You’re driving down Route 235 through St. Mary’s County and there it is. The big red bullseye. It’s the Target in California Maryland, a place that basically acts as the town square for half the people living in Southern Maryland. It isn't just a store; it's a routine. For anyone stationed at Pax River or just living in Lexington Park, this specific location in the First Colony Center is the definitive stop for everything from Starbucks runs to last-minute birthday gifts.
Sometimes it’s a madhouse. Seriously.
If you’ve ever tried to navigate that parking lot on a Saturday afternoon when the naval base lets out and the weekend warriors descend, you know exactly what I mean. It’s a specific kind of chaos. But there is a method to the madness if you know how this specific Maryland store operates compared to the ones you'll find closer to D.C. or over in Annapolis.
The Layout Strategy at First Colony
Most people just wander in, but the California Maryland Target has a flow that matters. Located at 45155 First Colony Way, this isn't one of those massive "Super Targets" you see in the Midwest with a full-blown deli and bakery, but it’s a high-volume P-Fresh model. That means you get the grocery section, the Starbucks right at the front, and the CVS Pharmacy tucked in the back.
The grocery section here is actually decent. It’s not Wegmans—obviously—but for the "Good & Gather" essentials, it beats driving further down the road to the local grocery chains if you're already there for household stuff. The produce is usually fresh because the turnover is so high. High turnover is your friend. It means the milk isn't sitting there and the salad kits aren't wilting.
One thing that confuses people: the tech section. It’s positioned toward the back right, and honestly, the staff there are surprisingly knowledgeable about the consumer electronics they carry. They deal with a lot of tech-savvy contractors from the base, so they have to know their stuff. If you're looking for a specific iPad or the latest Nintendo release, call ahead. This store gets hit hard on release days.
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Timing Your Visit to Avoid the Pax River Rush
The Patuxent River Naval Air Station (Pax River) dictates the rhythm of this entire town. If the base has a half-day or there’s a change in the gate schedule, this Target feels it immediately.
- Weekday Mornings (8:00 AM – 10:30 AM): This is the sweet spot. It’s quiet. The shelves are being restocked from the overnight truck. You can actually walk down the seasonal aisle without bumping into three carts.
- The Lunch Crunch: Between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM, expect a lot of people in uniform grabbing quick meals or household essentials. The Starbucks line will be long. Very long.
- Payday Weekends: Just don't. Or, if you must, go after 7:00 PM. The 1st and the 15th of the month usually see a massive spike in traffic because of the military pay cycles.
You've probably noticed the Order Pickup spots are almost always full. This location was one of the early adopters of the expanded Drive Up service in the region, including the ability to have your Starbucks order brought to your car. In a town where it rains a lot and the humidity can be soul-crushing in August, this is a lifesaver.
Hidden Perks and St. Mary’s Specifics
The California Maryland Target is a hub for the community. You’ll see the local high schoolers from Leonardtown or Great Mills hanging out near the dollar spot. But there are actual benefits to this location that people overlook.
First, the clearance cycle. Target generally follows a markdown schedule, but because this store moves so much inventory, their clearance endcaps are often gold mines. Look for the yellow stickers on Tuesdays in the women’s clothing section and Wednesdays in the toy department. Because the demographics here are so family-heavy, the baby and toy sections are massive and constantly cycling through new stock.
Then there's the Ulta Beauty shop-in-shop. When Target renovated a few years back, adding the Ulta section was a game changer for St. Mary’s County. Before that, you’d have to drive a significant distance for high-end cosmetics. Now, it’s integrated. It’s convenient, but a word of advice: the popular prestige brands sell out fast here. If a new palette drops, don't wait until the weekend.
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Navigating the Parking Lot Nightmare
We have to talk about it. The First Colony Center parking lot is a design enigma. Entering from MD-235 is fine, but getting back out can be a test of patience. Most locals know that trying to turn left back onto the main highway during rush hour is a fool’s errand.
Pro tip: Exit through the back way toward the Lowe's or the movie theater side. It’s much easier to hit the light at MacArthur Boulevard. It saves you five minutes of staring at tailgating SUVs and helps you avoid the bottleneck near the Panera Bread.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Location
A lot of visitors think this Target will be picked over because it's the only one for miles. St. Mary’s County isn't exactly overflowing with big-box alternatives once you get past the local Walmarts. However, the logistics team at this location is actually one of the better-rated in the district. They anticipate the demand.
If you see an "out of stock" sign on the shelf, check the app. Often, the inventory is in the back but hasn't been pulled to the floor yet. The employees—many of whom are local students or military spouses—are generally pretty helpful if you ask them to check the "on-hands" in their Zebra devices.
Another misconception is the price. Maryland has a 6% sales tax, and people sometimes think the prices are higher here than in the Target locations closer to Baltimore. They aren't. Target uses regional pricing, and California, MD, falls into a bracket that is actually quite competitive with the suburban D.C. stores.
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The Tech and Registry Experience
If you’re setting up a wedding or baby registry, this is the spot. Because so many people move in and out of the area for work at the base, the registry system is heavily used. The "Registry Station" near the guest services desk is usually functional, but honestly, just do it on your phone. The store-wide Wi-Fi is surprisingly stable, which is a blessing because cell service in some corners of the building can be spotty depending on your carrier.
For those looking for tech repairs or specific mobile phone activations, the Target Tech desk (usually handled by a third party like Marketsource) is hit or miss. It depends on who is on shift. If you need a complicated trade-in, try to go during the day when the lead tech is likely to be there.
Community Impact and Sustainability
Target has been a fixture in California for years, and they do a fair amount of local "giving back." You’ll often see bins for local food drives near the exit. They also participate in the car seat trade-in events twice a year, which is a massive deal for the young families in the Lexington Park area. If you have an old, expired car seat, wait for these events in April or September to get a 20% discount coupon. It’s one of the best ways to save on the big-ticket gear.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Trip
Stop wandering aimlessly. If you want to master the California Maryland Target, follow these steps:
- Download the Target App: Before you even put your car in gear, check the "Target Circle" offers. This specific store is aggressive with "Bonus" rewards because of the high competition with the nearby Walmart and regional grocery stores.
- Use the Side Entrance: Most people crowd the main doors near the carts. If you’re just there for a quick grab, the side entrance near the pharmacy is often less congested.
- Check the "Last Chance" Endcaps: Don't just look at the main aisles. In the California store, the best clearance is usually tucked on the endcaps facing the outer walls, particularly in the home goods section.
- Join the 10:00 AM Coffee Club: If you're a stay-at-home parent or work remotely, the Starbucks inside this Target is the unofficial morning meeting spot for the county. It's a great place to people-watch or catch up on local gossip while getting your shopping done before the lunch rush.
- Plan Around Gate 1: Always check the traffic on Route 235 before leaving. If there’s an accident near Gate 1 of the base, the entire First Colony area becomes a gridlock. Use the back roads through Wildewood if you need to escape the area quickly.
Shopping at the Target in California Maryland is basically a rite of passage for residents of St. Mary's County. It's where you see your neighbors, your coworkers, and probably your kid's teacher. Treat it like the local hub it is, keep an eye on the clock to avoid the military rush, and always, always check the back-exit route to save your sanity.