The Best Shopping Districts and Markets in Los Angeles

Venice Beach

Venice Beach is a famous tourist destination for its narrow canals and one-lane bridges. The community has grown into one of the wealthiest parts of the city, but it still has it's original surfing town charm. Today Venice has an excellent restaurant scene, impressive shopping, and plenty of opportunities for celebrity sightings. Head to Main Street to see the eclectic architecture of the area, but the famous Ocean Front Walk is where you'll have the quintessential Venice Beach experience. With it's Mardi Gras style street performers, the area is sure to entertain.

Redondo Beach

This beach, which has the same name as the town Redondo Beach, is a beautiful and popular stretch of coastline. It's popular for a number of reasons. The family-friendly beach and pier area has plenty of shopping and restaurant options at the north end of the beach. It's more of a wharf, marina, and shopping center than an actual pier, but there are plenty of activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, glass bottom boat tours, live music, dining out, ice cream, and more. The beach itself stretches to the south of the pier area, and it's a wide, sandy, clean stretch with comfortable waves all the way down (2.5 miles) to Torrance County Beach and Rat Beach. This stretch of beach is at the end of the Green Line of the metro, making it a popular spot for locals to get to easily. It's also popular with visitors, as plenty of affordable hotels are in the area, along with bike paths and kid-friendly activities.

Santa Monica

Many visitors enjoy staying in the beautiful Santa Monica area. This region has some of LA's best beaches, cooler summer temperatures, and an escape from the smog of the city. Many of the communities in the area are connected by a bike path. In the heart of Santa Monica, you'll find the Santa Monica pier as well as many oceanfront hotels. The community has a charming, artsy vibe and Santa Monica is famous for its shopping. Head to the Third Street Promenade to make the most of the experience. This a a pedestrian-only outdoor mall that is filled with shops and restaurants. Throughout Santa Monica you'll find a number of famous restaurants as well with each offering its own style and cuisine.

Malibu

Malibu is one of the most expensive and posh parts of the city. It has about 27 miles of beaches that offer dramatic views of beachfront cliffs and rolling hills. Malibu is the home of many celebrities who enjoy the relative quiet of the setting. The area is filled with oceanfront shopping and large luxury mansions. There's also lots of green space, great surfing, and dramatic beauty.

Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach is a high-end beach town in the southern area of the Los Angeles metropolitain region which features gorgeous beaches, nice homes, mountain views, hiking, family-friendly activities, water sports, and more. Visitors to this accessible town on the coast can shop at boutique stores and browse art galleries, dine at nice restaurants, enjoy boat rides into the Pacific Ocean, experience the nightlife, go surfing, and plenty more.

Long Beach

Long Beach is a city and a port in Southern California. There is plenty for visitors to do. You can visit the historic Queen Mary ocean liner, which is now a hotel and a museum or explore the famous Aquarium of the Pacific which kids and adults will enjoy. For shopping head to Shoreline Village. Long Beach is also where you go to catch a ferry to Santa Catalina Island.

Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills is one of the most recognizable and famous neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Made famous by the 1990s teen drama, this area has a quiet residential atmosphere with tree-lined streets and high end shopping. It is filled with mansions and luxurious homes that are both glamourous and peaceful. Also in Beverly Hills is the famous shopping street of Rodeo Drive. There's a neighborhood farmer's market as well as several museums and other points of interest here as well.

Third Street Promenade

This high end pedestrian area is perfect for shoppers looking for everything from the quirky to the posh. There are boutique shops, fine dining restaurants, and plenty of entertainment options in the area. The district attracts locals and tourists alike and it is easily accessible from Downtown Los Angeles. There's also a 26 mile bike path that runs along the waterfront. The promenade is famous for its street performers and fascinating people-watching.

Little Tokyo Historic District

Located in downtown L.A., this is the largest official Japantown in the U.S. and was declared as a National Historic Landmark District in '95. It's commonly referred to as Little Tokyo, and offers plenty of activities. Visitors can go shopping or enjoy various Japanese restaurants. There are also a number of art galleries including the Union Center for the Arts which focuses on both visual and performance art. Also, don't miss the James Irvine Japanese Garden, the Kyoto Gardens on top of the Double Tree, the Japanese American National Museum, or the Koban Center. And go shopping at the Japanese Village Plaza and the Galleria.

Pasadena

Most people recognize Pasadena as the location of the yearly Tournament of Roses Parade. Most of the year it's a quiet community that has a number of local restaurants and boutique shops. It's less crowded than many parts of Los Angeles and the downtown area has charming brick and stone buildings. It's also served as the filming location for a number of television shows and movies. Pasadena is also where you'll find the California Institute of Technology (CalTech).

Exposition Park

Exposition Park is where you'll find the LA Memorial Coliseum and the LA Sports Arena. There are also a number of museums in the area including the Natural History Museum, the African-American Museum, and the California Science Center. Also nearby is the University of Southern California.

Burbank

Burbank is a bit more affordable than many other parts of Los Angeles. It's a residential area with a number of shopping malls and entertainment areas. There are also several movie studios that have relocated here. For anyone who wants a family-friendly area with plenty of movie theaters and chain stores, then this is your spot, and if you're looking for the suburbs, you've found them.

Chinatown

Located in the LA Historic Park, Chinatown is a touristy area with great restaurants, authentic dim sum, and small family-owned shops that sell souvenirs and trinkets. The neighborhood is filled with Chinese art and culture, from the famous Chinatown Gateway Monument to the many lanterns and street art. Whether you're a foodie looking for a taste of authentic Chinese cuisine, or a culture lover who wants to surround yourself with diversity, this neighborhood is a must-see in Los Angeles.

Brentwood

Brentwood is an upscale neighborhood that is family-friendly and relaxed. There are a number of fine dining restaurants in the area mixed in with some strip malls and lounges. Brentwood was also made famous as the setting of the famous O.J. Simpson drama.

The Original Farmers Market

First established in 1934, the Los Angeles Farmers Market began with just 18 farmers who set up stalls to sell their produce directly to the public. The market grew from there and today it is filled with not just fruit and vegetable stands but also food stalls, jewelry stands, and booths that sell everything from kitchen items to toys.

West Hollywood

Located between Beverly Hills and Hollywood, West Hollywood is where you'll find many of the city's best restaurants, nightclubs, and shops. At the heart of the neighborhood is the intersection of Santa Monica and La Cienega boulevards, but other landmark areas include Sunset Boulevard and Sunset Plaza. West Hollywood is also a popular area for its LGBTQ community as well as its lively nightlife scene and many party areas.

Culver City

To the east of Santa Monica, Culver City has excellent shopping, world class restaurants, and trendy bars and clubs. The area is entrenched in Hollywood's film industry history with studios still located here today. The area is large, and a favorite destination is Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, which has a number of good hiking trails.

Century City

Located between West Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, Century City is home to the 20th Century Fox studios. It's also where you'll find Westfield Century City, which is an open-air shopping mall. The main corridors in the neighborhood are Century Park East, Avenue of the Stars, and Century Park West.

Melrose Avenue

For eclectic shopping, second hand stores, and a fun youthful vibe, head to Melrose Avenue. The neighborhood has a number of great restaurants and an authentic atmosphere that feels a bit rough around the edges.

Mission Viejo

In southern Orange County, the Mission Viejo community is a very safe area with nice homes and easy access to the beach, the mountains, and all of the attractions within the greater Los Angeles area. Here you'll find nice community areas, great shops and restaurants, and plenty of family-friendly activities. This is a more upscale area of L.A., and as such the prices will be a little higher than in other sections of town, but they are also quite nice, safe, and friendly to all types of visitors.

Glendale

Glendale is a residential area that has grown into an interesting neighborhood with shopping and dining that is surprisingly diverse. The area was historically Armenian and there are still a number of Armenian and Middle Eastern restaurants. There are also Japanese, Mexican, and Mediterranean options to choose from as well. The neighborhood also has Forest Lawn, which is a cemetery where a number of classic television stars have been buried.