Los Angeles Malls & Shopping Areas

Century City Marketplace

This open-air mall, anchored by Macy's and Bloomingdale's, is located on what was once a Twentieth-Century Fox back lot, just west of Beverly Hills. Most of the 140 or so retailers here are upscale chain-store fare. Among the offerings are Pottery Barn, Ann Taylor, Joan & David, and Brentano's, as well as a giant Crate & Barrel, a 14-screen multiplex movie theater, and 22 restaurants. If you have to "mall it" in the L.A. area, this is the most pleasant place to do it.

10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Century City, CA

Pacific Design Center

Something of an architectural and cultural landmark, the Pacific Design Center is the West Coast's largest facility for interior design goods and fine furnishings. It houses 200 showrooms filled with furniture, fabrics, flooring, wallcoverings, kitchen and bath fixtures, lighting, art, and accessories. Locals refer to the PDC as the "Blue Whale" in reference to its exterior, composed entirely of brilliant blue glass. Technically, businesses here sell to the trade only, and their wholesale prices reflect that; for a small fee, however, the center will provide a decorator-for-the-day to serve as official broker for your purchase.

8687 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA

Paseo Colorado

It seems a new shopping mall sprouts up every year in L.A., and one the newest is this open-air mall in the heart of Pasadena. Anchored by Macy's, the two-level monolith houses about 140 retailers and restaurants (but few men's fashions), a Gelson's market, a fitness center, and a 14-screen multiplex theater. What's unique about the Paseo is the dozens of offices, apartments and studios built atop the mall, which allows residents easy access to just about all the daily necessities a city boy needs to survive.

280 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA

Santa Monica Place

About 140 shops occupy these three bright stories, located a mere 2 blocks from the beach and anchored by Robinson's/May and Macy's department stores. The usual mall shops are augmented by more unusual finds like a branch of Frederick's of Hollywood. The mall's food pavilion sells an array of fast foods, and it includes several health-oriented eateries.

Broadway (at 2nd St.), Santa Monica, CA

The Grove

Located at the eastern end of the Farmers Market, this massive 575,000-square-foot Vegas-style retail complex is the newest addition to L.A.'s mega-malls.

189 The Grove Dr, Hollywood, CA

Beverly Center

Designed to resemble an almost-cartoonish depiction of an urban street, Universal CityWalk gets mention here because it's unique. Situated next door to Universal Studios - you must walk through it if you use Universal City's main parking structure - CityWalk is dominated by brightly colored, surreal oversize storefronts.

The heavily touristed faux street is home to a number of restaurants, including B. B. King's Blues Club, the newest Hard Rock Cafe, and a branch of the Hollywood Athletic Club featuring a restaurant and pool hall. It's been called the commercial equivalent to the gated community, a place where the fear-driven middle class can shop and dine in sanitized safety.

In terms of shopping, CityWalk is not worth a special visit, but kids will love the carnival atmosphere and the Warner Brothers store.

Universal Center Dr., Universal City, The San Fernando Valley

Pacific Design Center

Something of an architectural and cultural landmark, the Pacific Design Center is the West Coast's largest facility for interior design goods and fine furnishings. It houses 200 showrooms filled with furniture, fabrics, flooring, wallcoverings, kitchen and bath fixtures, lighting, art, and accessories. Locals refer to the PDC as the "Blue Whale" in reference to its exterior, composed entirely of brilliant blue glass. Technically, businesses here sell to the trade only, and their wholesale prices reflect that; for a small fee, however, the center will provide a decorator-for-the-day to serve as official broker for your purchase.

8687 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA

Third Street Promenade

Third Street Promenade is a pedestrian-only street lined with boutiques and chain stores, movie theaters, clubs, pubs, and restaurants. Day or night, wacky street performers, missionaries, and protesters work the crowds, while vendor cart operators cast a tolerant eye.

Third Street Promenade, CA