Bazaar: Los Angeles Shopping Guide
City of Angels Shopping Information
Los Angeles might be the home of mega malls, but there’s a good deal for the shopper to explore than the polished interiors of chain stores you can find on the High Street back home. Film fans, vintage lovers, followers of fashion and kooky folk with an eye for the original – you’re bound to find a something to fit your style in Southern California’s shopping metropolis.
Getting Around
Los Angeles has many forms of transportation, both public and private. There are tons of walkable neighbourhoods, bike trails, and drives you can take to get just about anywhere. Last year, the City of Los Angeles officially extended the LA Metro Rail so now locals and visitors will be able to travel from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica State Beach.
Other methods of transport available in LA include Uber, Lyft, Bike Share, and Enterprise.
Quick tip for you LA newbies: Avoid the 405 Freeway all at costs, even when it isn’t rush hour.
These Streets were Made for Shopping
One of Los Angeles best features is its vibrant street shopping life. Whether you’re looking for a designer handbag or a vintage leather jacket, you’re sure to find something on one of LA’s many popular sidewalks.
Third Street Promenade
Third Street Promenade on a Busy Day – Bobak Ha’Eri
Nestled just three blocks from the Santa Monica Pier lies one of Southern California’s most well known shopping destinations. The promenade first came to life in the 1960s when it was transformed into a pedestrian-only centre. As the years have passed, renovations have been made and many stores have been added including Santa Monica Place which sits at the end of the promenade on 3rd & Colorado Ave. The blocks are lined with variety shops ranging in price, style, and popularity, along with restaurants and a food court that are sure to satisfy any cravings, as well as 3 movies theatres. When you finish shopping, take a short walk down to the Santa Monica Pier for some cotton candy and ride on the pier’s iconic Ferris Wheel while taking in a stunning view of the Southern California coastline.
The promenade is the most crowded on weekends, sunny days, and holidays so street parking is very limited. But not to worry, parking structures have been built in different areas to aid with convenience. If you are planning on visiting the promenade more than once, there are many hotels at your disposal – though not the most economically friendly – but the views are surely worth it.
Third Street Promenade
3rd Street between Wilshire Blvd. & Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive Sign – Torsten Bolten 1993
If you’re looking to for the ultimate celebrity experience, head to Beverly Hills’ famous Rodeo Drive. Featured in the Hollywood favourite Pretty Woman, this shopping destination is filled with luxury boutiques and internationally acclaimed designer brands, including the recently expanded Louis Vuitton, as well as Cartier, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren just to name a few. In 2003 Rodeo Drive underwent a $18 million makeover which aided in expanding the sidewalks, lining the drive with native California palm trees, and giving its street and shops a more European atmosphere.
Tired of window shopping? Take a walk to the equally expensive restaurants including Wolfgang Puck’s steakhouse CUT, The Blvd. at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel, and for you people watchers, 208 Rodeo.
Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
www.rodeodrive-bh.com
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Not a far drive or bike ride from the Third Street promenade lies the trendy Venice Beach street of Abbot Kinney. With its mix of sophisticated vintage shops and the latest in art, fashion, and food, it’s the perfect destination for a day out in the California sun. Spend the day browsing in AK’s many independent and commercial boutiques, and satisfy your sweet tooth at the Instagram-favourite Salt & Straw Ice Cream shop. If you’re visiting on the first Friday of the month, head to the Abbot Kinney First Fridays street festival. It’s 5pm-11pm running time is filled with selected shops that are opened late, as well as food trucks and live music.
This street is very popular with locals and bike friendly. With the company Bike Share, you can rent a two-wheeler from a few hours or the whole day. Parking is also available, but not in great supply.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
‘To Market, To Market’
From food to fashion, Los Angeles’ hip and local markets are one of the best ways to experience the California culture.
Rose Bowl Flea Market
Rose Bowl Flea Market – rosebowlstadium.com
Dubbed ‘America’s marketplace of unusual items’, the Rose Bowl is one of the most famous flea markets in the United States, and almost certainly the largest. The second Sunday of each month between 9am-4:30pm sees 20,000 shoppers flock to the parking lot of the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, about 20 minutes drive from downtown LA, to storm the aisles on the lookout for bargains. With over 2,200 vendors turning out for the occasion, you’ll find any collectable you’ve been hankering after and much, much more besides. There are three main sections to the market:
– Antiques
Antiques from every era sold by vendors who have been coming from as far afield as Arizona and Utah, every month for more than 20 years. Professional buyers and die-hard collectors come early to bag the best stuff, but as the day wears on vendors are eager to offload their goods at any price and the casual late-comer can get a great price on whatever they leave behind.
– Household and junk
Household clearance items and used clothing. Occasional vendors clearing out their attics do a swift trade in tat and castoffs at the Rose Bowl. If you know your stuff, you may unearth some unwanted items of real value here.
– Crafts & jewellery
The outside perimeter of the stadium is the territory of craftspeople who spend weekdays fashioning trinkets, jewellery and creative items, and weekends selling them to artsy customers at the best of California’s swap-meets.
Entrance fee for the general public is $9 and for children under 12 admission is free. VIP options are available.
For more information on buying or selling at the Rose Bowl, contact:
Rose Bowl Stadium
1001 Rose Bowl Drive
Pasedena, CA 91103
www.rgcshows.com/RoseBowl.aspx
The Original Farmers’ Market
The Original Farmer’s Market – Bobak Ha’Eri
Since 1934, The Original Farmers’ Market is Los Angeles’ most famous sit-down market. It features more than 100 vendors and cuisines of all sorts, specialising in American, of course. Opened seven days a week, it’s the perfect place to get fresh and local produce. This outdoor market is a lovely place to spend a Sunday morning with family, with its turquoise table and chairs and delectable scents around every corner.
Once you’re finished with lunch or grocery shopping, walk off those calories by visiting another one of Los Angeles’ famous outdoor shopping destinations, The Grove.
The market is opened everyday Monday to Friday: 9am-9pm, Saturdays: 9am-8pm, & Sundays: 10am-7pm. Valet and parking lot spaces are available.
The Original Farmers’ Market
6333 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90036
A Piece of Hollywood
The movies are one of the first things that spring to mind when you think of Los Angeles, and there’s a hundred years of movie-making history in the city. Visit one of their featured shops and take a piece of the limelight home with you!
Larry Edmunds Bookshop
Larry Edmunds Bookshop – Jakob N. Layman
Located in the heart of Hollywood for over 70 years sits Larry Edmunds Bookshop, a true treasure trove of movie texts, photographs, and posters. With hundreds of thousands of ‘La La Land’ content filling the bookshelves from end to end, it is truly a film-lovers dream. On select days, the bookshop holds book signings with expert authors and golden-age actors as well as presentations of old Hollywood films.
The current owner (but not founder) Jeffrey Mantor buys his stock from anyone who comes through his doors looking to sell their cherished memorabilia – and he doesn’t just have an eye for the classics.
You can find any upcoming events on their website. www.larryedmunds.com/
Larry Edmunds is opened Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, and Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Larry Edmunds Bookshop
6644 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Reel Clothes
Reel Clothes is a warehouse store which sells clothing, cast-offs and props from films and TV shows straight to the public. The 1000 square foot store sells off items worn by background actors, and pristine garments never actually used for filming – they may be identical to the pieces worn by the stars, only minus the bullet holes! Prices are extremely reasonable, making Reel Clothes the place to come for bargain good quality, smart clothing.
The warehouse out back stores hundreds of collectable costumes, each indisputably worn by one star or another, ready to be despatched to on-line buyers through www.reelclothes.com. Nothing is unique, since costume designers must supply several of everything, just in case a costume gets wrecked in the first take. But the thousands of dollars you may pay does include a Letter of Authenticity, guaranteeing who the item was worn by and in what movie.
Reel Clothes
5525 Cahuenga Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601
It’s a Wrap!
It’s a Wrap! Burbank – Graphik Deziner onthegrid.city
If you’re looking to spend some good money on certified movie props and wardrobe, look no further than So Cal’s It’s a Wrap!, the only store the allows the public to purchase pieces from iconic films and television shows. With new stock filtering in everyday, you are bound to find treasure within this exciting chest. It’s colourful sound-stage-like interior is adorned with outfits worn by award winning actors such as Sylvester Stallone, Brad Pitt, and Sharon Stone, along with costumes and props from famous feature films such as Rocky, The Truman Show, and Seabiscuit. This family owned and operated company is truly a star of the film universe.
It’s a Wrap! has partnerships with major production companies including Warner Bros. Studios, Paramount, and Walt Disney Studios.
You can make online purchases as well as participate in auctions for high-ticket items, or simply stop in to both of their Los Angeles homes.
It’s a Wrap! It’s a Wrap! Westside
3315 W. Magnolia Blvd. 1164 S. Robertson
Burbank, CA 91505 Los Angeles, CA 90035
www.itsawraphollywood.com/index.htm
Home is…?
After a long day of shopping it’s great to come home to comfortable accommodations. Here are some recommended places to stay while you enjoy your time in Southern California.
With the Elite?
The Beverly Wilshire Hotel – Minnaert
The Beverly Wilshire
Close to: Rodeo Drive and The Beverly Center
9500 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
www.fourseasons.com/beverlywilshire/
By the Beach?
Shutters on the Beach
Close to: Third Street Promenade, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and Main Street
Santa Monica State Beach
1 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405
Trendy & Sophisticated?
Farmer’s Daughter Hotel – wheelchairtraveling.com
Petit Ermitage
Close to: Melrose Avenue and West Hollywood Gateway
8822 Cynthia Street
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Independent & Indie?
Farmer’s Daughter Hotel
Close to: The Grove, Melrose Avenue, and The Original Farmers’ Market
115 S. Fairfax
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Need Help Planning a Visit?
The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau can help you make the most of your visit. Plan your trip online using the handy online Vacation Planner Tool on their website, or drop by the Visitor Information Centre.
685 Figueroa St. (between Wilshire Blvd. and 7th St.)
Los Angeles 90017
Hours: Weekdays 8 am – 5 pm
Saturdays 8:30 am – 5 pm
Tel: 213 689 8822
