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Shopping Heaven From outlet bargains behind the walls of an Assyrian palace to a watery arrival at a bayside mall, California shopping always surprises BY LENORE GREINER The Golden State's iconic malls, bohemian shops and posh boutiques can astound even the most jaded sophisticate. An enticing range of California's eclectic cre- ativity awaits visitors throughout the state, from theme park collectibles to home- grown surfing gear to fine wine. Foodies can sample fresh-made cheeses in arti- sanal food shops. Fashionistas will love San Francisco's luxurious haute couture haunts. And art lovers can bring home an original California landscape from a red- wood-scented artists' enclave. California shopping safaris may entail sighting a celebrity in a Los Angeles bou- tique, arriving at a mall by boat or hunting bargains behind the walls of a recreated Mesopotamian palace. And super shop- ping opportunities entice savvy shoppers in millions of square feet of retail space. SoCal Glamour Malls sprawl throughout Los Angeles, crowned by Rodeo Drive's stratospheric price tags. But you'll find significant bar- gains in rings, necklaces and other pieces in the historic Jewelry District at prices up to 70 percent less than those in Beverly Hills. More than 3,000 jewelry showrooms stand on 6 th and 8 th streets between Olive Street and Broadway Avenue. Behind a facade of bas-reliefs of Babylonian princes and SHOPPING MALLS Fashion Valley in San Diego, above, is an outdoor shopping center with some 200 shops and restaurants and an 18-screen movie theater. Top department stores include Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy's and Bloomingdale's. Other popular malls are the Irvine Spectrum Center in Orange County, Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade and the Westfield San Francisco Centre in, naturally, San Francisco.. SIMON MALLS. OPPOSITE: MARINA DEL REY CVB; LONG BEACH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 64 2 0 1 5 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A CA.SHOPPING