Lina Lecaro

Streaming music is convenient and efficient, but it can feel soulless and one-dimensional. For those who value the spirit of discovery that makes IRL music shopping so special, Los Angeles has never offered more places to flash back, flip through and fill up the crate. Analog music junkies never abandoned vinyl, but a whole new generation has also discovered the thrill of buying physical music media in a brick-and-mortar environment. From revisiting classic album cover art and packaging (which has only gotten more interesting with annual Record Store Day drops and special edition colored vinyl releases) to the visceral pleasure of bringing cool finds home and placing them on a turntable or inside a boombox, music shopping as an experiential activity is alive and well. Whether you prefer to own your favorite new artists on vinyl or like to hunt for hard-to-find vintage titles beyond visiting Discogs.com, there’s a great space in almost every neighborhood in the city. Check out our list of L.A.’s 25 best shops, from an internationally known behemoth in Hollywood to mom-and-pop shops in Echo Park, Culver City and the outskirts of L.A.

One of the bigger stores in L.A., Surplus lives up to its name. Things have changed since this mega-store self-identified as “the last record store,” but the business (founded in 1985) has survived streaming to finally benefit from vinyl’s vogue again. They buy and sell records and are always stocked on rock, jazz, soul, hip-hop, blues, classical, international, Latin, reggae, oldies, country and more. Used CDs, a $1 record bin and listening stations make it one of the most reliable stops on a record shop tour.

This historic Silver Lake store is no longer open to the public for walk-ins, but if you’re looking to sell your vinyl collection or a rare piece from the ‘60s to ‘80s, it’s the place to call. Rockaway pays top dollar for rare vinyl and collectables. They also offer new alternative and L.A.-based bands, memorabilia and videos, so if you’re a serious buyer it’s worth an appointment as well. Posters, tour art and concert tees are also available.

Founded by record collector and musician Danny Clodfelter, Arroyo was born during the pandemic when vinyl collecting saw a surge in sales as music lovers stayed home. The store still thrives as love for analog pleasures continues to grow in the digital age. Specializing in local and international jazz, soul, rock and punk, this welcoming space is brimming with vintage discs to remember and contemporary new favorites to discover daily.

With four decades in Hollywood, this historic hovel has been a go-to for directors, producers, music supervisors and prop masters looking for inspiration via original vinyl records, classic rock, jazz, soundtracks and more. Rare treasures and memorabilia from eras past can be found within its archival atmosphere, priced for quality and collectibility.

This Granada Hills music store offers a highly curated collection of used and new vinyl for Valley music buffs plus bargain bins for forgotten faves and finds. They are always buying LPs, 45s and cassettes (no appointment necessary) so you’ll find something new every visit. The family-owned business is also known for local events (they moved to a larger space in 2025 to accommodate). Check out their First Fridays series for a slice of SFV creative culture.

Going Underground has been a reliable source for DJs (home and pro) looking for diverse titles on vinyl. They buy, sell and do trades, and their employees are friendly and helpful. Prices are fair and the vibes are funky, making the shop a great stop while strolling Little Tokyo post-sushi and sake outings.

Sometimes the best record stores are off the beaten path. One of our favorites, in an unassuming mini-mall in Santa Clarita, is full of great deals. Owner Victor Torres Jr. will often offer half-off deals and on a recent weekend, we scored albums by the Partridge Family and Elton John for only a few bucks from the bargain bins. Brand-new vinyl runs standard pricing ($25–$30) but the selection is great, especially if you love new wave and goth. They also have cool monster-themed merch.

Seasoned music lovers will recall that the original Licorice Pizza—a beloved chain in SoCal in the ‘70s and ‘80s—always had the hottest new records and concert tickets. This Valley hub bought the name and it evokes the same excitement and energy; it hosts signing events, podcasts and even has a pressing plant on the premises, courtesy of owner Kerry Brown. Pizza’s pressings for contemporary artists like Japanese Breakfast, Midnight Cowgirls and Ferry Townes are hot commodities, but the store’s selection of classics, past and present, is worth a peruse too.

Known for its instructional DJ classes and inviting listening stations, the deep-cut crowd frequent both locations (Highland Park and Melrose) of On Maritime for good reason. Sealed new and used records are plentiful and sales staff reflect knowledge of a wide range of genres here. Ultimately, these minimalist spaces let the selection—great soul, funk and on-the-wall rarities—shine. Prices are on point too.

An aptly named emporium of rock, this Westside gem is a digger’s dream. Rare LPs and CDs in every genre can be found behind its blue exterior. Strike up a conversation with owner Thomas Mitchell and you’ll learn a lot, whether you’re looking for background on the rock, jazz, blues, surf or pop stock, from multiple eras. You’ll find what you’re looking for at Fanatics, and likely leave with more you didn’t even know you needed.

A favorite with serious collectors and casual vinyl heads alike, this Los Feliz top shop has quickly become the hub of choice for hip music nerds. The space is packed with great titles and the atmosphere is light, airy and jovial, making it a great place to spend a few hours flipping through the stock with a fine-tooth comb. Manager Alex Rodriguez travels the country to unearth new finds regularly, and the store always seems to have the staples (in all genres) if you’re looking to build a base collection of classics. Prices are always good and sometimes there are some real scores.

As seen on the AXS TV show Vinyl Obsession, the Record Parlour has an incredible selection of foundational titles (i.e. formative artists for multiple generations). Classic rock is big here but there’s also jazz, soul, alternative artists and a lot more. They aren’t the cheapest in town, but the selection of new vinyl is ample. The vibey and vintage-minded music palace is a chill alternative to nearby Amoeba and it’s really more about the digs. There are some scores to be had in their $3 bins (our last visit yielded great condition albums from Cher and Neil Diamond).

The provocative DIY spirit of punk rock is alive and well in Los Angeles, and local rabble-rousers Dead City Punx are proving it. This weekend, an exhibition celebrating the band’s “volatile and unapologetic street-level activism” takes over Beyond the Streets gallery, and as founder and curator Roger Gastman says, it’s a celebration of “art on its own terms.” The show, which runs on La Brea Avenue through May 30, brings the band’s history together with other anti-establishment artists that reflect the “Punx” ethos.  Known for its retrospective explorations of street culture—from music (Beastie Boys, Gwar) to photography and street art (Estevan Oriol & Teenage Angel, Guerilla Girls)—BTS’s approach to its subjects and themes are always multi-faceted and deeply reflective. This new Punx project is no exception.  An accompanying book release and documentary film (coproduced by Rage Against the Machine’s Zack de la Rocha) provide a bold immersion into the volatile world of the L.A. band’s creative anarchy, including the communal energy of its illegal gigs and the damage left in their wake when law enforcement breaks them up.   Formed in 2020, Dead City members Meka, Grumpy, Mike and Adrian (all use first names only due to the nature of their notoriety with authorities) were lifelong friends growing up in various parts of L.A. They started jamming when Mike had just gotten out of jail.  Mike’s raw and ravaging lyrics and shrieks, and his bandmates’ wicked thrash conveyed what a

The term “4/20” has long been cultural code for an afternoon smoking session, but since legalization in January 2018, it’s grown (yes, like a weed) into a bona fide celebration, especially in Los Angeles. Beyond 4:20pm (or am if you’re a wake-and-bake early bird), April 20th has become a springtime tradition that represents connecting with nature and each other, as well as promoting cannabis commerce, business and brands. It may have all started in the 1970s in Northern California, but here in SoCal, we’ve made it our own and we have a plethora of pot-themed parties to prove it.    Reefer Madness: The Musical Wisteria Theater, Apr 10–May 10; $58 This “Tale of the Devil’s Terror” takes over North Hollywood’s Wisteria Theater for a presentation of the classic cautionary toker story. The “jazz-fueled, satirical stage experience” promises intoxicating performances, outrageous antics and creepy vibes inspired by Lucifer’s lettuce and the fear tactics of the past that made it forbidden, a perfect way to head into 4/20 this month and keep it going into the next. Weed Bus L.A. Tour Various locations, Apr 10, 11, 16, 17, 24, 25; $79 Cruise over to see homes seen in the classic Ice Cube Friday movies on this popular tour. You’ll also cruise over to Nipsey Square, visit shops like Cypress Hill’s Dr. Greenthumbs, check out local murals and a lot more at this L.A. high history experience. From South L.A. to Downtown, this three-hour guided tour will stone you with nug knowledge and fun ac