One of the most popular vacation destinations in the world is sunny Southern California. Millions of people from all over the world flock to the Los Angeles area for an unforgettableholiday in one of the most fun and exciting cities on the planet. Visitors book their flights to Los Angeles for lots of different reasons; they come for the beaches, the culture, the celebrities, the amusement parks, the nightlife- and they come to shop!
Los Angeles, California is one of the most spectacular shopping destinations in the world. Whether you have deep pockets or you are just a window- shopping addict, The City of Angels is also the City of Retail.
Famous fashion boutiques, shopping centers, vintage stores and museum gift shops abound throughout the metropolitan area of LA, making it a paradise for shopaholics, fashionistas and bargain hunters alike. If you want to update your wardrobe or just take home some fantastic souvenirs from California, you’ll have an unforgettable shopping experience in Los Angeles.
The Fashion District
Formerly known as the Garment District, the intersection of Los Angeles Street and 9th Street is the location of four buildings housing some of the fashion industry’s most important garment businesses. The Cooper Design Space, the California Market Center and the New Mart contain more than a thousand different design showrooms that are usually only open to retailers who are buying in bulk- except for Sample Sales! Usually held on the last Friday of the month from 9 til 3, this is your chance to obtain gorgeous, up-to-the-minute designs before they even hit the stores. Be aware that advanced registration or an appointment might be necessary to gain entry to the Sample Sales. The Gerry Building is, however, open for retail sales with more than 70 top-name fashion boutiques including Baby Phat and Calvin Klein.
A block east of Los Angeles Street is Santee Alley, which is a gathering spot for street merchants selling clothing and fashion accessories. You can find some great deals here- but be very careful of shysters selling counterfeit goods.
The Grove
The Grove is a premium shopping center and entertainment complex located on part of the site of the historic Farmer’s Market. You’ll enjoy a free ride on the 1950’s electric Boston Street car, The Grove Trolley, that takes you from the heart of The Grove three/quarters of a mile to the Farmer’s Market. The Dancing Fountains in front of the theater are a popular attraction, and visitors love seeing Mario Lopez out taping the latest edition of Extra, when you might win a prize or meet a super-star. And of course, the shops are out of this world! You’ll find some of the most famous stores on earth here in The Grove, such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Tommy Bahama, Anthropologie, Swarovski, Barnes & Noble, Michael Kors and more.
Beverly Hills
For the most glamorous shopping experience of your life, Beverly Hills is unmatched for elite, haute couture boutique stores. Start at the Beverly Hills Center and browse the selections in the powerhouse department stores like the iconic Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, and then take your shopping trip down the street whose name makes women everywhere start to drool: Rodeo Drive. And please pronounce correctly or you’ll sound like a country hick: it’s “Ro-day’-oh”, not “Ro’-dee-oh”. If you love to shop, whether you can afford to go inside or not, you simply must walk these three blocks in the heart of the Golden Triangle where every store is a first-class designer label. You can obtain an incredible wardrobe of top designs, or you can just name-drop to your friends back home about the places you shopped on Rodeo Drive, including Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabanna, Cartier, Armani, Harry Winston and others.
The Citadel Factory Outlets
Truly a bargain hunter’s paradise, this outdoor shopping complex not far from downtown Los Angeles is home to more than one hundred top, brand-name factory outlet stores and restaurants, with a Citadel Express Shuttle to take you around to all the different shopping venues. You can save up to 70% on your shopping at these factory outlets, including outlets stores for Banana Republic, Guess, Nine West, Eddie Bauer, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and many, many more. You can score additional savings with a special Citadel shopping package, like the Shop & Dine that gives you a souvenir canvas bag, a Preferred Customer Savings Card, a couple of $10 and $15 gift cards and a free beverage from Ruby’s Diner.
