Rodeo Drive

Los Angeles, California Travel Guide

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Rodeo Drive

Overview: Whatever day you decide to check out one of Los Angeles’ most famous streets, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, you’re likely to see armies of shoppers, loiterers and tours buses – either double-decker or a charming open-air trolley type – careening around the corner of Rodeo Drive, stopping and going with a tour guide describing Rodeo Drive audibly. The walkable and wheelable shopping area on Rodeo Drive is located in the heart of Beverly Hills between Santa Monica Blvd at the north and Wilshire Blvd to the south.

You may have seen the movie Pretty Woman. It made the famous Rodeo Drive a little infamous. Locals call Rodeo Drive “Rodeo.” Rodeo pushes posh to the limit. It’s one of the prettiest streets in Los Angeles. Rodeo has nicely paved sidewalks and carefully painted crosswalks to access the retail stores on either side of the street. The center dividers of the street are infused with greenery.

Rodeo has all sorts of retail stores as far as brand names go and the more personalized and of course more expensive boutique shops go. Let’s get the world’s most expensive store out of the way. You know the brand, Bijan. The brand of clothes and perfumes is named after designer and fashion mogul, Bijan Pakzad, an Iranian immigrant who has taken the fashion world by storm. His elegant boutique store, Bijan (420 N Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills 90210, 310.273.6544) has the reputation as being the most expensive store in the world. He clientele, of course, are some of the most powerful people in every industry. His prices, well, you could buy a new Mercedes – the higher end models.

Let’s come back down to earth. Other retail within reach include the following: Juicy Couture to the plushest limit and Chanel to the nose’s edge. High end retail shopping is the name of Rodeo Drive’s name. Hugo Boss sweeps up its floors at the day’s end. Tiffany clinks her jewelry. Hermes of Paris adds a dash of suave, Ralph Lauren plays Polo, Giorgio Armani styles the street, Chanel boldly assumes an enviable corner and much much more.

If you have any cash on you left after shopping on Rodeo – or, any room left on your credit card – and want a full Rodeo Drive experience, you might want to grab a bite at The Prime Grill (421 N Rodeo Drive), La Dolce Vita (9785 Santa Monica Blvd), Cafe 440 (440 N Rodeo Dr) or McCormick & Schmick’s Fish House (206 N Rodeo Dr).

Special times on Rodeo. Yes, there are special times and events on Rodeo Drive. Make a trek to Rodeo during Christmas. The ritzy stores earn their reputation and so does the street with holiday lights and shining armor. Father’s Day brings the annual Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance car show to the 300 and 400 block of Rodeo Drive. The event features classic cars to whatever’s clever for the season. The 2009 car show will highlight classic alternative engine autos.

Location: 200 to 400 blocks on Rodeo Drive.
Site: http://rodeodrive-bh.com for more information.

Cost: $$$$ for shopping or Free for window shopping, gawking and taking pictures.

Accessibility: Rodeo Drive is wheelchair accessible.

Getting There: www.bigbluebus.com, www.metro.net, http://www.culvercity.org/bus/bus.asp