Los Angeles - California - page 1416

Across from Surfrider Beach, this mall spans both sides of Cross Creek Rd. Which is why
it's affectionately known as Cross Creek by the sun-kissed local beach girls and boys who
gather at this high-end outdoor shopping mall to flirt, grub and shop.

Santa Monica

For big chains like Anthropologie, the flagship Apple, Guess, and Converse (where you
can build your own shoes) make your way to the Third Street Promenade ( MAP
GOOGLE MAP ) . Santa Monica Place ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.santamonicaplace.com ; 395
Santa Monica Pl; 10am-9pm Mon-Thu, to 10pm Fri & Sat, 11am-8pm Sun) offers more upscale
corporate consumption. For indie-minded boutiques, such as Planet Blue ( MAP
GOOGLE MAP ; www.shopplanetblue.com ; 2940 Main St; 10am-6pm) , head to Montana Ave

and Main St.

Venice

Boho-chic Abbot Kinney Blvd ( www.abbotkinneyonline.com ) has become one of LA's
top shopping destinations. Come see it on the monthly First Friday
( www.abbotkinney1stfridays.com ) gathering, when galleries stay open late.

Alexis Bittar JEWELRY
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 310-452-6901; www.alexisbittar.com ; 1612 Abbot Kinney Blvd;
11am-7pm Mon-Sat, noon-6pm Sun)
High-end jewelry known for Bittar's use of lucite, which is hand carved and painted in his
Brooklyn studio. Some of it looks like stone. He started by selling it on the streets in Man-
hattan where he was picked up by the MOMA store. Now, he's kind of a big deal.

Will LEATHER GOODS
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.willleathergoods.com ; 1360 Abbot Kinney Blvd; 10am-8pm)
A terrific leather-goods store out of Portland, and one of just three nationwide. It does fine
leather bags, briefcases, backpacks, belts, wallets and sandals for men and women. Our fa-
vorite was the bike messenger bag inlaid with colorful remnant Oaxacan wool.