Must-see shopping in California
Malibu & Pacific Palisades
Across from Surfrider Beach, this mall spans both sides of Cross Creek Rd, which is why it’s affectionately known as Cross Creek by the locals who gather…
Oakland
This well-stocked indie bookstore has a full calendar of events, including author readings, book signings and live music.
Hollywood
It’s appropriate that a Disney-fied shopping mall should be the spark for Hollywood Blvd’s rebirth. A marriage of kitsch and commerce next to the Dolby…
San Diego
Between downtown and Point Loma, the former offices, barracks and mess halls of the decommissioned Naval Training Center is an up-and-coming open-air area…
Westfield San Francisco Centre
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Wait, is this suburbia? Sure looks it inside this nine-level chain-store city, with Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom and dozens more retailers, plus a cinema…
Long Beach & San Pedro
A wonderful local brand, based in the Arts District, selling activewear with travelers in mind. Conceived by two Cambodian brothers who were wartime…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
What IKEA is to home furnishing, H&M is to fashion: suspiciously affordable, perpetually crowded, not really made for the long haul and perfect for…
San Fernando Valley
Normally, we wouldn't bother to mention this Swedish furniture megastore, but this location is special because it's America's largest. At 456,000 sq ft of…
Pasadena & the San Gabriel Valley
This sprawling store is one-stop shopping for all your Chinese needs: teas and accessories, medicinal herbs, snacks and cookies, dried seafood, alcohol…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
If you've bought too much and need an extra bag, but you can't bear schlepping an ugly disposable carry-on, Toss has you covered with a good selection of…
Silver Lake & Echo Park
A fun little vintage shop stocking mostly women's threads and accessories. On any given visit you might stumble across a Jeanne Marc quilted coat, a 1930s…
Gold Country
The 1852 building, an anchor of Placerville’s main drag, is the oldest continuously operating hardware store west of the Mississippi and a place to pick…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
For bargain bling head to this shrinking Downtown district. Centered on Broadway and Hill St (between 6th and 7th Sts), you can snap up watches, gold,…
Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood & Westwood
The Beverly Hills branch of America's most fabled jeweler is not short of famous BFFs. Celebs at the store's 2016 relaunch party, which followed an 18…
Hollywood
The hippest mini-mall in Hollywood, this designer construct of brick, wood, concrete and glass is home to streetwear-cum-skateboard store Pharmacy…
Santa Monica
Well, you are in California so you might as well get your aura read. Yes, auras do exist (it’s that heat energy radiating off your skin) and the color…
San Jose
Santana Row is a mixed-use space west of downtown with upscale shopping, dining and entertainment along with a boutique hotel, lofts and apartments…
Greater Palm Springs
Partners in life and in business, Darell and Osamu run this shrine to Japanese design in the desert. The curated collection of tableware, kitchen knives,…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
This locally designed and made label is known for its stretch lace, a material sourced from French and Italian textiles. It started with lounge wear, so…
Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada
Forgotten your hiking poles or missing something from your camping gear? Fear not. This local store has you covered before you enter the park, with all…
Japantown, Fillmore & Pacific Heights
Take a fashion dare from NYC-based designer Stacey Bendet, from bell-bottom denim jumpsuits to sequined leopard-print minidresses. Racks display only size…
Sequoia National Park
The place to pick up kooky arts, crafts and gifts. The store sells everything from Lego soap, blow-up globes and magic kits for your kids to jewelry,…
Gold Country
A one-stop prospecting shop for those for whom the gold rush dream lives on. Don't mind the gruff salesfolk: they actually are happy to get you started…
Sequoia National Park
Local hardware store near the fire station carrying limited camping and outdoor gear. It sells vehicle tarps and rope, which are essential for marmot…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
Like a burst of sunlight on a cloudy day, this whimsical, yet exceptional, vintage women's-wear shop is stocked with affordable designer dresses, shades,…
San Diego
Downtown Del Mar (sometimes called ‘the village’) extends for about a mile along Camino del Mar. This ritzy shopping mall has restaurants, shops and…
Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood & Westwood
The Prada epicenter on Rodeo is as much about ogling as shopping. The 24,000ft showroom, designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhouse, yawns directly onto…
Long Beach & San Pedro
This giant former warehouse, a short drive from San Pedro's port, is a low-key showcase for local artisans and dealers in jewelry to handmade greeting…
Santa Monica
An endearing shop, named one of the best in LA by Los Angeles Magazine, stocked with pop art and handmade games, leather bracelets and earrings. Most of…
San Francisco
Raise your style game without sacrificing function with help from high-end European and local designers – some of whom work in-store. The owner hits…
Oakland
This much loved boutique always showcases local and independent designers. Dresses are fun and flow-y, sold alongside tasteful bags and accessories. Bella…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
This 100%-for-charity boutique features accessories, candles, stuffed animals and other items crafted by artists with developmental disabilities. If you…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
Hip-hop fashion has always been a staple on Melrose and this spot combines that with a skate/punk mash-up that works. Grab a deck, some limited-edition…
Mammoth Lakes
Stock up on organic produce, free-range meats and healthy bulk foods at this large store and deli. Campers will appreciate the self-dispense herbs and…
Laguna Beach
This earth-toned corner shop hits that right pitch for an effortless girlfriends’ weekend beach getaway, somewhere in between urban chic and beach preppy,…
