Calif. - Los Angeles Area
© Jonathon Selig / Lonely Planet Images
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Oilily
Beverly Hills
This colorful line of kids' play clothes came from the Netherlands like a storm, and now kids around town are all sporting candy-bright colors and retro-bold florals. Moms get into the action, too, with a coordinating line of sun wear.This colorful line of kids' play clothes came from the
Del Mano
Brentwood
It's worth a visit to this contemporary crafts gallery to see the cool creations -- some whimsical, some exquisite -- of American artists working with glass, wood, ceramics, and jewelry.It's worth a visit to this contemporary crafts gallery to
Westfield Century City
Century City
Since Westfield acquired this open-air shopping center in 2002, it's undergone a massive $150-million renovation in an attempt to revitalize this lackluster location into the area's premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. Along with a sorely needed face-lift, Westfield added 30 new shops, 7 new restaurants, a new flagship 15-screen AMC movie theater, and 260 luxury condominiums. Anchored by
Macy's and
Bloomingdale's department stores, it's located on what was once a 20th Century Fox back lot, just west of Beverly Hills. Among the nearly 200 offerings are
Ann Taylor, J. Crew, bebe, and
Crocs.Since Westfield acquired this open-air shopping center in 2002, it's
Hollywood & Highland
Hollywood
A sure sign that this formerly seedy section of the city is on the fast track to recovery is the massive $615-million "entertainment complex" at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Street (hence the name). Surrounded by souvenir shops and tattoo parlors, the gleaming 8 3/4-acre center contains all the top-end merchants -- Ann Taylor, Louis Vuitton, bebe -- as well as studio broadcast facilities and the gorgeous
Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards (really, you'll want to take a peek at this theater). The mall's other centerpiece is Babylon Court; designed after a set from the 1916 film
Intolerance, the open-air space attempts to re-create an over-the-top golden-age movie set, complete with giant pillars topped with 13,500-pound elephants and a colossal arch that frames the HOLLYWOOD sign in the distance. Parking isn't a problem, as the six-level underground lot can cram in 3,000 cars.A sure sign that this formerly seedy section of the
The Grove
Hollywood
Located at the eastern end of the Farmers Market, this massive 575,000-square-foot Vegas-style retail complex is one of L.A.'s most popular megamalls.Located at the eastern end of the Farmers Market, this
Aardvark's Odd Ark
Los Angeles
This large storefront is crammed with racks of antique and used clothes from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. It stocks vintage everything, from suits and dresses to neckties, hats, handbags, and jewelry -- and it manages to anticipate some of the hottest new street fashions.This large storefront is crammed with racks of antique and
American Rag, Cie
Los Angeles
First to draw shoppers back to industrial La Brea in the early '80s, American Rag has grown from a small vintage clothing store to include trendy new fashions on its own label, as well as adjacent boutiques selling shoes and children's clothes; there's even a kitchen and housewares shop with a small cafe. Once a best-kept secret of hip teenagers, the American Rag dynasty today draws more tourists than trendsetters.First to draw shoppers back to industrial La Brea in
Barnes & Noble
Los Angeles
This national chain is represented throughout the city. B&N offers discounts on bestsellers and also comfy chairs to shoppers who like to read a bit before they buy. The Westwood branch is one of their largest stores and is conveniently attached to the vast Westside Pavilion shopping mall; there's plenty of free parking downstairs. Other branches: Santa Monica (1201 Third Street Promenade; tel.
310/260-9110) and Pasadena (111 W. Colorado Blvd.; tel.
626/585-0362).This national chain is represented throughout the city. B&N offers
Betsey Johnson Boutique
Los Angeles
The New York-based designer has brought to L.A. her brand of fashion -- trendy, cutesy, body-conscious women's wear in colorful prints and faddish fabrics.The New York-based designer has brought to L.A. her brand
Borders
Los Angeles
Borders offers one-stop shopping for books, CDs, greeting cards, and even cappuccino. This La Cienega branch is a block away from the Beverly Center.Borders offers one-stop shopping for books, CDs, greeting cards, and
C.G. Jung Bookstore & Library
Los Angeles
This bookshop specializes in analytical psychology, folklore, fairy tales, alchemy, dream studies, myths, symbolism, and other related topics. Tapes and videocassettes are also sold.This bookshop specializes in analytical psychology, folklore, fairy tales, alchemy,
Dutton's Brentwood Books
Los Angeles
This huge bookshop is well known not only for an extensive selection of new books, but also for its good children's section and an eclectic collection of used and rare books. There are more than 120,000 titles in stock at any one time. Dutton's hosts regular author readings and signings, and sells cards, stationery, prints, CDs, and select software. Rumors are floating around that it might be closing (alas, along with many other independent bookstores in America), so be sure to call ahead before visiting.This huge bookshop is well known not only for an
Golyester
Los Angeles
Before she opened this ladies' boutique, the owner's friends would take one look at her collection of vintage fabrics and clothes and gasp, "Golly, Esther!" Hence the whimsical name. You pay a little extra for the pristine condition of hard-to-find garments like unusual embroidered sweaters from the 1940s and 1950s, Joan Crawford-style suits from the 1940s, and vintage lingerie, but it's worth every penny.Before she opened this ladies' boutique, the owner's friends would
H&M
Los Angeles
If you haven't heard of H&M then you obviously don't know a thing about affordably priced fashion. So popular among the city's shopping elite, it created a frenzy when Southern California's first Swedish-brand H&M store opened in September 2006 at Old Pasadena. (People were lined up around the block and even camping out.) The Pasadena location only carries women's fashions while the larger Beverly Center location has a men's section and a better selection of accessories. Pasadena, 60 W. Colorado Blvd. (tel.
626/793-8974).If you haven't heard of H&M then you obviously don't
Loehmann's
Los Angeles
Loehmann's is huge and packed to the rafters with clothes, shoes, and accessories. Most of its stock is name-brand and designer labels, though nothing ultratrendy is represented. The store is popular for business attire, conservative leisure wear, and bargains on fancy dress wear. Known for years as a women's enclave, Loehmann's also has a men's department offering the same great deals. Serious shoppers should check out the Back Room, where heavyweight designers like Donna Karan and Calvin Klein are represented alongside beaded and formal evening gowns.Loehmann's is huge and packed to the rafters with clothes,
Los Angeles Fashion District
Los Angeles
Reminiscent of the New York garment district, but not quite as frenetic, L.A.'s 90-block Fashion District, bordered by 7th, Spring, and San Pedro streets and the Santa Monica Freeway, has dozens of small shops selling designer and name-brand apparel at heavily discounted prices. A concentration of retail women's wear bargains -- many by name-brand designers -- can be found at the Cooper Building, 860 S. Los Angeles St. (at 9th St.). Men should have some luck along the upper blocks of Los Angeles Street, where mostly business attire is displayed, with deep discounts on Hugo Boss, Armani, and other current suits (mainly Italian), plus similar savings on sport coats and shirts. Ties and vests are usually less stylish.Reminiscent of the New York garment district, but not quite
Off The Wall
Los Angeles
This collection of oversize antiques includes kitschy statues, Art Deco furnishings, carved wall reliefs, Wurlitzer jukeboxes, giant restaurant and gas-station signs, pinball machines, and lots and lots of neon.This collection of oversize antiques includes kitschy statues, Art Deco
Polkadots & Moonbeams (Vintage Store)
Los Angeles
This is actually two stores several doors apart, one carrying (slightly overpriced) hip young fashions for women, and the other a vintage store with clothing, accessories, and fabrics from the 1920s to the 1960s, all in remarkable condition.This is actually two stores several doors apart, one carrying
Polkadots & Moonbeams (modern store)
Los Angeles
This is actually two stores several doors apart, one carrying (slightly overpriced) hip young fashions for women, and the other a vintage store with clothing, accessories, and fabrics from the 1920s to the 1960s, all in remarkable condition.This is actually two stores several doors apart, one carrying
Rhino Records
Los Angeles
This is L.A.'s premier alternative shop, specializing in new artists and independent-label releases. In addition to new releases, there's a terrific used selection; music-industry types come here to trade in the records they don't want for the records they do, so you'll be able to find never-played promotional copies of brand-new releases at half the retail price. You'll also find the definitive collection of records on the Rhino label, as well as used CDs, DVDs, books, and more. The "Blow It" outlet has everything for $5 and under.This is L.A.'s premier alternative shop, specializing in new artists
Samuel French Book Store
Los Angeles
This is L.A.'s biggest theater and movie bookstore. Plays, screenplays, and film books are all sold here, as well as scripts for Broadway and Hollywood blockbusters.This is L.A.'s biggest theater and movie bookstore. Plays, screenplays,
The Beverly Center
Los Angeles
When the eight-story Beverly Center opened on L.A.'s Westside, there was more than a bit of concern about the impending "mallification" of Los Angeles. Loved for its convenience and disdained for its penitentiary-style architecture (and the "no validations" parking fee), Beverly Center contains about 160 standard mall shops, including the wildly popular
H&M, and even a few boutiques that are open by advance reservation only (
so L.A.). It's anchored on opposite sides by Macy's and Bloomingdale's department stores. You can see it from blocks away, looking like a gigantic climbing wall.When the eight-story Beverly Center opened on L.A.'s Westside, there
The Cook's Library
Los Angeles
There's a specialty bookshop for everyone in L.A.; this is where the city's top chefs find both classic and offbeat cookbooks and other food-oriented tomes. Browsing is welcomed, even encouraged, with tea, tasty treats, and rocking chairs.There's a specialty bookshop for everyone in L.A.; this is
The Mystery Bookstore
Los Angeles
An enormous collection of used, rare, and out-of-print titles make this the city's best mystery, espionage, detective, and thriller bookshop. Author appearances and other special events are regularly scheduled. There's even 2 hours of free parking before 6pm in the adjacent structure just north of the store entrance.An enormous collection of used, rare, and out-of-print titles make
Traveler's Bookcase
Los Angeles
This store, one of the best travel bookshops in the West, stocks a huge selection of guidebooks and travel literature, as well as maps and travel accessories. A quarterly newsletter chronicles the travel adventures of the genial owners, who know firsthand the most helpful items to carry. Look for regular readings by well-known travel writers.This store, one of the best travel bookshops in the
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