Shopping in Los Angeles
Shopping in LA: From Fabulous Flea Markets to Chic Concept StoresWhether you’re in the mood for hitting the designer boutiques on Rodeo Drive or hunting for vintage treasures at one of the city’s many flea markets, LA is the place to come for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
When you think of shopping in Los Angeles, most people immediately conjure up an image of flashy Rodeo Drive, with its upmarket designer boutiques and shiny sports cars. And while this stretch of Beverly Hills is still a shopping haven, the city is also home to plenty of quirky indie shops and captivating concept stores, as well as flea markets crammed full of vintage finds and antiques. What’s more, every area has something different to offer, whether you’re in the mood for picking up a cult new beauty product from West Hollywood, sourcing some second-hand reading material in Downtown or unearthing vintage gems in Pasadena. Read on to uncover LA’s must-visit shopping destinations.
Explore more articles
Rodeo Drive
While you’re there, make sure you also check out Two Rodeo Drive. Inspired by glamorous European shopping districts, the cobblestone pedestrian-only street is a particularly charming place to walk around and take a selfie or two.
No shopping guide to LA would be complete without a mention of Rodeo Drive – when it comes to ultra-high-end designer threads, this is probably the most famous shopping destination in the world. You’ll find all the big-name designer brands along these three blocks just north of Wilshire Boulevard, from Chanel and Louis Vuitton to Prada and Jimmy Choo. Indulge in a spot of window shopping and keep an eye out for the attention-grabbing sports cars that like to zip up and down this stretch.
Address: Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Rose Bowl Flea Market
If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, you can pay a bit extra (around $8) for a VIP ticket, which grants you early access from 5 am – it’s more than worth it to be able to browse the stalls in relative peace and quiet before the regular admission opens at 9 am.
You need to brace yourself for a trip to the Rose Bowl Flea Market – with over 2,500 vendors set out in a rabbit warren of stalls, it’s not for the faint-hearted. But those who can commit to a full day of trawling through the bric-a-brac will leave with untold treasures. Held on the second Sunday of every month in the vast Rose Bowl Stadium, you’ll find everything from vintage threads and second-hand furniture to quirky collectibles here.
Address: 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103
Dover Street Market
Housed in a vast former warehouse in the hip Arts District in Downtown LA, going to this trend-setting concept store can sometimes feel more like a visit to an art gallery than a fashion boutique, thanks to its industrial space and carefully curated collections. You can pick up pieces from established names like Balenciaga, Gucci and Jacquemus, as well as lesser-known talents like British designer Simone Rocha and offbeat Scandi brand Cecilie Bahnsen.
Address: 608 Imperial Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Melrose Place
If you’re starting to flag, get your caffeine fix at the perennially packed Alfred Coffee, one of the most popular coffee shops in all of LA. Whatever you order, make sure to add in one of their famous homemade syrups.
This pretty, tree-lined street in West Hollywood is known the world over thanks to the ‘90s TV show that bears its name, but now it’s more famous as a luxury shopping destination for Angelenos who’d rather avoid busy Rodeo Drive. Fashionistas flock here to shop at the likes of Balmain, Isabel Marant and The Row, while beauty aficionados come for Violet Grey, the cult beauty store that counts Kim Kardashian and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley among its fans.
Address: Melrose Place, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Melrose Trading Post Flea Market
This popular weekly outdoor flea market is held on the campus of Fairfax High School every Sunday and is a firm favorite with fashionable locals and top Hollywood stylists alike, who come here to scour for everything from expertly curated vintage clothing to handmade jewelry and antiques. Lose yourself among the market’s 200+ stalls before taking a break to pick up a dish from one of the street vendors and listen to a local artist on the live music stage.
Address: 7850 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046
The Last Bookstore
If you like a side of imaginative art installations when you’re browsing for books, this is the bookstore for you. California’s largest new and second-hand bookshop has made a name for itself thanks to its clever displays, which feature books flying off the shelves and a walk-through tunnel made entirely out of hardbacks. Spread over two floors, the store boasts over 250,000 books in its collection, meaning you’re almost guaranteed to walk out with some new reading material.
Address: 453 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
The Grove
If you happen to be in LA over the holidays don’t miss The Grove’s festive decorations, which include an enormous Christmas tree, Santa’s grotto and hourly snow flurries by the fountains.
This beautifully manicured outdoor mall in West Hollywood may not be particularly cool – the brands represented here are decidedly mainstream rather than being edgy indie offerings – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a lovely place to spend a few hours. With its cutesy streetlamps, synchronized fountains and vintage 1950s trolley it has a distinct Disneyland vibe to it, which kids will love. You’ll find lots of household names here like Apple, Banana Republic and Michael Kors, as well as a range of cafés and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat and a movie theater where you can catch the latest releases.
Address: 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Typical Local Products, Souvenirs to Take Home
Chocolates from See’s Candies – While See’s Candies are now available in many US cities, the brand is an LA institution, having been founded in a post-Victorian bungalow in Pasadena in 1921. Don’t leave without sampling their almond truffles and butterscotch squares.
An LA Lakers jersey – A recent study has suggested that the LA Lakers are the most popular Major League sports team in the US, so going home with a piece of their merch is a must. My top pick would be their instantly recognizable yellow and purple jersey.
Something from the Venice Boardwalk – You can’t visit Venice Beach without picking up a knick-knack or two from the many hippie hawkers selling their wares. I’d recommend a couple of beaded bracelets or a one-off piece of art, which you can hang up at home to remind you of LA.
A Bottle of Pinot Noir from the San Antonio Winery – California is famous for its wines, but there aren’t many wineries in LA itself. The San Antonio Winery in Downtown LA is one of the few you’ll find in the City of Angels – stop by to pick up a bottle of their fruity Pinot Noir.
Hot Sauce from the Original Farmer’s Market – One of the most distinctive stalls in LA’s Original Farmer’s Market is Light My Fire, which sells hundreds of hot sauces from all around the world. Featuring eye-catching designs and varying levels of spice (be warned, some will knock your socks off!) pick up a bottle to liven up your dishes once you get home.