10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Los Angeles

Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is one of the best places to go shopping in Los Angeles. This famous street is all about luxury, where big names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman and Britney Spears have been spotted shopping at the high-end, designer boutiques.

Visitors often come to Rodeo Drive to window-shop and do some celebrity spotting along the way. Of course, you can enjoy some extravagant retail therapy if you’ve got the cash for it. Rodeo Drive stretches from Santa Monica Boulevard to Dayton Way. There’s plenty of outstanding photo-ops along the way, such as the Via Rodeo and Rodeo Drive sign.

The Grove is a prominent outdoor shopping complex in Los Angeles. You can find around 50 retailers here, including Nike, Sephora, Topshop, Nordstrom, Banana Republic, and Anthropologie. Frequent events take place throughout the year – the mall even has its very own Art Deco-style cinema, called Pacific Theatres.

The Grove has over a dozen dining choices, ranging from sushi to burgers. You can enjoy a fresh brew at Groundwork Coffee or Starbucks at Barnes & Noble. The Original Farmers Market sits adjacent to The Grove, so you can also head there for a meal before or after shopping.

Third Street Promenade sits in Downtown Santa Monica, just a 15-minute walk from the iconic Santa Monica Pier. This pedestrian-friendly avenue has many familiar brand-name stores, such as Urban Outfitters, GUESS, and Armani Exchange. Moviegoers will be pleased to a 20-screen movie theatre showing the latest Hollywood blockbusters.

Third Street Promenade is also a great place for street entertainment. Make sure to look out for enthusiastic buskers parked along the promenade – these talented performers may just be the next big thing. After a few hours of shopping, you can walk over to Santa Monica Pier and unwind with views of the North Pacific Ocean.

The Melrose Avenue Shopping District sits between La Brea and Fairfax Avenues in Hollywood. In the early 1980s, it was the birthplace of Southern California’s new wave and punk cultures. Today, the area offers a contrasting mix of high-end and independent designer boutiques, as well as art galleries and antique shops.

Dubbed the ‘New Rodeo Drive’, Melrose Avenue is much quirkier than its Beverly Hills neighbour. It does, however, have one thing in common with Rodeo Drive – it's great for people-watching. Los Angeles’ young and trendy as well as those who like something a little less predictable from their shopping experience can be seen strolling the vibrant streets.

Robertson Boulevard is widely known as one of the best places for celebrity spotting in Los Angeles. This is mostly thanks to the sheer number of high-end boutiques and restaurants lining the streets between Beverly Boulevard and 3rd Street.

Clothing stores make up the majority of Robertson Boulevard’s shopping scene. Prominent brands include Chanel, BCBG Max Azaria, Lululemon, Ted Baker, and Rebecca Taylor. You can often spot Hollywood celebs enjoying a meal at famous dining spots like The Ivy and Cuvée.

The Commons at Calabasas offers a breezy shopping experience, thanks to its open-air layout and lush gardens. This Mediterranean-style outdoor mall attracts many celebs with notable brands like Lululemon, Kate Spade, Sephora, and Williams Sonoma. You can catch the latest films at the Edwards Grand Plaza multiplex or have a meal at excellent restaurants like Toscanova and Porta Via Calabasas.

The Commons at Calabasas is less than 30 miles west of Downtown Los Angeles. The complex is just northwest of Lake Calabasas, a recreational park with a manmade lake, tennis court, and swimming centre.

Hollywood & Highland is one of the best places to go shopping in Los Angeles. Located at Hollywood Boulevard, the 387,000-sq-ft complex offers around 70 shops and 25 restaurants, as well as a cinema and bowling alley. This vibrant hub has many familiar brands, including Gap, American Eagle, and Los Angeles’ only Virgin Megastore. You can also find smaller chain stores like Swatch, Bebe, and Hot Topic.

Hollywood & Highland is also famous for sightseeing, thanks to iconic tourist attractions such as the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, and the Walk of Fame.

Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a chic street full of hipster character, making it one of the best shopping areas in Venice Beach. The bustling district runs from Venice Boulevard to Pacific Avenue, housing stores selling cosmetics, activewear, jewellery, and footwear. Expect the likes of Toms, Sweaty Betty, and Caudalie at this retail hub.

Abbot Kinney Boulevard is also a popular spot for celebrity sightings, so prices are slightly higher than average. Window shopping is, as always, free. Visit on the first Friday of the month to enjoy a festival-like atmosphere – live music and food trucks draw in a huge crowd throughout the day.

Atwater Village is a 2-square-mile neighbourhood between Glendale and Eagle Rock. It’s a popular residential area for creatives and entrepreneurs in Los Angeles, you’ll find an eclectic range of businesses along its streets. Most of the shopping is concentrated around Glendale Boulevard and Los Feliz Boulevard, where you can shop for antiques, vintage clothes, home décor, books, and speciality items.

Atwater Village is one of the most walkable and bicycle-friendly neighbourhoods in Los Angeles. After exploring the area, you can follow several paths to Griffith Park, Los Angeles River, and Forest Lawn.

Melrose Trading Post is a great place for affordable shopping, lazing on the grass, and listening to live music. This Sunday flea market takes place in Fairfax High School and money raised each week at the market is donated to the school. This outdoor marketplace has a friendly, easy-going atmosphere, with students manning stalls and helping around the venue.

Vendors at Melrose Trading Post sell everything from vintage homeware, antiques, collectables, and art to handmade, eco-friendly, and recycled items. You’ll have to pay a small admission fee, but it’s used to fund school trips, sports equipment, and the upkeep of the school.