A Guide To Rodeo Drive
Although Rodeo Drive's history goes back to the late 1700s, it only started to emerge in the 1970s as the go-to spot for hot, exclusive fashions in Beverly Hills. One of the first stores to open in the shopping center, which spans about three blocks, was Giorgio Armani. Rodeo Drive, a major attraction for residents and tourists alike, is home to more than 100 high-end boutiques providing apparel, footwear, jewelry, luggage, home furnishings, and more from some of the biggest top designers in the world. Here's a quick guide to working your way and your wallet around one of the most famous shopping centers in the world. -- Nicola A. Menzie
Address & Contact Information
200-400 North Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
www.rodeodrive-bh.com
Rodeo Drive Committee, Inc.
P.O. Box 853
Beverly Hills, CA 90213
Beverly Hills Visitors Bureau
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 271-8174
More Info
The Scene
Rodeo Drive spans about three blocks and is situated between Wilshire Boulevard and South Santa Monica Boulevard. There are also hotels at both boulevards -- the Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills and The Beverly Hills Hotel and a third on Rodeo Drive, the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive. Past Santa Monica Boulevard is a ritzy, upscale residential neighborhood.
Rodeo Drive is usually crowded with residents and hordes of tourists, so if you're really looking to shop in peace, it's best to hit the strip mid-week.
Hours: Most stores are open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and a few are also closed on Sundays, so check the Rodeo Drive website before you head out.
Parking: Street parking is usually accessible and there are a handful of parking garages in the vicinity
The Stores
Anne Fontaine, Battaglia, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, CHANEL, Christian Dior, Bally, FENDI, Versace, Juicy Couture, Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Cartier, bebe, Brooks Brothers, Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, Lacoste, are just some of the more than 100 boutiques at the Drive.
Bijan, owned by Iranian designer Bijan Pakzad, provides clothing for some of the world's most "elite men of the world" (like President Barack Obama, the two former President Bushes, Tom Cruise, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, to name a few). Bjian, located at 420 North Rodeo Drive, also creates fragrances for men and women. Bijan, the most expensive shop in the world, allows shopping by appointment only and the average client supposedly spends about $100,000 per visit. Bijan has been at Rodeo since 1976.
Dining Options: Cafe 440, Mastro's Steakhouse, XI'AN, Urasawa, and more
Bonus:
The Anderton Court Center, originally a residential/commercial building designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1954. The complex, located at 332 North Rodeo Drive, currently houses six small shops -- it's considered a quintessential example of Wright's 1950s commercial work.
Upcoming Events: Fashion's Night Out, Sept. 10, 2010, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Annual Events: The Rodeo Drive Concours D'elegance, a Father's Day car show
