Where to Go, What to Expect

The Grove

The Experience: Somewhere between small-town European charm and highly processed Vegas-style schlock.

Beyond the Gap: The usual suspects, plus a few notable lures including an Apple computer store and Sur La Table.

Sustenance: Farmer’s Market, just a short trolley ride away, gives “fast food” a good name.

Parking: A digital readout at the garage entrance shows how many spaces are available on each level. Do the folks on the Nobel committee know about this?

Worth trying? Valhalla for families and a good alternative to the Beverly Center.

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Sherman Oaks Galleria

The Experience: Sleek and stylish. Not the “omigawd!” Galleria of yore.

Beyond the Gap: Dude, this place could so use a Gap. Tower Records and a jewelry store do not a mall make.

Sustenance: Since you can’t shop till you drop, might as well splurge on calories. The obvious choice: the Cheesecake Factory.

Parking: Awesome, though beware the elevator doors. They’re programmed for speed.

Worth trying? If there’s nothing on cable. But leave your Vans at home.

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Paseo Colorado

The Experience: Despite the brochure’s claim that this is “the place to get back your groove,” ours stayed firmly in check. It’s just so very beige.

Beyond the Gap: Most of the big-name retailers--J. Crew, Barnes & Noble and Crate & Barrel--are down the street in Old Town.

Sustenance: Tacos two ways: budget at Rubio’s or designer at Border Grill.

Parking: Prepay computer stations appeal to techies. We prefer the human touch.

Worth trying? Dinner or a massage at Amadeus Spa is your best bet.

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Hollywood & Highland

The Experience: Cacophonous and confusing. Tinseltown meets Vegas with a dash of King Tut.

Beyond the Gap: Swarovski, Planet Funk, Build-A-Bear Workshop--the shops here are all over the map, which by the way, you’ll need to find anything.

Sustenance: Plenty to satisfy both lowbrow and highbrow appetites, from Burger King to pizza king Wolfgang Puck’s stylish Vert Brasserie.

Parking: Better since fees were lowered to $2 with validation in May. But still dungeon-like. Worth trying?: If you’re in the ‘hood. But bring your compass.