Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

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Rodeo Drive and, more specifically, 2 Rodeo likes to have their Ambassador there to greet you. He will tell you that Beverly Hills does, indeed, have its own "Spanish Steps."
This world renown shopping venue boasts the top designer shops and is a great place for strolling in the early evening, daytime or after hours window shopping.
This is one of Rodeo Drive's many exceptional shopping experiences. The Spanish Steps ascend from Wilshire to Via Rodeo, a cobbled pedestrian street lined with eateries, shops and boutiques, including Tiffany & Co., Badgley Mischka, Iceberg, Porsche Design, Gianni Versace and much more.

When in Beverly Hills, you definitely have to walk along the Via Rodeo which is an elegantly designed complex patterned after classic European architecture.

It is on the corner of Rodeo and Wilshire Boulevard, and you can't miss the nice cobblestone streets dotted with wrought-iron lamps, arches, fountains and balconies of stone and marble. You can either just walk around or dare to go into one of the shops (remember Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman"? lol) ...usually, the affordable things the average person can buy would be the chocolate stores which might have some $5 choco pieces that you can nibble on while walking Via Rodeo...

Take a picture and say, “I’ve been to Rodeo Drive!” as this has been the setting of many 'tourist-photos" hehehe….

If you have seen the movie “Pretty Woman”, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere then you might recall the scene where Julia enters a store in Rodeo drive and gets a discriminatory look from the salesgirl…

Well, actually, the salesclerks we’ve seen have been very nice and accommodating in Rodeo Drive. So, don’t really be scared going into the very nice shops where celebrities shop as well. But the prices can be a bit SHOCKING!

Rodeo Drive is a three-block district which is known for its high couture fashion and posh salons, but some say that the area actually stretches more north and more south – expanding the three-block exclusive perimeter. The road runs north from Wilshire Boulevard to Santa Monica Boulevard, and into a classy residential area.

Wikipedia lists some of the famous retailers and see if you want to see any of them : Giorgio Armani, Bang & Olufsen, Bally, Bottega Veneta, Bijan, Brioni, BVLGARI, Buccellati, Burberry, Brooks Brothers, Cartier, Chanel, CHANEL fine jewelry, Christian Dior, Coach, David Orgell, David Yurman, DeBeers, Dior Homme, Dolce & Gabbana, Domenico Vacca, Ermenegildo Zegna, Escada, Etro, Fendi, Frette, Gucci, Gucci jewelry, Gianfranco Ferré, Harry Winston, Hermès, Hugo Boss, Jimmy Choo, Judith Ripka, Juicy Couture, Lacoste, Lana Marks, La Perla, Louis Vuitton, Max Azria, Max Mara, Michael Kors, Miu Miu, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Tiffany & Co., Tod's, Valentino, Van Cleef & Arpels, Versace, Westime and Yves Saint-Laurent.

It was in n 1906 when Burton E. Green and other investors purchased the property with plans for a mixed-use subdivision. Their company was named the Rodeo Land and Water Company and the development's main street Rodeo Drive. Then, in the 1970’s the classy neighborhood and shopping distrcit were further developed and became very popular. Also note the historic Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel which is so exclusively built on Wilshire Boulevard at the south end terminus of the shopping district of Rodeo Drive.

Not just for the stars, Rodeo Drive is for to enjoy as well…

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OK - so most of us probably won't be able to afford any of the merchandise offered; Heck! Many of us won't be able to even afford the merchandise at 75 % off; NEVERTHELESS - it's fun to just stroll around Rodeo drive on a sunny afternoon. You'll find all the famous stores you could ever dream up, ranging from Gucci to Cartier, Armani to Tiffany... At times you might even spot a celebrity or two.

Rodeo drive is amazingly beautiful; colorfully decorated during the christmas season - all festively lit up, and actually having chandeliers as street-lights.

On the Wilshire Blvd. side, Rodeo drive splits up and there is a little side-street that leads (pedestrians only) up a hill, and down some stairs out onto Wilshire Blvd. At the bottom of the stairs you'll find a fountain, which makes for a great photo-op. During the holiday season, passerbys should find a huge christmas tree atop the stairs.

Walk (for free!) down the famed Rodeo Drive (between Wilshire and Santa Monica) and see the most luxurious shops in the world; from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, Gucci, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co. On the Northwest corner of Rodeo and Wilshire is "2 Rodeo" a quiet, re-attempt at a European street featuring cobblestones, a bubbling fountain, and charming balconies. A beautiful afternoon and comfy shoes are all you need

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If you can't afford to shop in the grand B.H. shops, at least step in and admire the lovely interior of the many boutiques. On and around Rodeo especially are some exquisite places with spetacular architectural features.

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Rodeo Drive is the ritzy shopping district in Beverly Hills. I was there during the Christmas season, is was very busy and was nicely decorated, though I didn't do much shopping. Much like Bal Harbour in Miami, there are no sales here- I guess most don't even look at the prices- they can afford to pay whatever! There were some very innovative shops here, I went into the Roberto Cavalli and a few others, but my favorite one was the Prada sub-floor display.

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Want to shop like a real star ?
Well this is the right place to do it.

Lot of expensive shops (Armani, Valentino, etc...)
And even if you don't want to shop, i suggest to take a walk at Rodeo Drive, maybe just to have a look around...

In the greater Los Angeles area, Beverly Hills is arguably the best city for having a meal. Now, you have to bare with me. There should be like a thousand tips on Restaurants on my Bev's pages.
I have tried less than 10 places here, but many include chain restaurants (ie Cheesecake Factory) located through L.A county, regionally in the west and throughout the U.S. Believe me, there are numeous fantastic and unique eateries in the 90210 city.

BH has an official Restaurant Row, along La Cienega Blvd from Wilshire to Beverly Blvd, which features 3-star The Sticking Rose (all garlic menu), pricier steakhouses like Lawry's Prime Rib and Morton's and other. The one mile stretch of premiere restaurants is a spot to catch celebrities and for being seen and amongst Hollywood industry types.

Off Restaurant Row, there are standout options in the Rodeo Dr area, and elsewhere. Well attended 4-star favorites include Crustacean (Asian-Euro fusion), Matsuhisa (Japanese), Boucho Bistro (French-inspired), Mr Chow, Cut (Wolfgang Puck steakhouse), Benihana(Japanese) and perhaps the most famous dining spot- Spago (super upscale American).

For mid-range priced eateries, top BH establishments include Jack n Jills and The Farm of Beverly Hills (both upscale American), Nate n Al's (deli) and Versailles (Cuban). If you want to have a very Beverly Hills experience and eat simple American, head to the Beverly Hills Diner (pictured) along (you guessed it) Beverly Dr.

Though not a mecca for classic fast food, you can find it in Beverly Hills- from scattered taco joints, to several fast sushi and various Asian-inspired stops. Though not officially in BH, the following establishments are baby steps off BH: Subway (1270 S La Cienega Blvd ), Pizza Hut (8947 W Pico Blvd ), KFC (1550 S La Cienega), Jack in the Box( 8605 W Pico Blvd)

You must have seen the Rodeo Drive and all the small and cute stores that are mostly not very cheap but it is very interesting to have a look at the shops of the world's most famous celebrities !
It is a feeling you cant describe, when you are standing on one side of the Rodeo Drive. Even photos can't be so real to imagine what kind of impression will last at you, if you were there.