Hey,

I have been to White Plains, New York and in the around White Plains Metro Station, I can find lots of shopping mall, and bus services to the Outlet Mall etc.

Just checking if any place in LA would have such shopping outlets in close proximity, since I am a foreigner and cant drive in States. Would prefer to find a hotel near major shopping areas, preferably within walking distances (eg. Nostram Rack, Wal Mart, DSW, Target etc.) and if there is shuttle to Outlet Mall in California, that would be great too..

Would Anaheim be such a location?

Sorry, I have only been to LA once, and I stayed near LAX since it was just a 2 days stop-over before flying home.

Cheers,
shaun

You could stay in Santa Monica and shop at Santa Monica Place; you could stay in Costa Mesa near SNA and shop at South Coast Plaza; you could stay at LAX and take the free shuttle bus to Manhattan Beach Village.

There's some decent shopping in Woodland Hills, a middle-class city in the southwest part of the San Fernando Valley. It's accessible via the Orange Line at Warner Center, a recent addition to Los Angeles's rapid transport system (well, it's Bus Rapid Transit, but it's a tad more user-friendly than a regular bus line).

There are several malls and a few hotels in the area. Here's a Google Maps overview:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...43945&t=h&z=16

And a Wikitravel overview (lists some of the shopping and hotels):
http://wikitravel.org/en/Woodland_Hills

The two main malls:
http://westfield.com/topanga/stores/
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westfield_Topanga
http://westfield.com/topanga/promenade/allstores
Wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westfield_Promenade

Other stores nearby visible on Google Maps.

Burbank Town Center has OK (not great) shopping, but it's much closer to Downtown LA (less transit time) and is easily accessible from the Metrolink Downtown Burbank station:
http://www.burbanktowncenter.com/directory

Google Maps:
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=s...43945&t=h&z=16

Those (plus the Sherman Oaks Galleria/Westfield Fashion Square and Glendale Galleria, but those are harder to get to by transit) are what I'm familiar with, but there's tons more in L.A. This site has a pretty comprehensive list:

http://www.latourist.com/index.php?p...g-center-links

Search for those on Google Maps and combine that with searching for directions via public transit on Google Maps to see which ones are easier accessed.

The only outlet mall in L.A. proper is Citadel, which isn't right on any rail lines. It requires a couple of bus transfers, though there are a couple of hotels in the neighborhood (a Doubletree?). Otherwise, you'll have to get a good bit south, east, or north to find more outlets.

Details here:
http://www.latourist.com/index.php?p...-links-outlets

I assume you've looked into this, but is there a particular reason why you can't drive in the U.S.? Foreign nationals are perfectly fine to drive in the U.S. (with an easily-obtained International Driving Permit, if needed). Rental car companies are fine with foreign drivers, though you may need to purchase the damage waiver and liability insurance to be covered. Having the ability to drive in L.A. (which is NOT scary at all--big, wide streets that are almost always in a grid) will GREATLY expand your options (and allow you to carry around all the stuff you'll buy!).

If you are looking to do an outlet center, I'd try the Camarillo Premium Outlets. Camarillo can be reached by Amtrak or Metrolink from Union Station in Downtown L.A. and various other stations every day of the year and the outlet center is absolutely huge, with a lot of premium brands. The Camarillo train station is about 1-2 miles from the outlet center and a taxi can be called. They are used to this. There are several moderately priced hotel/motels in Camarillo.

As for the Citadel, it is ok but not in the greatest area (Commerce) and not all that accessible by public transport. You could take the Metro Rail Gold Line to the end of the line in East L.A. and get a cab if you can find one, but the area isn't the greatest. Commerce gets very limited weekday Metrolink service, but you would still have to grab a cab. Check out where the Commerce Casino's shuttles go from, because it is located right next to the Citadel. In fact, there is a Crowne Plaza at the Commerce Casino if you are interested, but it is a rather crap part of town as I mentioned before.

BTW, the Santa Monica Place mall is still closed for renovations, but it is right next to the legendary Third Street Promenade. Neither place, however, is an outlet center but rather a regular shopping area.

Can't drive in the United States because you don't know how to drive? Don't have a valid license from the country you are coming from? Are under 25 years of age and can't afford the extortionate rental policies of most major car rental agencies? Don't feel comfortable driving in US or LA?

I can tell you that in California:

"Visitors over 18 years old with a valid driver license from their home state or country may drive in California without getting a driver license as long as their home state license remains valid."

Frankly, there are no outlet malls that are convenient to public transit from LAX...all of them will take at least three changes of vehicle to reach, and some as many as six. Renting a car (if you can) and driving yourself is frankly the best option.

Thanks for all the advice.

I do have a dirving license but I am from Singapore,
so the driver is seated on the right hand side, and in the States,
it is of the opposite side, road directions too,
so I have heard from some friends, that it will not be easy..

Thus, public transportation is my only option.

I have spent 2 days in LAX and went to some shopping area, using the red trolley services. I enjoyed shopping and environment in States,
it is totally different kind of feeling in Singapore..

I beg to differ.

I had absolutely no problems switching to right-hand drive in Thailand and Australia. It's much, much easier than you would think.

I might concur with your friends if you were attempting to drive in New York City, but Los Angeles's huge, wide lanes and wide streets, streets on a consistent grid (mostly), lack of one-way streets and random disappearing lanes, no issues with having your lane turn into parking and having to dodge cars, etc., make driving in Los Angeles very, very easy.

I would very strongly suggest renting a car (add a GPS if you're worried about getting lost). Driving in the U.S. (and California in particular) is not difficult.

For discount shopping in LA proper I would suggest staying somewhere near the Beverly Center. In addition to the stores in the mall, across the street there is The Beverly Connection which has Nordstrom Rack, Loehmanns, and Marshalls (and I think a Ross too). You can also use taxis and buses to get to most other US retail chains without too much trouble or cost (though not too many Walmarts close by).

If you went to Woodbury Commons outside of New York, the Camarillo Premium Outlets mentioned by N1120A are your closest match (both part of Chelsea Premium Outlets Company). Here is a direct link to the transportation page of the Camarillo Premium Outlets. Two things mentioned on there in addition to Amtrak is taking the Ventura County Airporter from LAX to the Oxnard airport (which is not too far) or Roadrunner Shuttle who would take you as part of a tour. On the road runner site saw they do a wine tour with pick up/drop off from the Outlets - so perhaps you could make a whole day out of the trip out.

A little farther east of LA Chelsea Outlets also has a center called Desert Hills Premium Outlets. I only mention this because on their transportation page they link to a company called California Best Tours that seems to have an organized shopping tour (though in Japanese!). Did not see a similar tour group for Camarillo (though it probably exists).

If you go to either of these two register for their VIP club ahead of time and you can print out coupons for extra savings (the VIP discounts are slightly higher than the coupon book they hand out at the management office).

Ontario Mills is another outlet mall that is about the same distance. Similar to The Mills Outlets in other metropolitan areas - though these days the number of true outlets vs. regular stores is not as great as the premium outlets.

Your other question was about Anaheim. For Orange County the most centralized shopping would be staying closer to Costa Mesa and South Coast Plaza. From there you could also cab to another Simon outlet-ish property called The Block at Orange - it is as much about entertainment as shopping, but they do have a Neiman Marcus Last Call and Saks Off 5th (similar to Camarillo). Plenty of Targets, Walmarts, Marshalls, etc in Orange County as well - but those will be more spread out.

Also to add to jackal's comment - just survived driving on the wrong side of the road in England for a week - so would also put in a vote to try driving over here - especially if you stick to major roads and highways. After a day or two you'll adjust. Just be careful to not hit a curb when turning right and go slow! Plus with a car you can hit all these areas and then some.

Well, after reading this thread, I must admit that FTers are very resourceful about getting around S. Cal without a car.

But, I've been to most of the shopping spots mentioned and I wouldn't try it without a car. Takes waaay too long and way too inconvenient.

The idea about staying near the Beverly Center is a good one--and I would add that The Grove Center which is really nicer is nearby. http://www.thegrovela.com/ Also, the Grove is right next door to the old-time Farmer's Market (not really a farmer's market, but an old and funky shopping and restaurant area--try the Beignets and Cafe au Lait at the Gumbo Pot).

DO NOT take public transport to the Citadel Outlet. The area is not good. Okay if you drive into the Center.

DO NOT take a car there either. just stay away. it's awful.

There is a Nordstrom Rack at Howard Hughes Center / Promenade which is just off of the 405 quite close to LAX.

All the places mentioned by the other posters are definitely good. However, for the true LA unique shopping experience you need to hit Fred Segal. They have 2 locations: 1 in Santa Monica by the Promenade shopping area and the other in West Hollywood on Melrose. I prefer the one in Santa Monica. Fred Segal is a great place to go if you want to see where and how the stars shop. Be prepared to spend a few bucks, but the selections and the setup are really good there.

There are a few hotels near the Beverly Center, including the Sofitel across the street. From the Beverly Center & Beverly Connection shopping areas you can that the 25 cent DASH bus over to the Grove & Farmers Market. Between those 4 shopping centers and all the small little stores in the area of Third Street and Beverly Blvd. there is a LOT of shopping to be done in 2 days. Not quite the discount stores the OP asked about, but a good selection.