SHOPPING GUIDE 

Rodeo Drive and Los Angeles Shopping 

Paris has its Rue du Faubourg St.-Honore and Rome its Via Condotti. London has its Bond Street and New York City its Madison Avenue. And in Metropolitan Los Angeles, where fashion trends rise and set nearly as often as the Southern California sun, shoppers revel in an upstart version that well qualifies as one of the globe's most glamorous pedestrian promenades.

Rodeo Drive is the ultimate chic street in that world-renowned city of the rich and famous, Beverly Hills. Perhaps no where else in the Los Angeles Basin is there a greater concentration of celebrities and, pardon the expression, ordinary folks shopping, strolling and dining together in a single locale than on Rodeo Drive.

Among the more well-known star-frequented establishments along Rodeo's three blocks of fancy foods and fashion is Jose Eber's Salon de Beaute. Tucked inside Two Rodeo Drive, a picturesque European-style village graced with swank boutiques, including the largest Tiffany & Co. store outside of New York, Jose Eber's clientele ranges from the ultrafamous, such as Elizabeth Taylor, who brought Monsieur Eber to the forefront of hair stylists, to the curious LA. visitor in search of a quality coif. Other locals with a flair for hair -- each with their own special customers -- include Vidal Sassoon, Georgette Klinger and Fernando Romero.

Boutiques galore dot Rodeo Drive, from its southernmost end at Wilshire Boulevard to its most northern point at "Little" Santa Monica Boulevard. Women who enjoy following the latest fashions from the world's top designers will be happy to know that Gianni Versace, Georgio Armani, Mila Schon, Adrienne Vittadini and many others are all represented along Rodeo.

Don't forget to walk up and down Wilshire Boulevard at the foot of Rodeo. On either side of the exquisite Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel but particularly to the west, between Roxbury and Crescent drives, you will find Neiman-Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and the latest major department store in the district, Barney's of New York.

Below are some of the larger shopping areas in  Los Angeles. Although they aren't malls, they're areas where you'll find a lot of stores within a small area. We can't really say that this causes any sales and discounts for the shopper, but c'mon, when is the next time you'll be in LA. Be the first on you block to own a $6,000crocodile handbag.  

Fashion District--Shoppers interested in tackling one of LA's best shopping experiences, the Fashion District, can easily strategize their shopping plans with a map offered by the Downtown Property Owners Association. The map details the multiple shopping opportunities of this 56-block district, which is a melange of wholesalers, manufacturers and retailers that sell an assortment of merchandise including contemporary clothing, children's wear, men's wear, fabrics, accessories and textiles at discounted prices. In addition, the map details public transportation routes throughout the Fashion District plus includes tips on where to find designer merchandise and the dates of sample sales at wholesale facilities. Locations of parking lots/structures, banks/ATMs, restrooms and restaurants are also highlighted 
Check out the Fashion District website.

Ventura Boulevard - From Coldwater Canyon to Laurel Canyon, Ventura Boulevard has maintained a Iow profile as the shopping mecca to the stars. Celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Heather Locklear and Arnold Schwarzenegger have been spotted perusing the wares of the boulevard's unique and upscale shops. Everything from home decorating-shops like the ivy Cottage, to Dungarees, a haven for denim lovers can be found here. Children of the rich and famous shop at Offspring while their parents browse upstairs at Ron Ross - the Barney's of the Valley. And when thoughts turn from clothing to food, Venture Boulevard provides many different kinds of trendy restaurants such as Pinot Bistro. 

Silver Lake District--A funky little neighborhood on the border of Los Feliz and Hollywood is the rave among famous celebrities, young adults, teenagers and even world-class designers. Dubbed as a mini-version of New York's Soho or London's Carnaby Street, the Silver Lake district is a fashion mecca, outfitted with trendy boutiques and street vendors featuring vintage and used clothing. Here shoppers indulge in the truest offbeat style--hand-beaded cardigan sweaters, retro 60's clothing, stiletto heels, alligator handbags, chunky bead necklaces, polyester jumpsuits and faux fur coats. Other shops include the Soap Plant which sells--besides soap, a variety of knickknacks from greeting cards to body oils and also features a changing art exhibit. Centered on Vermont Avenue and Sunset Boulevard, the Silver Lake District is also adjacent to the popular Dresden Room. 

Click here to find out how to get used celebrity clothing at a discount.