Your trip to Los Angeles won’t be complete unless you do a little star spotting. Several A-list celebs live in LA and its surrounding areas, and even more frequently visit for photo shoots, Hollywood premiers, concerts, sporting events and more.
There are two ways you can spot celebrities — being a loud and proud fan and tourist on a celebrity bus tour or playing it cool at the regular celebrity hangouts. Whatever way you prefer, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see the rich and famous in their natural habitat.
Celebrity tours
Movie Stars’ Homes Tour
Duration: 2 hours
Pricing: $47 for adults and $37 for kids ($42 for adults and $32 for kids if purchased online.)
Photo by Fabio Ikezaki
Starline’s Movie Stars’ Homes Tour takes you through the likes of Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, Hollywood and LA where you have tons of chances to spot your favorite stars at their hangouts on the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive and other city landmarks. You also drive into some residential neighborhoods and see current and former stars’ homes, like Halle Berry, Ellen DeGeneres, Tom Cruise and the Beckham family. While you might wish you could trade in your home for a mansion, you can still stay like a celebrity if you book the right hotel room in Los Angeles. Tourists like this tour because it gives you the option of being picked up and dropped off at your Los Angeles hotel.
The TMZ Hollywood Tour
Duration: 2 hours
Pricing: $54 for adults and $44 for kids
TMZ partnered with Starline to give fan-crazed tourists the opportunity to see, take pictures of and learn secrets about celebrities on their TMZ Hollywood Tour. You drive past all the celebrity hotspots in LA where they’re known to hangout and party. Past tours have driven by, been waved at and talked to by Mark Wahlberg, Ben Affleck, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Rihanna. This tour also gives you the option of a hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Star Homes & Celebrity Sites Tour
Duration: 2.5 hours
Pricing: $35 for adults, $25 for kids (4-16), $10 for kids 3 years and younger, $29 for seniors/ students/military
Photo by InSapphoWeTrust
The entertaining guides on the daily Star Homes & Celebrity Sites Tour give you the star rundown as you explore Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Hollywood and the Sunset Strip of West Hollywood. They drive you to famous Hollywood landmarks, like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Chinese Theater, and then past the gorgeous homes and former mansions of various celebrities, including Michael Jackson, Madonna and Simon Cowell.
Celebrity hangouts
Pacific Palisades Recreation Center
Celebrities are normal people, and normal means when you have kids you take them out to throw a ball around and play at parks. In LA, the stars take their kids to Pacific Palisades Recreation Center for its spacious green areas for running and throwing a Frisbee, baseball diamond, basketball courts and children’s play area.
Celebrity Spottings: Harrison Ford, Adam Sandler, Sugar Ray Leonard and Chris O’Donnell
Runyon Canyon
When the sun is out, the stars are out on Runyon Canyon. The celebrities who value staying in shape come here to get their exercise on, enjoy the weather and for a breathtaking view of the city. Throw on some shorts and running shoes and hit the trails where you might just jog right by your favorite movie star.
Photo by Ryan Vaarsi
Celebrity Spottings: Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake, Matthew McConaughey, Hayden Panettiere and Jessica Biel
Brentwood Country Mart
When you pull up you’ll notice a barn, but don’t worry, it’s an elegant place many celebs frequent. They come to Brentwood Country Mart for lunch outings and to shop at the boutiques. There’s a good chance to catch celebs in the parenting act as they eat on picnic benches with their little ones and let them ride ponies on Sundays.
Celebrity Spottings: Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck, Heidi Klum and Arnold Schwarzenegger
Intelligentsia
The rich and famous lifestyle means early mornings, work-filled days and constantly being on the go. How do they get through their crazy busy schedules? They drink coffee. And the coffee shop to spot many at is Intelligentsia. The gorgeous people come here for the beautiful décor and mouthwatering foamy lattes. Arrive early to grab yourself a hot cup of Joe and get your first pick of outside tables to star gaze.
Photo by Sam Felder
Celebrity Spottings: Drew Barrymore, Olivia Wilde, Tobey Maguire and Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Tavern
Most celebrities need to look a certain way (and they have the money), so they hire a chef. But even with a chef, many go out to eat multiple times during the week. A typical LA spot they frequent is Tavern. You see many actors and their agents in the Blue Room Lounge snacking on salads or a burger and fries. While not too many celebrities stop by the restaurant’s bakery and café, you should for some delicious cookies.
Celebrity Spottings: Gwyneth Paltrow, Conan O’Brien, Jessica Alba and President Obama
Nobu Los Angeles
Probably the most lavish and expensive place Hollywood stars love is Nobu Los Angeles. They have their choice of three dining rooms and a very eloquent bar lounge that’s been designed for those wanting the more relaxed night out. The sushi and sashimi are menu favorites.
Celebrity Spottings: Kim Kardashian, Magic Johnson, Bradley Cooper and Eva Longoria
It’s not uncommon for tourists to ask, “Where do I go to see all the stars in LA?” So, don’t feel ashamed if the only reason you want to go there is to spot your favorite actor or singer. You never know when and where you might spot one — since they’re everywhere — so stay dressed to impressed and have your camera ready to snap away when you spot one!
