Shopping in Los Angeles is one of the few American cities where shopping can actually shape an itinerary, but that doesn't mean you need to buy everything in all of the different districts. Instead, you can create a plan that matches each district with a particular goal. You can plan to travel out of the city for serious outlet deals, go to Beverly Hills for high-end designer brands, head to Melrose for streetwear, and go to the central shopping areas when you need simple shopping and don't want the hassle of trying to find that high-end trophy item.
When it comes to outlet shopping, Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon is the number one choice, with the biggest selection of outlets. It is located about 1.5 to 2 hours away from Los Angeles, and features over 180 outlet and factory stores, including major designer brands such as Burberry, Gucci, Prada, Coach, and Tory Burch. Because of the size of the outlet, it is very easy to become overwhelmed and miss a lot of the stores. This is not the place to spend your day exploring stores, so make sure you have a few stores prioritized before you go.
If your time is limited, the most worthwhile stops are NM Last Call, 7 For All Mankind, lululemon, Maje, Sandro, Elie Tahari, The Cosmetics Company Store, Michael Kors, Coach, Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Prada, Valentino, Max Mara, Alexander McQueen, Moncler, Gucci, Burberry, Saint Laurent, Versace, Balenciaga, Jimmy Choo, Chloé, Bally, Armani, Theory, Tory Burch, G-Star, Diesel, MCM, Cole Haan, Rag & Bone, Vince, AllSaints, Alice + Olivia, Joie, Nike, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s, J. Crew, Polo Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic, The North Face. Discounts can be found anywhere from 50%-70% depending on the competition or season. Brands like UGG, Pandora, Samsonite, Kipling, Salvatore Ferragamo, Kate Spade, Furla, and American Eagle can be found at better prices online unless there's an in-store promotion. Remember that an outlet price does not mean you're getting a deal. Always look at the final price.
Desert Hills is located at 48400 Seminole Drive in Cabazon. The center opens from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays (and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday). Shopping as well as visiting the nearby Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park make for a great day trip.
A few smart shopping strategies can help you save money. Before your shopping trip, register online with the outlet retailers to receive promotional emails and member coupons. When shopping, always check with the service desk to see if they have discount booklets for cardholders. It's a good idea to carry multiple credit cards because each bank runs different promotional offers. As you enter a store, be sure to ask about seasonal discount codes, and remember to check for student discounts at American brands.
If you want to indulge in designer shopping without the hassle of going to outlet stores, you can visit Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive. Here, you can browse the top designer stores and enjoy a full luxury shopping experience. The designer stores have been compared to art galleries. The drive features stores such as Chanel, Hermès, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, and Van Cleef & Arpels. The flagship stores often have extended hours, so check their schedules before you go.
Shoppers who prefer department stores to boutiques will also enjoy Rodeo Drive. Stops at Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York are a must. Beauty products, accessories, jewelry, sunglasses, clothing, shoes, and handbags are all available at end-of-season sales. You will also find store-wide promotions or gift cards at these stores, so be sure to stop by. Finally, be sure to check out 260 Sample Sale, as it often has rotating designer sales with markdowns of 70 to 90 percent.
Melrose Avenue and Fairfax Avenue attract different shoppers. It’s an artfully designed area full of murals and indie boutiques showing off California’s casual confidence with streetwear stores and other fashion labels. It fits shoppers hunting for resell value mark-up streetwear brands such as Supreme, Joyrich, RIPNDIP, and BAPE. Reformation and REVOLVE are ideal for those searching for modern CA-inspired dresses, while Balmain, Chrome Hearts, Christian Louboutin, The Row, A.P.C., Marni, Zimmermann, Frame, and Opening Ceremony provide a mix of elevated fashion options. The West Hollywood neighborhood around Melrose Avenue peaks in activity between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. because that's when most shops are open. Melrose has bus route 10 and drivers can take advantage of the meter seats.
For travelers who want to incorporate shopping into their beach day, Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade is the best option. The ocean is only a short walk away from the pedestrian outdoor mall paired with over 80 eateries, supermarkets, bookstores, cafés, and electronic shops. It’s broad rather than exclusive, with brands from accessible to upscale, and offers the ability to seamlessly transition from lunch to shopping then to the Pacific for sunset viewing. The promenade is open at all hours, but most stores operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The promenade is located at 1351 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, and is serviced by bus routes 2, 3, 9, 33, and 733.
The Grove is located at 189 The Grove Drive near Hollywood, and is another trustworthy all-purpose option. It offers a blend of Restaurants and retailers, making it convenient for shoppers with varied tastes. It is open every day of the week, from 10 AM to 9 PM, with the exception of Fridays and Saturdays, when it extends its hours until 10 PM. It is accessible via Bus 16, as well as the DASH Fairfax route.
Citadel is located at 100 Citadel Drive, approximately 15 minutes from downtown LA, and is the most reasonable option for travelers who do not require the full Desert Hills luxury lineup. It is an ideal choice for shoppers running low on time or for those who do not have a simple route to drive to Cabazon. The Citadel typically operates the same hours as The Grove, 10 AM to 9 PM. You can access it using route bus 62, among others.
Nordstrom Rack is the only store that rewards the more patient shopper. They tend to have a better selection due to the way their store is set up than, say, Saks Off. And just like TJ Maxx, they sometimes have additional discounts that can be uncovered while browsing through clothing, shoes, and bags. Some of their merchandise also consists of samples, returns, and merchandise from the previous season. If you dig deep enough, you can definitely find some high-priced, name brand items that are for sale at a much lower price. Mall stores can be predictable and find them boring. Stores like these can be more stimulating than a traditional mall. They are generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Los Angeles shopping definitely will be more effective if you stop thinking of each mall as the same as the last one. If you are looking for discounts, Desert Hills is the place to go. Rodeo Drive is good for high-end shopping and a wide variety of options, and your shopping can coincide with a trip to the beach when you visit Santa Monica. If you want a nice and easy day The Grove is good for that. If you want to shop at off-price stores, you’re going to have to be willing to dig. Citadel is good for shopping if you are looking for good selections all in one place. Each of these locations has a specific purpose, so decide which ones you want to visit. Make sure you have room in your suitcase and let the final price, rather than the label, make your shopping decisions.
