When thinking of the city of Los Angeles, feelings of relaxation and thoughts of being in paradise are often not too far behind. The idyllic weather, palm trees, beaches and beautiful people all combine to conjure up these images, and there are a number of longtime residents that visited once – and quickly made relocation plans. The city is known to be a great spot to do some shopping as well, and nowhere is that more apparent than at the retail and entertainment complex known as The Grove.
The massive 600,000 square foot complex is anchored by Nordstrom’s, and virtually every retailer you can imagine has a presence there. The site was christened back in 2002 by developer Caruso Affiliated, which continues to own and operate it. The beautiful outdoor complex is noted for its stunning architecture that features a modern art deco style. Among the numerous features is a large center park that spans the development’s center, which is complemented by an animated fountain that plays every hour.
Also unique to The Grove is its internal trolley system, which links the retail and entertainment masterpiece to the adjacent farmers market. On the entertainment side, there is a massive 14-screen Pacific Theatres movie complex, and several live shows are regularly performed in the fountain area.
The retail who’s who includes Apple, Barnes & Noble, Michael Kors, Gap, J. Crew, Anthropologie, Kiehl’s and American Girl Place. Shoppers, browsers, and visitors that work up an appetite won’t have to go too far. There are dining options aplenty, ranging from casual fares such as Cheesecake Factory and Maggiano’s Little Italy, and local favorites including Morels French Steakhouse, The Whisper Lounge, La Piazza and Wood Ranch BBQ and Grill. Additionally, the separately-owned and adjacent Farmer’s Market offers up a plethora of non-chain dining options.
Add it all up, and it’s pretty easy to see why The Grove routinely makes the ‘best of’ lists for shopping destinations on the West Coast and in the United States as a whole. The legendary venue is on the bucket list of shoppers around the globe, and its idyllic setting, stunning architecture and wealth of dining, retail and entertainment options will certainly make them feel like they’re in paradise.
