Here's a rundown of L.A.'s top shopping areas and spas -- from chic to cheap -- along with some highlights of each neighborhood to give you an idea of what you'll find there.
GR8 Finds in West L.A.'s J-Town
What started off as a magazine has spawned two of L.A.'s most talked-about stores -- GR2, 2062 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/445-9276); and Giant Robot, 2015 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/478-1819) -- and gr/eats restaurant, 2050 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/478-3242; www.gr-eats.com). Located across the street from each other in West L.A.'s Japantown (at Sawtelle and Olympic boulevards), both shops specialize in a wide range of Asian-American pop-culture items, including T-shirts, books, music, stationery, toys (you must get a Kubrick doll), art, and accessories (check out the Tadashi Murakami pins and felt pins by Saejean Oh). There are several other cool shops and restaurants along this 1 1/2-block stretch as well. One of my favorite stores is Happy Six, 2115 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/479-5363), which looks like Hello Kitty on acid and sells playful apparel and accessories for men and women. If you're hungry, my favorites along Sawtelle are Manpuku, 2125 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/473-0580); Sawtelle Kitchen, 2024 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/445-9288); and Hurry Curry, 2131 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/473-1640). Or you can pop into Nijiya Market, 2130 Sawtelle Blvd. (tel. 310/575-3300), and grab a bento (Japanese boxed lunch) to go.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard: L.A.'s Antithesis to Rodeo Drive
When you're finally fed up with the Rodeo Drive attitude and megamall conformity, it's time to drive to Venice and stroll the eclectic shops along Abbot Kinney Boulevard. This refreshingly anti-establishment stretch of street has the most diverse array of shops, galleries, and restaurants in Los Angeles. (Locals still cheer that there are no franchises in the neighborhood.) You can easily spend the entire afternoon here poring over vintage clothing, antique furniture, vintage Vespas, local art, and amusing gifts. For one-of-a-kind designed jewelry, check out Nagual, 1142 Abbott Kinney Blvd. (tel. 310/396-8500), whose "metals with an edge" designs have caught the eye of many celebrities. Or if you're looking for a unique gift, you'll want to walk into the shop of Strange Invisible Perfumes, 1138 Abbot Kinney Blvd. (tel. 310/314-1505), where they can custom-make a scent to match your musk. Then there's Firefly, 1413 Abbot Kinney Blvd. (tel. 310/450-6288), a local favorite. It's that one store you can go into and find great baby gifts, stationery, books, quirky handbags, and cool clothing. DNA Clothing Co., 411 Rose Ave. (tel. 310/399-0341), is the mother lode for those in search of the coolest, most current styles for men and women at great prices (numerous stylists and costumers use DNA as their resource for sitcoms to feature films). You'll find all your major brands as well as their own private label wear, and fresh stock arrives weekly. When you're ready to sit down and look over your loot, take a break to eat at one of the boulevard's many restaurants, including Joe's (the best California cuisine in L.A.), Primitivo, Axe, Lilly's, Massimo's, Jin's Patisserie, French Market Café, and, of course, Hal's Bar & Grill, with its live jazz music. Heck, there are even 2 hours of free street parking.
