In LA shopping easily turn into a full day adventure. The city is huge, traffic is real, and the best stores are spread out across different neighborhoods. A good plan makes all the difference. Instead of wandering aimlessly from mall to mall, it helps to know which areas are actually worth the drive.
Shopping in Los Angeles takes a bit of planning, but that is part of the fun. The city rewards curiosity, and some of the best finds are hidden in unexpected neighborhoods. With a good mix of malls, vintage stores, and cool local streets, LA is easily one of the most exciting shopping cities in the US.
If you have time, try to combine a couple of these areas in one day. Start with vintage shopping on Melrose, continue to The Grove for lunch, and finish the afternoon in Silver Lake. That is a pretty perfect LA shopping day.
Shopping in LA is also about variety. You have polished outdoor malls, excellent vintage stores, neighborhood streets full of independent boutiques, and some of the best thrift and resale shopping in the US. Whether you are looking for designer pieces, quirky vintage finds, or just a fun afternoon browsing, LA delivers. These are some of my favorite places to shop in Los Angeles, and the spots I usually recommend to friends visiting the city.
The Grove
The Grove is one of the most pleasant places to shop in Los Angeles. It is an outdoor shopping center with palm trees, fountains, and a small trolley running through the middle, and even though most of the stores are familiar brands, the atmosphere makes it feel much more special than a typical mall.
You will find stores such as Sephora, Nike, Madewell, and Nordstrom, and it is an easy place to spend a couple of hours browsing. When you are done shopping, head next door to the Original Farmers Market. It has been around since 1934 and is packed with food stalls, bakeries, and casual restaurants. It is perfect for a quick lunch or a snack between shops.
The Grove is also a good area for spotting celebrities, especially in the evenings.
The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles
Westfield Century City
Westfield Century City is one of the nicest malls in Los Angeles and much more stylish than your average shopping center. The entire complex is open air with clean modern architecture and lots of good places to eat.
The store selection is excellent. You will find brands such as Aritzia, Reformation, COS, Eataly, and Bloomingdale’s, along with many of the popular American labels. It is also a good place for beauty shopping with stores like Sephora and Bluemercury.
If you need a break, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes inside the complex, so it is easy to turn a shopping trip into a relaxed afternoon.
Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles
Beverly Connection
If you love off price shopping, Beverly Connection is one of the best spots in LA. It is not glamorous, but the selection is excellent and the discounts can be very good.
The complex includes Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, Saks OFF 5TH, and Ross, which means racks full of heavily discounted designer clothes, shoes, and accessories. If you enjoy the thrill of the hunt, you can easily spend hours here digging through the racks.
Beverly Connection is also located very close to The Grove, so it is easy to combine the two in one shopping trip.
Beverly Connection, 100 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles
Melrose Avenue
Melrose Avenue is one of the best areas in LA for smaller boutiques and vintage stores. The stretch between Fairfax Avenue and La Brea Avenue is especially good.
This is where you will find some of the city’s best vintage shopping. Wasteland is probably the most famous vintage store on Melrose and always worth a visit. The selection includes everything from designer pieces to vintage Levi’s and rare band T shirts.
Another great stop is Crossroads Trading, which specializes in secondhand designer and contemporary brands. The selection changes constantly, so it is the kind of place you want to browse slowly.
Jet Rag is also nearby and famous for its vintage selection. On Sundays they host a parking lot sale where everything is extremely cheap, which attracts a crowd of serious vintage hunters.
Melrose is also a good area for independent fashion labels and small concept stores you will not find anywhere else.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
If you want a more relaxed shopping experience, head to Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. The street is lined with stylish boutiques, home stores, and independent brands.
You will find shops such as Reformation, Aviator Nation, and several smaller California labels that focus on relaxed West Coast style. There are also a number of beautifully curated home stores selling ceramics, candles, and design pieces.
Abbot Kinney is also packed with cafes and restaurants, so it is easy to stop for coffee or lunch while you shop. It is one of those LA streets where you end up lingering longer than planned.
Silver Lake and Sunset Junction
Silver Lake has some of the best vintage and independent shopping in the city. The area around Sunset Junction is full of cool little stores that feel very different from the polished shopping districts in Beverly Hills.
Iguana Vintage is a must if you love vintage clothing. The store is packed with denim, leather jackets, vintage dresses, and unusual finds that feel straight out of another decade.
The area also has excellent resale stores, including Crossroads Trading and several smaller boutiques focusing on curated vintage pieces. If you like thrifting, this neighborhood is one of the most fun places to explore.
Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive is probably the most famous shopping street in Los Angeles. Even if you are not planning to buy anything, it is still worth walking through the area.
The street is lined with luxury boutiques such as Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton, and the atmosphere feels almost theatrical. It is the LA version of luxury shopping, and it is hard not to think of Pretty Woman while walking past the storefronts.
Most people visit Rodeo Drive more for the experience than for serious shopping, but if you enjoy designer fashion, this is the place.
Rose Bowl Flea Market
If you are in Los Angeles on the second Sunday of the month, the Rose Bowl Flea Market is one of the best vintage markets in the country.
Hundreds of vendors sell everything from vintage clothing and mid century furniture to jewelry and collectibles. It is where stylists, designers, and serious vintage collectors go hunting for unique pieces.
The best items disappear early, so arriving in the morning is a good idea. Even if you do not buy anything, it is a fun place to browse and people watch.
Melrose Trading Post
Another great vintage market is the Melrose Trading Post, held every Sunday at Fairfax High School. It is smaller than the Rose Bowl market but easier to navigate.
You will find vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, art, and a good mix of food trucks. The atmosphere is relaxed and creative, and it is one of my favorite Sunday activities in LA.
Row DTLA
If you feel like exploring downtown, Row DTLA is a stylish complex of warehouses turned into shops, cafes, and creative spaces. It has a much more local feel than the big malls.
The area hosts design stores, fashion brands, and independent businesses, along with a popular Sunday market. It is also a great place to grab coffee or lunch after browsing the shops.
