BEING THERE

The most recent fashion statement. These are all over town but those located between La Brea and La Cienega are the most prominent, along with the Buzz coffeehouse at Sunset and Crescent Heights (on the former site of Schwab's Drugstore and next to the Virgin Megastore). All have outdoor seating.

Shopping Malls

These are the main centres of LA's social life. On every day of the week you can shop to excess from early morning to midnight in Los Angeles and the adjacent San Fernando Valley. The West Pavilion is the prettiest indoor mall and the Beverly Centre the most famous. Century City is also prominent, with an outdoor mall and the location of that other Spielberg/Katzenberg venture, Dive. All the above include a cinema complex, eating places and overwhelming car parks.

Beverly Centre

8500 Beverly Drive at La Cienega

Westside Pavilion

10800 W Pico Blvd. Large shopping mall

Main Street, Santa Monica

Tree-lined avenue, with variety of shops, cafés with outdoor seating and good restaurants. A place to spot a few of the town's well-know faces.

Melrose Ave between La Cienega & La Brea

Trendiest shopping strip in Los Angeles. LA's equivalent of London's Covent Garden or New York's Soho.

Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

If not to shop, a must-see for browsing and people watching when in LA.

Third Street Promenade Third and Broadway in Santa Monica

Pedestrian boulevard featuring restaurants, bars, shops and cinemas. Five minute walk from Santa Monica Pier.

Farmer's Market Corner of 3rd and Fairfax

Open air food and shopping emporium. Ideal for locals and tourists. Eat, drink and browse.