Itinerary / Shop-a-Rama

Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be a drag. Just spice up your mall hopping.

Friday

For the movie or architecture buff on your list, the Paul Kopeikin Gallery is hosting a one-night exhibition and book signing of “The Last Remaining Seats: Movie Palaces of Tinseltown.” The recently published book by L.A. photographers Robert Berger and Anne Conser (with text by film historian Stephen Silverman) is a lavishly photographed tour of the city’s finest old movie houses. 7-9 p.m. 138 N. La Brea Ave., (213) 937-0765.

Saturday

If Beverly Hills shopping is on your agenda, ride the Beverly Hills Art and Architecture Trolley. It makes brief stops at the PaceWildenstein and Gagosian galleries, the Creative Artists Agency building, Beverly Hills’ historic City Hall and concludes at the Museum of Television & Radio, which is the work of Getty architect Richard Meier. The 90-minute tour runs Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. through Jan. 3. Tickets available from trolley driver. Adults, $5; children under 12, $1. The tour departs from the corner of Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way. (310) 285-2438. Admission to the Museum of Television & Radio is not included. Even if you don’t have time to tour, stop in the museum’s gift shop for “Star Trek” classic and current TV merchandise and books.

Also in Beverly Hills, stop in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at 8949 Wilshire Blvd. for the photo exhibition “Screenwriters--Fifty Faces Behind the Greatest Movie Moments.” A separate exhibit, “The Man Who Drew Bug Eyed Monsters: The Movie Poster Art of Reynold Brown,” features work by the artist who is perhaps best known for his poster illustrations for sci-fi classics. (“Black Lagoon,” “Attack of the 50 Foot Women”). Both exhibits end Dec. 21. Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; weekends, noon-6 p.m. Free. (310) 247-3600.

For another book gift idea, director John Waters will be signing his new book, “Director’s Cut,” Saturday at 7 p.m. at Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd. in neighboring West Hollywood, (310) 659-3110.

Not too far away is the Moun of Tunis, a good place to wind down from a day of heavy shopping. This Tunisian restaurant is a dimly lit casbah with cushions and oversized pillows to sit on. You can put your feet up (they don’t mind), have a drink and watch belly dancers shake their stuff. Try the brik (a crispy fried pastry filled with soft-cooked egg), the lemon chicken and the couscous. (213) 874-3333. 7445 1/2 Sunset Blvd. between Fairfax and La Brea.

Sunday

Does your shopping take you to Santa Monica or Third Street Promenade? If so, visit Santa Monica Place for mall shopping and photos for the kids with Santa Claus. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through Dec. 24. Bring a nonperishable food donation to benefit the Westside Food Bank. (Next Sunday at Santa Monica Place, kids can make dreidels and menorahs at the Hanukkah Craft Fair.) 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, (310) 394-5451.

Sunday is the second day of the California Heritage Museum’s Treasure Hunt Sale. The museum has cleaned out its attic and everything from Hawaiian rattan furniture to paintings, old prints, photos, Mexican masks, silver, pillows and more is on sale at discounted prices. It’s the perfect place to find that offbeat gift. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. While you’re there, don’t miss the museum’s current exhibition, “The California Home: The Arts and Crafts Movement in California, 1895-1920.” Ends Feb. 1. 2612 Main St., Santa Monica, (310) 392-8537. Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults, $3, seniors and students, $2; children under 12 free.