You Can Shop Anywhere in L.A., but You Can Only Get This Experience at The Grove

If you're looking for a little bit of holiday magic this season and you're in the LA area, you need to head on over to The Grove. The Grove is a large outdoor mall in Los Angeles right next to the Farmer's Market, in between The Grove Drive and Fairfax Avenue . With a plethora of fine shopping such as Anthropolgie,Michael Stars, Coach, Crate & Barrel , Victoria Secret and more, The Grove has something for everyone on your shopping list. One of the largest attractions is The American Girl Place and cafe, a large 2-story building that has a cafe, doll hospital, doll beauty salon, and doll picture studio as well as the shop and a museum, type area where you can view all the historical American dolls and their accessories.Dining at The Grove is also spectacular with the delectable Cheesecake Factory, sophisticated Italian food at La Piazza and good family fun at Maggiano's Little Italy, the impressive Morels French Steakhouse as well as many more.

But as I said before, you can shop anywhere.You can eat anywhere. But if what you want this holiday season is a fun, festive holiday night out, The Grove is the place for you. If Santa is who you and you're children need to see, you can easily find him in the middle of the enclosed street at Santa's Candy House. A red, candy decorated is the home to Santa right outside of the Nikewoman Store.The lines were long, but they appeared to move well. I didn't notice any extremely disgruntled people in line which is always a good sign. The dancing fountain ( a mini version a long the same lines as the Bellagio, Las Vegas one) was tuned up for old Christmas favorites such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Winter Wonderland. It didn't fail to delight the crowd, most of which stopped to watch and some of which actually joined in on the singing!

Of course the crowning glory of any Christmas extravaganza is the tree and this one does not disappoint. The large, along the same lines as the Rockefeller Center tree in New York, tree held court in the middle of the quad and can be viewed from every area on the streets of The Grove. Large, glittering red and gold ornaments (many bigger than my head!)� hung from the branches. Families and friends posed in front of the tree, with it's drum-like tree stand, for photo opportunities and to breathe in the sweet Christmas tree scent that this East Coaster loves.�

If you aren't in love with The Grove by now, and you haven't soaked up enough of the holiday experience with the lights, the crowds, the music...etc. Then what happens at 7 pm and 8 pm every night is really going to reel you in. Relatively promptly, give or take a few minutes, it snows. Yes, it SNOWS on the streets of The Grove in LA!!!! High atop the buildings are blowers and foam machines that create a rather impressive looking snow flurry. Foam/Suds are not the same as real snow but you can easily trick yourself into thinking it's the real thing when you're looking up at it. Of course, you can't catch the snowflakes on your tongue, or build a snowman out of it, but I definitely give them an A for the flurry effect.

All in all, this was a wonderful experience and really made me, an East Coast girl trapped on the West Coast during most of the holiday season, feel a little more at home.

Hours: Mon- Thurs : 10am- 9 pm
Fri-Sat.:10am-10 pm
Sunday: 11 am-8 pm

Holiday Events:Santa: open during Grove hours
Christmas Carolers: Fri: 6 pm -9 pm Sat & Sun: 3 pm- 6 pm
Snow!!: every night at 7 pm and 8 pm