Santee Alley
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: (213) 488-1153
- Cross Street:
- Santee Street, Maple Avenue, Olympic Boulevard and 12th Street
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 10am-5pm
Editorial Review for Santee Alley – by Jackie Potts
The Scene
The Alley is a hot spot for bargain hunters, encompassing rows of makeshift tables and warehouse spaces stocking shoes, women's and children's formal and casualwear, sports jerseys and caps, designer denims, disposable clubwear, and the most coveted booty of all: phony Kate Spade, Gucci and Prada handbags. Look for Italian menswear along Los Angeles Street between 7th and 9th streets.
The Goods
Located in the bosom of the downtown wholesale garment district, this narrow, four-block section isn't for the claustrophobic. Live baby turtles in terrariums are crammed next to Adidas sweat suits, portable stereos and rows of fake designer sunglasses and handbags.
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Insider Tips
When to GoGet there early. By 11am on Saturdays, the alley is mobbed with families and becomes impossible to navigate.
The ExtrasFor fantastic deals on roses, tulips, lilies and more, try the nearby Southern California Flower Market.
Know Before You GoMany vendors don't have dressing rooms. Wear loose clothing so you can try on merchandise easily.
Look GoodVisit www.fashiondistrict.org for more information.
User Reviews for Santee Alley
11/30/2007 Posted by lifeserial
Santee Alley is a little escape from the norm in Los Angeles. It's not relaxing by any means, but it is a great place to feel like you're in another world. Cheap, discounted stuff that you'd pay a whole lot more for some place else--you can find it in Santee Alley. But it's not just good for designer knock-offs, it's also a great cultural experience. Next time you have a couple free hours free, I recommend you check it out. My pal got sweet retro sunglasses and a few hats. I got a bracelet and a bamboo plant. It's kinda bizarre all of the stuff you can find there, from CDs and DVDs to underwear and puffy jackets. Go early-ish, before the alley gets clogged with strollers, and it's definitely worth a look.
Pros: Culture
Cons: Crowded
01/05/2007 Posted by tyneshad
In the name of fashion, I salute Santee Alley for providing a means by which fashionistas on a budget (such as myself) can afford to be creative and stuff their closets with a variety of styles and fabrics. If you're not chained to designer labels, this is a great place to find cheap clothes to take home and turn into something totally fabulous. It definitely gets crowded quick on weekends, so get there early and be prepared to throw those elbows a bit. I guarantee you won't be the only person trying to match a certain pair of earrings (that you conveniently left at home) with a certain type of shoe (that someone else is currently holding in their hand) to complement a particular dress (which you spotted in a store three blocks back). If you're a marathon shopper like me, you'll spend HOURS just enjoying the treasure hunt that is the essence of shopping.
Pros: Lots of gems to be found amongst the chaos and rubble
Cons: The afforementioned chaos and rubble
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