RODEO DRIVE - An epicenter of luxury, fashion and lifestyle

Beverly Hills is known around the world as one of the most fashionable places to shop. In the heart of it all sits

Rodeo Drive – undeniably one of the most famous streets on the globe. With more than 100 world-renowned stores and hotels, those three short blocks constitute the most famous shopping district in America, and probably the most expensive three blocks of shops in the world.

The three blocks long stretch of shops and boutiques begins at Wilshire Boulevard on the south, and runs north to Santa Monica Boulevard, where the commercial section of the street gives way to an affluent residential neighbourhood.

THE HOLLYWOOD HOME OF HAUTE COUTURE

As it is called, Rodeo Drive boasts of the most high-end luxurious brands. The place is celebs’ favourite go-to shop, for it has numerous brands like Chanel, Hermes, Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Harry Winston, Tiffany, Versace, Dolce&Gabbana, Armani, Gucci, Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Valentino. The jewellery stores boast names like Cartier and Tiffany. Other nearby stores include I. Magnin, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Yves Saint Laurent, & Pierre Deux… you name it and then have it.

POPULAR ATTRACTIONS

House of Bijan’s Bijan Pakzad's custom Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe is one of the most popular attractions on Rodeo Drive, with hundreds of tourists snapping photos daily. The yellow Rolls-Royce has become a permanent fixture along the street, earning itself a matching yellow parking meter and sidewalk plaques featuring the brand’s logos beside its Rodeo Drive parking spot.

HOUSE OF BIJAN

Operating on an appointment-only basis, House of Bijan is one of Rodeo Drive's most exclusive men's store catering to celebrities, athletes, royalty, dignitaries and even the last four US presidents.

RODEO DRIVE WALK OF STYLE

On Rodeo Drive, from Wilshire Boulevard to South Santa Monica Boulevard, visitors can walk among some of their favourite fashion icons on the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style. First introduced in 2003 by the City of Beverly Hills and the Rodeo Drive Committee, Walk of Style honours fashion legends for their contributions to the fashion and entertainment industries. Recipients are selected by an independent group of representatives from media, entertainment and fashion, and are honoured with a permanent plaque featuring a personal quote and their own signature.

THE RODEO COLLECTION – MOST EXPENSIVE SHOPPING MALL ON EARTH

At 421 Rodeo is The Rodeo Collection (between Brighton Way and Little Santa Monica Blvd.), a 45-store, 70,000 square feet shopping mall. Despite its small size, it is said to be the most expensive shopping center on earth. There are five terraced levels of shops here: three below street-level and two above.

CELEB SPOTTING

You might bump into famous Hollywood celebs at Rodeo Drive. Hollywood.com reports spotting a happy Leonardo DiCaprio shopping there at Christmas time, wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses, goatee, longer hair and carrying a large Tiffany & Co. shopping bag. Other stars they spotted in the same season included Britney Spears, Calista Flockhart, Gregory Peck and more.

NIGHT LIFE

The street looks better at night than during the day when the Yuletide displays in the shop windows take on a particularly lovely glow in the evenings, and twinkle-lights adorn the many trees.

HOW TO GET THERE

The shopping district lies to the north of Wilshire Boulevard, and to the south of Santa Monica Boulevard. Take the San Diego (405) Freeway to the Wilshire Boulevard exit. Go east on Wilshire (about three miles) to Beverly Hills, turn left (north) at Rodeo Drive (just a few streets past Santa Monica Boulevard).

Alternatively, from Hollywood & Vine: go south two blocks on Vine Street to Sunset Boulevard. Turn right (west) on Sunset. Follow Sunset Boulevard (west) about five and a half miles, into Beverly Hills. Turn left (south) onto Rodeo Drive (just after you pass the Beverly Hills Hotel), and drive through the beautiful residential section of Rodeo Drive, until you come to the shopping district.


FILMING THE PRETTY WOMAN

Did you ever wonder what store

Julia Roberts was snubbed in, in "Pretty Woman"? Well, it was a woman's clothing store named Boulmiche, located just a few steps west of Rodeo, at 9501 Santa Monica Blvd.

Other celeb encounters

Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt was almost shown the door at Valentino (due to her casual dress that day), before they realised who they were dealing with.

And, of course, the hotel she & Richard Gere stayed at in that movie was the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, at the south end of Rodeo.

TIME TO EAT

Cafe Rodeo (at 360 Rodeo), offers a nice patio area in the back, as well as sidewalk dining out front, an ideal spot to watch the passing parade at lunch time. Upstairs at Two Rodeo is The Fish House, McCormick & Schmick's new seafood restaurant, which features a great selection of seafood.

$10,000 private dinner

To the east is Mastro's Steakhouse where Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes dropped $10,000 for a private dinner prior to their marriage.

EVENTS

Vintage car show Every Father's day, the annual Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance occurs on Rodeo Drive, displaying some of the world’s most expensive automobiles.

Fashion’s Night Out is held annually in September on the same night worldwide to celebrate fashion. The carnival features a 60-foot Ferris wheel and other attractions on the three blocks of the Rodeo Drive business district.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Make an evening trip, preferably in December. If you prefer daytime, then go on a weekday as most of the shops are closed.

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