Good shopping and "must see" places in LA?

gtown.august

My husband and I are coming to LA and are staying at the Omni downtown for 2 nights.  We are going to rent a car as well.  Do you have any suggestions on where to go for good shopping, food and sightseeing? My husband has never been to LA, so we want to do a few touristy things, but mostly we are into good food and pretty drives.  Any suggestions would be much appreciated!  Also, any famous places that we should hit up for dinner to celebrate my husband's birthday? Let me know, thank you in advance!

myonetruelove

For shopping and eating both you can do the Farmers Market by Musuem row. This is more of a days event, because there are tons there to eat and do touristy shopping.

http://www.farmersmarketla.com/

For a really nice restaurant for views and food I would pick yamishiro. Make sure to make it around sun set time. This place is just goergous.

http://www.yamashirorestaurant.com/

starsailorr26

Since you're staying for 2 days and nights, I'd recommend shopping at nearby malls including the Glendale Galleria, The Grove at the Farmer's market or the shops on Melrose Avenue. It really depends what type of shopping you want to do. If you had more time I'd suggest the Dessert Hills Premium Outlets but that is at least a half day outing.

For good restaurants, I'd suggest The Foundry on Melrose, Engine Company Number 28, Katsuya (great Japanese food), or Del Rae's. Other places I've heard are great are Grace, Church and State, and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Also check out the following links:

http://www.laweekly.com/

If you're coming in the next two weeks check out LA food week (originally posted by another nestie):

http://discoverlosangeles.com/play/dining/restaurantweek/aapart2010.html

insominac

Shopping:

You can find independent boutique type stores on Melrose and Robertson.

Popular malls on the Westside are Century City Mall, The Beverly Center, and The Grove.

Good food: (all of these places are on the Westside)

Animal on Fairfax (small restaurant run by two up and coming chefs).  Popular with local chefs.  Loud, but really good food.

Dining Room at Langhham in Pasadena.  Did you watch Top Chef on Bravo?  This is the winner's restaurant.  I ate one the best meals in the past few years here.

Providence is an awesome restaurant.  One of only a few here in LA that have two Michelin stars.  Very popular for anniversaries and birthdays.

Don't forget to get an In N Out burger!

Pretty drives:

Pacific Coast Highway

Rodeo Drive to Benedict Canyon to Mullhulland

Sunset Blvd

Sightseeing:

Getty Center

Griffith Observatory

Santa Monica Pier/Venice Boardwalk

 

LarkNow

I kind of feel like malls are malls.  Do you really want to shop in the same stores you get at home?

Melrose between La Brea and, oh, Robertson probably is pretty awesome--little no-name boutiques on the more east side and some big name ones like Agent Provocateur and Fred Segal on the west side.

Robertson is also a popular shopping street, what with Kitson being so famous.  That is south of Melrose.

Rodeo drive (and the surrounding blocks) in Beverly Hills is great for high rent shopping and very walkable.

Pretty drives: I agree with the previous posts, and will reiterate PCH and Mulholland for beautiful views.  Sunset is fun to drive down if you want to people watch/see the strip.  For that reason, you might like Hollywood Blvd, too.

As for restaurants, I know less about these.  I cook so we don't go out for many meals.  I've heard great things about the Inn of the Seventh Ray, but I've never been there.  Castaways in Burbank is supposed to have great views, too.  The Griddle in West Hollywood is delicious for a hipster brunch (I know you wanted dinner ideas, but I feel the others covered it so well, I thought I'd give you variety).  La Cienega Blvd. has tons of restaurants, many of them quite nice (and is near Beverly Hills, so would be good after a day shopping there).