Jetting off to the City of Angels soon? From internationally renowned brands to kitschy indie boutiques, here’s our shortlist of the best LA shopping spots to get virtually anything your heart desires, and then some! Pack light — trust us.
Los Angeles is known for many things — Hollywood, fitness (i.e. muscle beach), amazing world-class cuisine, and, of course, shopping. Home to some of the most iconic fashion brands, LA has definitely made a name for itself as the shopping mecca of the West Coast. That said, we love that, unlike other shopping capitals, if you do your homework, you’ll find a ton of homegrown brands with reasonable price points here in Los Angeles. So if you’re in the midst of planning that much-needed trip to the United States of America to check out the best LA shopping spots, here’s a cheat sheet to the various must-visits suited for shopaholics with different budgets.
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1. The Grove
The fountain was installed by the same people behind the famed Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas!
Image credits: Tripadvisor
No best LA shopping spots guide is complete without a mention of The Grove. This gorgeous shopping complex may be home to only 50-odd retailers, but what they lack in quantity, they surely make up for in quality! From a 3-story Nike store to a Diptyque boutique, a Nordstrom, and even an Alo Yoga flagship, expect an impressive curation of some of the most iconic brands.
Image credits: Exploring Our World
We recommend going on an empty stomach because just adjacent to the shopping mall is the Original Farmer’s Market, where you can fuel up on a variety of American, Southern and Mediterranean cuisine. If you’re feeling extra fancy and want to channel that main character energy, book an al fresco seat at The Fountain Bar, situated just by, well, the iconic fountain — and watch the world go by.
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Address: 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Opening Hours: 10 am to 9 pm, Mondays to Thursdays, 10 am to 10 pm, on Fridays & Saturdays, and 11 am to 8 pm on Sundays
Find out more about the best LA Shopping Spots here.
2. Melrose Avenue
Image credits: Discover LA
Apart from being the Instagram paradise of LA, Melrose Avenue is also home to some of the most iconic street brands and thrift shops in the world — think Glossier, rag & bone, Fred Segal, Wasteland, and Paul Smith (with its famous pink wall). If you happen to visit on Sunday, the Outdoor Flea Market is a treat for those on the hunt for local artisanal goodies!
Image credits: L3 Capital
The entire Melrose Avenue spans over six miles so if you’re feeling ambitious, just remember to pace yourself and stay hydrated — especially if you’re visiting over the warmer months. Thankfully, there are plenty of amazing cafes and restaurants for you to enjoy a quick pick-me-up. We recommend Alfred at Glossier Valley for their coffee and Blu Jam Cafe for their delicious soul-warming all-day breakfasts.
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Address: Between Lucille Avenue in Silver Lake and Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood
Opening Hours: Check individual store opening hours
Find out more about the best LA Shopping Spots here.
3. Arts District
Image credits: Financial Times
As its name suggests, Downtown LA’s Arts District is a hotbed for creatives of all stripes. What used to be gritty industrial buildings now house some of the hottest cafes, restaurants, boutiques and museums in the city. Don’t expect to find many familiar brand names in this district though. Instead, be prepared to uncover an entire treasure trove of indie shops selling all sorts of goodies, which in my opinion, makes for the best kind of shopping experience!
Image credits: LA Original
Must-visits include ROW DTLA and Alchemy Works. Of course, there are plenty of other retail and gallery spaces peppered around the district too — so take your time exploring the area and see what you can uncover.
Btw, the historic Little Tokyo is just a hop and skip away from the district (and is also home to a couple of cool boutiques!) — so if you’ve been missing authentic Japanese cuisine, we recommend paying the enclave a visit.
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Address: Located between Little Tokyo and L.A. River in the Downtown Area
Opening Hours: Check individual store opening hours
Find out more about the best LA Shopping Spots here.
4. Ontario Mills Outlet
Image credits: Simon Property Group
Factory outlets may be dime a dozen in LA, but we like the one over at Ontario for its impressive selection of shops (at least 200!) — and how it isn’t packed with tourists and shoppers. Located just 40 minutes from downtown LA, Ontario Mills is home to a large variety of main-street brands, making it perfect for those who may not be too keen on upscale labels.
Expect to find classics like Sephora, Ralph Lauren, Under Armour, and Vans, along with other quintessentially American labels like Aerie, Charlotte Russe, and Hollister. Don’t forget to check if there are ongoing promotions — most shops have stackable discounts!
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Address: 1 Mills Cir, Ontario, CA 91765, United States
Opening Hours: 11 am to 8 pm, from Mondays to Thursdays, 10 am to 9 pm, on Fridays & Saturdays, and 11 am to 7 pm on Sundays
Find out more about the best LA Shopping Spots here.
5. 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica
Image credits: Los Angeles Magazine
An embodiment of California’s laidback, sunshine-y reputation is the al fresco Promenade, the perfect place for those looking to kill some time on a balmy day. Expect to find brands that follow the very same boho, carefree ethos — Abercrombie & Fitch, Urban Outfitters, Tillys, and Anthropologie, to name a few.
When you’re done shopping, stroll down to the Santa Monica Pier to catch the sunset and maybe ride on the iconic roller coaster if you’re up for it.
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Address: 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
Opening Hours: Check individual store opening hours
Find out more about the best LA Shopping Spots here.
6. The Americana at Brand
Image credits: Caruso
As the sister mall to The Grove, you know that The Americana has got to be good. This outdoor mall feels like it’s straight out of a Hollywood set with its beautiful architecture, perfectly manicured trees, and its car-free policy.
Image credits: Delirious LA
Unlike The Grove, we love that The Americana has nearly twice as many stores, with a healthy mix of upscale and main street brands that can’t be found in Singapore, such as Sur la Table, Madewell, & Other Stories, and more. As with all the shopping malls in LA, you can expect a good variety of dining options for when you’re in need of a break.
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Address: 889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210, United States
Opening Hours: 10 am to 9 pm, from Mondays to Thursdays, 10 am to 10 pm, on Fridays & Saturdays, and 11 am to 8 pm on Sundays
Find out more about the best LA Shopping Spots here.
7. Rodeo Drive
Image credits: Timeout
Here’s another quintessential ‘best LA shopping spots’ experience: shopping at Beverly Hill’s Rodeo Drive. Don’t let its high fashion reputation stop you from visiting though — there’s plenty to see and do without having to spend a dime (of course, good for you if you can afford it!).
Image credits: Love Beverly Hills
Expect to see hundreds of world-renowned brands like Versace, Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, and Hermes line the hallowed streets. Many of these flagship stores carry full collections and some Rodeo Drive exclusives. Along the way, pop by Two Rodeo, a European-style shopping centre with the works — cobblestone walkways, midcentury street lamps, and fresh seasonal florals, and visit the famed House of Bijan for a photo op with the famed yellow Rolls-Royce.
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Address: From Wilshire Boulevard to Santa Monica Boulevard
Opening Hours: Check individual store opening hours
Find out more about the best LA Shopping Spots here.
Shop Till You Drop At The Best LA Shopping Spots With YouTrip
Now that you’re well-acquainted with the best LA shopping spots, it’s time to plan that itinerary and set off for your well-deserved, long-awaited adventure out of Singapore!
Don’t forget to bring your YouTrip card along to lock in those wholesale exchange rates because a little goes a looong way, especially with all the shopping that’s to be done. Plus, the card is perfect for when you’re working with a tight budget. Simply transfer the amount you need, convert it to USD, and there you have it — no need to worry about spending beyond your means or paying for those pesky administrative charges.
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