Attention All You Shoppers : * Escape the heat, use your plastic, catch a movie or kill a few hours at area malls. Here’s the scoop on San Fernando Valley complexes.

What better place to drop tourists weary from a hot day at, say, Universal Studios than to an air-conditioned mall?

After all, Southern California’s malls are widely renowned, having been hurled into infamy by the 1982 film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”

Even now, as was the case then, area malls as multipurpose destinations offer motion picture entertainment, California cuisine, trendy fashion looks for teen-agers and even occasional mind-expanding exhibits for shoppers tired of scrambling for their credit cards.

The following is a rundown of some San Fernando Valley area malls and what they have to offer visitors:

Antelope Valley Mall

Shoppers who appreciate sensible value will like what they find at this mall.

With department stores such as Gottschalk’s, Harris’, J.C. Penney, Sears and Mervyn’s setting the tone for moderate prices, this mall is a place to buy rather than just dream. Teen-age girls will have the run of the usual fashion haunts--Contempo Casuals and Wet Seal among them--and many may be tempted to stop into the Piercing Pagoda to add a nose ring to their souvenir conquests. Bargain hunters will like the Everything Under $1 store.

There are more than 20 places to fully dine or simply graze (another California pastime that tourists should pick up on), with a variety of exotic and traditional goods. Tex-Mex fans take note: The mall has a Chili’s. And once the shopping and dining are over, tourists can take their pick of films at any of the 10 theaters in the mall.

Antelope Valley Mall, Avenue P and 10th Street West, Palmdale. (805) 266-9150. Free parking.

Burbank Media City Center

As one of the Valley’s newest malls, Media City Center fills a much-needed void for area residents who don’t want to drive all the way to Sherman Oaks Fashion Square or Glendale Galleria. Its proximity to the movie and television studios also makes it a likely stop-off for local celebs--and for the inquiring minds of star-struck tourists.

But that isn’t the only draw here. Any out-of-towner who’s never been to an IKEA will surely enjoy touring this monolith of a store offering home furnishings and assorted accessories, not to mention killer Swedish meatballs. Also featured here is the famed Conran’s Habitat, featuring contemporary home furnishings and accessories in the IKEA vein, sans the Scandinavian flair and ultra-low prices. Value-conscious stores like Mervyn’s and Sears will appeal to thrifty shoppers, while the luxe offerings at the ritzier Bullock’s are sure to tempt more discriminating browsers with money to burn. This mall also features a Sports Chalet, stocking a variety of sports apparel and equipment.

Tourists may enjoy the wholesome fun of Johnny Rockets, but there are more ethnically diverse vendors offering Chinese, Mexican, Japanese and Jewish deli.

Media City Center, 201 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. (818) 566-8617. Free parking.

Fallbrook Mall

Located in West Hills, this shopping mecca is ideal for those who haunt outlets but appreciate the comfort and convenience of mall environs. There are super-affordable stores, like the J.C. Penney Catalogue Outlet, Lingerie-for-Less and Ross Dress for Less. At Price-Less Brides, clearance bridal gowns start at $99. Most cost between $199 and $599, and gowns made to order are $600 to $900, on the average. At Daniel’s Outlet, gold charms start at $9.99. Generally, the store features fine jewelry at “close to wholesale prices,” said manager Stuart Bolkin. Dollar Dazzle and Everything’s a Dollar offer a variety of beauty and sundry bargains.

And for tourists who want to see Southern Californians working out in all their healthful glory, there’s a Family Fitness on the premises. More guilty pleasures are available at the 13 food court stands or any of the seven full-service restaurants. Seven theaters are in the adjacent Fallbrook Mall Village, which is within walking distance.

Fallbrook Mall, 6633 Fallbrook Ave., between Victory Boulevard and Vanowen Street, West Hills . (818) 340-5981. Free parking.

Glendale Galleria

Without question one of the largest malls in the Valley, Glendale Galleria is also one of the most diverse. It’s home to The Broadway, J.C. Penney, Robinson’s-May, Mervyn’s and Nordstrom, and a slew of smaller boutiques and specialty shops.

There are 11 shops for children, including the Disney Store, in case visitors didn’t make it to Disneyland. There are 10 men’s stores, including the longtime L. A.-based Zeidler & Zeidler. Bachrach, an upscale men’s store offering moderate to better suits and sportswear, is another must-stop. The mall also has a Banana Republic, Guess? store and 27 shoe stores ranging from affordable Kinney styles to upscale offerings at Charles David.

Other stores capturing the feeling of L. A. in the mall include Glamour Shots, where make-overs and photo sessions meet, and Shades of California, home to sunglasses with a West Coast flair. Another unique shop, Perl House, stocks beads for making necklaces, a very “in” fashion trend of the moment. Bead prices start at five cents.

With about 25 places to dine in the center, no one will go hungry and most cravings may be satisfied.

Glendale Galleria, south side of West Broadway between Columbus Avenue and Brand Boulevard. (818) 240-9481. Free parking.

Northridge Fashion Center

As one of the few malls in the northern Valley area, this one boasts a variety of department stores ranging from price-friendly J.C. Penney to more upscale Bullock’s. It also houses an unbelievable 22 shoe stores, 16 fine jewelry stores and two shops with “La La Land” legacies sure to be popular with tourists: a Disney Store and Frederick’s of Hollywood.

The mall is also ideal for large-size women looking for clothing. Among the shops featured: August Max Woman, Lane Bryant, Petries Plus and Woman’s World. Bathing beauties take note: The mall also has the Body Shop, full of cruelty-free grooming products, and an H20 Plus store, stocking a variety of fragrant cosmetic and bath products.

Northridge Fashion Center, 9301 Tampa Ave. (818) 772-0819. Free parking.

The Promenade at Woodland Hills

This upscale, compact mall is an ideal stop-off for quick shopping, but probably isn’t large or diverse enough for an all-day outing. Ladies who lunch will enjoy the small tearoom inside I. Magnin, as well as the high-end stores ideal for browsing and serious shopping.

It boasts the only J. Crew store in the Valley, a shop known for understated sportswear at reasonable prices. Expectant mothers may also want to stop in to peruse the roomy fashions inside Laura Ashley, Motherhood Maternity and Mimi Maternity. Kids and many teen-agers would probably be pretty bored here since there aren’t any theaters and only a handful of stores--among them Waldenkids, the Wherehouse and Limited Express--catering to their young, hip interests.

Shoppers interested in a relaxing stroll through a mall small enough to be covered fairly quickly will probably enjoy themselves, however.

Promenade Mall, 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd. (818) 884-7090. Free parking.

Fashion Square Sherman Oaks

Remodeled in 1990, this once-sleepy mall is probably the most beautiful in the Valley. The mall now features a second level and is completely enclosed, with about 100 more stores than were featured before the remodeling. Glorious palm trees line the center of the tower level flanked by Bullock’s, the Broadway and a variety of specialty shops.

For women, Pastille offers an assortment of reasonably priced sportswear and features dressing rooms with doorbells. Babe offers dressier tailored sportswear for serious wardrobe building. Touring bathing beauties will want to stop into Everything but Water and peruse the latest swimwear.

One of the prettiest places to take a respite from shopping is the Garden Cafes area with its 10 food stands, which provide indoor dining with an alfresco feeling made possible by illuminating skylights.

Additional attractions: The newly remodeled Bullock’s is as elegant as any New York department store, and shoppers on the escalator during a recent visit gave an enthusiastic “thumbs-up” to the chicken salad served in the store’s “B” Cafe.

Fashion Square Sherman Oaks, 14006 Riverside Drive. (818) 783-0550. Free parking.

Sherman Oaks Galleria

This mecca of materialism, put on the map by “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” is a must-stop for visiting teen-agers who want to see the latest L. A. fashions in stores and on the local brat packs. The mall is undergoing a face lift, particularly the food court, where eight new restaurants--including a sushi bar--are scheduled to open.

But the stores where teen-age girls love to shop are operating at full-tilt boogie. Among them are the well-known Contempo Casuals, Guess/MGA, Jay Jacobs, Judy’s and Wet Seal. Sweats & Surf carries the latest in beachfront chic, a must-stop for tourists who want to bring back California chic.

The four movie theaters on the third level are ready to entertain after visitors shop until they drop.

Sherman Oaks Galleria, 15301 Ventura Blvd. (818) 783-7100. Free parking (two-hour limit).

Topanga Plaza

Convenience is a plus here for shoppers on a mission. This mall is quite organized, housing shoe stores in a particular area, as well as junior shops, and sporting goods and related gear. But variety is another plus.

Men in particular will find a wealth of clothing boutiques--18 to be exact--from which to choose. Kids will enjoy the delights found in shops like Imaginarium and Natural Wonders. A more extensive variety can be found at Kay-Bee Toy & Hobby. The Dotted Line, a unique card and gift shop, offers a variety of merchandise easily personalized and ideal for souvenir-hungry visitors.

Topanga Plaza, 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., between Victory Boulevard and Vanowen Street, Canoga Park. (818) 883-9670. Free parking.

Valencia Town Center

This dual-level structure is the mall of record for the Santa Clarita Valley. It features an open-air rotunda and architecture reminiscent of Victorian shopping arcades and European train sheds. Shoppers interested in reasonable prices and value for their dollar will appreciate meat-and-potatoes stores like J.C. Penney, Robinson’s-May and Sears.

Howard & Phil’s Western Wear stocks suburban cowboy duds, Pacific Sunwear of California offers the latest in beachy keen surf wear, and Going To The Game has all the latest in sports team chic.

For the kiddies: a 10-screen movie theater complex and a carousel inspired by the historic Clyde Beatty Circus that wintered in the valley in the 1930s and ‘40s.

Valencia Town Center, Golden State Freeway at Valencia Boulevard, McBean and Magic Mountain parkways. (805) 287-9050. Free parking.