Farmers Market and The Grove

Farmers Market and The Grove Review

The granddaddy of L.A. markets dates to 1935, and the amazing array of clapboard stalls (selling everything from candy to hot sauce, fresh fruit to fresh lamb), wacky regulars, and a United Nations of food choices must be experienced to be appreciated.

Employees from the nearby CBS studios mingle with hungover clubbers and elderly locals at dozens of eateries, movie theaters, and shops under one huge roof. The green trolley shuttles visitors between the Farmers Market and the nearby Grove, a wildly popular outdoor mall with an ersatz European feel and a fabulous people-watching scene.

Although many of the stores are familiar in any mall (Nordstrom, Abercrombie & Fitch, the Apple Store, American Girl Place), the elaborate setting with cheerful winding tile walkways, the central fountain that has "dancing" water choreographed to music, and during the holidays even man-made "snow" (!) that falls accompanied by holiday music, put this shopping center over the top.

Oh, and if you happen to be in the Glendale area of Los Angeles, the same development team that brought you this temple to shopping and the easy-breezy outdoor California lifestyle opened a bright, shiny complex called the Americana at Brand that is very similar.