No visit to LA would be complete without a stroll down the most iconic drive in the city, Rodeo Drive in the heart of Beverly Hills, California. A shopper's mecca, this shopping district is famous for designer label and haute couture fashion. The name generally refers to a three-block long stretch of boutiques and shops. It's namesake is attribute to the Tongva ("Gabrieleño") people who lived in the area in the 17th century and considered the area to be a holy site because of its precious commodity, water, and the abundant food supply. Their name for the site, "the Gathering of the Waters", translates to Spanish as "El Rodeo de las Aguas".
In 1906, Burton E. Green and other investors purchased the property with plans for a mixed-use subdivision. With a nod to the region's heritage, they named their company the Rodeo Land and Water Company and the development's main street Rodeo Drive. However, the main force to Beverly Hills as the exclusive shopping area it is today was the star stud boutique, Giorgios. The shopping district as presently constituted developed in the 1970s. The business district, which extends from Wilshire Boulevard to Santa Monica Boulevard, is at once an exclusive shopping district, but also a major tourist attraction. The "Rodeo Drive" business district also includes those businesses on the streets that lie for a few blocks in either direction.
Some of the more famous retailers include Giorgio Armani, Bang & Olufsen, Bally, Bottega Veneta, Bijan, Brioni, Bulgari, Buccellati, Burberry, Brooks Brothers, Cartier, Chanel, CHANEL fine jewelry, Christian Dior, Coach, David Orgell, David Yurman, DeBeers, Dior Homme, Dolce & Gabbana, Domenico Vacca, Ermenegildo Zegna, Escada, Etro, Fendi, Frette, Gucci, Gucci jewelry, Guess, Harry Winston, Hermès, Hugo Boss, Jimmy Choo, Judith Ripka, Juicy Couture, Lacoste, Lana Marks, La Perla, Louis Vuitton, Max Azria, Max Mara, Michael Kors, Miu Miu, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Tiffany & Co., Tod's, Valentino, Van Cleef & Arpels, Versace, Westime ,Yves Saint-Laurent, Omega Watches.
Today. few can afford to Shop in this magnificent mile, but all can go window-shopping along the $200-million ersatz European cobbled walkway known as Two Rodeo, browsing tourists mingle with serious spenders. A hop away is Anderson Court, which is the only shopping mall designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
http://rodeodrive-shop.com/info/Rodeo_Drive_History.html 332 North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, CA 90210