Shopping
For sheer variety and scale, LA shopping is hard
to beat. This is a fashion-conscious, trend-setting consumer
paradise with the shopping options to match. Your best buys are the
aforementioned fashion items, sporting goods and gear, locally
produced wine from the Napa Valley, movie paraphernalia and
collectables, and - of course - videos and DVDs of the movies and
stars that make Tinsel town famous the world over. If you're
looking for both designer wear and celebrity sightings, head for
Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive where big name jewellery and haute
couture stores line up like A-list stars at an exclusive beach. For
more unusual, arty and eccentric items, head for the potpourri of
Venice Boardwalk or Melrose Avenue. Nearby Main Street is good for
trendy but affordable attire, as well as antiques and collectables.
Certainly the best-value LA shopping can be found at the discount
outlet complexes on the edge of town. Here you can find all the big
name brands at substantial discounts - up to 70% off the list
price. Check out Ontario Mills and Desert Hills Premium Outlets for
some great bargains. Of course LA, like every big American city,
has its share of mega-malls. The best of these are the Beverly
Center, with 9 floors of stores and restaurants, and Westside
Pavilion, which includes a wonderful 3-floor Barnes and Noble
bookstore. On the other end of the scale are the vibrant flea
markets, the best of which are the Rose Bowl Flea Market & Swap
Meet, and the sparkling Jewellery Mart. A Sales Tax of 8.25% is
built into the purchase price. However, as such sales taxes are set
at state level, there is no way to obtain a refund from the federal
government for non-US visitors.
