9 Real Places to See Celebrities in Los Angeles
Where to Find A-Listers in Los Angeles
There are plenty of places to see celebrities in Los Angeles, from the bright lights of the Hollywood sign to the iconic landscapes featured in favorite films. Many people visiting Tinseltown hope to catch a glimpse of the faces that make TV, movies, and music come to life. And since they’re often in LA filming or just living their lives, the chances of seeing a celebrity out and about are high.
So, where do you go to be starstruck? We’ve gathered a list of the ritziest hotels, shopping areas, and neighborhoods where you’d be most likely to get a candid photo of an A-lister. Just remember: Be respectful of their right to privacy, no matter how excited you are.
1. Rodeo Drive
More than 100 luxury brands bring the glitz and glamor
Good for: Shoppers, Luxury
Rodeo Drive is known for its legendary shopping, and where there is high-end shopping, there are celebrities. Money is practically flying along these 3 iconic blocks. Take the uber-expensive House of Bijan, for example, or Gucci, where you can not only buy designer goods but also eat at a Michelin-star rooftop restaurant.
Early morning and weekday shopping, when the street is less busy, may be the best time to spot a celeb. A-listers have been spotted shopping on Rodeo Drive, so bring your autograph books as well as your credit card.
Rodeo Drive
2. Runyon Canyon Park
Proximity to celeb homes makes this a backyard walk for some
Good for: Photo, Adventure
Celebrities, like other Los Angeles residents, love to hike the Hollywood Hills, and Runyon Canyon Park is one place to potentially spot a star, strolling through the countryside.
Whether you see a celebrity or not, the 160-acre city park is a fabulous place to spend a day hiking. Our recommendation: Head to the top of Indian Rock for views of the Hollywood Sign and the LA skyline. Plus, entrance to the park is free. Just remember to keep those cameras ready.
Location: 2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles 90046, USA
Open: Daily from sunrise to sunset
Phone: +1 323-644-6661
Runyon Canyon Park
3. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
A Golden Era gem
Good for: Luxury, Photo
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is a swanky spot with luxury accommodations, attracting Hollywood’s A-listers. Even the room names pay homage to famous visitors, such as the Marilyn Monroe Suite, which overlooks the Tropicana Pool and Bar. Many famous names are rumored to frequent this 5-star hotel.
Even if you’re not staying at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, you can still stop by to attend an event and potentially mingle with a celeb. Come for happy hour in the lobby bar, listen to music at Teddy’s Speakeasy, or catch a show at the Cinegrill Theater.
Location: 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles 90028, USA
Phone: +1 323-785-7000
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
4. Studio City Farmers’ Market
Where the rich and famous buy their produce
Good for: Food, Shoppers
Spend a leisurely Sunday morning perusing freshly cut flowers and playing eye spy, the celebrity edition, at the Studio City Farmers’ Market. Here, 85 vendors specializing in organic produce sell their wares and do a little stargazing, too. Its proximity to nearby television studios makes it a hotspot for celebrity shoppers.
It’s a fun place to visit even without the potential to see a celeb. Snag some gourmet jerky, a fresh-squeezed juice, or a hot pupusa to fuel an exciting day of sightseeing in Los Angeles.
Location: 2052 Ventura Pl, Studio City, CA 91604, USA
Open: Sunday from 8 am to 1 pm (closed on Monday–Saturday)
Phone: +1 818-655-7744
Studio City Farmers' Market
5. Franklin Village
A compact, but expanding, Hollywood neighborhood
Good for: Photo, Nightlife, Food
The east side of Los Angeles has plenty of places to see a celebrity, like Franklin Village. The Hollywood neighborhood is not short of entertainment venues where you’ll see performers and audience members who may be famous, too. Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, for instance, is an improv troupe where several now well-known actors got their start.
Restaurants, bars, and cafes are also great spots to go searching for celebs who like to hang out in Franklin Village. Make an evening of it and go out for a bite after seeing a comedy show.
Franklin Village
6. Malibu
A relaxing oceanside getaway
Good for: Nightlife, Luxury
Malibu is home to plenty of celebrities wishing to get away from the bustle of Los Angeles. The sheer number of celebrities who live or vacation in Malibu makes it a fantastic place to potentially spot and photograph someone famous. From Zuma Beach to Trancas Country Market, there are few places in Malibu where a celebrity wouldn’t go. Check out restaurants and eateries like Taverna Tony or Café Habana, too.
From A-listers to Z-listers and all in between have been known to spend time in Malibu. So, get out and enjoy the area’s amazing food, hiking, and surfing, and you just might spot a familiar face.
Malibu
7. The Beverly Hills Hotel
Also known as “The Pink Palace”
Good for: Luxury, Nightlife
The iconic pink facade of the Beverly Hills Hotel has been a draw for generations of showstopping celebrities. The 5-star hotel has reportedly hosted the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and John Lennon in the past.
Of course, celebrity guests may hide away in the privacy of their bungalows, so the best place to spot one would be in communal areas like the gardens, the lobby, or by the pool. Not planning to book a room? Get dressed up for lunch at the hotel restaurant, The Polo Lounge, for a chance to spy someone famous and sample some top-notch food.
Location: 9641 W Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, USA
Open: Polo Lounge: daily from 7 am to 3 pm and from 5 pm to 11 pm
Phone: +1 310-276-2251
The Beverly Hills Hotel
8. The Bird Streets
Home to unbelievable celebrity estates
Good for: Photo, Unusual
Off the beaten path in Hollywood Hills, you’ll find the secluded neighborhood known as the Bird Streets, a haven for celebrities and their mega mansions. It’s called the Bird Streets because all the streets are named after birds.
Here, celebrities enjoy a mix of privacy and proximity to some of LA’s best hangout spots on Sunset Strip. The views of the city and the ocean from the Bird Streets are also awe-inspiring. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities out walking their dogs or pulling out of the driveway of their multi-million dollar, jaw-droppingly beautiful estates.
The Bird Streets
9. Sunset Strip
Star-studded stretch from West Hollywood to Beverly Hills
Good for: Nightlife, Luxury
There’s a lot of Hollywood history along Sunset Strip, making it one of the best places to spot a celebrity while visiting Los Angeles. Try hanging out at Whisky A Go Go, a music venue that has hosted the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. Or visit the Sunset Tower Hotel, whose famous guests date back to the era of Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra.
Sunset Strip’s legendary nightlife: cocktail lounges, music halls, speakeasies, and rooftop bars attract a host of famous and non-famous alike. Whether you’re out shopping, enjoying a spectacular show, or indulging in a meal at a gourmet restaurant, you have a chance of seeing a celebrity along the famed Sunset Strip.
Sunset Strip
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.