DOWNTOWN. Anchored by Macy's, this pleasant mall is also home to over 40 specialty shops offering everything from jewelry and women's apparel to cell phones, toys, and flowers. Services include an optometrist, dry cleaner, and film developer. There's even a gym. In addition to two full-service restaurants, the mall features a food court, coffee shop, and chocolatier. Often frequented by business people at lunchtime, the complex has an open, airy ambience that gives the illusion of being outside.

BEVERLY HILLS. One of Greater LA's premier retail destinations, Beverly Center boasts a level of shopping not normally associated with urban mega-malls. The 160+ name-brand shops include the likes of Hugo Boss and French Connection UK, while anchor stores like Macy's and Bloomingdale's insure that you'll find just about anything you require. Truly a local landmark, the mall spans several blocks in the middle of West Hollywood and boasts the LA area's only California Welcome Center. It also features a 13-screen movie theater.

GLENDALE. Just a short drive from downtown, contemporary Glendale Galleria features more than 200 stores and restaurants. From stylish (Edo Japan and Sephora) to fun (The Disney Store, Discovery Channel Store, and Suncoast Motion Picture Co.), the selection promises something to suit your fancy. Spacious and well-lit, the mall's three levels offer a comfortable setting, and it's not uncommon for the Galleria to host concerts and other public events. Anchor stores include JCPenney, Nordstrom, Mervyn's, and Macy's.

HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT. A great place to shop and gather with friends is Hollywood & Highland. Here, trend-setting fashion and gourmet dining prove (at least in Hollywood) that haute couture and beautiful people reign supreme. Indeed, as you browse the racks in places like Planet Funk or BCBG Max Azria, keep your eyes peeled for silver screen sensations doing a little shopping of their own. Dining options include Wolfgang Puck's Vert and everything from Italian to Japanese. The plush, 640-room Renaissance Hollywood Hotel is the "cornerstone" of this upscale complex, which also boasts the Kodak Theatre.

WEST HOLLYWOOD. LA's original Farmers Market opened in 1934 when a handful of farmers gathered on a vacant street corner (known locally as Gilmore Island) to vend the season's crops. Today's market, easy to spot thanks to the famous clock tower that soars above it, has taken on a completely different persona and now offers more than 30 restaurants and an impressive array of specialty shops and open-air food stalls. The place is still steeped in history, but it's also a modern-day shopping and dining destination.