Holiday shopping on Rodeo Drive

Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, is the shopping Eldorado for every jet setter and other luxury seeker. Internationally renown thanks in part to success of Pretty Woman, the most exclusive shopping district houses all the haute couture and joallerie labels. It will come as no surprise that for the holiday season, Rodeo Drive knows how to dress itself with great style making any journey there an enjoyable experience, regardless of your wallet size. If you do not have the chance to be in Beverly Hills for the Holidays, the following pictures will hopefully translate the current Rodeo Drive’s vibe.

Joyful Penguins are welcoming you on Via Rodeo

Rodeo Drive dressed in luxurious silver and red for the holidays. (Diamonds, pearls and white gold brooch from
Chanel High Jewelry Collection)

The history of Rodeo Drive is quite interesting. Well before becoming a luxury shopping sanctuary, the area was inhabited by Native American people who considered the site holy because of its precious commodity, water, and the abundant food supply it provided. They named the site “The Gathering of the Waters” which was translated later as “El Rodeo de las Aguas”, back in the time (1769) when California was part of Mexico. In 1906, a group of investors bought the land with plans for mixed-use subdivision. They named the company the Rodeo Land & Water Company and the development main street: Rodeo Drive. The shopping area as we know it today was developed in the 1970’s.

Despite the current economic and real estate slump, Rodeo Drive seems to remain above the general chaos. In August 2009, a group of Hong Kong investors bought a three-story building for $28 million ($2,471 per square foot), one of the highest per-square-foot for commercial real estate paid since the recession began. This transaction really proves that over the years, Rodeo Drive has developed an aura that is still attracting many high-profile retailers, even if their high-rents may sometimes make them unable to turn a profit at that location. This real estate microcosm is quite unusual in a time where many storefronts on Madison Avenue, New York’s elite shopping address, are vacant. Image is everything.

Valentino boutique on Rodeo Drive


Van Cleef & Arpels boutique on Rodeo Drive


Rodeo Collection, adjacent to Rodeo Drive


Rodeo Collection, adjacent to Rodeo Drive

Image is definitely very important in Rodeo Drive. Like a Monte Carlo in a smaller version, the three-block long stretch of boutiques always displays an astonishing number of luxurious cars, an indissociable component of the Rodeo Drive’s experience. During the holidays, boutiques and streets are undergoing a stunning transformation. Each boutique rivals in creative genius to craft unique window displays, and the end result is consistently exciting to watch.

Ferrari F430 Spider parked on Rodeo Drive


Chanel boutique on Rodeo Drive


Yellow and silver Ghost Rolls Royce parked on Rodeo Drive


Holiday decor on Rodeo Drive


Maybach on Rodeo Drive

If you have the opportunity to visit Rodeo Drive, a must stop is the elegant Beverly Wilshire, a Four Season hotel. Conveniently located at the foot of Rodeo Drive, the historic hotel offers many great dining options that are always a propos after an intense day of shopping or “window shopping”. The Blvd is the hotel’s stylish lounge that offers a simple but tasteful menu as well as an impressive wine list. The Blvd Lounge also the perfect spot to sip a glass of champagne while enjoying live jazz on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Lunch at The Blvd Lounge (Beverly Wilshire)


Soup and Salad (The Blvd Lounge at Beverly Wilshire)

For more information

The Blvd Lounge
Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 am - 1:00 am
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 am - 2:00 am
Website 

Rodeo Drive
Website 

Interactive map

Check out our interactive map of Southern California to see where I took all the pictures featured in this article.