Best Neighborhood To Go On A Shopping Spree In Los Angeles
(credit: Abbot Kinney)
It's fun to discover new neighborhoods in Los Angeles. From downtown to the beach, this city hosts an abundance of shopping adventures and destinations for the tried and true shopper. Whether you are in need of retail therapy or a wardrobe update, the stand-alone boutiques offer something different than the same old shopping malls. Abbot Kinney, Malibu, West Third St., Melrose Ave., Robertson Blvd. and Sunset Blvd. have their own distinct line-up of shops, restaurants, cafes and special nuances that characterize each shopping district.
Abbot Kinney
Venice, CA
abbotkinneyblvd.com
The one-mile Abbot Kinney Boulevard has so much to offer anyone looking to shop, eat (check out all of the fave food trucks on First Fridays), and stroll just a few blocks from the Pacific Ocean. This area is friendly to both locals and tourists, which is why parking can be tough during the weekends. But it's worth the trip because of the unique collection of stores including Marine Layer, Aviator Nation, iShine365 and Sundry (all great for beach wares and swimsuits), Satine, IRO, Current/Elliott, Heist and Scotch & Soda (high-end fashion boutiques) and eco-friendly stuff by Alternative Apparel, Aesop, and Burro Goods. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or an eco-chic organic juice are just a few more exciting reasons to visit Abbot Kinney. Check out Gjelina, GTA (Gjelina To Go), Intelligentsia Coffee, Kreation Kafe & Juicery, Salt Air bistro and Salt & Straw ice cream.
Malibu Country Mart
3835 Cross Creek Road
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 456-7300
www.malibucountrymart.com
Shopping, dining, taking in fresh ocean air and relaxing...all in one place? Yes, this is how Malibu Country Mart rolls. The attitude is laid back; even the celebrities who frequent here can actually get their errands done or hang with their kids at the children's playground without much of a scene. Not your cookie-cutter shopping center, this area is a high-end boutique shopping draw with stores like 7 For All Mankind, Calypso St. Barth, Ron Herman, Madison, Wild Fox, Yogasmoga, John Varvatos, LeTarte Swimwear, Malibu Lifestyles and Oliver Peoples. Taverna Tony, one of the finest Greek restaurants in L.A., elevates your day in Malibu, along with Mr. Chow, an upscale Chinese food hot spot. Sunlife Organics is a perfect go-to for superfood snacking and juicing. One more perk that Malibu Country Mart offers which fits the L.A. lifestyle is its electric vehicle charging stations.
West Third St.
Los Angeles, CA
www.west3rdstreet.com
Take a taste of Los Angeles on West Third St., located between La Cienega and Fairfax. This shopping district has exploded over the past several years and offers many media-celebrated restaurants and grab-a-seat-and-stay-a-while cafes such as Doughboys, Joan's on Third, Magnolia Bakery, Mercado, The Little Door (and, its sister The Little Next Door), Belcampo Meat Co., The Churchill, Juice Served Here, Sweetgreen, A.O.C., and Verve Coffee Roasters. The shopping is funky and eclectic with fun boutiques including Bedhead Pajamas, Freenote Cloth for men, Canadian jeweler Pyrrha, vintage and modern apparel and accessories at Polkadots & Moonbeams and vintage denims at Lot Stock & Barrel, Plastica (all things Plastic), Eggy for kids, Martone Cycling Co., Flight 001 travel store and eyewear retailer Gogosha Optique. Discover sweat-worthy fitness studios like Aura cycling and Aerial for stunts, Pilates, ballet and yoga. Angelenos also trek to Third St. for blowouts at Drybar, facials at Face Haus and hair removal and tanning at Stript Wax Bar. Valet parking is offered along the street, or try your luck at finding street parking at meters or on side streets (keep an eye out for parking signs).
Related: Trendiest Places To Shop In L.A.
Melrose Ave.
Hollywood, CA
www.melroseavela.com
Set between Fairfax and Highland, Melrose Ave. is home to a colorful experience of shopping and glamming it up Hollywood style (Rust Salon for trendy wool extensions and Manic Panic for alternative makeup and hair dyes). Probably one of the most popular streets to discover vintage, Melrose Ave. offers unique boutiques to shop and collect, including Record Collector, American Vintage, Crossroads and World of Vintage T-Shirts. One-of-a-kind stores like Sportie LA (cool sneakers), Le Joli and Paper Doll deserve a visit as well. There are also the popular chainy stores including American Apparel, Urban Outfitters and The Outlet LF (the markdown version of trendy LF). You must check out the art scene, including galleries The Stone Malone, The Sugar Lab and Soho Design House, to name a few. Must-eats include Greenspan's Grilled Cheese, L'Assiette Steak Frites, Osteria Mozza and Wolf, a new opening by former Top Chef contestant Marcel Vigneron. On the weekend, make sure not to miss the Melrose Trading Post market that offers up food and antiques.
West Hollywood
www.visitwesthollywood.com/shopping
West Hollywood has it all for a full day of shopping. From couture to on-trend clothing shops, there are several areas to visit. Start your day on Melrose Ave. where you can grab an organic coffee (try the Spanish latte) and breakfast by the bowl at Urth Caffe. This part of Melrose Ave. (on the cusp of Beverly Hills) offers DASH (the Kardashian boutique), Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Adler along with Duff Goldman's Cakemix Bakery & Studio. Sunset Plaza is a total scene for lunch -- Le Petit Four or Chin Chin's offers sidewalk seating and the shopping offers favorite designers including BCBG Max Azria, Zadig & Voltaire, Haute Hippie and Hugo Hugo Boss. Take in the afternoon with a glass of vino at The Ivy along Robertson Blvd., and finish up your day by shopping lululemon, Vince, Jay Wolf, Rebecca Taylor, Paul & Joe, Ralph Lauren and Kiehl's.
Related: Best Clothing Stores On La Brea Ave.
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