Favorite Local Shops in Los Angeles

Amoeba Records

Favorite Local Shops in Los Angeles. We’ve even included brief descriptions of each local pick. Have something you want to add? Check out the rest of the comments and leave your own. Daquella_manera “I know they have some up north, but I dig Amoeba Records. I get lost in there for a couple of hours.” – Rene
This list wouldn’t be complete without an LA record store, but Amoeba Records isn’t just any indie shop. Think aisles upon aisles of music — more than 500,000 CDs — and a healthy dose of DVDs and videos. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, it’s a good bet you won’t be able to find it somewhere else. “X-Large Store on Vermont” If you were created by Beastie Boy Mike Diamond, you’d probably be as cool as X-Large, too. Filled with hip-hop and skate gear, the store is all about counter culture goodies: kitschy T-shirts, loud sneakers and even a clothing line from Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon. If you’re a Beastie Boys fan, check out copies of the Grand Royal fanzine, located at the back wall. Named one of Los Angeles Magazine’s “Top Twenty Gift Stores,” Handmade Galleries LA rightly deserves a spot on a favorite local shop list. The 5,000-square-foot store features works from über-creative artists and have built their reputation on unique specialty items, which means you won’t find any “mass market” stuff here. We like the decorative vintage pieces from Pigeon in Our Parlour and the panda figurines from Orient & Flume. “Popkiller!” Popkiller got more than one vote for best local shop, and it’s easy to see why. Specializing in the vintage sunglass look — isn’t this where everybody in LA gets their shades?” — Popkiller is really where Angeles go for their quirky hipster cravings. The store never disappoints, especially when they showcase Japanese toys and one-of-a-kind arm bands. “Hollywood book and poster co!!! On hwood blvd” You know the locals love it when it’s been around for 30 years. Angelenos come to Hollywood Book and Poster Co. for movie stills, movie posters, film scripts and…Mexican wrestling masks? Yup, the store features pretty much anything that has to do with the entertainment industry. “almost everything on Melrose” Ah, well there’s something obvious. Packed with stores that you’ll find only in LA, Melrose Ave. between San Vincente and La Brea Ave. is probably also one of the best places to people watch, too. That’s because they’re getting decked out at places like Aardvark’s, Red Balls, Von Dutch, Fred Segal’s and miu miu. “Black One Shoulder Jumpsuit at Intermix on Robertson. Have to say, it was a fabulous store. On the list, to be sure.” Second that, Ally. All the products at Intermix seem like they ought to belong in Vogue and Style magazines. We like their picks from Gryphon (harlequin sequin skirt and leather jean jacket), but Ally’s onto something with the jumpsuits for sure. “Favorite book store is Book Soup on Sunset! none better!” Famous for ceiling-high bookshelves, a celebrity clientele and author signings, Book Soup falls on quite a few top ten lists. In addition to in-depth fiction and nonfiction titles, it specializes in art, film and music as well as books from university, international and small presses. Glitzz boutique runs the gamut of mens and womens designer lines, as well as intimates and accessories. Denim rules here, with styles from Black Soul and Mondo, and if you’re in the market for a show-stopping buckle, this is the place.

LA Hotels that Treat You Like a Star

LA Hotels that Treat You Like a Star The Standard Downtown LA LA hotels often host guests who are accustomed to the star treatment, so when it comes to services and amenities, many hotels step it up a notch (or 10). Whether it’s a meditation class for you or a personalized snack for your pet, you’ll feel like a Hollywood star at any of these Los Angeles hotels.

Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows: If the hotel will pamper your pooch with house-made, bone-shaped cookies with his/her name handwritten on each one, just imagine what else awaits your two-legged guest.

Mondrian: Sushi at 3 a.m. (or any hour), an indoor Lucite swing and a mushroom-shaped concierge desk are just a few of the over-the-top features of this Hollywood hotel.

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel: For working out on the road, treadmills and stair machines are great — but yoga, Pilates, water aerobics, spinning, kickboxing, beach power walking, guided hikes, beach boot camp and meditation classes are awesome.

The Standard Downtown LA: The Standard ups the atmosphere ante with its funky red AstroTurf pool deck, complete with a bar, music, panoramic views, a dance floor, a fireplace and, of course, waterbed cabanas.

Sheraton Universal: All over LA, you’ll find hotel rooms decorated in a variety of styles, but there’s only one designed in pure ogre fashion. The Sheraton Universal’s Shrek Suite is decorated in a forest theme with Shrek-friendly amenities such as mud-bath packets and green-hued bedding.

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey: Nothing says luxury like taking a midnight dip in a pool overlooking the ocean. You can indulge in such watery bliss at the Ritz, whose 25-meter lap pool is open 24 hours a day.

Omni Los Angeles Hotel: Little ones feel like VIPs with the Omni Sensational Kids Package, which includes suitcases filled with books and games, a backpack upon arrival, and a safety kit with a nightlight and electrical outlet covers.

Four Seasons Westlake Village: Like many high-end hotels, the Four Seasons Westlake Village boasts luxurious spa and exercise facilities, but this hotel — home of the world-class California Health & Longevity Institute — also offers access to “science-based lifestyle rejuvenation.”

W Hollywood: The W promises its guests Whatever/Whenever® service — and the posh hotel isn’t kidding. Whatever you can dream of, the W staff will make it happen.

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites: The Westin Bonaventure takes your workout out of the gym (though the hotel’s exercise facility is state of the art) with running groups guided by a Westin Hotel Running Concierge as well as self-guided route maps designed by Runner’s World magazine.

Pacific Palms Resort: With a world-class, on-site spa and fitness center, two golf courses and excellent dining, you might not have a reason to leave the Pacific Palms Resort. But just in case, there’s a fleet of luxurious chauffeured cars and limousines waiting to ferry you around the LA area.

The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena: To describe all the heavenly amenities and services available at this über-posh hotel would take ages, so we’ll just focus on an interesting recent addition to The Huntington Spa: Chuan Body + Soul, a world-renowned facility offering treatments based on traditional Chinese medicine.

Hotel Amarano: With many rooms including a kitchenette and walk-in closet, this boutique hotel in Burbank promises the comforts of home — that is, assuming your home has a 42-inch plasma TV, an iPod docking station, free Wi-Fi and a rooftop sundeck.

Planet Funk

After a stop at Planet Funk, teen shoppers come out on the cutting edge of LA’s urban street style. The store offers laid-back clothing with graffiti-esque designs and edgy details. Girls can nurture their inner starlet with skinny leg jeans by Citizens of Humanity, a fitted Ed Hardy tunic and a quirky tote by Harajuku Lovers. Meanwhile, guys can cop some of the newest looks by Motor City Legends, Faith Connexion and Howe. The store also stocks cool accessories — from fedoras to skinny belts — to put the finishing touches on new looks.

Planet Funk
7571 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323.655.2990
www.planetfunk.com