DAY TRIP The Grove Los Angeles

The Grove, complete with cobblestone streets, dancing fountains and a trolley car, is an outdoor shopping and entertainment complex adjacent to the historic Farmers Market on the corner of 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles.

Built in 2002, the mall features a seven-story, 3,500-space parking structure and chain stores including Nordstrom, Banana Republic, Crate & Barrel and Barnes and Noble.

At the American Girl Doll Store, customers can check out the company’s historical dolls and books, the American Girl Theater, the American Girl Cafe — where girls can dine with their dolls — and the American Girl Doll Hair Salon.

The complex has a variety of restaurants to choose from, including The Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano’s and Morel’s French Steakhouse. When you need a break from all the shopping, The Grove is also home to a 14-screen, retro-look movie theater.

HOURS

10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday

10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday

11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday

GETTING THERE

Take the I-5 north toward Los Angeles to US-101 north. Take Exit 6A for Vermont Avenue and turn left on North Vermont Avenue. Turn right on Beverly Boulevard. Turn left on The Grove Drive.

Estimated drive time: one hour

PARKING

Shops validate parking for two hours; the theater validates parking for four hours for $2. Without validation, parking for the first hour is free; $3 for 61 minutes to four hours, and $1 per 20 minutes past four hours.

TROLLEY

The Grove’s electric-powered green trolley is a replica of the original Los Angeles red trolley and is an open-air, double-decker vehicle that includes custom brass handrails and two spiral staircases leading to its upper deck.

The trolley shuttles visitors the short distance between The Grove and the Farmers Market, traveling along First Street.

The trolley operates daily, but there is no service during a break from 4 to 5 p.m.

FOUNTAIN

The fountain at The Grove, created by the same designers as the one on display at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, features a choreographed water and music show that plays every half-hour.

Musical selections include songs by Russell Watson, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Bette Midler.

The fountain uses 50,000 gallons of water that recycles every two hours, and the swaying columns of water reach heights of up to 60 feet.

THEATER

The 14-screen Pacific movie theater is a throwback to the 1950s and features art deco architecture and a neon sign. Guests will be greeted in the lobby by white-gloved ushers dressed as hotel bellhops.

Modern amenities include a state-of-the-art sound system, panoramic curved screens and stadium seating.

Kiosks selling movie tickets are located throughout the mall.

— Sue Thoensen