The Waterside at Marina del Rey
This sparkling neighborhood center with meandering sidewalks and bubbling fountains is located within walking distance of Fisherman's Village, offering three dozen specialty shops, restaurants and cafes. A convenient ATM, post office, pharmacy and 24 hour market are also here. Admiralty Way at Mindanao Way. Open daily.
Villa Marina Marketplace
This is the largest center in the immediate vicinity
of the Marina. Shoppers, browsers and diners alike will
love the 70 shops, restaurants, and movie theaters. 24-hr market and pharmacy. Mindanao Way at Glencoe Avenue. Open daily.
Marina Beach Shopping Center
Shop for essentials and local services here. About a
dozen businesses include a bagel store, cafe, hair salon, and pizzeria. Washington Blvd at Via
Marina. Open daily.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard - Venice
Less than two miles from the Marina, Abbot Kinney Boulevard
is home to an eclectic array of galleries, fine arts
and crafts, well-known restaurants, funky cafes, antiques/collectibles,
gifts, clothing, and artist ateliers. About a mile in
length, it’s the perfect place to wile away an
afternoon or a weekend. Open daily.
Venice Beach Ocean Front Walk
Year round, especially on weekends, Ocean Front Walk
in Venice Beach becomes a virtual outdoor swap meet
of affordable souvenirs – everything from T-shirts,
sandals and sunhats to sunglasses and kerchiefs for
your dogs are available. Store front and side walk vendors
share space along craftsmen and other artists who will
create your memento while you wait. (Between Venice
Boulevard and Windward Way); Open daily.
Santa Monica
Only three miles from Marina del Rey, Santa Monica is
known for its chic, slightly quirky, avant-garde designs
and fashions. Third Street Promenade runs along three
pedestrian-only blocks and is lined with shops, restaurants
and theatres. A Macy's department store is located at the south end of the Promenade.
Open daily.
For truly fun, unique shops, Main Street is not to be missed. From lace to surf wear, Mexican folk art to Japanese antiquities, designer home furnishing to handmade jewelry and wild hats -- it's all on this one very happening street. When your shopping energy wanes, put your bags down at one of the many welcoming cafes, bistros and restaurants. Linger for as long as you like; there's no telling who'll you'll see.
Before leaving Santa Monica, go just a bit further north to Montana Avenue featuring 150 interesting boutiques and inviting restaurants right in the middle of a lovely residential community.
Westfield Shopping Town, Fox Hills
This large traditional, suburban regional shopping center
has 135 stores on three floors, including department
stores Macy's and J.C. Penny.
About four miles from Marina del Rey. Open daily.
Beverly Hills
Here's the place that proves you can't be too rich,
though there's some consolation in knowing that window
shopping and star glimpses are free. This is where “Pretty
Woman” in the movie of that name went for a new
look, right here in the Golden Triangle, right down
Rodeo Drive. All the designer shops are here -- Armani,
Fendi, Gucci, Versace, Chanel, Valentino. For a jeweled
accessory, there's Cartier and Tiffany. Nearby stores
include Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. Most stores open daily.
