Lingerie and costumes. From shelf bras, pre-boned corsets, cami-sets, and sheer wraps, you’ll be hard-pressed to get out without finding something you simply can’t live without. According to store manager Evie, their most popular items are “everything that is crotch-less or open-cup bras.” They basically have everything a woman could need or fit into her lingerie drawers.  In the costume room , you can fulfill your fantasy with costumes in every imaginable genre. Whether you wish to create elaborate play stories or engage in something outrageous, they have everything possible, from nurse to female/male cop to every kind of dancer. You can even become that  French maid and dust some of your master’s most intimate crevices! 

The third room, easily the store’s largest, is full of toys and DVD titles.  Throughout the store, you will find Kama Sutra oils, lubes and many enhancement items.  They try to cover the gamut of all the hot selling toys from vibrating cock-rings, every style “Rabbit” and the newest glass toys from Phallix.  “Rocky Road” with a handle being their best seller.  They carry millions of titles and if you are looking for a specific one, and they don’t have it, they will special order it for you.  They will special order almost anything for you actually. 

The fourth room is dedicated to BDSM (Bondage, Dominatrix, Sadomasochism).  They have a great selection of toys in this arena.  There are lots of choices; wrist restraints, paddles, floggers, and riding crops to name a few.  Each of these toys comes in different materials for one to choose from.  And if this room turns your head a bit, they have a well-informed staff that can explain it all to you. 

The fifth room is their shoe room where they have displayed about 4 -dozen styles of shoes and boots.  Most of their styles are platforms, which lets you feel comfortable with the added height to strut your stuff. 

The sixth and seventh rooms, respectively are their Gag and Plus-sizes rooms, the first of which is filled with an assortment of party favors and joke items.  If you are planning a bachelorette party, it’s a one-stop party shop. It was quite refreshing that a retailer of adult fare would realize that not everyone is a size zero!  We all want to feel sexy and pretty and their assortment of lingerie let’s us have fun.

Intimate Obsession began on January 16, 2003.  It’s owner, Daniel Kim has many years in Lingerie Retail.  He wanted to create a place that was classy for women and couples to come in and be able to experience the feeling of romance and sexuality in a passionate environment.  The staff includes Manager; Evie, who also has many years in the Lingerie business as a buyer.  Sara and Nikki are valued employees that really listen to what their customers’ needs and wants are.  They really know their merchandise and are always ready to lend their expertise on anything in their store.  Keep a look out for their upcoming website that they plan on launching in early spring.

Our experience with the wonderful staff at Intimate Obsessions was fabulous.  Every time we go back to visit we always find something new and fun that we have to purchase.  If you are every visiting in Orange County, do your sex life a favor and stop by.  You will become an “Obsessed” and your libido will thank you. We think this store is indicative of a "changing of the guard" taking place in the adult industry. Brightly lit and comfortable stores with friendly and sensitive staff are taking hold in neighborhoods all over America and we hope you'll seek them out and give 'em some business!

Hours of operations are Monday through Saturday 11am –11pm while Sunday is 11am-8pm.  They take most major credit cards. Their phone number is 949-493-6588.