Shopping with a Teen in Los Angeles: Where to Go & What to Buy

The glitz and glamour of Los Angeles draws visitors young and old alike. For the teens who may be less impressed by the city’s historic sights and culinary delights, the sprawling metropolis’s world-famous shopping scene is sure to entice. From big brands to sweet boutiques, there’s no shortage of places to find new outfits or one-of-a-kind accessories. Below are our recommendations for the ultimate shopping spree in Los Angeles to satisfy even the most discerning of teens.

Shopping with a teen in Los Angeles is as much about the neighborhoods as the stores themselves. Indagare trip designer and L.A. local Alex Schulte breaks down the streets and areas to know:

• Start on Melrose between Fairfax and La Brea, where vintage and streetwear dominate at spots like Wasteland, American Vintage and 2nd Street, alongside a rotating mix of resale and trend-driven boutiques.
• Just east, the stretch of Melrose between Fairfax and Santa Monica Boulevard skews slightly more elevated, with contemporary brands like Reformation, Alice + Olivia, Roller Rabbit, LoveShackFancy and The RealReal, plus buzzy stops like Hypeach and Glossier Los Angeles—all punctuated by casual cafés, easy lunch options and photo ops like the Paul Smith Pink Wall. Nearby Melrose Place also has a Sunday farmers market.
• On the Westside, Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice offers a polished mix of boutiques and brands like Aviator Nation, Gorjana and Alo Yoga, alongside strong coffee and dining (including an Erewhon).
• Westfield Century City provides an easy, all-in-one outdoor mall experience.
• For a dose of classic L.A. glamour, Rodeo Drive is ideal for window shopping and people-watching, with plenty of nearby lunch options.
• Sunset Junction in Silver Lake leans more local, with a mix of independent boutiques, vintage stores and emerging designers.
• Downtown, ROW DTLA rounds out the list with a design-forward 30-acre campus of independent brands, vintage pop-ups and creative retail—making it easy to build a full day around shopping, food and culture.
• 3rd Street Promenade is a pedestrian-only shopping district in downtown Santa Monica. This stretch mixes global brands with street performers and a high-energy, beach-adjacent atmosphere. With Santa Monica Place and the pier just steps away, it’s one of the most accessible and entertaining retail zones for teens—especially those who want a blend of shopping and activity.

American Rag Cie | La Brea

A mainstay of California-cool style, American Rag Cie sells both new and vintage clothes for men and women, and it’s geared toward a young crowd. They also have an extensive collection of denim jeans from an array of brands, available in every style (important, since what’s “in” seems to change regularly). It’s a must-visit for budding fashionistas in tune with what’s trending.

The Grove | Fairfax District/Melrose

One of the most famous shopping destinations in Central L.A. is The Grove. Built right next to the touristy (yet locally loved) Original Farmers Market, it has a multitude of shops, restaurants and entertainment options. You can spend several hours here, and it’s ideal for shoppers looking for popular fashion brands—like Brandy Melville and Edikted, to name a few. The Farmers Market is also worth checking out; while it’s less flashy and has fewer shops that would appeal to teens, it does have an interesting variety of specialty food stalls (snacks and sweets galore).

Country Marts | Brentwood & Malibu

If you’re heading westward, stop at Brentwood Country Mart, just off San Vicente Boulevard. Housed in a big red barn, it has fabulous little shops and a few upscale-yet-casual places to eat. Cos Bar, with its carefully curated assortment of beauty products, will be a hit with any teen who is obsessed with quality skincare. For the craft-minded teen, Sugar Paper letterpress stationer is a local favorite for its birthday cards, wrapping paper, gift tags and art prints. Heading north up the Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll find the Malibu Country Mart, which provides a similar experience, although this open-air mall is bigger. California-grown jewelry brand Gorjana has a storefront here; they specialize in delicate, stackable gold necklaces, bracelets and rings.

Wasteland | Hollywood/Melrose

One of Melrose’s best-known resale shops, Wasteland offers a tightly edited mix of vintage denim, designer pieces and trend-driven resale. The constantly rotating inventory encourages repeat visits, and its location among other thrift and streetwear stores makes it ideal for teens building their individual style.

Clare V. | Silver Lake

French-born, L.A.-based Clare Vivier turned into a handbag designer by accident in 2008 when she couldn’t find a stylish yet functional laptop bag. Since then, her simple and chic leather bags, including the signature foldover clutch and messenger carry-alls, have been selling out across the globe. Teens can browse the entire collection at her flagship store in Silver Lake, which was modeled after a French pharmacy.

Strange Invisible Perfumes | Venice

Skip the big beauty retailers that you can find anywhere and go to Strange Invisible Perfumes on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. Any fragrance enthusiast will fall head-over-heels for their small-batch bottles of botanical, synthetic-free scents; they have a signature collection as well as perfumes for every zodiac sign. It’s a chic little boutique that will appeal to those who prefer organic and non-mainstream products.

Glossier Los Angeles | West Hollywood

Set along Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, this flagship beauty store feels more like an immersive installation than a retail stop, with sculptural displays, selfie-ready lighting and dedicated rooms for testing Leaping Bunny certified skincare and makeup. The space is designed for interaction—think communal seating, oversized product props and an adjacent outdoor “Glossier Alley” with a café. Nearby, Melrose’s stretch of vintage stores and streetwear shops (plus Fairfax High’s campus) makes it easy to turn a visit into a full afternoon of browsing. For teens, it hits the sweet spot of social-media appeal and hands-on discovery.

Melrose Trading Post | Fairfax District/Melrose

Held every Sunday in the parking lot of Fairfax High School, this open-air flea market brings together more than 250 vendors selling vintage fashion, handmade jewelry, art and collectibles. The atmosphere is part shopping, part cultural event, with live music and food stalls from local vendors rounding out the experience. Set at the intersection of Melrose and Fairfax—long a hub for streetwear and youth culture—it’s a natural draw for teens looking to thrift, experiment with style and discover one-of-a-kind pieces.

Plus: For a Quick Break — La La Land Cafe

On Santa Monica’s Montana Avenue—a tree-lined strip known for its concentration of upscale boutiques and cafés—this bright, design-forward coffee and matcha spot is a top local hangout. Known for its signature yellow-and-white aesthetic and specialty drinks, it also has a social mission focused on mentoring foster youth. Pair it with browsing along Montana’s 150-plus shops, or continue west toward the beach for a full day that blends shopping, people-watching and coastal downtime—an easy win for teens. There are also locations at The Grove, West 3rd Street and Westlake Village.