Westside Pavilion352

The Westside Pavilion attracts a lot more of the stroller set on the Westside than any other mall. It may be because of the Gymboree Play Center or because of the popular play area in the food court, or just because it is walking distance to many neighborhoods on the Westside. Either way the Westside Pavilion is one of LA's great and convenient shopping malls for families.

Stores include Disney, Gymboree, Gap Kids, Limited Too, Right Start, Brooks Shoes for Kids, Music N Me, and Pumpkin Patch, plus Macy's, and Nordstrom anchoring the main mall at each end.

Special mention goes to Barnes & Noble, which has a good children's department, to the fun and friendly Three Cheeky Monkeys toy and book shop which hosts lots of family events, and to the unique Scribble Press, where kids can 'publish' their own books on the spot. Children's Book World is only a couple of blocks away from the mall as well.

For those with strollers, there are three elevator options: one at the East End of the Mall that serves the Rooftop Parking lot, one near the west end of the mall by Nordstom, and the Nordstrom elevator in the store. For those without, the concierge desk has some to loan.

A Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in the Food Court area is a great place to meet friends and grab a latte, with the kids' play area here open during mall hours.

Unique to the mall is its Wednesday Night Kids Club in the Food Court on Level Three. Every first and third Wednesday evening of the month, from 6pm-6:45pm, parents can buy the kids dinner and then sit back and let the entertainment take over. Local entertainers, puppet shows, and craft activities are just some of what's offered. Watch out for the noise levels however; the decibels reach a very high pitch.