Prime Time on Ventura Blvd.

Like almost no other place in Southern California, the San Fernando Valley has come to symbolize mall culture. But it is also home to many quirky shops, offering everything from imported French bath products to kachina dolls, resale Prada to Hawaiian shirts. For a taste, check out the lively eight-block stretch of Ventura Boulevard between Coldwater Canyon and Laurel Canyon avenues in Studio City.

Although much of Ventura Boulevard is crammed with car dealerships and fast-food restaurants, this 1.4-mile stretch has Gap and Banana Republic stores, as well as a cluster of trendy upscale shops.

“The area has come a really long way in the past few years,� said Glenn Getman, shopping earlier this week at Lucky Brand Jeans, which opened on Ventura Boulevard last fall. Getman has lived in Studio City for 15 years.

But ample street parking, sidewalks for strolling and light traffic are now attracting shoppers from all over L.A. “It’s just easier to come over here, and you can park on the street for a quarter,� said Janey Lopaty, a stylist who travels from her home in Santa Monica to shop in Studio City. “There is no reason to drive over the hill to Fred Segal, because all the stores here carry what they have.�

Many of the clothing stores favor young looks for the beanpole-shaped set, but a couple do feature hip looks in a larger range of sizes to suit even the more mature woman.

Studio City is also popular for resale clothing, and it’s not unusual to find Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana for a fraction of its original price. On a recent swing through the area’s resale establishments, Chanel pumps were on sale for $75, a Versace skirt for $46 and a Banana Republic cocktail dress for $25.

Long a hot spot for interior decorators, the area also features several high-end furniture, home accessories and lighting stores. In 1992, the Cranberry House opened, offering antiques from more than 100 dealers under one roof. Other stores offer vintage Fiesta ware, rare coins and British antiques.

Because of its proximity to television and film studios, the neighborhood feels like Hollywood’s back lot. Just try having lunch at Jerry’s Famous Deli on a weekday afternoon and not spotting a celebrity, or a writer toiling away on a script.

But Ventura Boulevard is also family-friendly. On weekends, the streets are crowded with young parents, baby carriages and Girl Scouts selling cookies. There are several toy stores and a kids’ barbershop along the strip.

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So, rev up those shopping engines and step outside into the fresh air. Remember, Valley girls (and guys) can’t live by shopping malls alone.

THE ROUTE

Start just west of Coldwater Canyon and work your way east to Laurel Canyon. Most shops are on the south side of Ventura.

A SAMPLING OF STORES

Stacey Todd, 13025 Ventura Blvd., (818) 981-7567. This recently opened shop stocks sophisticated clothes by hard-to-find designers such as Karen Walker (a camp shirt costs $329), Katyone Adeli (pants are $130) and Rozae Nichols (a butter-colored tank top is $230 and a pointelle lace cardigan costs $345).

Marlow, 12672 Ventura Blvd., (818) 753-3260. Beautiful but expensive home accessories, including a decorative pillow trimmed with peacock feathers ($288), a heart-shaped crystal-trimmed antique mirror ($313), vintage lamps, floral patterned sofas and hand-painted dressers. There are also gift items such as a miniature wire mannequin covered with dried flowers ($165), picture frames and Illume scented candles for less than $50 each.

Indian Art Center of California, 12666 Ventura Blvd., (818) 763-3430. Thirty-five years ago, this was one of the first stores in the L.A. area to sell Native American arts and crafts. Pottery, jewelry, sculpture, dolls and rugs from more than 60 tribes across the country, Southwest print note cards ($4.95), Edward Curtis posters ($12.95), pinon incense ($4.95), Minnetonka moccasins ($35), books about native cultures and more.

Gisele Tune, 12660 Ventura Blvd., (818) 980-1196. A well-edited collection of hipster wear, from Earl Jeans pants and skirts to western belts with rhinestone buckles, one-of-a-kind vintage hand-painted sweatshirts ($168) to Gisele house label items, including suede camouflage print pants ($403).

Emerald Forest, 12638 Ventura Blvd., (818) 509-8529. Gifts for all occasions, including baby blankets made from vintage fabrics ($59), custom-made, hand-painted ceramic baby shoes ($46), serving platters carved with fruit patterns ($100 and up), Eiffel Tower-shaped candles ($24), and a window box “culinary herb garden� ($22).

The Big Easy, 12604 Ventura Blvd., (818) 762-3279. This cigar smokers’ hangout is called the “man cave� by regulars. There’s a Cuban feel to the joint, which has vintage tobacco signs and baseball jerseys on the walls, a fireplace, well-worn seats and plenty of Smoke magazines. Tobacco is sold by the ounce in flavors such as “jambalaya,� “bananas foster� and “cherries jubilee.� Also for sale: cigar and pipe accessories.

Cherie, 12526 Ventura Blvd., (818) 508-1628. This resale shop with a young sensibility carries clothes by Trina Turk, Theory, Chaiken, William B. and others in mostly small sizes (2, 4, 6 and 8) for 33% to 50% off original prices. Most of the clothes are from designers’ overstock: a Trina Turk button-down shirt with a watercolor flower print from last spring’s collection and a Poleci chiffon miniskirt cost $69 each. There are also a few used pieces, which, on a recent trip, included a Louis Vuitton logo mini-bag ($79) and Miu Miu purple platform sandals ($75).

Laura’s, 12426 Ventura Blvd., (818) 752-2835. This no-frills place stocks gently used designer duds and accessories, including formal gowns and casual separates, from Badgley Mischka, Prada, Fake London, Banana Republic and more. Open Tuesday through Saturday only, 1 to 6 p.m.

Armani Wells Men’s Resale, 12404 Ventura Blvd., (818) 985-5899. A hodgepodge of used designer clothing for men, including a collarless Giorgio Armani shirt ($25), Polo Sport, Nordstrom and Lanvin jackets for $25 each and shoes by Kenneth Cole and others.

Pottery Pavilion, 12401 Ventura Blvd., (818) 752-7200. This Fiesta ware specialty store carries more than 70 different items in a spectrum of colors. Closed Monday.

Cranberry House Antiques Center, 12318 Ventura Blvd., (818) 506-8945. This two-story 15,000-square-foot complex represents 140 antique dealers. On a recent visit, offerings included a pillow made from a 1950s hula girl fabric ($110), a Chimayo blanket ($495), 1940’s Lucite purses ($295), vintage perfume bottles, lunch boxes, clothing, quilts, linens, silver and prints.

Chinoiserie Salon, 12246 Ventura Blvd., (818) 752-4347. A funky nail salon with its own polishes. Manicures and pedicures are $15 each.

Leslie, 12262 Ventura Blvd., (818) 753-9909. “I have a hip customer who is a little older,� says 53-year-old Leslie Bayard, owner of this boutique, which carries casual separates with Asian, Southwestern and Hawaiian motifs. A beaded Hawaiian print skirt is $142, Asian print capri pants $134 and tropical print shirts about $70. Other offerings include linen separates from Flax by Jeanne Egelhart, Huichol beaded bracelets, Brighton leather accessories and sunglasses.

Dungarees, 12230 Ventura Blvd., (818) 508-5326. Play clothes. Earl Jeans (starting at $150) and vintage T-shirts for woman, Edwin jeans (about $100), James Perse sweaters ($56) and Blue Line tie-dyed button-down shirts ($114) for guys.

Made on Earth, 12188 Ventura Blvd., (818) 761-4545. Graphic artist Jay Vigon has created logos for clients such as Swatch, Lucas Films and Gotcha Sportswear. He recently opened this shop to sell art, apparel and gifts emblazoned with his unique images, including angels, devils, monkeys and crying babies: T-shirts ($22), bowling shirts ($100) for adults and children, vinyl pillows and totes ($100 each), tumblers ($8.50 each), and trays ($24.50 each).

Dari, 12184 Ventura Blvd., (818) 762-3274. William Shatner’s daughter Melanie owns this outpost for hip designers. An Isabella Fiore camouflage print purse with beaded flowers is $297, a Laura Urbinati cotton skirt with a whimsical purple shark print is $129, Antoni and Alison T-shirts are $60 and up, and Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dresses are $298.

Hydrangea, 12182 Ventura Blvd., (818) 506-8422. Wendie Deal, the French owner of this shop, direct imports products from France, including reasonably priced children’s clothing from Comme Vents et Marees (cotton T-shirts range from $11 to $20) and jelly shoes for girls ($9.50). Also for sale, friendship glasses inscribed with “Souvenir de la Fete� ($8.75), Everwood totes and travel bags from Paris ($80 to $225) and bath products for men and women from Acca Kappa, Co^te Bastille, Blanc D’Ivoire, Catherine Memmi and more.

M. Fredric, 12124 and 12128 Ventura Blvd., (818) 985-4404. Two adjoining active-wear stores, one for children and one for adults. For kids: a pink camouflage print skirt ($43), jersey knit pants with an Asian lantern print ($26), clear plastic babies bibs with superhero plastic figurines sewn inside ($16), and Hawaiian flower print flip-flops ($10). For adults, juicy-colored Hard Tail sweatshirts and pants, $30 to $60, Lucky brand shorts and jeans, $50 to $80 and Aloha print capri pants and shirts.

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The Scoop

Where: Studio City. Ventura Boulevard between Laurel Canyon and Coldwater Canyon avenues. Take the 101 freeway, get off at either exit and head south.

Hours: Most stores are open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Parking: There is two-hour metered street parking on Ventura Boulevard and some side streets. Some shops have parking lots.

ATMs: Bank of America, 12223 Ventura Blvd.; Washington Mutual, 12051 Ventura Blvd.

Where to grab a bite: See E3.

Where to Grab a Bite

Belwood Bakery, 12634 Ventura Blvd., (818) 755-8853. A snack stop for cappuccino, espresso, fresh banana and pumpkin muffins, pastries and sandwiches served on freshly homemade breads. Most items on the menu cost less than $5.

Bistro Garden at Coldwater, 12950 Ventura Blvd., (818) 501-0202. Veal chops, fresh fish, grilled vegetable salads and chocolate souffle in a charming garden setting. Pricey with most entrees even for lunch beginning at $14. Lunch served Monday through Friday only. Dinner nightly.

Good Earth, 12345 Ventura Blvd., (818) 506-7400. Healthy salads and sandwiches, homemade breads and muffins, and egg white omelets with turkey sausage. Lots of choices for vegans and vegetarians. Most dishes less than $10.

La Pizzeria Cafe, 12616 Ventura Blvd., (818) 762-7565. New York style pizza by the slice ($2.75) or the pie (starting at $10.95). Italian subs and salads for less than $10.

Mexicali, 12161 Ventura Blvd., (818) 985-1744. Fajitas, tacos, burritos, soups, sandwiches and salads with a Mexican flavor, plus killer margaritas. Most dishes, $7 to $12.

Mezzamondo, 12415 Ventura Blvd., (818) 508-1301. This trattoria with cute tables out front serves typical Italian fare: pastas, pizzas and salads. Entrees around $10.

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The Ventura strip between Laurel Canyon and Coldwater Canyon avenues also has outposts of popular chains such as Jerry’s Famous Deli, Chin Chin, California Pizza Kitchen, Louise’s Trattoria, Gaucho Grill, Jamba Juice, Peet’s Coffee and Koo Koo Roo.