The Centers & Malls

L.A.'s Westside & Beverly Hills

The Beverly Center -- When the eight-story Beverly Center opened on L.A.'s Westside, there was more than a bit of concern about the impending "mallification" of Los Angeles. Loved for its convenience and disdained for its penitentiary-style architecture (and the "no validations" parking fee), Beverly Center contains about 160 standard mall shops, including the wildly popular H&M, and even a few boutiques that are open by advance reservation only (so L.A.). It's anchored on opposite sides by Macy's and Bloomingdale's department stores. You can see it from blocks away, looking like a gigantic climbing wall. 8500 Beverly Blvd. (at La Cienega Blvd.). tel. 310/854-0071. www.beverlycenter.com.

The Grove -- Located at the eastern end of the Farmers Market, this massive 575,000-square-foot Vegas-style retail complex is one of L.A.'s most popular megamalls. 189 The Grove Dr. (W. 3rd St. at Fairfax Ave.), Hollywood. tel. 888/315-8883 or 323/900-8000. www.thegrovela.com.

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. Tip: For a small fee the center will provide a decorator-for-the-day to serve as official broker for your purchases. 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069. tel. 310/657-0800. www.pacificdesigncenter.com.

Westfield Century City -- Since Westfield acquired this open-air shopping center in 2002, it's undergone a massive $150-million renovation in an attempt to revitalize this lackluster location into the area's premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. Along with a sorely needed face-lift, Westfield added 30 new shops, 7 new restaurants, a new flagship 15-screen AMC movie theater, and 260 luxury condominiums. Anchored by Macy's and Bloomingdale's department stores, it's located on what was once a 20th Century Fox back lot, just west of Beverly Hills. Among the nearly 200 offerings are Ann Taylor, J. Crew, bebe, and Crocs. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. (at Ave. of the Stars), Century City. tel. 310/277-3898. www.westfield.com/centurycity.

Westside Pavilion -- Located at the intersection of Westwood and Pico boulevards on the west side of Los Angeles, this shopping center has the only Nordstrom in the area and attracts a very fashion-conscious crowd with a taste for the finest in women's fashions, handbags, and shoes. It's within easy access of the I-405 and I-10 freeways, major arterials to the L.A. area. It boasts a roster of over 160 specialty shops, such as BCBG, Rampage, bebe, Aldo, Banana Republic, and Charles David, as well as a food court and its own Westside Pavilion Cinemas. This mall is big on community and kids events, and is host of the annual Night of Delight, a wine and food sampling. 10800 W. Pico Blvd. tel. 310/474-6255. www.westsidepavilion.com.

Hollywood

Hollywood & Highland -- A sure sign that this formerly seedy section of the city is on the fast track to recovery is the massive $615-million "entertainment complex" at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Street (hence the name). Surrounded by souvenir shops and tattoo parlors, the gleaming 8 3/4-acre center contains all the top-end merchants -- Ann Taylor, Tommy Hilfiger, Louis Vuitton, bebe -- as well as studio broadcast facilities and the gorgeous Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards (really, you'll want to take a peek at this theater). The mall's other centerpiece is Babylon Court; designed after a set from the 1916 film Intolerance, the open-air space attempts to re-create an over-the-top golden-age movie set, complete with giant pillars topped with 13,500-pound elephants and a colossal arch that frames the HOLLYWOOD sign in the distance. Parking isn't a problem, as the six-level underground lot can cram in 3,000 cars. 6834 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. tel. 323/467-6412. www.hollywoodandhighland.com.

Santa Monica & The Beaches

Santa Monica Place -- About 140 shops occupy these three bright stories, located a mere 2 blocks from the beach and anchored by Macy's department store. 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, including several health-oriented ones. Broadway (at 3rd St.), Santa Monica. tel. 310/394-5451. www.santamonicaplace.com.

Pasadena

Paseo Colorado -- This open-air mall in the heart of Pasadena is ground zero for local shopaholics. Anchored by Macy's, the two-level 3-block monolith houses about 140 retailers and restaurants (but few men's fashions), a Gelson's market, a fitness center, a full-service day spa, 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 dweller needs to survive. 280 E. Colorado Blvd. (at Marengo Ave.), Pasadena. tel. 626/795-8891.

The San Fernando Valley

Universal Citywalk -- Designed to resemble an almost-cartoonish depiction of an urban street, Universal CityWalk gets a 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 and the Saddle Ranch Chop House. It's been called the commercial equivalent of a 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 -- it's got the ubiquitous Abercrombie & Fitch, Guess, Sunglass Hut, and the like. Still, kids will love the carnival atmosphere and the Warner Brothers store. You can get an online preview at www.citywalkhollywood.com. Universal Center Dr., Universal City. tel. 818/622-9841.

All American Girls

Filled to the brim with all the things young girls love, the American Girl Place at The Grove shopping mall at W. 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue (tel. 877/AG-PLACE; www.americangirlplace.com) features the flagship line of historical dolls and books. Find the contemporary Just Like You dolls, accessories, and girl-size clothing. For a real treat, girls can take in a performance at the American Girl Theater, dine with their dollies at the American Girl Café, and treat their doll to a new coif at the Doll Hair Salon.