La Plaza, Palm Springs

Between Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon Drives, you'll find La Plaza. It was initially called Palm Springs Plaza and was designed to be an open-air plaza at the center of town with shopping and dining. When it opened in 1936, it was one of Southern California's first shopping centers with one developer. It had a three-level parking lot that could hold 141 cars. The setting is unique and beautiful–Spanish Colonial-style shops and buildings are set with the gorgeous San Jacinto Mountains in the background. It shouts, “Palm Springs.”

Many anchor stores have come and gone from La Plaza, from Bullocks to Saks, and many in between. The Plaza Theater has been the only constant anchor, and it's still there today. This historic center is now home to many internationally-known brands as well as local delights. You'll find everything you could want in a small radius.

As you walk the nearby streets, don't forget to look down for memorials making up Palm Springs' Walk of Stars. All of the surrounding streets are included in the walk of fame, so keep an eye peeled for great finds. A statue of Sonny Bono, famous singer/songwriter, television actor, and politician, sits at the corner of La Plaza and Palm Canyon Drive.