Venice Beach Ocean Front Walk

Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291-2406

Description: VENICE. Tourists from all over the world flock to this well-known locale and film backdrop. Some unusual performers (including chainsaw jugglers, fortune tellers, street artists, musicians, and tattooed weight lifters) set up shop here to vie for your dollars. Rent a pair of in-line skates, a bike, or a motorized scooter, and "cruise" the walk, but be sure to keep an eye out for the guy who walks on broken glass. It's a sharp act that your tires might not appreciate! Be sure to make a side trip to Abbot Kinney Boulevard, where a bevy of trend-setting shops like Kevin Simon and Red Gecko await.
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Third Street Promenade

3rd St at Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403 310-393-8355

Description: SANTA MONICA. The Promenade, which runs adjacent to Third Street from Broadway all the way to Wilshire, is a "must" for those serious about shopping. This eclectic strip contains a variety of shopping and dining options, many of them sporting a quintessential beach town feel. Catch a movie, peruse curbside vendors, watch street performers do their thing, or just find a seat somewhere and marvel at the eccentric passers-by.
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Sunset Plaza & Sunset Strip

Sunset Strip, between Sunset Boulevard and La Cienega, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Description: WEST HOLLYWOOD. Sunset Plaza is home to an international array of cutting-edge boutiques, and its storefronts showcase designs from the likes of Catherine Malandrino and Henry Duarte. Along with Rodeo Drive, the Strip is probably one of LA's most famous drags. This mile-and-a-half stretch between Hollywood and Beverly Hills is known for its diverse collection of live music venues, chic restaurants, trendy shops, and wild nightlife. First-timers often find it difficult to divert their gaze from large vanity boards lining the Sunset skyline, all of which feature the movie star or recording artist du jour.
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Santa Monica’s Main Street

Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405 310-899-9555

Description: SANTA MONICA. From Pico Boulevard to Marine Street, Santa Monica's fashionable Main Street is a haven for cutting-edge fashion. Colorful boutiques specialize in everything from men's and women's apparel to contemporary artwork and swanky furniture. "Must see" shops include Accents Jewelry Design, Precious Metal Arts, and Angles Gallery. Afterwards, make arrangements to dine at one of the district's many unique restaurants ­ Chinois on Main is one of the most lauded.
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Robertson Boulevard

Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Description: WEST HOLLYWOOD. A little less congested than Melrose (its high-profile neighbor to the east), Robertson Boulevard gives no ground when it comes to things trendy. Between Beverly Boulevard and Third Street, this collection of stores and galleries includes the hip likes of Madison, Curve, Lisa Kline, and Nanette Lepore. In addition (and perhaps not as well known), antique hounds find much to their liking at places like the Collection, Indigo Seas, Japanache, and Gazebo Antiques. Celebrity sightings are common.
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Montana Avenue

Montana Ave at 13th St, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Description: SANTA MONICA. Thanks to more than 150 high-end shops, fashionable Montana Avenue is a veritable shopper's dream. Small, privately owned boutiques and famous clothiers checker the tree-lined strip. Spend an afternoon perusing the likes of Three Bags Full, A.B.S. for Women, and Weathervane for Men. Afterwards, replenish your depleted energy over coffee and a pastry at one of the area's many sidewalk cafés.
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LA Jewelry District

Hill St at 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90302 213-622-3335

Description: DOWNTOWN. This "gem" of a district is known all over the world as a place for savvy shoppers to land excellent deals on chic watches, fine gold and silver jewelry, and precious stones. Plan to spend the better part of an afternoon browsing, especially if you're looking to pick up a gift for that special someone ... and don't forget your charge cards!
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The Grove

189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036 323-900-8080

Description: WEST HOLLYWOOD. Designed to recollect downtown areas of days gone by, this shopping complex sits adjacent to the historic Farmer's Market. It features a host of trendy apparel, accessory, and home goods venues, including Banana Republic, Nordstrom, Coach, Crate & Barrel, J. Crew, Anthropologie, and Tommy Bahama. In addition, it offers an 18-screen cinema and restaurant options that focus on everything from barbecue to steaks, pastries to Italian fare.
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Shoreline Village

419 Shoreline Village Dr, Long Beach, CA 90802 562-435-2668

Description: LONG BEACH. The hub of the South Bay shopping scene, this attractive complex recollects the golden age of So Cal beachfront development with its quaint design, boardwalk, and eclectic shops. Spend a few hours eyeballing spicy foods at Hot Licks, browsing collectibles at Pirate's Cove, discovering Native American art at Rain Dance, and deciding on the perfect gift for your purple-loving sister at the Purple House (everything they have is, you guessed it, purple). Shoreline Village, indeed, will have a little something for everybody on your list.
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Macy’s Plaza at the MCI Center

750 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Description: DOWNTOWN. Macy's Plaza offers a pleasant assortment of chain stores and unique shops. You'll find a bustling Macy's, of course, along with Casual Corner, Victoria's Secret, Borders, and Express. Other, more independent stores feature Mexican silver jewelry, Chinese jade, and Japanese tools for the garden. Travelers staying at the luxurious Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown get immediate access to these shopping venues ­ it's located in the same complex.
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Westfield Century City

10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067 310-277-3898

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. Westfield Century City's open-air atmosphere sets it apart from other Los Angeles, California malls. Over 100 stores include Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, Coach, The Container Store and Bloomingdale's. Upscale shopping in a pleasant atmosphere draws savvy shoppers to this Beverly Hills destination, and restaurants like RockSugar and Obika Mozzarella Bar, as well as a 15-screen movie theater, keep them coming back for more.
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Hollywood & Highland Center

6801 Hollywood Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90028 323-467-6412

Description: HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT. This upscale complex is Hollywood's answer to the traditional Los Angeles mall's retail store and movie theater combo. Fashion-conscious shoppers will love all the options here, which include Forever 21, Louis Vuitton, Nine West and bebe. A Cirque de Soleil Boutique and Hard Rock Cafe Rock Shop are unique offerings. The building also houses the Kodak Theatre and Grauman's Chinese Theatre, as well as the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel.
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Glendale Galleria

100 W Broadway, Ste 700, Glendale, CA 91210 818-240-9481

Description: GLENDALE. This Los Angeles area mall's anchor stores include national retailers Nordstrom, Macy's and Target. There are also more than 200 specialty retailers such as Hugo Boss, Oakley, Coach, Forever 21 and Sephora, so you're sure to find anything you're looking for. Spacious and well lit, the mall's three levels offer a comfortable setting for fantastic shopping, and it's not uncommon for the Galleria to host concerts and other public events.
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Rodeo Drive

Rodeo Dr, Wilshire Blvd and Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. This world-famous strip has appeared in countless films and served as the background for many a TV show, and for good reason. In the world of high-end fashion, Rodeo and "chic" are synonymous, and for three blocks, shoppers are dazzled by Armani, Gucci, Christian Dior, Chanel, Valentino and Bijan (which boasts million dollar wardrobes). In addition to brand-name boutiques, the area also boasts several small shopping centers (like Rodeo Collection at 421 Rodeo) and department stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks.
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Universal CityWalk Hollywood

1000 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608 818-622-4455

Description: UNIVERSAL CITY. This complex's eateries, nightclubs, theaters, live entertainment options, and shopping venues can reel you in and keep you occupied for an entire afternoon and night. Casual and fine dining establishments offer a wide variety of choices, and celebrity appearances, cooking demonstrations, and street performances are sure to keep you entertained for hours on end. When nighttime approaches, dance the night away in a happening nightclub, or reflect on the day's experiences in a laid-back bar.
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Melrose Avenue

Melrose Ave at La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Description: MELROSE. A walk down Melrose offers the best glimpse of this vibrant city's styles, cultures, and people. The famous street is also home to some of the city's hottest restaurants, trendiest fashion houses, and best walking tours. The street connects downtown to Beverly Hills and cuts through Hollywood and West Hollywood. It's an absolute can't-miss for travelers seeking a true taste of LA's glam.
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Fashion District

110 E 9th St, Los Angeles, CA 90079 213-488-1153

Description: DOWNTOWN. The downtown Fashion District has long been a hub of L.A.'s shopping scene, thanks to its variety of chic modern fashions and retro bargains. Tour the district's many areas ­ the 8th Street Textile area, where you'll find a variety of fabrics from all over the world; the Flower District (on 8th between Maple and San Julian Streets), where the early bird is likely to land any number of domestic and exotic flowers; and the historic New Mart (between Main and Los Angeles Streets), which serves as the showroom for myriad up-and-coming So Cal designers.
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Beverly Center

8500 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 310-854-0071

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. One of the most upscale of all Los Angeles, California malls, the Beverly Center is home to designer stores like Burberry, D&G, Gucci and Prada. Spread over eight floors, this mall has over one million square feet of shopping and entertainment real estate. Macy's and Bloomingdale's anchor this LA landmark, and dining selections include The Capital Grille, a nationally acclaimed steakhouse. A mix of tourists and the Hollywood hip makes for great people watching.
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