World City Guide

Shopping

The most famous shopping street in Los Angeles is Rodeo Drive, off Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Those without hefty bank balances can still go window-shopping at jewellery stores like Harry Winston and Tiffany’s or the flagship stores of all the designer names, from Gucci to Tommy Hilfiger. At the end of Rodeo Drive are larger department stores, such as Barney’s and Saks.

Not far away is the Beverly Center, a favourite shopping mall of the stars, and Century City Shopping Center, an outdoor shopping plaza; both with branches of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, as well as speciality shops.

For eight blocks from Coldwater Canyon to Laurel Canyon, in Studio City, Ventura Boulevard is shopping for the celebs. They have been spotted in the smart shops, which include home decorating shops, exclusive designer boutiques, trendier younger designers, some highstreet clothes shops etc. Notable shops include the Indian Art Center, which has been selling Native American arts and crafts for 35 years and was one of the first places to do so; also The Big Easy is the place for cigar smokers. Ventura Boulevard also has many trendy restaurants.

Westwood Village, adjacent to the UCLA campus, is easier on the pocketbook and has a range of inexpensive shops. Melrose Avenue, between Highland Avenue and Doheny Drive, is lined with 20th-century antique shops and trendy fashion boutiques, from Mui Mui to Red Balls (featured in the opening credits of the TV show Melrose Place). La Brea Avenue, off Melrose Avenue, has more hip boutiques and vintage clothing stores, including the huge American Rag. The Silver Lake area, on the border of Los Feliz and Hollywood (Vermont Avenue and Sunset Boulevard), is dubbed the ‘Soho of LA’. It has stalls and boutiques selling stylish vintage and retro clothing.

Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade is a pedestrianised mall that runs for several blocks and is lined with shops and outdoor cafés. At one end is Santa Monica Place, an indoor mall with department stores and boutiques. Chic shopping can be found nearby on Montana Avenue, between Seventh and 17th Streets.

Downtown has various shopping complexes and gallerias, including the highly recommended Grand Central Market on South Broadway, which is a cornucopia of fresh foods, fruits and vegetables. In the Jewelry District (Hill Street between West Fifth and West Seventh Streets), visitors can find good bargains, while the Fashion District is a real shopping experience (a 56-block mix of wholesalers, manufacturers and retailers selling merchandise at discounts). The Downtown Property Owners Association have maps detailing public transportation routes, the dates of sales and where to find designer merchandise.

The kitsch shops along Hollywood Boulevard are best for the inevitably tacky souvenirs.

Shopping hours are generally 0900-1800 although malls will close at 2100/2200. Sales tax of 8.25% is not reclaimable.