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Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, meaning it’s now officially time to contemplate two holiday traditions: grandma’s green bean casserole and shopping (hopefully in that order!)

Metro serves many of the area’s largest shopping malls or districts — helping shoppers avoid overflowing parking lots or finding a parking meter on congested streets.

Metro fares are $1.50 per single ride on a bus or train or $5 for a Day Pass, which allows unlimited rides that day. Buses accept cash fares or TAP cards, Metro’s reloadable plastic fare cards. On Metro Rail, buy a TAP card at the ticket machine (the cards cost $1). More information on fares here.

Here are some of the more popular shopping destinations:

• Paseo Colorado, Pasadena. Take the Metro Gold Line to Memorial Park Station (also good for Old Pasadena!) and walk south on Arroyo Parkway and then east (left) on Colorado to the outdoor mall; or Metro Bus 180/181 or 686/687 to Colorado/Garfield.

• The Americana at Brand, Glendale. Metro Bus 92 to Broadway/Brand; Metro Bus 180/181 to Brand/Americana or Metro Rapid 780 to Colorado/Central.

• Westfield Fashion Square, Sherman Oaks. Metro Bus 158 via Woodman Blvd; Metro Bus 150, 240 or Rapid 750 via Ventura Blvd to connect with Bus 158 at Woodman for direct service to the mall.

• The Grove, West Los Angeles. Metro Bus 217 or Rapid 780 to Fairfax/Beverly; Metro Bus 14 to Beverly/Fairfax.

• Westfield Century City, Century City. Metro Bus 4 or Rapid 704 to Santa Monica and Avenue of the Stars; Metro Bus 16/316, 28 or Rapid 728 to Constellation and Century Park West

• The Beverly Center, Beverly Hills. Metro Bus 105 or Rapid 705 to La Cienega/Beverly; Metro Bus 16/316 or 218 to 3rd/La Cienega.

• Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. Metro Bus 20 to Wilshire/Rodeo; Metro Bus 4 or Rapid 704 to Santa Monica/Wilshire and connect with Bus 20.

• 3^rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica. Metro Rapid 704 to  2nd/Santa Monica or Metro Rapid 720 to 4th/Broadway; Metro Rapid 733 or 534 to 2^nd/Santa Monica. In addition, several Santa Monica Big Blue Bus routes including BBB 1, 2, Rapid 10 and Rapid 20 service downtown Santa Monica.

• Westfield Culver City, Culver City. Metro Bus 108/358, 110  or 217 to Culver City Transit Center; Culver City Bus 2, 3, 4, 6 and Rapid 6 also serve the transit center.

• Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Plaza, South Los Angeles. Metro Bus 40, 105, 210, Rapid 705 or Rapid 710 to Crenshaw/King; Metro Bus 102 to Crenshaw/Stocker.

• South Bay Galleria, Redondo Beach. Metro Bus 40, 210, Rapid 710 or Rapid 740 to South Bay Galleria Transit Center.

• Northridge Fashion Center, Northridge. Metro Bus 167 to Plummer & Shirley, Metro Bus 242/243 to Tampa/Prairie or Metro Bus 166/364 to Nordhoff/Tampa.

Shopping districts:

• Melrose Avenue between La Brea and Fairfax. Metro Bus 10 serves Melrose. Connections can be made via Bus 212/312 that runs on La Brea and Bus 217 or Rapid 780 that runs on Fairfax.

• Abbott Kinney, Venice. Metro Bus 33 and 733 stop at Venice Boulevard and Abbott Kinney — walk north on Abbott Kinney from there.

• Ventura Boulevard between Laurel Canyon Drive and Whitsett Avenue in Studio City. Metro Bus 150, 240 and Rapid 750 serve Ventura Boulevard with connections to Bus 218 that runs on Laurel Canyon Boulevard.

• Hilhurst Blvd, Los Feliz. Metro Red Line to Vermont/Sunset Station, then board the DASH Loz Feliz to Hilhurst and Los Feliz Blvd.

Downtown Los Angeles:

• Macy’s Plaza, Downtown LA. The 7th/Metro Center is served by the Metro Red, Purple, Blue and Expo Line and is across the street from the mall. Metro Bus 14, 16, 51, 52, 94 and the Metro Silver Line all stop at or near the intersection of 7th & Figueroa.

• Fashion District, including Santee Alley. Metro Bus 10, 28, 33, 37, 66, Rapid 728 and Rapid 733 to Spring/9th.

• Jewelry District, Downtown L.A.. The heart of the district is on 6th between Hill and Broadway. Metro Red or Purple Line to Pershing Square Station; Metro Bus 51, 52, 90/91, or 352.

• Toy District, northeastern downtown between Los Angeles, San Pedro, 3rd and 5th streets and an alternative to the established retailers. Metro Bus 18, 53, 62, 460 from the south and Rapid 720 from the west.