American Girl Store

It's every little girl's dream come true — a visit to the American Girl Store in Los Angeles.

Located in The Grove shopping center, at the corner of La Cienega and Santa Monica Boulevards, the American Girl Place Los Angeles offers a magical experience for its pint-sized guests.

Little girls will be delighted as they enter the two-story Beverly Hills emporium, where they'll find the entire library of American Girl books, American Girl movies, and the oh-so-popular American Girl dolls.

If you want to make a weekend of it, several Los Angeles hotels offer special American Girl hotel packages that include a bed for your doll! Participating hotels including the Beverly Hilton, Peninsula Beverly Hills, London West Hollywood, Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Wilshire, Le Parc Suites and The Orlando.

Plan to spend a whole day at the American Girl store in LA, as there's plenty to do. In fact, you might even need this American Girl Place Map to get around!

In the Doll Hair Salon, your American Girl doll can receive a new hairstyle, or have her frazzled locks tidied up. Dolls in need of special treatment can check in to the Doll Hospital for an extended stay.

In the American Girl Photo Studio, your little girl can get her picture on a souvenir copy of American Girl magazine. Each portrait costs between $23-$35.

Shop Til You Drop

From the moment your little girl arrives, she'll be mesmerized by the sheer mass of American Girl dolls, furniture and accessories throughout the store.

In the Just Like You Boutique, located on the first level, you'll find dolls with every type of hair color, eye color and style — designed to match your little girl's unique style. These 18-inch dolls have become a huge hit with the tween set, who can even buy kid-sized pajamas, dresses and outfits to match their dolls. American Girl Just Like You dolls are priced at $95 for the doll and book, or $110 for the doll, book and accessories. If you want to add a doll ear piercing, add another $14.

The American Girl Place Doll Hospital is the place to take dolls with broken parts. The typical stay is about 2 weeks. Photo © 2010 Veronica Hill.

Upstairs, you'll find the Bitty Baby Nursery, featuring the 15-inch baby dolls, books and accessories. Bitty Baby prices begin at $45 for the doll and book, or $115 for the doll and starter collection.

At the Character Boutique, you can glimpse into the past with historical displays about Kaya, Felicity, Josefina, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha, Kit and Molly. And if your little girl needs new accessories, such as Kaya's Teepee, or Kit's Tree House, this is where you'll find it. We personally love the Camper and Gear (a whopping $295!) for 2010 American Girl of the Year, Lanie Holland.

When you buy American Girl dolls, you have your choice of the doll and book ($95); doll, book and accessories ($114); or the doll and boxed set ($118). Each American Girl book focuses on a strong character, offering inspiration and fine examples for young girls.

While you're here, be sure to scoop up the highly collectible American Girl Doll of the Year. After Dec. 31, each doll is retired for good. Who will be the American Girl Doll of the Year 2011? We can't wait to find out!

American Girl Cafe

If you're hungry, there's no need to venture outside. The American Girl Cafe serves up to 160 guests in its dining room or outdoor terrace.

Girls can set their dolls in a special "Treat Seat" while enjoy an American Girl restaurant menu of pink lemonade, Tic-Tac-Toe Pizza, Baked Chicken Tenders or American Girl Pasta.

For grown-ups, sample lunch items include Grilled Chicken Sandwiches topped with pears and melted brie; or a Lemon Pepper Tilapia for dinner, topped with creamy caper sauce. Every meal begins with a warm cinnamon roll and ends with Molly’s Victory Garden Chocolate-Mousse Flowerpot topped with a seasonal sugar cookie.

The Afternoon Tea menu boasts sweet and savory treats named for historical American Girl dolls. They include Kaya’s Blueberry-Lemon Scones served with fruit preserves and Devonshire cream; or Kit’s Garden Party Sandwiches, stuffed with vegetable cream cheese and cucumber.

The American Girl Cafe is open for brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner. Prices are $22 for lunch (11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.), $20 for afternoon tea (4 p.m.) and $24 for dinner (5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) View American Girl Cafe Menu. Reservations are accepted at 877-247-5223.

In the American Girl Hair Salon, your doll can choose from dozens of new hairstyles. Photo © 2010 Veronica Hill.

American Girl Birthday Parties

For an American Girl birthday party, there are three different celebrations to choose from.

• The 60-minute Cafe Birthday Celebration, geared toward girls ages 3 and up, includes lunch, cake and ice cream at the American Girl Cafe, complete with a doll tiara and goody bag. Cost is $32 per person.
• The Deluxe Birthday Celebration, for girls ages 8 and up, includes invitations with matching thank-you notes, game and craft, full lunch or dinner in a private dining room, cake and ice cream, keepsake gift, goody bag and doll tiara for each guest. Cost is $50 per person for up to 10 guests.
• The Themed Birthday Party includes your choice of Doll Spa Party, Doll Fashion Designer Party and Doll Beach Party (for ages 8 and up) and the Friendship Fun Party, for children ages 5 and up. Each 2-hour themed party, which runs $65 per person (8-person minimum), includes appetizers, drinks, entrees and dessert, in addition to organized games, crafts, group photos for each participant, commemorative party plate and party favors. The birthday girl will also receive special invitations and thank you cards. Additional guests are $35, with a 14-guest maximum.

American Girl Special Events

Before visiting the American Girl Place, be sure to check ahead for special events on the day of your visit. Some American Girl Store events have included "Date with Dad" days, '70s Style Cooking Classes featuring American Girl Julie Albright; Stylist's Secrets from the Doll Hair Salon, and much more. Click here for the latest American Girl Store event information.

For the ultimate experience, the "Day at American Girl Place" value package, at $250, includes a meal for one adult and one child, a photo studio sitting, one session in the doll hair salon, a girl and doll-sized souvenir T-shirt, and $130 in spending money. Each additional child is $230.

IF YOU GO
Where: American Girl Place Los Angeles is located at 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Reservations: To order show tickets or make a lunch reservation, call 877-247-5223 or visit the store's Web site.