Oh, the Famous Rodeo Drive... LA's answer to New York's, 5th Avenue, London's Bond Street, Rome's Via Condotti, and Paris's Rue de Faubourg-St-Honore. This is the number one spot for upscale shopping in all of California.
The exact area of Rodeo Drive where all the shopping and dining takes place is between Santa Monica Blvd. and Wilshire Blvd. In the summers and on the weekends the streets are packed with tourist, if you truly want to get some power shopping in during the middle of the week is the best time. During the middle of the week is also best time for celebrity citings. They too do not want to fights crowds of tourists toting cameras when they are walking into Gucci to throw down 100k. Some of the main shopping attractions are Prada Epicenter, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana, and Ralph Lauren. For the guys that are looking for a gentleman's store to hang out in while the wife shops, Hammacher Schlemmer is the store for you. It is a gadget shop that is sure to keep your attention, but not as long as the new leather purse at Prada. If window shopping is your thing then night time is the best time to visit Rodeo Drive; The weather is a little cooler on the street which is especially important during the summer months, all the windows are lit with glitzy manikans dressed in leading edge of fashion and classical wear and the spot lights make the cloths they wear even more appealing.
If you are looking for the same caliber of shopping, but with less distractions there is some great shopping in the local vicinity. Some of the better shopping in the area is on Beverly Drive just east of Rodeo or browse the boutiques along Robertson Blvd. These well designed stores are worth taking a detour for. These stores are primarily designed for the more sophisticated shopper than isn't just looking for the perfect outfit, but the person service and attention that comes form these smaller boutiques. On Wilshire Blvd Between Santa Monica Blvd. and Beverly drive is "department store row" In this area you can find such stores as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Barneys New York, and close by Bloomingdale's. All of these stores have about anything you could ever be looking for, but I suggest not attending Bloomingdale's. Yes, Bloomies might have everything you want, but so does Wal Mart. Bloomingdales probably has some of the worst service you could imagine.
Tiffany & Co. always has what you want When you walk into a store you expect people to help you purchase their goods, but this has not been the case at bloomingdale's, It is recommended that you stick to Saks or Neiman for your high class department store shopping needs.
All of the shopping on and around Rodeo Drive will certainly generate an appetite. Make sure to visit one of the local restaurants for a cocktail or an entire lunch. The food is impeccable and you many of the restaurants have outdoor seating and valet parking.