Shopping in Los Angeles
Opulent Options: Los Angeles will never disappoint those with the urge to splurge. The most famous location in the city for high-end shopping is The Golden Triangle area, a local nickname for Bel Air, Holmby Hills and Beverly Hills, the three most affluent neighborhoods in L.A. In the midst of this luxurious area is Rodeo Drive, site of many famous movie moments and home to famous designer boutiques. The flashy and fabulous street offers only a few blocks of shops, but they are heavy hitters including Cartier, Gucci and Tiffany & Co. The street is also great for people watching, and you’ll find no shortage of flashy cars and outrageously opulent outfits. Scenery-wise, it’s best to visit at Christmastime, when the street is covered with lovely holiday-themed décor.
For a trendier but no less expensive shopping experience, try Robertson Blvd. in West Hollywood. A frequent setting for celebrity sightings in tabloids, Robertson holds some smaller and slightly lesser known brands such as Paige Premium Denim or the infamous Kitson, a favorite of stars including Paris Hilton. If star searching is your primary goal on this stylish avenue, just park yourself outside of the Ivy, a restaurant on Robertson known mostly for its heavy paparazzi visibility.
Shopping at a Value: For those who actually want to be able to buy a few things while out shopping, Los Angeles also provides plenty of shopping malls and walks that hold many more familiar and more reasonably priced stores. Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade is your average mall set on an outdoor walk close to the beach, with colorful street performers scattered around to entertain you as you shop. The Promenade is the place to go in Santa Monica for mall-type stores like J.Crew or Forever 21, as well as many restaurants with outdoor seating to continue the people watching as you refuel over lunch. The street also holds three movie theaters and is close to the Santa Monica Pier for some alternative forms of entertainment.
If the Promenade’s street-side musicians and colorful characters are a bit much for your senses, try the outdoor shopping experience at the Grove, the Disneyland of malls. The Grove is right next to the area’s historic farmers’ market, which is still around and functioning. The mall is great for shoppers with kids — it features major shopping institutions including Nordstrom, Crate & Barrel and Barnes & Noble, as well as delights like a working trolley and regular water shows in huge fountains.
For something more off the beaten path, try Melrose Ave. One end of the famous street holds lots of small and funky stores for a young, hip clientele without a huge budget. Try your luck at vintage stores like Wasteland and Aardvark’s, or go even further and visit the weekly flea market held at a school parking lot on Melrose and Fairfax Ave. The vibe gets decidedly more upscale as you travel west on Melrose, with high-end boutiques that compete with the likes of Robertson Blvd., including Los Angeles institution Fred Segal.
Fashion Steals: For true bargain hunters, the place to go is the fashion district in downtown Los Angeles. Primarily the home of clothing manufacturers, the atmosphere is a bit lacking, but the unique products and low prices make up for it. Wholesale businesses mingle with retail outlets that sell both legitimate and not-so-legitimate items, like knockoff designer accessories. The most populated area in the district is Santee Alley, where shoppers can find clothing, toys, and just about anything else at a deep discount. For flower fanatics, locate 8th Street in the district for a huge variety of live flowers available for wholesale and retail.