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Los Angeles souvenirs: The best gifts to bring home from LA
Discover the best Los Angeles souvenirs to buy, including viral Trader Joe's tote bags to See's Candies, with expert tips from an LA local.
The best Los Angeles souvenirs to bring home include the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame memorabilia, classic See’s Candies, Brandy Melville Malibu tees, and Trader Joe’s pastel tote bags.
Finding the right souvenir to remember your trip can be overwhelming, given the many distinct neighborhoods. To help you choose, we asked Jihea Chang, a local Holafly expert who lived in LA during her undergraduate years and knows the city like the back of her hand.
This local guide covers the coolest items the City of Angels has to offer. Buy the most unique Los Angeles souvenirs with Holafly’s trusted eSIM for the USA.
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Must-have Los Angeles souvenirs
Want instantly recognizable souvenirs from Los Angeles? These classic LA souvenirs are the perfect place to start. Although Jihea warns these places are slight “tourist traps”, she admits it can’t get more LA than this.
- Hollywood Walk of Fame memorabilia: You can get a custom replica star at street vendors and gift shops near the famous walk. Customize them with your name or any loved one’s name for a fun, Hollywood-themed gift.
- Hollywood signs and magnets: Refrigerator magnets and mini statues are overrated souvenirs, but it won’t hurt to add the iconic Hollywood sign to your collection. They’re affordable, lightweight, and perfect to grab for a large group.
- UCLA/USC campus merchandise: Jihea recommends high-quality gear from these vast university campuses. You can find cozy hoodies and jackets that feature the classic California college style.
- Getty Center Museum shop items: Jihea highly recommends stopping by this world-class site, which is completely free and one of the top places to visit in Los Angeles. You can find postcards, tote bags, and exclusive art books you can’t buy anywhere else.
Food and drink souvenirs from Los Angeles
You can find some of the best food in Los Angeles, and naturally, the best food and drink souvenirs.
- See’s Candies: This famous California chocolatier is Jihea’s top pick for sweets. They are a bit pricey, but if you’re looking for high-quality sweets that stay fresh during long flights, their boxes of gourmet chocolate and peanut brittle are excellent choices.
- Fugetsu-Do mocha from Little Tokyo: Located in Downtown Los Angeles, this historic bakery has been crafting fresh Japanese pastries for decades. Their mochi, in particular, is a local treat and makes a great souvenir.
- Trader Joe’s snacks and spices: Grocery shopping in LA is an experience with stores like Trader Joe’s and Erewhon. Trader Joe’s offers cheap yet exclusive gift ideas; Jihea recommends their famous Everything Bagel seasoning, Korean BBQ spice, chili lime sauce, onion sauce, and cheese Sauce.
- Tajin sauce: This chili-lime seasoning’s influence is found throughout the city. You’ll find locals sprinkling it on everything from fresh fruits to snacks. It’s a great piece of authentic flavor to take home.
- Coffee blends from Target: Target aisles are usually filled with US-exclusive ground coffee blends from brands like Starbucks, Dunkin’, and Intergalactic Coffee. Jihea recommends picking up one of these for a practical everyday gift.
- In-N-Out Burger Blanket: This is exactly what the name suggests: a novelty throw decorated with iconic In-N-Out burgers, fries, and shakes. It might seem like a very niche item, but it makes a perfect gift for In-N-Out enthusiasts.
Lifestyle and beauty gifts from Los Angeles
West Hollywood and surrounding cities are often the focal point for global wellness trends. You can bring home a piece of this in the following Los Angeles souvenirs:
- Trader Joe’s pastel tote bags: You’ll find these bags in destinations where Trader Joe’s doesn’t even exist. This is a sign to get these viral, colorful canvas bags as one of your Los Angeles souvenirs. Jihea especially recommends them as they’re affordable and very trendy.
- Erewhon cups and branded merchandise: This is the birthplace of the famous Hailey Bieber x Erewhon smoothie. This upscale, organic grocery store is also a hotspot for celebrities. Here, you can find branded thermal cups and lifestyle items to take home.
- LA-based skincare and beauty brands: Brands like Glossier, Rare Beauty, and Rhode have stores worldwide, but their LA locations offer exclusive makeup and accessories. For example, visit the flagship Glossier shop on Melrose Avenue for exclusive Glossier merchandise, including specialty drinks, keychains, cups, and more.
- Brandy Melville Malibu tee-shirts: If you’re shopping at The Grove, Jihea recommends stopping by this popular storefront. They sell trendy, locally inspired t-shirts and hoodies that feature popular places in LA, like Venice Beach.
Handmade and local Los Angeles souvenirs
For more niche souvenirs and gifts, LA has a wide community of independent artists and creators.
- Local farmers markets: Jihea recommends heading to the weekly markets in Westwood, Brentwood, or Pacific Palisades. The Pacific Palisades, in particular, is famous for its mix of local craft vendors and is very enjoyable in sunny weather.
- Abbot Kinney independent shops: These independent boutiques are located right near Venice Beach. It’s a fantastic place to discover unique clothing, local art, and high-end lifestyle gifts.
- Melrose vintage shops: Check out the thrift and vintage shops along Melrose Avenue for special finds. You can find everything from retro band t-shirts to designer items and jewelry.
- Local candle and jewelry makers: Keep an eye out for pop-up markets across the city with daintily designed handmade goods. These usually include customized soy candles, hand-poured autumn pumpkin spice scents (a very popular scent in the USA), and beaded bracelets.
Where to buy souvenirs in Los Angeles
Knowing where to buy the best souvenirs will help you save time and energy, and ensure you get top-quality gifts.
- Universal Studios Hollywood gift shops: Perfect for picking up movie merchandise, theme park souvenirs, and Hollywood tokens in one place.
- Santa Monica Pier souvenir shops: While parts of the beach track can feel really touristy and crowded, the pier still has classic shops selling California-themed beach towels, keychains, and glassware.
- The Grove: An outdoor shopping complex where you can find major California brands, beauty flagship stores, and trendy clothes.
- Campus stores (UCLA, USC): The best place to buy authentic college wear and sports wear.
Bring a piece of LA home with Holafly’s eSIM for the USA
Going on a souvenir shopping spree in a huge city like LA requires reliable mobile connectivity, especially if you plan to use the Los Angeles public transport system. Holafly’s eSIM for the USA allows you to connect to the best local networks in America as soon as you land.
Get unlimited data, 5G speeds, and 24/7 customer support without dealing with physical SIM cards or expensive roaming fees. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone.
What’s more, you also get 1 GB of monthly backup data with Always On. Keep your Holafly eSIM installed on your device to get 1 GB of data per month at no extra cost.
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Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!
