11 shopping hot spots

Union Square, the elegant space encircled by tall palm trees in roughly the middle of San Francisco, is a bustling gathering place that also serves as a hub for California luxury shopping. Walk the streets around the square to jot down your anything-is-possible wish-list of finds at Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Dior and Bulgari (as well as at other major retailers such as Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Nike). Slip into the sultry Clock Bar, in the Beaux Arts–style Westin St. Francis, to clink martini glasses and compare notes. Anyone longing for a European vibe will feel right at home wandering the narrow, boutique-lined, almost-pedestrian-only Maiden Lane (car-free from 11 am to 6 pm). It’s just off the square, and is home to Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, as well as cafés that set up little tables on the street itself. Just south of the square, on Market Street, you’ll find Westfield San Francisco Centre, the city’s upmarket, indoor shopping centre.

Of course, all that shopping can be exhausting. Union Square makes it easy to recharge: the square has plenty of sunny benches for relaxing. Or order an espresso and a flaky pastry at the fancy Emporio Rulli, with its pleasant outdoor seating under market umbrellas in the square. World-class restaurants are clustered nearby too—book a table at Akiko’s Sushi Restaurant, Bouche or the Michelin-starred Campton Place, three of the best upmarket eateries. If you are on a tighter budget, try Dojima Ann for Japanese comfort food, or have the classic American diner experience at the Pinecrest Diner.

Come on a Sunday to enjoy a champagne brunch in the lavishly luxurious Garden Court of the Palace Hotel (a top spot for local matriachs spoiling their grandchildren), which is just one of many destination-in-themselves hotels in the area. During the Christmas season, Union Square transforms into a wintry, family-filled charmer, with an ice-skating rink and little ones staring up at an enormous Christmas tree—and glittering shop windows all around.

Insider tip: if travelling to Union Square by car, plan your journey with the help of this parking and street map of the area.

Shopping in The O.C. is almost as legendary as surfing. Start at expansive South Coast Plaza, California’s largest luxury shopping complex, with iconic luxury brands such as Hermes, Chanel, and Prada. Newport Beach has more spoil-worthy shopping at Fashion Island, where Italian-style piazzas palm trees, and koi ponds (plus ocean views) feel more like a resort than a shopping mall. Another posh option: Fashion Island, just offshore from Newport Beach; check the website for special appearances by top designers.

For bargain hunters, The Outlets at Orange offers more than 120 value stores, including Nordstrom Rack and a Banana Republic outlet, as well as a host of not-just-shopping attractions, including an indoor Vans SkatePark, movie theaters, and bowling at the light- and music-filled Lucky Strike Lanes.

For a twist on big-box shopping, visit Costa Mesa’s relaxing The LAB Antimall, focusing on appealing independent shops. At The ARTery, see quality handcrafts and artwork displayed in tricked-up shipping containers. At South Coast Collection (SOCO), browse at home decor and culinary stores surrounded by handsome landscaping.

If you like your shopping with a dose of entertainment and amusement-park fun, visit Irvine’s Spectrum Center, where a soaring Ferris wheel, plus a carousel and kiddie train for the little ones, give you a unique way to take a break between boutiques. Late nights are lively here too, with movie theaters, Irvine Improv Comedy Club, and quality restaurants.

Give yourself plenty of time to stroll along the swanky El Paseo district in Palm Desert. First, you’ll want to see all the art. A roughly 1-mile strip and adjacent streets are home to one of the largest concentrations of art galleries anywhere in Southern California. As inviting and engaging as a European salon, these galleries let you get close to art, chat with knowledgeable gallery owners and staff, and even meet the artists during special openings and events.

There’s also the photo-worthy public art installations along El Paseo Drive that make the stroll that much more memorable. The renowned El Paseo Art Walk, happening on the first Friday of every month, November through May, is a great opportunity to attend exhibit openings and artist receptions.

Then you’ll want to get something to eat—dining al fresco is the way it’s often done here. Try oysters on the half-shell at Pacifica Seafood Restaurant, or wood-fired pizza at Sammy’s with nothing but a blue (or starry) sky above. Or perhaps order a juicy steak accompanied by jazz in the more sequestered environs of Sullivan's Steakhouse.

And of course—there’s the shopping. There’s a reason El Paseo reminds people of Rodeo Drive, what with the impeccably appointed boutiques of top designers, including Bottega Veneta and St. John, tempting you to come in brandishing your credit card. Find more shops at the largely open-air (and exquisitely manicured) Gardens on El Paseo complex: Saks Fifth Avenue, Ann Taylor, Trina Turk, Brooks Brothers, Tommy Bahamas, and more.

In Beverly Hills, ritzy Rodeo Drive is a must (even if it's just for window-shopping), with to-die-for boutiques like Prada, YSL, and Versace. In-the-know shoppers also head to nearby Beverly and Canon Drives, with beautiful shops and some of the best celebrity spotting in California. Head for The Grove nearby, a luxurious outdoor shopping entertainment center, where you can eat, shop, then catch a movie or stroll to the adjacent Original Farmers Market—a great spot for food-oriented shopping.

In the LGBT enclave of West Hollywood, discover trendy boutiques like Balenciaga, Christian Louboutin, and Stella McCartney, as well as nightclubs and notice-me street-side cafes, all popular with celebrities. Also visit L.A.’s Silver Lake neighbourhood, with appealing shops like Yolk or Hemingway and Pickett). If you’re an adventurous shopper, head for the L.A. Fashion District and Santee Alley, with more than 150 shops and street vendors selling almost everything imaginable—a great place to scour for bargain clothes. L.A.’s Citadel Outlet Mall has deals on big names like Calvin Klein and Michael Kors.

This town’s shopping scene is eclectic, even funky. Downtown Pacific Avenue offers many shops with a local twist, including the venerable O’Neill’s where surfer guys and girls can find a bikini or board shorts, flip-flops, or a wetsuit—the creation and design of the city’s favourite son, the legendary Jack O’Neill (he still lives a beach ball toss from the beach here). The independent Bookshop Santa Cruz is packed with happy locals, especially during frequent author talks, and many other boutiques offer art, clothing, and home furnishings. Antique hounds should head to the Santa Cruz Antique Faire (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. the second Sunday of the month, on Lincoln St. between Pacific and Cedar Streets).