Shop Till You Drop: Top Shopping Malls in Los Angeles
Curated by
cdteliot
6 min read
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Los Angeles boasts an array of impressive shopping destinations, from luxury retail havens to open-air marketplaces, offering diverse experiences for shoppers of all tastes and budgets. According to various sources, standout malls like Westfield Century City, The Grove, and Glendale Galleria consistently rank among the city's top shopping centers, featuring a mix of high-end brands, popular retailers, and entertainment options.
1. Discover the New Westfield Century City: A $1 Billion Shopping Transformation
reisandparc.com
Westfield Century City underwent a massive $1 billion renovation, transforming it into a premier shopping destination in Los Angeles. The mall now features over 200 luxury and contemporary brands, catering to discerning shoppers with high-end retailers and popular fashion labels
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. The renovation expanded the center to 1.3 million square feet, adding notable dining options like Eataly, an Italian marketplace and restaurant complex, and Din Tai Fung, a renowned Taiwanese restaurant1
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. Beyond shopping and dining, the mall offers a range of amenities designed to enhance the visitor experience, including walkable plazas, landscaped gardens with olive trees, and outdoor event spaces for concerts1
. The redesign also incorporated sustainable elements, with the goal of creating a more inviting and eco-friendly urban environment1
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.5 sources
2. The Grove: LA’s Iconic Open-Air Shopping Center for Retail and Entertainment
caruso.com
The Grove is a popular open-air shopping center in Los Angeles, known for its unique blend of retail, entertainment, and ambiance. Opened in 2002, this 575,000-square-foot marketplace has become a premier destination for shopping, dining, and cultural experiences
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. The Grove features around 50 shops and restaurants, including high-end brands like Nordstrom, Apple, and Gucci2
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. Its distinctive attractions include a free electric trolley built from a 1950s Boston streetcar undercarriage, which connects The Grove to the adjacent Original Farmers Market2
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. The center's iconic dancing fountain, designed by the same company behind the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas, performs hourly shows set to classic tunes3
. The Grove is particularly famous for its festive atmosphere during holidays, especially Christmas, when it transforms into a winter wonderland complete with artificial snow and a towering Christmas tree3
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. Regular events, celebrity sightings, and its proximity to CBS Studios have made The Grove one of the most recognizable and profitable shopping centers in America2
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.5 sources
3. Citadel Outlets: LA’s Top Spot for Outlet Shopping and Fashion
yelp.com
Citadel Outlets stands out as Los Angeles' premier outlet shopping destination, offering an unparalleled mix of savings and style. Located just minutes from downtown LA, this 700,000 sq. ft. center houses over 130 global brands and restaurants, including Coach, Michael Kors, Nike, and Levi's.
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The outlet mall is renowned for its impressive discounts, with shoppers able to find deals of 30-70% off retail prices on luxury and popular brands.5
What sets Citadel Outlets apart is not just its extensive selection of stores, but also its unique architectural design - the exterior resembles an Assyrian palace, creating a distinctive shopping environment that blends retail therapy with a touch of ancient grandeur.1
This combination of extensive brand offerings, significant savings, and unique aesthetics makes Citadel Outlets a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists seeking fashion-conscious deals in Southern California.5 sources
4. The Beverly Center: Experience LA’s Premier Shopping Destination After Renovation
tripadvisor.com
The Beverly Center, a prominent shopping destination in Los Angeles, underwent a $500 million renovation in 2018, transforming it into a modern, light-filled space with a diverse array of retail options. This eight-story mall houses over 100 trend-setting brands, including luxury retailers such as Gucci, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Saint Laurent, catering to a clientele that influences celebrity style and popular culture.
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The center also offers more affordable options like Uniqlo, H&M, and XXI Forever, making it accessible to a wider range of shoppers.2
Anchored by Bloomingdale's and Macy's, the Beverly Center's renovation improved its dining options and added unique features like a continuous ribbon of skylights and a shimmering exterior with a perforated steel façade, enhancing the overall shopping experience.1
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5. Westfield Topanga & The Village: 1.5 Million Square Feet of Retail Bliss
en.wikipedia.org
Westfield Topanga & The Village is a premier shopping destination in Los Angeles, offering a diverse retail experience across its expansive 1,588,050 square feet of leasable area
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. Located in the Canoga Park neighborhood, this mall features over 200 stores, including a unique mix of luxury brands and mainstream retailers2
. The center is anchored by major department stores such as Nordstrom, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, and Target, making it the only mall in the U.S. to house this particular combination under one roof2
. In recent years, Westfield Topanga has expanded its luxury offerings, adding high-end brands like Hermès, Bottega Veneta, Dior, and Saint Laurent5
. The adjacent Village section provides an outdoor shopping experience, complementing the main mall's indoor environment and offering additional dining and entertainment options1
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. With its extensive selection of stores, dining venues, and amenities, Westfield Topanga & The Village has become a popular shopping destination, reportedly attracting more visitors than Disneyland3
.5 sources
6. Glendale Galleria: Downtown Glendale’s Three-Story Shopping Destination
yelp.com
The Glendale Galleria is a prominent three-story regional shopping center in downtown Glendale, California, offering a diverse retail experience with over 200 stores. Opened in 1976 and spanning 1.6 million square feet, it is the third-largest mall in Los Angeles County
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. The mall is anchored by major retailers including Macy's, Target (featuring the world's first three-story Target store), and JCPenney1
. Owned and managed by Brookfield Properties since 2002, the Galleria has consistently ranked as one of the highest-grossing shopping centers in the United States1
. Its location near The Americana at Brand outdoor mall creates a comprehensive shopping district, attracting approximately 30 million visitors annually1
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. The Galleria underwent a $57.5 million renovation in 2013, modernizing its appearance and improving circulation1
.5 sources
7. Santa Monica Place: Premier Outdoor Shopping by the Ocean
timesofindia.indiati...
Santa Monica Place is a unique, tri-level outdoor shopping center located steps away from the Pacific Ocean and adjacent to the Third Street Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica. This upscale mall features a variety of luxury retailers and popular brands, including Nordstrom, Tesla, Nike, Rolex, Louis Vuitton, and Uniqlo
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. The mall underwent a significant $265 million renovation in 2010, transforming it from an indoor mall to an open-air shopping destination with ocean views2
. Santa Monica Place offers visitors not only high-end shopping but also a range of dining options, entertainment venues, and amenities such as the Cayton Children's Museum and The Gourmandise School of Sweets & Savories1
. Its strategic location and sophisticated atmosphere make it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists seeking a blend of beach-chic lifestyle and luxury shopping experiences5
.10 sources
8. Del Amo Fashion Center: Explore One of the Largest Malls in the USA
eventhub.net
Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance stands out as one of the largest shopping malls in the United States, boasting an impressive 2,519,601 square feet of gross leasable area
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. This three-level regional shopping center, managed and co-owned by Simon Property Group, has undergone significant renovations to enhance its appeal as a premier retail destination. The mall features a diverse mix of over 200 stores, including luxury brands, popular retailers, and numerous dining options3
. Its recent upgrades have introduced a chic outdoor shopping area, embracing the coastal lifestyle of Southern California and providing shoppers with a blend of indoor and open-air retail experiences1
. With anchor stores like Nordstrom, Dick's Sporting Goods, JCPenney, and Macy's, Del Amo Fashion Center continues to be a major shopping hub for the South Bay area2
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Closing Thoughts on Top Shopping Malls in Los Angeles
Los Angeles offers a diverse array of shopping experiences, from sprawling giant malls to intimate strip malls, catering to every taste and budget. The development of malls in the city has evolved to meet changing consumer preferences, with many centers transforming into multi-faceted entertainment destinations.
The biggest mall in Los Angeles, the Del Amo Fashion Center, exemplifies the trend towards huge malls that offer more than just shopping. These massive complexes often include popular stores like Urban Outfitters, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Abercrombie & Fitch, alongside flagship stores of iconic brands
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. Such variety ensures a wide range of options for shoppers.
Open-air shopping malls have gained popularity in recent years, with centers like The Grove and Santa Monica Place offering a unique blend of retail therapy and outdoor ambiance2
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. These spaces often feature delicious food options, turning shopping trips into full-day experiences.
Outlet centers like the Citadel Outlets continue to draw bargain hunters seeking discounts on designer brands1
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. Meanwhile, traditional enclosed malls like the Beverly Center have undergone significant renovations to remain competitive, often incorporating luxury brands and upscale dining options4
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Downtown Los Angeles has seen a resurgence in retail, with developments like FIGat7th bringing new life to the area2
. These urban centers often combine shopping with cultural experiences, reflecting the city's diverse population.
The influence of Beverly Hills on LA's shopping scene cannot be overstated, with its high-end boutiques and designer stores setting trends that ripple throughout the region4
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Entertainment has become a crucial component of modern malls. Many centers now feature movie theaters, interactive experiences, and regular events to draw visitors beyond just shopping1
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. This transformation into entertainment centers helps malls remain relevant in the age of online shopping.
From outlet bargains to luxury boutiques, and from traditional enclosed malls to modern open-air complexes, Los Angeles offers a shopping landscape as diverse and dynamic as the city itself. Whether you're seeking the latest fashion trends, gourmet food experiences, or simply a day of entertainment, the city's malls provide something for everyone1
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Related
What makes Glendale Galleria one of the biggest malls in Los Angeles
How does Westfield Century City compare to other giant malls in LA
What unique features does The Grove offer compared to other shopping malls
Which iconic stores can be found at Beverly Center
What makes Universal CityWalk Hollywood a popular entertainment center
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