13 Best Shopping in Los Angeles, California

Woman-owned Yolk is the perfect spot to shop for home and lifestyle goods that are trendy in Los Angeles, stocked with all the nice things that you will want to buy as gifts for others, but will struggle to give away. Most of the offerings here are locally made and, therefore, hard to find elsewhere, and there's also a carefully curated selection of lovely designer goods. Look for unique kids' toys and furnishings, exquisite home accessories, stationery, and handcrafted items from California artisans.

A local fixture in Highland Park for decades, Galco's is in some ways a trip down memory lane, carrying more than 600 sodas—most of which harken back to the days when soda was a regional affair—and options from all over the world. They also have a collection of retro candies, a soda creation station with more than 100 syrups to choose from, and a selection of alcohol that would put most liquor stores to shame.

Filled with a brilliant combination of indie and established designers, this upscale boutique is a mainstay for the modern minimalist. Pick up the wares of local favorites as well as internationally loved labels like Acne Studios, Issey Miyake, and Levi's. The Sunset Boulevard store stocks goods for men and women as well as children, plus accessories and some home goods.

Part of the vinyl resurgence since 2013, Permanent Records stocks new and used vinyl for every musical taste and does it without any snobbery. The record store, which often has in-store performances, also runs its own label that focuses on local bands, limited-edition runs, and reissues.

There’s something comforting about Potted, like you’ve just walked into your parents’ sunroom or a woodland fairy’s home. This is a garden full of colors, nooks and crannies to tuck yourself into, and treasures of the botanic kind waiting to be discovered. It’s every plant lover's paradise, but even those who wouldn't consider themselves to be plant fiends will be tempted to spend a fortune here.

Boutique wineries from around the world provide this shop with the vintage bottles that fill the floor-to-ceiling racks. Looking relaxed and unassuming in jeans and T-shirts, the knowledgeable staff can steer you to the right wine or spirits for any occasion. Those who prefer to enjoy their wine in the privacy of their vacation rental or hotel will be pleased to know they also do deliveries around Silver Lake and the neighboring areas.

A neighborhood bookstore through and through, Skylight has excellent sections devoted to kids, fiction, travel, and food; it even has a live-in cat. The space also hosts book discussion groups, panels, and author readings with hip literati. Art lovers can peruse texts on design and photography, graphic novels, and indie magazines at Skylight's annex a few doors down.

This pop-culture supermarket offers a wide range of items, including rows of books on art and design. But it's the novelty stock that makes the biggest impression, with ant farms, X-ray specs, and anime figurines for sale. An adjacent gallery space, La Luz de Jesus, focuses on underground art.

When the person you're shopping for is the nontraditional type, you can count on this quirky boutique to provide unique goods including taxidermy, printed wood flasks, white magic spell kits, and cheeky socks, much of which is created by Spitfire Girl's own house label.

With an off-the-beaten-path collection of new and used literature, a café catering to freelancers and freethinkers, and a back patio that showcases singer-songwriters, Stories Books and Café is an authentic reflection of Echo Park. Readings, signings, and other events are a regular occurrence.

You probably won’t find anything useful in the Time Travel Mart and that’s exactly the point. From dinosaur eggs to robot milk, this is a store that touts the absurdly hilarious—all of which should bring back memories of your childhood and maybe a little bit of joy. That's because the store holds a secret: it’s really a fundraiser for the nonprofit 826LA, which tutors neighborhood kids in the back section. So even when you're buying something unnecessary but absolutely wonderful, remember it's for a noble and worthy cause.

Adjacent to its sister establishment, Kitchen Mouse, is this charming little market stop for all your pastry, grab 'n’ go nourishment, and catering needs, complete with a small shop that touts adorable home and gift items. It’s a must-stop after you’ve had your vegan fix at the restaurant.

The beauty of Treehaus isn’t that it’s an independent boutique—Los Angeles has plenty of those—but that it carries a great assortment of retail pieces, from women’s and children’s clothing to accessories and home goods, all in a cozy rectangular space.