The Grove, Los Angeles

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If you could only go to one shopping center in Los Angeles, it should be this one! A combination of modern retail mall experience along with the old original Farmers Market, this place has so much for you to see and do! I love the Farmers Market because you can grab a bite to eat and shop for groceries. You can find sundried tomatoes, vennison sausage, loose tea, caviar, pate, raspberry vinegar, purple potatoes, etc. There's a movie theater, bookstores, coffee shop, Cost Plus World Market (my favorite), Sur La Table (kitchen/cooking wares), Nordstroms, fantastic restaurants, unique clothing stores and so much more!

I can't say enough about this place. You can spend a lot of time here and not get bored!

Farmer's Market has been a hot spot for 75 years and about 10 years ago The Grove was added, making for an unusual mix of the traditional and the modern LA.

Farmer's Market has been a tourist destination for many decades. There are some "touristy" shops selling mini license plates with names on them, t-shirts, etc. but there's not nearly as many shops like that as there used to be. New shops have added some modern class to the market. There's a tea shop, a dog bakery, and the best kitchenwares shop in LA, Sur La Table. Plus they kept some of the classics like the top notch newsstand and Du-par's restaurant, known for their breakfasts - thank goodness! Old-timers and traditionalists still come here regularly and, despite the new additions, if you want to get a sense of LA 50 years ago, this is a good place to get it.

Then walk through the parking lot over to the LA of the new millennium. The Grove brings in a new crowd. There are some high class shops here - Lalique and Stella McCartney just to name a couple. The mall also has a trolley that runs the length of the main street so if you get too tired shopping you can get a lift back to your car.

What to buy: It's up to you - mostly it's fun just to look.

What to pay: The prices cover the whole range here - you can find simple, inexpensive souvenirs up to the priciest of things.

The Grove at Farmers Market in LA is a nice place to visit since unlike the other malls it has a large open-air, pedestrian only area where you can sit in the sun and drink a cup of coffee.

Being close to Beverly Hills this is an upscale mall boasting stores like Nordstrom, Banana Republic, Tommy Bahama and Abercombie & Fitch.
Also, it has one of the three American Girl flagship stores in the world.

Adjacent to the mall is the LA farmers' market that actually has decent selection of ethnic food.

I would say if you want to shop while you are in LA, shop here. Of course it's not as famous as rodeo drive, but unlike rodeo you can actually afford to buy something here :)

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Not a great lover of shopping malls, I have to admit this one is rather nice. There are a lot of upscale stores and the layout is rather pretty. Apparently it is also a great people watching place, too, if you want to see movie stars. I never see them no matter where I am, but my nephew usually spots them.

Hours of Opening:
10am - 9pm Monday-Thursday
10am - 10pm Friday-Saturday
11am - 8pm Sunday

What to buy: Clothes, Mac Computers and iPods, Books, Jewelry, Eyewear, Luggage, Shoes, and Handbags

This is actually a franchise and there are shops across the US including in Manhattan, NYC. Lots of pet goodies.

The stores in the Los Angeles area are located at:

Los Angeles, CA LA Farmer's Market / The Grove
6333 West 3rd St. #710 323-935-7512

Newport Beach, CA 924 Avocado 949-760-3647

Old Pasadena, CA 24 Smith Alley 626-440-0443

Sherman Oaks, CA 14545 Ventura Blvd. 818-304-0440

The Grove is the relatively recently constructed opposite number to the Farmers Market. The Farmers Market is designed in a rough and ready manner to cater for inexpensive tastes, whereas The Grove attracts the other end of the economic market (i.e. expensive). The two are unofficially divided by the clock tower which is depicted in my Farmers Market tip.

I had just an hour to explore here, and it didn't give me time to actually go into any of the shops, but all the famous names are here - plus some I hadn't heard of before.

There's a wonderful fountain in the centre of The Grove, and the water dances to the music, just like the fountains at the Bellagio Hotel in Vegas. The area immediately around this fountain is beautifully landscaped and I happily watched children at play here. I would have stood on the little bridge here for hours, but my tour guide was waiting.

I am not a bit surprised to hear that many of the stars come here in disguise to while away a few hours anonymous shopping.

There are also many lovely restaurants at which to have a bnite to eat if (like me) the stalls at the Farmers Market aren't your thing.

I also loved some of the more upmarket stalls that dot the Grove area. My favourite was the stall that will encrust your mobile phone with Swarovski crystals in 30 mins!

My 2nd fav shopping place. Its an outdoor mall but disguised as a small town. Located next to the farmers market, this has the usual american stores like abercrombie, gap etc and restaurants but set in luscious gardens and fountains and you can even catch a tram from one end to the other.
Again its busy and caters for everyone, it even has a cinema, great for a day or night out, did I mention how great this place is.

What to buy: Go to cheescake factory for a wonderful slice of calorific desserts,lazy around at the huge barnes and noble or just sit in the gardens and watch the world go by.

What to pay: Spend little to alot

Next door to the Farmers Market is an outdoor shopping mall called the Grove anchored by Nordstrom with lots of other mid to high end retailers such as Barnes and Noble, Coach, Crate & Barrel, Gap and Victoria's Secret. For a full listing, see the attached website.

There are also several restaurants including Maggiano's (Italian) and Morel's (French bistro) and movie theaters.

Although it's perfectly walkable, there is a street car that runs from the Farmers Market to the Grove. Parking is free for the 1st hour, with validation for the 1st 2 hours. You can also park here for the Farmer's Market.

The Grove is an outdoor mall that was recently built adjacent to the famous Farmers Market on the corner of Third and Fairfax. It houses many trendy clothing, home and department stores as well as various restaurants and a large multiplex showing the newest films. Although The Grove isn't very big they have a double-decker trolley that runs from one end of the mall to the Farmers Market and back. Parking is plentiful, but can be tricky on Friday and Saturday nights. It's well decorated and even has "dancing waters" (basically a fountain that sprays water to music) across from the theatre. It's a great place to spend a day, especially when the weather is nice. You might even see a star or two roaming these cobblestone streets.

What to buy: The Grove features department stores, and a variety of specialty stores carrying everything from clothing, shoes, books, electronics and home furnishings. There are many restaurants to choose from here. There is a full service day spa and a state of the art movie theatre as well. If you shop here a lot don't forget to visit The Grove concierge and get your "Grove Card". Bring all your shopping receipts here to earn and redeem your "Grove Points".

What to pay: Most of the clothing stores offer mid-range prices, not as cheap as the east end of Melrose but not as expensive as Rodeo Drive.

Here at the market are private individuals who run their own shops and eateries, selling or creating unique goods and services at good prices. In the neigboring "The Grove" are mostly large and pricey establishments that are so commercial and, well, less special. Experience the old village like atmosphere by dining at the original farmer's market and buying here too!