World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Los Angeles  - Shopping
Shopping

The most famous shopping place in Los Angeles is Rodeo Drive, off Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Those without a hefty bank balance can still go window-shopping at the fantastically designed flagship stores of all the usual designer names, from Gucci to Tommy Hilfiger. At the end of Rodeo Drive, there are the 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 have branches of Macy's and Bloomingdale's department stores, as well as upmarket speciality shops.

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 twentieth-century antique shops and trendy fashion boutiques, from Mui Mui to Red Balls (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 Los Feliz area of Hollywood Boulevard near Silver Lake, dubbed the 'Soho of LA', has more funky shops.

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

Another fun place to shop is Universal CityWalk, adjacent to Universal Studios. This neon-lit promenade features unique and entertaining shops and restaurants. Downtown has various shopping complexes and gallerias, but perhaps of more interest is the Grand Central Market on South Broadway, a cornucopia of fresh foods, fruits and vegetables, or the Jewelry District (Hill Street between West Fifth and West Seventh Streets), where some great bargains can be found. The kitschy shops along Hollywood Boulevard are the best places for the inevitable fairly tacky souvenirs. Shopping hours are generally 0900-1800 although malls will close at 2100/2200. Sales tax of 8% is not reclaimable.



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