Unique Los Angeles Souvenirs

In a city with so many exceptional shops, it would be a shame to go home with a ho-hum "Hollywood" T-shirt. Some quirky museum gift-shop finds could surprise the folks back home: celebrity-worn clothes at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum; vintage-car models at the Petersen; or a kid-friendly bottle of (fake) tar and bones from the Page Museum. The gift shop at the Fairfax Farmer's Market sells key chains with first names in a Hollywood star, and Ocean Front Walk in Venice is filled with vendors selling tees, hats, and beach towels.

Y-Que. For rare and cool kitsch, go to L.A.'s most off-the-wall gift shops, like Los Feliz's Y-Que for tees with mug shots (Paris, Lindsay, Snooki), plus trucker hats and fake-bling rings. 1770 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90027. 323/668-0117.

Skeletons in the Closet. At the L.A. County Coroner's gift shop, Skeletons in the Closet, you can snag coroner toe-tag key chains, a "body bag" garment bag, or a body-outline beach towel. 1104 N. Mission Rd., at Morengo St., Los Angeles, CA, 90033. 323/343-0760.

Samuel French Bookstore. Samuel French Bookstore is known for their scripts and how-to-break-into-acting guides. 11963 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, Los Angeles, CA, 91604. 818/762-0535. www.samuelfrench.com.

Bowl Store. Music buffs can appreciate the cheeky fun of eating cornflakes from a "Hollywood Bowl" bowl available at the Bowl Store, next to the outdoor music venue. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, 90034. 213/972-3440. www.laphilstore.com. Closed Oct.-June.