The Grove

In a town where most malls are housed inside bland, air-conditioned structures, this upscale open-air center is a perennial hit—some say it’s the crown jewel of mall shopping in L.A. There are only around 50 retailers, but the selection is strong. There’s a frankly beautiful Apple store, a Nordstrom, and a massive Barnes & Noble, as well as upscale boutiques like Byredo, Diptyque, Gucci and Vince. Oh, and there's also an attached movie theater and dancing fountain. Historically the dining side has been less impressive, but a new location of steakhouse American Beauty changed that. And early fears that the Grove would kill the adjacent Original Farmers Market have, happily, proven groundless—that’s where you should head if you want a quick bite post-shopping.