Torrance Shopping

Del Amo Fashion Center is a large enough mall with Sears, Macy's etc. I enjoyed browsing through different shops, having a frozen yogurt and pizza for lunch at an Italian place in the food court. TJ Maxx was also good to look in. There was a food place in the food complex that had $1 for EVERYTHING on the menu. I didn't get to try out their food though!!

What to buy: For Children I recommend a look in Build-A-Bear. Macy's Sears and TJ Maxx are the main department stores and other little shops offer some great buys, too! I recommend checking it out and hope you have a fabulous shopping experience like I did!!

What to pay: It depends on which shop and what you buy. Nothing I saw was overly expensive.

Did you know that Los Angeles has a German enclave? Probably not. Definitely visit Alpine Village while in LA if you get a chance, and it's open year-round - not just during Oktober.

Not so much a village, but a mall. But it's not just a tourist trap, it's an oasis for German nationals in the city. The village features a supermarket and bakery selling foods and wines you can't find elsewhere; a restaurant; a toy store; a shop featuring ornate, handcrafted steins; a magazine and bookstore; and of course, gift shops featuring traditional Bavarian outfits.

It's fairly commerical but also quaint and it's a nice getaway-from-the-city-within-the-city. And you can always count on the desserts being a step above the rest.

Fehr Gut!

I would actually recommend going there sometime other than Oktoberfest and avoid the crowds. But if you can't resist, Alpine Village's Oktoberfest actuallly continues through the holiday season.

What to buy: Definitely get a bottle of Auslese, the German dessert wine!

What to pay: Depends - there are cheap souvenirs, there are expensive steins that go into the hundreds.