Los Angeles covers an enormous area and the shopping is spread out, as well,  Shopping options include trendy boutiques, outlet malls, regular mall, and discount shopping areas.  Below are some shopping alternatives, listed by area:

In the central part of Los Angeles:

  1. The Beverly Center: 8500 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. A large shopping mall that is easy to get to by public bus. Popular and large shopping mall containing some big stores and major brand stores. If you there at the right time you can find some good bargains especially during the sale periods that will rival outlet malls.
  2. Melrose Avenue: caters to a contemporary, off-beat audience -- those who are into funky clothes, jewelry, eccentric artwork, odd furniture, and just about anything else that is not mainstream.
  3. Farmers Market: 6333 West 3rd Street. An open air market, selling fresh fruit and vegetables, as well meats and cheese. It has more than twenty places to eat, and a wide variety of food to choose from. Farmers Market’s shops sell a large variety of gifts, souvenirs, clothes, handmade crafts, and much more.
  4. The Grove: www.thegrovela.com Next to Farmer’s Market. Variety of standard mall shops located in an outdoor mall that replicates the feeling of a small American town. The water fountain plays periodically to the music (à la Bellagio at Vegas). There is a complimentary tram that runs between Farmer’s Market and The Grove.

In Hollywood:

  • Hollywood & Highland Center at 6801 Hollywood Bl (at the corner of Highland Av). Modern shopping mall with some unique as well as mainstream stores.  4-hour free parking for $2 (with validation from any mall store).  Red Line Metro Rail stop: "Hollywood / Highland".  DASH Bus Stop: Hollywood & Highland. 

 

In Universal City (north of Hollywood) 

  • Universal Studios City Walk -- a small outdoor mall, mainly for dining and clubbing.  Free  outdoor concerts are performed sometimes. The mall is located adjacent to the entrance gates of Universal Studios. 

 
On the West Side of Los Angeles: 

  • Westfield Century City: Fairly big mall anchored by Macy’s, Bloomingdales and AMC movie theatre.  Restaurants in all price ranges.

In Santa Monica:

  • The 3rd Street Promenade in downtown.  3rd Street between Broadway and Wilshire Bl.  Outdoor shopping mall.  Restaurants and bars.
In Pasadena  (a city northeast of downtown Los Angeles)
  • Old Town Pasadena: Colorado Blvd in Pasadena. Part of the route for Rose Bowl Parade.  Many standard chain retail shops as well as restaurants and bars.

In Orange County (a region southeast of downtown Los Angeles):

  1. South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa is a large, upscale shopping mall with every high-end clothing, jewelry, and accessories designer you could want.
  2. Fashion Island in Newport Beach is an outdoor mall anchored by a Neiman Marcus. It also has some unique shops featuring up-and-coming designers.
  3. The LAB Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa/Irvine sells funkier, edgier clothing and items than the mainstream malls.
  4. The Pier at Huntington Beach has all the surf and beachwear you could want.