Just Around the Corner--Shopping L.A.

• News
• Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The holidays (yes, they are fast approaching!) are just around the corner and luckily in L.A. so are shops of every imaginable and imaginative type. For those with money to burn, the obvious choice is a trip to Beverly Hills. Darting amongst the chauffeur-driven limousines along famous Rodeo Drive (http://rodeodrive-bh.com) you'll find branches of many of the world's classiest and priciest boutiques. Pick up a bauble or ten for your very best friends or associates at Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, Harry Winston, or Cartier. Perhaps a briefcase, gloves, or other luxurious leatheriness at Gucci, Fendi, or Prada? For a more laid-back and less pricey shopping experience, Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade (www.thirdstreetpromenade.com) offers several blocks of pedestrian-only thoroughfare packed with outlets of familiar chain establishments, eclectic shops, and street vendors. Sidewalk cafes and well-placed benches allow for rest and revival while buskers entertain with musical entertainment, magic acts, and other feats. This is the ideal place to pick up books, calendars, hand-crafted items, and interesting trinkets to suit all budgets--plus you have the added benefits of snacking on cupcakes, slurping lattes, or treating yourself to a fine restaurant meal. Mall-rats will love Beverly Center (www.beverlycenter.com), fringing both West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. This eight-story behemoth with loads of convenient parking (even valet parking is available) features almost 200 stores and restaurants under one gigantic roof where you can purchase toys, sports gear, gifts for pets, even movie passes--effectively crossing off everyone on your shopping list in one splashy trip. And, the best part about shopping in inimitable Los Angeles?  Almost every shop and department store is open every single day, morning until night. And that includes Sundays.