The second annual Chinatown Holiday Shopping Trip is happening this Saturday, December 6. This is the perfect opportunity to get started on your holiday shopping list!

Chinatown is one of L.A.’s best kept secrets when it comes to shopping for all manner of new age accoutrement. On this all-day expedition, I’ll show you my favorite Chinatown stores and vendors for crystals, beads, tarot bags, incense, and other paraphernalia for the metaphysically-minded. Chinatown is also an excellent place to buy sun hats, bulk loose-leaf tea, “pashmina” scarves, socks and replacement watch batteries on the cheap. Bring your cash and haggling skills, and “treat yo self” to a day of good company and crass materialism.

If you plan to join us, please RSVP on Facebook (link embedded) so I can get a headcount for the dim sum reservation.

Meeting Point
We will meet outside the front entrance of the North Hollywood Red Line Station at 9 am. This is the above ground entrance at the top of the Metro staircase, opposite Panera Bakery, at the corner of Lankershim Blvd. and Chandler Blvd. The NoHo Red Line station is located on the east side of Lankershim Blvd, not to be confused with the Orange Line station on the west side of Lankershim Blvd.(which is currently closed).

Round-trip Metro fare from North Hollywood to Chinatown and back is $7 (there is one transfer from the Red Line to the Gold Line). I suggest purchasing an all-day TAP pass for $7, especially if you will be taking the Orange Line to the Red Line.

The cat in the below photo shows our meeting point – on the east side of the North Hollywood Red Line arches.

Some of you will be meeting us at 10:30 am at Ocean Seafood (link to Yelp page embedded), where we begin the day with a dim sum feast. There is a private parking lot (see circled area in below image) located adjacent to the restaurant on N. Broadway. Chinatown parking on a Saturday ranges between $10 – $20, depending on the time of day and location.

What to Bring
Cash, comfy shoes, sun hat, sunscreen, zippered handbag or travel wallet (to deter pick pockets)

Getting Home
You are welcome to leave at any point during the day if you are comfortable making your way home alone. The group will leave Chinatown after dinner, probably around 7:30pm.

Itinerary
9:00 am Depart from North Hollywood Red Line Station
10:00 am Arrive at Chinatown Gold Line Station
10:30 am – 12:00 pm Dim sum breakfast at Ocean Seafood
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm New age shopping tour of Chinatown
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Dinner & relax
7:30 pm Depart from Chinatown Gold Line Station
8:30 pm Arrive North Hollywood Red Line Station

Please send an email to latarotfanatics@gmail.com, or message me via Facebook, if you have any questions.

Hope to see you this Saturday!