Shopping | See Jane Fly

La Jolla

Stroll La Jolla’s ocean-side streets of Prospect and Girard, checking out the upscale clothing shops, art galleries, restaurants, and the Museum of Contemporary Art (complete with stunning ocean views). Be sure to include a trip to long-time local favorite Warwick’s, where you’re sure to find some great gifts and a book for yourself.

Carlsbad Outlets

Beaches - Carlsbad | 5620 Paseo del Norte, San Diego; 760-804-9000; www.premiumoutlets.com

Bargain lovers with sophisticated taste will think they’ve died and gone to heaven at the Carlsbad Premium Outlets. It’s packed solid with nearly 100 shops, including faves like Banana Republic, Barneys New York, Coach, Calvin Klein, Crate and Barrel, Juicy Couture, Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren and Theory.

Hollywood Farmers Market

1600 Ivar Avenue, Los Angeles; 323-463-3171; www.farmernet.com

On Sunday mornings until about 1 pm, this narrow street one block off of Hollywood Boulevard is closed to traffic and taken over by the Hollywood Farmers Market. In addition to being a fun place to wander and shop (for everything from fresh fruit to jewelry to brunch from one of the many delicious vendors), it's also a surprisingly good place for star spotting, with icons from Drew Barrymore to Bono having made appearances at one time or another.

Abbot Kinney

www.abbotkinneyonline.com

The Westside’s coolest street, Abbot Kinney has bloomed into a chic yet bohemian stomping ground, with awesome boutiques, arty shops, impressive galleries, and funky interior-design stores. Peruse unique books at eQuator, buy couture at Claudia Milan, view vintage black-and-white photography at Surfing Cowboys, and then head to the beach, a few blocks away.

Montana Ave.

www.montanaave.com

This 10-block, open-air shopping strip lined with spendy and charming shops obviously caters to a sophisticated crowd. Haute couture dazzles from the windows of upscale boutiques; quaint cafés and coffee joints dot the blocks, alongside kid- and pet-friendly stores, beauty sanctuaries and fitness centers. It has a warm neighborhood feel, unlike touristy Third Street.

Third St.

Third St., 310-393-8355; www.thirdstreetpromenade.com

This bustling epicenter of entertainment and shopping runs for three blocks through the heart of Santa Monica. Performers dazzle with magic shows, musical performances and athletic feats. The famed farmers’ market draws crowds on Wednesday and Saturday. After visiting the vintage clothing shops, stylish boutiques, toy emporiums, bookstores, music spots and home decor shops, grab a bite at one of the many sidewalk cafés, to watch the parade of people pass by.

Gaslamp Quarter

Downtown | Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego; www.gaslamp.org/

Not in the mood for a shopping mall? Browse your way through the Gaslamp Quarter. You’ll find the bulk of the shopping on 5th Ave. from L Street to Broadway (including American Apparel, Lucky Brand Jeans, Urban Outfitters, and Z Gallerie). Head over to 6th and Market St. for Borders Books and further south to 4th near J for Cost Plus World Market.

Horton Plaza

Downtown - Gaslamp | 324 Horton Plaza, San Diego; 619-239-8180; www.hortonplaza.com

In some ways, Horton Plaza is the pinnacle of convenience: it’s centrally located downtown and home a slew of popular chains, including Banana Republic, Nordstrom and Victoria's Secret. Its design, however, is the pits. With stairs and escalators seemingly randomly placed, you’ll likely spot your favorite store and then spend half an hour trying to get there.

Fashion Valley Mall

Mission Valley | 7007 Friars Road, San Diego; 619-688-9113; www.fashionValleyMall.com

The name says it all. At this stylish mall, you’ll find six department stores, including Nordstrom and Bloomingdales, and the biggest gathering of high-end stores in San Diego—think Tory Burch, Tiffany & Co., Gucci and Henry Bendel. Make a night out of it with dinner and music at Bing Crosby’s Restaurant and Piano Bar followed by post-dinner shopping.

Wicker Park/Bucktown

Intersection of Damen, Milwaukee & North Aves, Chicago; www.wickerparkbucktown.com

These vibrant neighborhoods are joined at the hip. Damen Avenue is the main shopping thoroughfare; look for Marc by Marc Jacobs, Apartment Number 9, and local favorite p45, a pioneering boutique in this always-on-the-cusp part of town.