Shopping in Los Angeles

Considering the shopping opportunities in Los Angeles, it’s unsurprising that California has the eighth largest economy in the world. Some of the best shoppers in the world live in and visit Los Angeles. We’re talking total shopping pros, here. And there are all kinds of fun shopping environments. Whatever flavor you like your commerce, you can find it in Los Angeles.

Open Markets

Los Angeles boasts two of the most explosive open markets in America. In Chinatown, merchandise-seeking travelers can window shop and wander in and out of booths and shops, from A to Z, or A (A&K Gift & Fashion) to Y (Yvonne's Gift Shop) anyway, and 257 more in between. If you require herbs or cooking supplies or picture frames or novelties, all can be found in Chinatown. I even bought a walking cane with a cobra’s head and a hidden dagger. I felt like a James Bond villain! Go for dim sum in the morning, then walk off the meal with some shopping, that’s a great way to spend a Saturday.

Los Angeles’s downtown area has a particular reputation (i.e. “Nothing ever happens downtown”), but the Fashion District is making a strong run at revitalizing downtown all by itself. For another open market, hit Santee Alley. Santee focuses on clothes and shoes (naturally), but the market has expanded to include pretty much anything you could ever want to buy, and many things you might not want to buy, but you will be overjoyed to learn exist. Open from 9:30 til 6, 365 days a year.

Sometimes shopping isn’t just shopping. Hanging out, people watching, maybe wandering in and out of stores, grabbing some food with friends, that’s the whole shopchilada for many. For a laid back atmosphere, full of people just out enjoying being people, visit The Grove. A whole day can be spent shopping there, and nothing purchased. It’s right in town, and if you need a $1000 suit as well as fresh-ground sausage, you came to the right place.

The Hardcore Shopper

But who are we kidding? When you think “shopping in Los Angeles,” you think Rodeo Drive. And if a district ever lived up to its reputation, Rodeo Drive is it. Nestled in Beverly Hills, just walking to Rodeo Drive is a shopping extravaganza, but then you take that turn into the nook that starts of Rodeo, and you know you are where the action’s at. High end fashions and jewelry for men and women alike are there for the eyeing and trying on. Watch out that your credit card doesn’t melt, because once you start acting like a Hollywood big-shot, you’re going to start spending like one. And we don’t need any more news stories about the IRS visiting some Hollywood big shot like you.