This airplane hangar-sized record store's enormous inventory can be overwhelming: rows and rows of new and used vinyl, CDs, tapes, videos and DVDs await music addicts, serious vinyl fiends and the average-Joe consumer.

Located in the heart of Hollywood, Amoeba isn't just one of the nation's greatest independent music stores, it's also one of the world's largest. Whether you're looking for used rock vinyl, reggae 45s, hip-hop CDs, band posters or DVDs, Amoeba will probably have it, plus 73 other items you didn't know you needed until you got there. (Lower your bill by bringing in your old music and movies and trading them for cash or store credit.) The frequent in-store performances are free and provide a great soundtrack for browsing the seemingly infinite aisles. Bonus: super-cute staff and a free, staff-written, fun-to-read 'zine called "Music We Like."