Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills

The tour of Rodeo Drive starts with taking in some architecture and film history at the north end of the walk. The building for the Paley Center for Media was designed by Richard Meier, the New York-based architect who designed the Getty Center in L.A., as well as the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art in Spain.

The Paley Center, with another location in New York, aims to examine the "intersections between media and society." It features daily screenings of TV shows and special events. You can also make a reservation at the front desk to use the library, which features an extensive collection of individual TV and radio programs.

The Paley Center was recently featured in CBS's "NCIS: Los Angeles." To watch a video clip, go to the website, listed below.
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465 N. Beverly Dr.
310-786-1060
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Free admission/suggested contribution
Adults $10
Students/seniors $8
Kids 13 and younger $5
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Hours
Wednesday-Sunday Noon-5pm
Closed Monday, Tuesday, New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas

Known for clean, tailored lines and menswear, Giorgio Armani is an Italian fashion designer who has stores all over the globe.
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436 N. Rodeo Dr.
310-271-5555.
Call for hours

The French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializes in ready-to-wear, leather, shoes, accessories, sunglasses, watches and fine jewelry.
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400 N. Rodeo Dr.
310-278-5500
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Hours
Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday Noon-5pm

For luxurious leather, accessories, shoes, hats and more, this is the place--for both men and women. Mario Prada, an Italian designer, founded the label in 1913.
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343 N. Rodeo Dr.
310-278-8784
Hours
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Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm
Sunday 11am-6pm

Architecture buffs might like to head toward the Anderton Court Shops, which were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It features a triangular-shaped tower and spiral ramp that's very "Wright," but some of the structure has been changed over time to keep up with building standards.
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Anderton Court Shops
332 N.Rodeo Dr.

Located on the second floor inside the fancy and European-looking Two Rodeo shopping complex, Urasawa is one of the best-rated Japanese restaurants in all of Los Angeles. If you're looking to truly splurge, the sushi can't be beat. But be mindful--meals can range up to $500 a person with tax and tip, so this is no "cheap eats" stop. I include it here so that if you happen to be a huge Japanese food fan and aren't scared off by the prices, you'll have an amazing dining experience.
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218 N. Rodeo Dr.
310-247-8939
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Hours
Tuesday-Saturday 6-9pm

Two Rodeo is a cluster of high-fashion name-brand stores (Think Versace and Jimmy Choo, which both have stores here) located on a pedestrian-only cobblestone shopping arcade. It has a lovely, highly romantic Euoropean feel and is a great place to be when the weather is fine (which, let's not delude ourselves, is almost every day in L.A.!). A number of films and TV shows have been filmed here, including "Hollywood Homicide," with Harrison Ford, and HBO's "Entourage."
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Two Rodeo Drive
310-247-7040

Some call it a "quintessential L.A. dining experience." Open for lunch and dinner, Spago Beverly Hills is the flagship restaurant of the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group. Seasonal menus rotate out fish and produce daily.

With a glass wall kitchen and plenty of entertainment industry people dining here, the eyes will have a lot to take in, as well as the stomach. The service is friendly and the food is world class. But, like most of everything in the area, you can expect to spend more than you would back home.
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176 N. Canon Dr.
310-385-0880
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Lunch
Monday-Thursday, Saturday Noon-2:15pm
Friday 11:30am-2:15pm
Closed Sunday
Dinner
Sunday-Friday 6-10pm
Saturday 5:30-11pm

If you'd rather see Rodeo Drive on wheels, I'd highly suggest taking the Beverly Hills Trolley, run by the city of Beverly Hills. Departing on the hour from the southeast corner of Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way, hop aboard the Beverly Hills Trolley for a 40-minute narrated tour of all the sights of the area.

Tickets may be purchased from trolley docents on a first-come, first-served basis.
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310-285-2500
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Trolleys depart on the hour from 11am-4pm
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Fares
Adults $10
Kids 12 and younger $5
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Year-round
Saturday-Sunday

Summer 2011
July 5-Sept. 4 Tuesday-Sunday

Winter holiday season 2011
Nov. 26-Dec. 31 Tuesday-Sunday
Closed Dec. 24-25

End the tour with a nice relaxing stop at this Four Seasons hotel and even enjoy dinner or a cocktail at one of the best people-watching restaurants in the area.

If you've seen the film "Pretty Woman," you might recognize this hotel as where Richard Gere and Julia Roberts found love. To start the people watching off right, go inside and have a drink or meal at The Blvd, an all-day restaurant with large windows that open onto Rodeo Drive, and a sidewalk patio area, which allows for great, laid-back views of the goings on at the busy corner of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire.
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9500 Wilshire Blvd.
310-275-5200
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Hours
Sunday-Thursday 11am-1am
Friday-Saturday 11am-2am
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served

Looking for a stylish haircut or color? A place to visit the tanning booth? Or maybe get your makeup done? Guiseppe Franco Salon has 52 stylists at your service and has been doing it well for 22 years.

Giuseppe has, according to the website, been nominated one of the top three hairdressers in the world. The salon gets great reviews on Yelp and has a "down to earth and warm family atmosphere."

The story goes Giuseppe that got his start with the help of his best friend, actor Mickey Rourke. If you've seen the 1999 film "The Big Tease," starring Craig Ferguson, you might recognize Giuseppe.
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350 N. Canon Dr.
310-274-8967
Call for hours