Beverly Hills has long been a hub for collectors of sports memorabilia and collectibles in the Los Angeles area. With its affluent residents and high-end shops, it’s no surprise that some of the most prestigious baseball card stores have set up shop in Beverly Hills over the decades. Whether you’re a serious collector looking for rare finds or a casual fan wanting to add to your childhood collection, Beverly Hills has plenty of options.
One of the most well known and longest running card shops is Beverly Cards, located on South Beverly Drive just steps from Rodeo Drive. Founded in the 1970s, Beverly Cards has survived and thrived through many industry ups and downs. Walking into Beverly Cards is like stepping into a time capsule, with rows upon rows of boxes organized by sport, league, set, and year. Knowledgeable staff are on hand to help with searches or provide appraisals. Their extensive inventory includes everything from the earliest tobacco cards all the way to the present day. With so much inventory, rare finds can often be uncovered with patience and luck. Prices tend toward the higher end given the location, but serious collectors accept this tradeoff for the selection.
A newer addition is West Coast Cards on South Santa Monica Boulevard. Opened in the late 1990s, West Coast Cards brings a modern flair to the classic card shop experience. The large store features display cases organized by year and set to easily browse, as well as a wall dedicated to the highest end vintage cards. Their single card selection leans toward the modern era of the 1990s and beyond, with an emphasis on star rookies and parallels. Graded cards, memorabilia, and supplies also fill out their offerings. While not as deep as Beverly Cards in vintage, West Coast Cards is ideal for building a collection focused on the late 20th century onwards or tracking down a specific modern parallel.
For the highest end vintage and most valuable cards, collectors make their way to LA Sports Cards located on Little Santa Monica. Owned and operated by a family of serious collectors since the 1980s, LA Sports Cards deals exclusively in vintage cards graded Gem Mint or better by services like PSA and SGC. Walking through the doors is like stepping into a museum, with legendary cards encased and illuminated. Their inventory is curated and constantly updated based on the latest auction prices and market trends. While browsing requires an appointment and prices are truly top of the line, this is the place to turn for finding that one missing ultra high grade card to complete an iconic vintage set.
In addition to the dedicated card shops, collectors will also find selections at some of Beverly Hills’ larger hobby stores. Hobby People on Wilshire Boulevard has long carried cards alongside their model kits, games, and other collectibles. Their card selection focuses on sealed products from the modern era but they’ll also have some loose vintage singles in the showcases. It’s a good stop for casual collectors just wanting to add a few packs to their collection on a shopping trip.
Similarly, the legendary Meltdown Comics just off Santa Monica Boulevard stocks a respectable selection of cards, comics, and other pop culture collectibles. While their card offerings don’t rival a dedicated shop, it’s convenient to peruse their shelves and boxes alongside browsing their extensive comic selection. Both Hobby People and Meltdown serve those collectors just dipping their toes back into the hobby or looking to fill some time on a Beverly Hills shopping excursion.
For events and networking with the local collecting community, the monthly card show held at the Beverly Hills Hotel is a must attend. Dozens of dealers from around Southern California descend each month to buy, sell, and trade with collectors. Everything from dime boxes to six figure vintage singles change hands under one roof. It’s a great place to check listings, get a sense of current values, and meet other collectors in the area. Shows typically run from the early morning through the afternoon each month.
Between the dedicated multi-generational shops, high-end boutiques, and convenient hobby store selections – Beverly Hills truly offers world class options for any baseball card collector. With deep history and an emphasis on quality, it remains one of the top destinations for enthusiasts in Los Angeles and beyond. Whether a lifelong resident or just passing through town, any collector is sure to find something to love among the shops of Beverly Hills. The city’s passion for collecting and affluent clientele have ensured its place as a West Coast hub for the baseball card hobby.
