[2023 GUIDE] The Best Places for Shopping in Los Angeles

Shopping in Los Angeles offers some of the best retail therapy in California. It boasts a unique selection of high-end boutiques, retail boulevards, and shopping streets. You may spot a few A-list celebs and paparazzi on Rodeo Drive or Melrose Avenue. For those looking to save money, Abbot Kinney Boulevard and Third Street Promenade offer affordable shopping. 

Los Angeles is also home to a variety of farmers’ markets. These laidback venues are a great way to experience the local culture and purchase fresh produce. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious shopping experience or a budget-friendly one, Los Angeles has something for everyone.

The Best Places to Go Shopping in Los Angeles

1. RODEO DRIVE

Rodeo Drive is a legendary shopping street known around the world. Thanks to its association with Hollywood, countless movies have been filmed here. Despite the ever-changing stores, the street remains a luxurious spot where money reigns supreme. Visitors can shop for jewelry at Tiffany’s, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Harry Winston, and Cartier or purchase designer clothing from Chanel, Valentino, Dior, and Prada. Rimowa is also a must-visit spot, where they sell the best rolling luggage. With such a wide range of products, one can easily fill their suitcase with all the purchases and roll it home.

Rodeo Drive is recommended for the best shopping in Los Angeles due to its iconic status. It is the most famous shopping street in the world, unparalleled in its luxury and glamour.

2. The Grove

The Grove is one of Los Angeles’ most prominent outdoor shopping complexes. It features around 50 retailers like Nike, Sephora, Topshop, Nordstrom, Banana Republic, and Anthropologie. The mall also hosts frequent events throughout the year. A noteworthy highlight is the Art Deco-style cinema, Pacific Theatres. 

The Grove offers an array of dining options, with over a dozen restaurants and cafes. You can find anything from sushi to burgers here. Groundwork Coffee and Starbucks at Barnes & Noble are perfect for grabbing a cup of coffee. For a wider selection, the Original Farmers Market right next to The Grove has plenty of eateries to choose from.

3. Third Street Promenade

Third Street Promenade is located in Downtown Santa Monica, just a 15-minute walk from the famous Santa Monica Pier. It is a pedestrian-friendly avenue with a variety of brand-name stores, such as Urban Outfitters, GUESS, and Armani Exchange. Those wanting to watch a movie can go to the 20-screen movie theatre to catch the newest Hollywood films.

The atmosphere on Third Street Promenade is also full of life, with many street performers eager to show off their talents. Visitors may stumble upon a variety of buskers, so keep an eye out for the next big thing. After a day of shopping, head to the Pier and enjoy beautiful views of the North Pacific Ocean.

4. Melrose Avenue Shopping District

The Melrose Avenue Shopping District is between La Brea and Fairfax Avenues in Hollywood. In the early 1980s, it was the origin of the new wave and punk cultures in Southern California. Today, the area has a unique selection of designer boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops. 

It has earned the nickname “New Rodeo Drive” due to its comparable shopping experience to Beverly Hills’s Rodeo Drive. However, Melrose Avenue is much more eccentric than its counterpart. It is a great place to observe the stylish and fashionable individuals of Los Angeles, who are looking for something special in their shopping experience.

5. Robertson Boulevard

Robertson Boulevard is known as one of the best places for celebrity spotting in Los Angeles. It is between Beverly Boulevard and 3rd Street, filled with high-end boutiques and restaurants.

The majority of Robertson Boulevard’s shopping scene consists of clothing stores. Brands such as Chanel, BCBG Max Azaria, Lululemon, Ted Baker, and Rebecca Taylor have boutiques in the area.

Celebrities can often be found dining at popular restaurants, including The Ivy and Cuvée. This has made Robertson Boulevard a mecca for celebrity watching.

6. The Commons at Calabasas

The Commons at Calabasas is an outdoor mall with a Mediterranean-style layout and lush gardens that provide a breezy shopping experience. Located just northwest of Lake Calabasas, it is less than 30 miles west of Downtown Los Angeles. The mall features notable brands like Lululemon, Kate Spade, Sephora, and Williams Sonoma, making it a popular destination for celebrities.

In addition to shopping, The Commons also offers entertainment. The Edwards Grand Plaza multiplex is the perfect spot to watch the latest films, while excellent restaurants like Toscanova and Porta Via Calabasas provide various dining options. Furthermore, Lake Calabasas offers recreational activities such as swimming, tennis, and a man-made lake.

7. Hollywood & Highland

Hollywood & Highland is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Los Angeles. Located on Hollywood Boulevard, this 387,000-sq-ft complex has 70 shops and 25 restaurants, a cinema, and a bowling alley. It is home to many big-name retailers such as Gap, American Eagle, and the only Virgin Megastore in Los Angeles, as well as smaller chain stores like Swatch, Bebe, and Hot Topic.

In addition to shopping, Hollywood & Highland is well-known for its iconic tourist attractions, including the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, and the Walk of Fame. Whether you’re shopping, sightseeing, or enjoying the atmosphere, Hollywood & Highland has it all.

8. Abbot Kinney Boulevard

Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a chic street full of hipster characters, making it one of the best shopping areas in Venice Beach. From Venice Boulevard to Pacific Avenue, this bustling district is home to various stores selling cosmetics, activewear, jewelry, and footwear. Popular brands such as Toms, Sweaty Betty, and Caudalie can be found here. Prices are slightly higher than average due to the area’s celebrity-filled atmosphere, but window shopping is always free.

On the first Friday of every month, Abbot Kinney Boulevard transforms into a festival-like atmosphere. Live music and food trucks draw in a huge crowd throughout the day, making for a truly enjoyable experience.

9. BEVERLY CENTER

The Beverly Center is an iconic shopping structure located in the Beverly Hills-West Hollywood neighborhoods of Los Angeles. It has been a fixture since it opened in 1982, boasting over 100 top shops, including Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Saint Laurent, and Versace. The mall was recently redesigned and now towers eight stories high, making it the largest indoor shopping center in town.

The Beverly Center has been featured in numerous films and television shows, giving it a grand and luxurious feeling. It is recommended for the best shopping due to its large indoor space and a wide variety of high-end shopping and dining options. The best way to experience this huge mall is to go in without an agenda and just stroll around, especially on a hot day when the cool indoor space might offer the perfect item you’ve been looking for.

10. SANTA MONICA PLACE

Santa Monica Place has undergone a major transformation. The old, Frank Gehry-designed building is replaced with a sleek open-air shopping center. Anchoring the mall is Nordstrom and a variety of high-end boutiques, including 7 For All Mankind and Hugo Boss. On the top floor, shoppers can take in views of the ocean while enjoying crafted cocktails or fine California wines.

Surrounding the mall are numerous garages for easy parking. After shopping, walk down the neighboring Third Street Promenade, where even more shops and restaurants can be found. For those looking for a more offbeat experience, the Promenade also offers some great people-watching.

The mall is also in close proximity to the Santa Monica Pier, the beach, and the Pacific Ocean. Santa Monica Place is recommended as one of the best places to shop due to its combination of major department stores, trendy boutiques, and highly rated restaurants.

11. WESTFIELD CENTURY CITY MALL

Westfield Century City Mall underwent a massive $1 billion makeover in 2017, becoming one of the top shopping destinations in Southern California. The only thing that remained the same was the AMC Century City 15 movie theaters. The mall now features over 200 shops and restaurants, anchored by Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Macy’s. Additionally, there is a massive Eataly, which combines an Italian specialty food market with three restaurants. Smaller shops include the Apple Store, Ted Baker, John Varvatos and Michael Kors.

Visitors can also enjoy various culinary delights, such as Terra, Din Tai Fung, Javier’s, and other restaurants scattered throughout. The mall also hosts special events and pop-up stores, making it a great weekend destination. Across the street from the mall is the newly opened Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel. 

Westfield Century City Mall has been recommended for some of the best shopping in Los Angeles due to its transformation into a wonderland of shopping and eating.

12. MONTANA AVENUE

Montana Avenue in Santa Monica is the perfect place for a shopping experience. Spanning over ten blocks, the district is home to a wide variety of high-end shops. You can find something for everyone, from home furnishings to children’s clothing. Moondance Jewelry Gallery and Claude Joaillier offer stunning jewelry and accessories, while Savannah is the perfect place to find the latest fashion trends. Larissa Love offers perfume, bath, and body goods, and you can find furniture at Lovesac and Nest Bedding. The Massage Place is a great place to get your kinks worked out.

When you’re done shopping, there are plenty of places to eat along Montana Avenue. Forma and Father’s Office offer delicious meals, while Le Macaron French Pastries offers French cookies. Finish up your experience by heading a few blocks west to watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean with your toes in the sand. 

Montana Avenue is recommended for the best shopping in Los Angeles because it is chic and relaxed. It’s the perfect place to get some much-needed retail therapy.