Walt Disney Concert Hall Gift Shop
Okay, books are cool — but only if you’re getting them for a book lover. If this is the case, there’s perhaps no better place to pick up art books than the Getty Center’s Museum Bookstore. Antiquities, architecture, education, humanities…whatever subject, the Getty Center features classic collections for both academia and coffee tables. That’s not to say books are the only things you can get. Posters, Murano glass pens, boxed stationary sets and calligraphy sets are top picks also, not to mention Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci and Marie Antoinette action figures.Our Gift Pick: Maria Frederike doll, $10
This is the place to go for all the cool gifts from Japan that are hard to find elsewhere. Robot kits, out-of-this-world stationary, Kokeshi charm bracelets, Japanese finger puppets and much more fill the Japanese American National Museum's gift shop. All proceeds go toward the museum’s programming.Our Gift Pick: Piperoid Robot Kits Kibatora, $14.95
What we like about LACMA’s gift shop is its variety. Stationary, jewelry and posters come standard at museum gift shops, but LACMA puts on finishing touches with vintage bags and über-modern, highly design-centric everyday items. If you visit during a particular exhibition, there’s also likely to be a nice selection of related gifts that will help you remember the experience.Our Gift Pick: Urban Light Umbrella designed by artist Christ Burden, $48
Frank Gehry’s LA icon, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, has become one of the city’s most memorable destinations. Forget the keychain gift and pick up something that pops. Visitors can find Frank Gehry notecards and WDCH miniature models, as well as CDs from acclaimed conductors Elsa Pekka-Salanon and Gustavo Dudamel. A special kids section also offers the gift of music to the youngsters.Our Gift Pick: WDCH Limited Edition Halycon Box, designed by artist Dana Torrey, $100
With all its cool exhibitions, you’d expect a museum like the Craft and Folk Art Museum to win some recognition as one of the best gift shops in the city (it did, by the way, win a Los Angeles Magazine "Best of LA" mention in 2006). The selection here is about as unique as you can get, featuring Matjames Matchboxes, original Mithila paintings, greeting cards and a number of fun arts and crafts specific to the museum (take as an example “Assemblages from Los Angeles,” mini-collections of LA-centric items).Our Gift Pick: Mithila Painting Silk Cushion Covers, $35
Skirball Cultural Center defines the new era of museum gift shops, particularly because of its cool kids focus. Where else can you get a Superman bobblehead, cape, cookie jar and lunchbox, not to mention all the other cool sets for Batman and Wonder Woman. Jewish toys and items specific to the center’s Noah’s Ark exhibit are major hits as well.Our Gift Pick: Bob Dylan Street Banner, $90-$100
