Street Scene

Hit the streets for shopping, eating, and fun on your feet.

3rd Street

The 3rd Street corridor between Sweetzer Avenue and La Cienega Boulevard is similar to Melrose, but without the hype. The vintage shops are less picked-over, the clerks more friendly, and the goods as good or better.

Shop for outrageous gifts including AstroTurf coasters and inflatable furniture at Zipper and Zipper Two, 8316 and 8308 W. 3rd St., (213) 951-0620 and (213) 951-9252. The Button Store has antique glass and shell designs and more to spruce up even the dullest of jackets, 8344 W. 3rd St., (213) 658-5473. Julian’s Vintage Clothing has fabulous handbags, dresses and sweaters from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s, and some home furnishings, 8366 W. 3rd St., (213) 655-3011.

Visit Facets Gallery for one-of-a-kind contemporary jewelry designs, 8311 W. 3rd St., (213) 653-9911. Who Makes Sense? stocks scents from around the world, and has a fragrance bar to make your own, 8363 W. 3rd St., (213) 651-0311. Decorate a tea cup or other clay pieces at the Clay Haus, 8325 W. 3rd St., (213) 951-1263. Cost is the price of the piece plus $6 for materials. Polkadots & Moonbeams has elegant petticoats, vintage dresses and suits, rhinestone earrings and eyeglass frames, 8367 W. 3rd St., (213) 651-1746. New Stone Age carries folk artsy jewelry, ceramics and other gift items, 8407 W. 3rd St., (213) 658-5969, and the Cook’s Library has everything for the at-home gastronome, 8373 W. 3rd St., (213) 655-3141.

For a breather, stop in for a drink at the Caribbean-themed restaurant Limbo, where martinis come in mango, citrus, coconut and other tropical flavors, and a delicious champagne cocktail is made with banana rum. Try the jerk chicken ravioli for a snack. 8338 W. 3rd St., (213) 866-8258.

9th Street

A trip to downtown’s garment district can be great fun, especially if you let the Fashion District Trolley do the driving. Free fashion district tours depart at 10, 11 a.m. and noon, providing downtown history, shopping tips and a free map. Pickup point is the CaliforniaMart, 110 E. 9th St., (213) 488-1153 for required reservations for this week and future dates.

Shop till you drop at Saturday’s CaliforniaMart Super-Sale, where samples from more than 1,000 wholesale designer showrooms will be for sale at discounted prices. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Cash only. No returns. 110 E. 9th St. Free admission. (213) 630-3697.

For lunch, New Moon has one of the best Chinese chicken salads around. 102 W. 9th St., (213) 624-0186.

If your feet can stand it, stroll Santee Alley, an open-air marketplace where merchants sell watches, sunglasses, swimwear, shoes and more. It’s quite a scene. Bounded by Santee and Maple streets, Olympic Boulevard and 12th Street.

La Brea Avenue

Call ahead for brunch reservations at Campanile. The in-house La Brea Bakery’s corncakes, ginger scones and flaky croissants round out this to-die-for dining experience. Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 624 S. La Brea Ave., (213) 938-1447.

American Rag Cie has new and vintage hipster wear, with adjoining housewares and shoe stores. 150 S. La Brea Ave., (213) 935-3154. Visit Vin Baker at 132 1/2 S. La Brea for funky shoes, (213) 936-4001, and Golyester for mint-quality vintage suits and dresses, bakelite pieces, floral draperies and antique tapestries, 136 S. La Brea, (213) 931-1339. For more vintage wear at lower prices, Jet Rag is a must-see, 825 N. La Brea, (213) 465-0128.

Catch a 3:30 p.m. screening at Tales Bookshop. This coffeehouse/bookstore specializes in new and used sci-fi, ghost and general short stories and screens 16mm films in its living room-like setting. This week: “The Gracie Allen Murder Case” (1939), a slapstick Philo Vance detective story starring Gracie Allen as herself. 667 S. La Brea, (213) 933-2640. $5, includes popcorn. Sandwiches and coffee drinks available for purchase.