7 Best Places to Shop in Westside, Los Angeles

Owner Carrie Hauman of Coutula (a portmanteau of "Couture L.A.") travels around the globe to hand-select the clothing, accessories, jewelry, and home furnishings sold in her light-filled, airy Abbot Kinney 1930s cottage. Nab anything from a $10 bracelet to a $6,000 necklace here, along with floaty sundresses that look much more expensive than they are, handmade Cut n Paste leather handbags, and bliss-inducing Tyler candles.

Right at home in its beachy, bohemian Venice neighborhood, this well-curated shop is a decidedly contemporary take on the concept of general stores. The very definition of "California cool," General Store offers beauty and bath products loaded with organic natural ingredients, handmade ceramics, linen tea towels, and a spot-on selection of art books. Featuring an impressive number of local makers and designers, the boutique also sells modern, minimalist clothing and has a kids' section that will wow even the hippest moms and dads.

If you’re looking for an authentic Japanese supermarket, you’ll find everything you could ever want at Nijiya. Inside, you’ll discover fresh fish for make-it-at-home sushi, baked Japanese delicacies, daily-made takeaway bento boxes, and every Japanese candy treat imaginable. On weekends, you'll find a giant skillet set up outside the entrance where employees fry up sizzling and savory okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake).

Culver City's revitalization has created hot spots like Platform, a design-forward space filled with independent restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and spas. Standouts include Italian bakery Bianca, New York pizza transplant Roberta's, tech-bro chic from The Optimist, and a Blue Bottle Coffee shop with amphitheater seating.

Finding your signature fragrance at this sleek Abbot Kinney boutique won't come cheap, but perfumer Alexandra Balahoutis takes creating her scents as seriously as a seasoned winemaker—and they're just as nuanced as a well-balanced glass of vino. Essences for the perfumes are organic, wild crafted, biodynamic, and bottled locally. Highlights from SI's core collection include the cacao-spiked Dimanche and leathery Black Rosette.

Founder Audrey Woollen brings her long experience as a leader in the stationery industry to her store, bringing in beloved brands and designs, many unique to Urbanic. You'll find cute cards and stationery to send those wish-you-were-here wishes as well as gifts and office and home decor. The store also holds occasional crafty special events; check online if you'll be in the area for a while.