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, and rotating brand pop-ups. Oh, and there’s also an attached movie theater and dancing fountain. Historically the dining side has been less impressive (though I’ll never snub the Cheesecake Factory), but a new location of steakhouse American Beauty and its ultra-popular burger window changed that. And early fears that the Grove would kill the adjacent Original Farmers Market have, happily, proved groundless—that’s where you should head if you want just a quick bite post-shopping.