Top 10 Souvenir Shops in Los Angeles
The to-do list of all travelers traveling to a new city includes sightseeing, shopping, writing postcards, and tasting different foods.
We all want a little trinket to remind us of the time we spent on vacation. It should be no surprise that Los Angeles, built on dreams and aspirations, offers some pretty dreamy places to buy souvenirs.
The following is a guide to the 10 best souvenir shops in Los Angeles, so you’ll be ready to bring back some amazing souvenirs for yourself, friends, and family.
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La La Land; The ultimate souvenir destination
The idyllic La La Land is everything you’d expect from a Hollywood Boulevard souvenir shop; Massive, boisterous, and jam-packed with everything that pays homage to Hollywood.
There’s no shortage of collectibles; As far as the eye can see, shot glasses, vanity plates, T-shirts, key chains, and tiny Oscar effigies are strewn.
Listen to raucous music blaring from the speakers at La La Land as you view Elvis Presley’s custom-built bright blue Cadillac on permanent display, Part of La La Land’s tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. There are many souvenir shops in Los Angeles, but La La Land definitely stands out.
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It’s a Rap; Wear these Hollywood hand-me-downs with pride
Ever fell in love with a blouse you saw on your favorite actress on a T.V. show or craved a cool jacket worn by an action star in the latest blockbuster movie? It’s a Wrap is a one-of-a-kind store that lets you dress like a Hollywood star.
Selling secondhand props and wardrobes, some that were never worn, from movie and television sets.
It’s a Wrap’s clothing ranges from top-notch designer outfits to quirky Star Trek costumes. Take your chance to explore the unique shopping experience at It’s a Wrap.
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Bearded Lady Find Weird Trinkets at Vintage & Oddities
The barn red A-frame house where the Bearded Lady keeps vintage and oddities is eye-catching and has the subtle feel of a circus freak show before you even enter it.
The quirks abound, and you’ll be a hero to a niece or nephew who obsesses over such things.
However, suppose you’re looking for the perfect souvenir for a loved one who is into circus tricks, taxidermy, mortician’s makeup kits, or hardcore horror stories. In that case, Bearded Lady Vintage & Oddities is the place to go.
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Skeleton in the closet; Calling all morbid souvenir chasers
Two things you’d never imagine – a coroner’s laboratory and a gift shop. But that’s exactly what happened 19 years ago when L.A.’s county coroner uncovered the skeletons in the closet.
Located inside the Los Angeles coroner’s office, Skeleton in the Closet sells only the odd crime scene and coroner-related merchandise.
Believe it or not, the skeleton in the closet attracts visitors from all over the world. And Skeletons in the Closet certainly has a sense of humor, selling Sherlock Bones mugs, water bottles, tote bags, and T-shirts featuring a skeletal depiction of super sleuth Sherlock Holmes in his iconic hat with a pipe.
The coroner is also a foot magnet; A toe tag is attached to a foot. The closet’s best seller is the chalk outline of the body on the skeleton beach towel.
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Los Angeles County Store; beyond the ordinary baubles
If you’re looking to buy a souvenir for someone with discerning taste, the Los Angeles County Store is the perfect place. No gaudy t-shirts or flashy key chains here.
The Los Angeles County Store is a boutique offering locally sourced gourmet snacks, jewelry, tote bags, boldly designed neckties, and fine soaps and lotions.
The Los Angeles County store owners hand-pick all of the items at the establishment. They have their quirky side, Displaying cloth pouches and pencil cases with animal stitching and novelty animal pillows, such as walruses with cameras around their necks or seals carrying a bag over their shoulders.
The Los Angeles County Store is a fun place to spend the afternoon. Surely, you’ll come away with something to remind you of your Southern California adventure.
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Murillo Leather Goods; Top souvenir shop on Olvera Street
Want a unique and memorable souvenir? Then, your next stop should be Murillo Leather Goods on Olvera Street in Downtown LA.
Murillo Leather Goods opened its shop in 1971 and can be found among the many shops and stalls that fill the red-brick, tree-lined historic district.
Handcrafted leather and bohemian hippie-style goods, along with eye-catching imports from Mexico, is what Murillo Leather Goods is all about.
Leather bracelets with names engraved on them from Murillo Leather Goods are a very popular item, selling from 10 USD.
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Cosmic-lover? Reply to Griffith Observatory Emporium Gift Shop
The Griffith Observatory Emporium Gift Shop, also known as The Stellar Emporium Gift Shop, is located inside the iconic Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.
An eclectic spot, the Griffith Observatory Emporium Shop offers a wonderful display of astronomy and other space-related gifts, like constellation mugs and binoculars.
A great souvenir for an aspiring scientist is the Thames & Kosmos Scope Constructor, an optical construction kit that allows you to build microscopes, binoculars, and telescopes.
There’s a junior astronaut costume for any budding cosmic explorer. If caffeine is your rocket fuel, buy the Blast Off Espresso Cup.
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For quintessentially Asian knickknacks; Japanese Village Plaza
The beautiful cherry blossom-lined area of the Japanese Village Plaza opened in 1978 and is a great place to buy an abundance of original and wide-ranging Japanese goods.
Go souvenir hunting among wood-accented buildings inspired by an iconic yagura, a tower in old rural Japan, and architecture typically found in the Japanese countryside.
Wonderful items like imported Japanese porcelain, beautiful paper parasols and lanterns, stacks of manga comics, and comic books made in Japan are just some of the things you’ll uncover at the Japanese Village Plaza. There are also many delicious eateries to enjoy after your shopping expedition.
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Samuel French Theater and Film Bookshop
Whether it’s on the silver screen or the printed page, Samuel French Theater & Film Bookshop is sure to be there.
As the world’s leading and oldest publisher and licensor of film and theater plays, Samuel French Theater & Film Bookshop probably has that obscure David Mamet play or Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple you’re looking for.
A long-standing bookstore, the business began in 1830; Samuel French Theater & Film Bookshop is also known for its selection of film and theater-related books and periodicals, primarily dealing with plays, movie books, and movies. Based on art books.
Popular with actors, you might even catch a glimpse of a famous face as you walk down the aisles.
With heaps of material to browse through and an expert staff to guide you, uncover many fascinating treasures at the Samuel French Theater and Film Bookshop.
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For the crazy and crazy, it’s all Soap Plant/Waco
Soap Plant/Waco, known to locals simply as Wacos, is a huge offbeat shop that offers a wide array of pop-culture jewelry, novelties, home goods, and gifts.
Opening its doors in 1971, Soap Plant/Wako started as a small family-run shop. Now, Soap Plant/Waco has a colorful, cool, and, most of all, wacky that boasts a vast collection of artifacts and merchandise.
You could easily get lost exploring the corridors filled with Bettie Page shower curtains, Japanese bobbleheads, Mexican death figurines, and jalapeño string lights. How about a Hindu dashboard deity or glitter unicorn floor mats?
From the ordinary to the extraordinary; Souvenir Shopping in L.A.
We’ve all heard the expression, “My (fill in the blank) went to (fill in the blank) and all I got was this lousy T-shirt!”.
Well, they won’t complain about Los Angeles souvenirs. Sure, you’ll find standard gifts, like T-shirts or key chains, but Los Angeles makes souvenir shopping a rare pleasure with unusual keepsakes that are sure to thrill.
Don’t be surprised if you return home with a suitcase full of memories of an unforgettable L.A. adventure.
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