Combine the best of both worlds, shopping and being near the beach, by starting out your retail adventure in Venice. While boho-chic Abbot Kinney is the main go-to, some of the Westside’s most exciting retailers are setting up shop on an up-and-coming stretch of Lincoln Boulevard. Start at
Pearl Drop (328 S. Lincoln Blvd.), the latest retail offering from longtime L.A. designer (and
Jack Nicholson spawn)
Jennifer Nicholson, who stocks her eclectic digs with hand-dyed wares by fellow L.A. clothier
Gregory Parkinson (
Lily Collins is a fan), statement baubles by famed hippie jewelry label Alex & Lee as well as her own namesake collection. Pick up Pendleton jackets and other heritage-heavy gear at
Tradesman, the plywood-accented men’s shop owned by former Gap visual merchandising vets
Doug Behner and
Ruben Leal (
1807 Lincoln Blvd.). For a jewelry fix,
All For the Mountain/Sacred Door (2118 Lincoln Blvd.) showcases local artist
Carly Margolis’ futuristic-meets-tribal necklaces and the occasional tie-dye workshop. For drinks, the intimate rooftop at
Hotel Erwin (1697 Pacific Ave.) is ideal for sipping a blood orange julep at sunset before grabbing a lobster roll at breezy new seafood spot
Salt Air (1715 Pacific Ave.).PHOTOS: Best of Hollywood: 28 Ways to Create a Perfect Summer WeekendSATURDAYStart with brunch at
Barney Greengrass (9570 Wilshire Blvd.), the rooftop lox-plate purveyor at Barneys New York that CFDA-nominated jewelry designer
Jennifer Meyer calls “delicious and decadent.” After drooling over Meyer’s delicate, playful gold pieces and Alexander Wang cutout bathing suits, head down the street to try on sleek foot candy from supermodel
Anja Rubik’s new capsule collection for
Giuseppe Zanotti (9536 Brighton Way). On Rodeo Drive, engage in some shopping damage at Carolina Herrera’s new
CH boutique, which carries her classic, ladylike, lower-priced line as well as her collection of crisp, white button-down shirts
(230 N. Rodeo Dr.). And don’t miss
Saint Laurent’s too-cool-for-school metallic sandals and tailored blazers at its marble-and-chrome-filled temporary digs
(469 N. Rodeo Dr.). “I’m obsessed with everything sort of Saint Laurent —
Hedi Slimane’s new grunge everything!” says Meyer. Next, head over to La Brea, where a stretch between 2nd Street and Beverly Boulevard is shaping up to be one of the new great shopping zones. Pre-spree, grab a chicken salad and Greek yogurt toast with a side of people watching at
The Sycamore Kitchen’s outdoor patio
(143 S. La Brea Ave). Then hit up the second outpost of Venice design mainstay A+R (171 S. La Brea Ave.) — owned by style journalist and curator
Rose Apodaca and one-time film editor husband
Andy Griffith — which is the place to find limited-edition welded steel chairs by artist
Oskar Zieta mingling with inexpensive Pantone color coffee mugs. High-end vintage emporium
What Goes Around Comes Around (159 S. La Brea Ave.) has a major collection of ’80s Chanel and a secret back VIP room full of rare Alaia and Valentino goods that top Hollywood stylists like
Karla Welch love to pull. Other top shops include
Undefeated, the superstore that helped put American sneaker culture on the map
(112.5 S. La Brea Ave.), men’s shop
General Quarters (153 S. La Brea Ave.) and the airy, namesake boutique (318 N. La Brea Ave.) from T-shirt maven
Cheyann Benedict, the founder of C&C California. Show off your new garb at
Petty Cash Taqueria (7360 Beverly Blvd.), a casual contemporary Mexican spot with a good scene, even better octopus-infused tacos and Mezcal for days.
PHOTOS: 26 of Summer's Most Anticipated Movies: 'Man of Steel,' 'Wolverine,' 'The Lone Ranger' SUNDAYGrab some eggs and hash browns at trusty mainstay
101 Coffee Shop (6145 Franklin Ave.), which lures names like
Ryan Gosling and
Carey Mulligan, and then head five blocks east to Counterpoint Records & Books (5911 Franklin Ave.) to peruse a mighty selection of gently loved art and design tomes. Next, get ready to explore the best of the Eastside and downtown. In Los Feliz, stop in to
Confederacy (4661 Hollywood Blvd.), the mostly menswear outpost co-owned by top stylist
Ilaria Urbinati, who works with
Bradley Cooper and
Nina Dobrev. Less than a mile east, gawk at the artsy, affected street style in Silver Lake’s Sunset Junction, where DJ
Kevin Carney and wife
Bo have just expanded their popular
Mohawk General Store (4011 W. Sunset Blvd.) to include a stand-alone men’s shop filled with all the Dries Van Noten gear fit for a modern moneyed hipster. Farther along Sunset is of-the-moment leather maker
Clare Vivier’s flagship shop
(3339 Sunset Blvd.) as well as
Gogosha Optique (3208 1/2 Sunset Blvd.), with an expertly curated collection of head-turning Mykita and Thierry Lasry shades that has a big fan in
Lady Gaga. It’s then just a 10-minute drive to downtown’s Arts District. Find preppy, fair trade blazers and gingham button-downs at
Apolis Common Gallery (806 E. 3rd Street) and pieces by the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Timo Weiland at former stylist
Thed Jewel’s graffiti-decorated
12345 (811 Traction Ave.). Cap the day with an indulgent slice of Mexican chocolate pie from the
Pie Hole (714 Traction Ave.).See more perfect summer weekends below:Music With Breakout Star Skylar GreyArt With Director Phil LordFood: From Seafood Craze to Farmer's Market BountyOutdoors: Fun in the SoCal SunPampering: Spa, AaahRomance: Date Nights (and Days)Classic L.A.: Historic Hot SpotsThe 1 Percent: Live in LuxuryKids: Modern Family AdventuresFollow me on Twitter @sajilpl
