Rodeo Drive is only three blocks long. It begins at Wilshire Boulevard on the south, and runs north to Santa Monica Boulevard. But those three short blocks constitute the most famous shopping district in America, and probably the most expensive three blocks of shops in the world.

The most celebrated clothing designers in the world have boutiques here: Armani, Gucci, Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Valentino... The jewelry stores boast names like Cartier and Tiffany. Other nearby stores include I. Magnin, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Yves Saint Laurent, & Pierre Deux.

It is here that the rich & famous do their shopping, and where tourists window-shop while trying to spot movie stars on the street.

Rodeo Drive is home to the single most expensive store in the world: Bijan (at 420 Rodeo Drive). You must make an appointment in advance just to shop at Bijan. On a typical visit, Bijan's average customer spends in the neighborhood of $100,000 on men's fashions, which range from a $50 pair of socks to $15,000 suits.

Located at the northeast corner of Wilshire & Rodeo, the "Two Rodeo" center creates the illusion of two small, parallel streets, cleverly designed so that they both appear to be at ground level. Built at a cost of over $200 million, Two Rodeo attempts to re-create a romantic version of an old European avenue.

The short, curving street is paved with Old World cobblestones, and features two & three story facades, with a unique blend of classic architectural styles.

There are romantic archways, bubbling fountains, an Italianate piazza, and charming balconies. The street is lined with black, wrought-iron street lamps and polished brass fixtures; ornate planters are filled with colorful flowers & trees.

Essentially a small outdoor mall, "Two Rodeo" manages to create the illusion of freestanding storefronts, variously faced with brick, stone and marble. There is a sidewalk café, two pricey restaurants, and tenants such as Tiffany, Cartier, Charles Jourdan, Valentino, Christian Dior, and Jose Eber.

The center even offers free, two-hour valet parking in its posh underground garage. And it is here now that most tourists pose for the pictures of Rodeo Drive that they will take home to show their friends.

Byond "Two Rodeo," most of fabled Rodeo Drive is surprisingly humble in appearance. Trees line both sides of the avenue, as well as the center divider (which is always planted with colorful flowers, rotated to match the current season). Most of the small shops do not appear extraordinary - at least not from the outside; inside, though, many of the shops are opulent.

Getting there: The famed Rodeo Drive shopping district lies to the north of Wilshire Boulevard, and to the south of Santa Monica Boulevard, in the heart of Beverly Hills.  Take the San Diego (405) Freeway to the Wilshire Boulevard exit. Go east on Wilshire (about three miles) to Beverly Hills, turn left (north) at Rodeo Drive (just a few streets past Santa Monica Boulevard).

Alternatively, from Hollywood & Vine: go south two blocks on Vine Street to Sunset Boulevard. Turn right (west) on Sunset. Follow Sunset Boulevard (west) about five and a half miles, into Beverly Hills. Turn left (south) onto Rodeo Drive (just after you pass the Beverly Hills Hotel), and drive through the beautiful residential section of Rodeo Drive, until you come to the shopping district.

Parking: Some street parking is available, but Rodeo Drive is always crowded and most days parking spaces are hard to come by. There is a major municipal parking garage just off Rodeo Drive itself on Brighton Way. This Brighton underground garage offers two hours of free parking.

There are two other (free) city parking structures at the corner of Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard. There are also outdoor parking lots located on the streets around Rodeo; most charge a fee, some are free on Sunday.

Perhaps your best bet is the free valet parking available beneath the new Two Rodeo center. Not many people know about this posh underground garage, which it is open to the public, and which offers two hours of free parking in the glitziest new section of Rodeo Drive.

Heading north up Rodeo, just make a right (east) turn on Dayton Way, then turn right again into the driveway leading down to the underground parking garage beneath Two Rodeo.

A valet will park your car for you. (Be sure to hang onto the parking stub he gives you.) Then just ride the polished brass elevator up to street level. If you stay for two hours or less, the parking is free.

After two hours, it costs $4 and up. Paid valet parking is also available at the Rodeo Collection, Cafe Rodeo, and other locales along Rodeo Drive.