With so many stars squished into one city, it's obvious that Los Angeles and Hollywood in particular are a shoppers delight - so many cool markets, stores and streets lined with groovy knick-knacks and exclusive designer labels it's hard to know where to start! If you're planning a trip to LA, here are a few 'must sees'.


Robertson Blvd:
If you're in West Hollywood to shop then you are most probably headed for Robertson Boulevard. This pretty, tree lined stretch of real estate boasts everything the shopaholic could want, need or dream.

The sidewalks are filled with the beautiful people, both famous and not, going from store to store eager to source the very best in modern fashion and max Daddy's credit card out in the process.

After you take in lunch at the famous Ivy you can put on your Jimmy Choo's and wander through all of the high profile boutiques. Sure to be on any shopper's must see list are:

- Kitson. This super celebrity hotspot has just about everything the style conscious modern girl could ask for, and some stuff she didn't too!

- Lisa Kline. The favoured haunt of Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore, which provides a wide range of causal and sexy outfits for the Hollywood girl next door.

- Ghost. The sheer, gorgeous clothes of this boutique are part art, part couture and all style.

- Curve. For the very best in unknown designers you can't pass up this shop that has the very latest and greatest designs, sure to stand out in a crowd.


Rodeo Drive:
If you are in L.A to shop then you HAVE to take a walk down Rodeo Drive. Although only three blocks long this shopping mecca is basically the centre of the retail universe and anyone who's anyone wants to be seen there.

While you watch Britney Spears, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Paris Hilton picking up the latest items you can visit one of the many glamorous stores, including the world's most expensive store, Bijan, where you have to make an appointment to shop!

As you can imagine with this much glitz and glamour the pricetags have an appropriate amount of zeros on them. So perhaps it's best to hide the plastic and just take in a spot of window shopping at stores such as: Bijan, where the average shopper spends about $100,000 on men's clothing. Or perhaps try such designer stores such as Armani, Tiffany, Gucci, Dior, Chanel and nearby attractions including Saks, Neiman Marcus and the celebrity hotspot Spago.

Other highlights include the store, Boulmiche, in which Julia Robert's character was snubbed during Pretty Woman or Two Rodeo, the $200 million upgraded shopping area. Then when you're tired of shopping you can check into the Beverly Wilshire Hotel where Elvis, Tom and Nicole Kidman, and many other Hollywood stars have rested their heads.


Farmer's Market:
At L.A's oldest outdoor market you're not going to find all the latest designer threads, that is unless you look at what the bevy of stars are wearing. Founded in 1934 when a collection of Farmer's began to sell their produce from the back of their trucks, the market has become one of L.A's top attractions for tourists, locals and celebrities.

Stroll amongst the large white sheds or small market stands and sample the dizzying array of food and produce on offer. There are pie shops, candy stores, cafes, cantinas, delis and restaurants, fruit stores, bakeries, butchers, nuts and a whole wide variety of prepared food.

Some highlights of the market include the famous Gumbo Pot, L.A's top Cajun restaurant, the Kokomo Cafe, where Jennifer Aniston likes to eat breakfast and Du-Par's where Tyra Banks likes to go for their famous pancake breakfasts.


Harry Winston:
Known as the 'Jeweller to the Stars', Harry Winston has been keeping Hollywood's glamorous bling'd up since 1943. Best known for lending copious amounts of expensive jewellery at Oscar time, Winston has provided red carpet accessories for Jennifer Lopez, Kate Hudson, Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow and Winona Ryder. In fact each Oscar day he lends out around US$200 million in jewels.

Aside from his generous Oscar work Winston was also responsible for creating Ben Afleck's 6 caret pink diamond engagement ring for Jennifer Lopez and jewels for various international royalty. Winston is also a collector of large gems, amongst his collection is the 337 caret Catherine the Great sapphire, the 95 caret Star of the East diamond and the infamous 46 caret Hope Diamond.

Melrose Avenue:
No L.A shopping spree is complete without a visit to Melrose Avenue. This funky, modern shopping strip is the place to go to rub shoulders with the rich, famous, stylish and just plain glamorous. But while you're there don't forget to pick up a bargain from a range of unusual and slightly offbeat stores. This eclectic mix of shops and restaurants has to be seen to be believed and the culture and lifestyle it inspires seems right out of a movie, and in fact, probably is.

While you are busy looking out for Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Madonna, Ashton Kucher or the cast of Friends some of the shopping highlights include:

- Super Max, which sells more than 120 different styles of baseball caps.

- Tommy Tang's Restauarant, the Thai/Sushi place where Sean Penn proposed to Madonna.

- Red Balls, the chrome covered store that sells the funkiest modern threads.

- Audience Associates, where you can pick up free tickets to TV show tapings.

- Fred Segal, the uber department store and celebrity hang out.

- The Improv Comedy Club, the famous venue which has hosted such legendary comedians as Jim Carrey, Bill Cosby, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Robin Williams.

- Aunty Vi's Garden, where Julia Roberts picks up her favourite scents.