There are several main shopping areas in Los Angeles to suit all tastes and budgets. Those of note are:

Hollywood and Highland Mall
This massive $615 million revamp at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland St.

despite being surrounded by tacky souvenir shops and tattoo parlours, this gleaming centre contains all the top-end merchants – Ann Taylor, Tommy Hilfiger, Louis Vuitton, bebe – as well as the Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards. The mall's other centrepiece is Babylon Court; designed on the set of 1916 film Intolerance, complete with giant white elephants and a colossal arch that frames the distance Hollywood sign. www.hollywoodandhighland.com.

Rodeo Drive
Wilshire Blvd to Santa Monica Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Possibly the most recognised and expensive shopping area in the world thanks to movies like Beverly Hills Cop and Pretty Woman. Armani, Gucci, Harry Winston, Chanel, Dior and Prada – all the designer heavy weights can be found here.

Third Street Promenade
3rd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Cross Street
Between Broadway and Wilshire Boulevard, Tel 310 393 7593 Quirky street performers and bohemian art vendors line the laid-back, beachfront shopping streets for a complete shopping experience.

Melrose Avenue
La Brea Blvd to La Cienega Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 Melrose Avenue was once to Los Angeles what Carnaby Street was to London. Sadly, like its counterpart, Melrose has lost some of its cutting edge since the 1980s. At one end you'll find upscale boutiques like Fred Segal and Agent Provocateur, but at the other, you will still find a mesh of affordable 'vintage' clothing shops with mainstream shops like Urban Outfitters.