Los Angeles, California Travel Guide
About Know the Neighborhoods Getting Around Attractions Hotels
Eats & Nightlife Essentials & Practicals
Where to See Stars & Celebrities
Seeing stars in LA
Overview: A lot has to be said about seeing famous people up close and personal. It’s exciting for sure. It’s a mis-perception that stars hang out on Hollywood Blvd. The only place you can see them are at the Hollywood History Museum or the Hollywood Wax Museum. As for the real thing, stars shine on Hollywood Blvd when there is some sort of special event such as an awards show, film festival, concert or movie premiere.
So where in the world are they? Usually, and I hate to say this, you’ll see them when you least expect to. But, you can increase the odds a bit by shopping in Beverly Hills on Rodeo Drive or having coffee in Beverly Hills at the local Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Joaquin Phoenix). I’ve seen many shopping around the Century City Mall (Vin Diesel, Matchbox 20 guys) and the Beverly Center (Brandy). Arnold Schwartzenegger has made his way around the Third Street Promenade. The upscale botique shopping area on Montana Avenue is a great place to see stars and celebs. Melrose Ave has celebrities walking around the funky area with the funky stores.
Recognize the dude to the left? Sanjay from American Idol way back when
You’ll also run into celebritites at the trendy Good Urth Cafe on Beverly Blvd or at the Main St location in Santa Monica, the Farmer’s Market on Main St in Santa Monica, The Grove around the Miracle Mile area (Fairfax and Beverly Blvd) and at the Arclight Cinema, which is not surprising because the Arclight is a favorite among movie-goers.
For the night crawlers, check out some of these places. Check out uber swanky sushi at Katsuya on Hollywood Blvd and Vine, Opera nightclubs a few blocks west of Katsuya on Hollywood Blvd, Coco de Ville in west hollywood (south of Santa Monica Blvd on La Cienega Blvd), LAX club on Las Palmas Ave just north of Hollywood Blvd and of course, the Sky Bar at the Mondrian Hoel on Sunset Blvd. Remember, if stars are hanging out here, it’s not cheap!
The venues on the Sunset Strip still packs in celebrities. Have a seat at the Rainbow Bar and Grill on the patio or Mel’s Drive-in Diner on Sunset and see who strolls by. Spend some bucks and see a production, preferrably opening night, at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood Village. But for free sightings in Westwood, check the schedule of the Mann Village Theatre or the Mann Bruin in Westwood for red-carpet movie premieres. Not promising you’ll run into stars at these places but you’re more likely going to see them doing every things than at tourist attractions.
What maybe unbeknownst to you is that stars do head into the corporate buildings of studios and other entertainment-related companies. Here are just a few places: Fox Plaza in Century City, MGM building in Century City, the DGA (Directors Guild of America) on Sunset and Hayworth, HBO in the Yahoo Center, MTV on Colorado Ave in Santa Monica, the Screen Actors Guild on Wilshire Blvd.
And of course, if you have connections, attend the Emmy Awards or Golden Globes. Brad Pitt has walked right pass me at the Emmy Awards back in the day when he was still with Jennifer Aniston. 🙂
Don’t spend too much time or money, however, on any of the above-mentioned options. It’s a gamble.