Where to Spot a Celebrity in Los Angeles

It’s no surprise that Los Angeles is the world’s celebrity-sighting capital. As well as movie making and TV production, the city’s mega sports franchises, legendary recording studios, and spectacular concert venues mean that famous faces dot its streets.

Aside from a very exclusive group of megastars who only leave home surrounded by tinted glass and bodyguards, most celebrities – and there are thousands of them – do what we all do: shopping, dining, enjoying the great outdoors, or just grabbing a coffee.

Here are some top spots to see famous faces “in the wild.”

Walk of Fame Star Ceremony
The world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame features more than 2,800 terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalk along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street. The five-pointed stars honor the accomplishments of actors, musicians, directors, producers and others in the entertainment industry.

There is a public viewing area for all Walk of Fame star ceremonies, which are free and do not have assigned seating. Star ceremonies start at 11:30am and end at 12:15pm. For upcoming ceremonies, visit the Walk of Fame website.

TCL Chinese Theatre - Forecourt of the Stars
One of the world's most iconic cinemas, the TCL Chinese Theatre opened as Grauman's Chinese Theatre on May 18, 1927, with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's The King of Kings. The Hollywood landmark has hosted many movie premieres since then, as well as three Academy Award ceremonies and numerous events. The TCL Chinese Theatre boasts the single largest IMAX auditorium in the world, and the third largest commercial movie screen in North America.

Besides its Chinese design, the theatre’s most distinct feature is the famous Forecourt of the Stars, with hundreds of celebrity handprints, footprints and autographs immortalized in the concrete. Nearly 200 celebrity prints are on view at any given tim as new prints are added and slabs are rotated out. While handprint ceremonies aren't as frequent as the Walk of Fame star ceremonies, they are likewise free and open to the public.

Dolby Theatre - The Oscars
Located adjacent to the TCL Chinese inside Ovation Hollywood, the Dolby Theatre has hosted the Oscars since its opening in November 2001. Fans can register for a lottery for the chance to sit in the bleachers and watch the red carpet arrivals.

From aspiring stars on American Idol, America's Got Talent and The Voice; to celebs competing on Dancing with the Stars and chatting with Jimmy Kimmel, attending a live TV taping in person is one of the best tourist experiences. And best of all, they're free!

Community Goods
Justin and Hailey Bieber helped put Community Goods on LA’s congested coffee shop map soon after its 2023 opening. This buzzing Beverly Grove see-and-be-seen scene largely comprises the influenced and wannabe influencers: Porsche and G-Wagon-driving Gen Z-ers in spendy hoodies, designer sneakers, and Uggs a go-go. There’s often a lengthy line for its matcha marvels, vanilla lattes, and the ever-popular breakfast sliders.

Erewhon
With eleven area locations and three more imminent, Erewhon has become a hub of upscale LA wellness culture. Begun in Boston in 1966, it quickly found its natural home in Los Angeles where it has expanded ever since. The chain’s ethos is expressed in its name, borrowed from a novel in which Erewhon (an anagram of “nowhere”) is a utopian society where individuals are responsible for their own health and illness is a crime. The organic brand has collabed with celebs including Hailey Bieber and Jasmine Tookes on signature smoothies for its pioneering Tonic Bar, and the Kardashians, Biebers, and Eva Longoria are all regulars.

Pam's Coffy
Celebrity ownership often hints at celebrity clientele, so a visit to Pam’s Coffy, attached to the Quentin Tarantino-owned Vista Theater in Los Feliz, might just yield an autograph. Opened early last year, even its name references fame, honoring actress Pam Grier (who Tarantino directed in Jackie Brown) and Jack Hill’s 1973 film Coffy, in which Grier starred. Tarantino himself has been spotted working amidst Pam’s ‘70s-style décor, complete with tube TVs and VCRs, and his signature custom blend by Pasadena’s Jones Coffee Roasters is on the menu.

Fanny's - Academy Museum
Opened in 2021, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures houses more than 13 million objects in a 300,000 square-foot campus designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect Renzo Piano. The museum hosts numerous events with celebrity guests, from Q&As at movie screenings to book signings.

The museum’s signature restaurant, Fanny’s, is named after a celeb – legendary movie, vaudeville, theater and radio star Fanny Brice. Its comfortable yet classy Old Hollywood style, echoing OG movie star hangs Perino’s and Brown Derby, is also not lost on today’s famed faces perusing the museum or attending events on site.

Mother Wolf
Acclaimed chef Evan Funke opened Mother Wolf in Hollywood's red-hot Vinyl District at the beginning of 2022 and celebs have been packing it ever since. Located in the historic Citizen News building adjacent to The Hollywood Grande (formerly Thompson Hollywood), Mother Wolf is Funke's homage to Rome and its mythical founders, Romulus and Remus, and the she-wolf, Lupa Capitolina. To start, the carciofi alla giudia (fried artichokes) is a must. Signature dishes include the classic cacio e pepe, Roman-style thin crust pizzas, and housemade gelati and sorbetti.

Mr. T
This buzzy Parisian bistro in Hollywood’s hip Sycamore District has celebs salivating. Mr. T’s upscale take on French street food is described as “quiet luxury” and has made the list as one of the best restaurants in the city. Try during the day for its exquisite pastries while you visit the nearby shops and art galleries.

Musso & Frank Grill
One of the most legendary dining spots in Los Angeles is Hollywood’s oldest restaurant, Musso & Frank Grill. Sit in one of the restaurant’s large red booths and order a Martini and steak while you wait on your favorite celeb to walk through the doors. Famous fans include Quentin Tarantino, who featured Musso's prominently in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Nobu Malibu
Located up the coast off Pacific Coast Highway, Japanese-Peruvian restaurant Nobu Malibu is a popular dining spot for the rich and famous. Pick up any celebrity magazine and you’re likely to see photos of stars stepping into or out of this high-end Malibu restaurant. If you’re planning a visit to Nobu, it’s worth it for the delicious selection of sushi and sashimi creations, but it will likely set you back a pretty penny.

Polo Lounge - Beverly Hills Hotel
Think of a celebrity, and they've probably stayed at the Beverly Hills Hotel or sipped cocktails in the Polo Lounge. Elizabeth Taylor reportedly spent six of her honeymoons in the hotel's bungalows! If a power lunch at the Polo Lounge isn't in your budget, a stroll around the grounds will do.

The Grove
With a dancing fountain, vintage trolley car and dozens of stores, restaurants and movie screens, The Grove is the perfect place to visit for great shopping, delicious food, and entertainment. Candid celeb sightings here have included Angelina Jolie, Drew Barrymore, Mark Wahlberg, Selena Gomez and many others, often with their families.

The Original Farmers Market
Adjacent to The Grove is The Original Farmers Market, a funky warren of open-air vendors and food stalls offering a variety of dining and shopping options, including candy, popcorn, and fresh local produce. Located right next to CBS Television City, the market has always hosted stars, including James Dean for his final breakfast.

In July, The Original Farmers Market’s charms were enhanced by the arrival of Besties Vegan Paradise, the first marketplace in the country to sell products exclusively from 100% vegan brands when its original location opened in East Hollywood in 2018 – and is still the only one (well, only two!) As well as animal-free products for pantry and fridge, Besties boasts a snack counter serving vegan deli sandwiches, hot dogs, and its acclaimed soft serve.

Hollywood Farmers Market
Every Sunday, the Hollywood Farmers Market transforms Ivar Avenue into a colorful, bustling gathering of over 160 farmers, producers, food vendors, and artisans perused by a colorful cross-section of locals, including top area chefs. Considering its location, it’s little surprise that even Hollywood’s famous faces have made the market part of their Sunday ritual, and indeed people-watching in general is one of the allures of this beloved, community-oriented fixture.

Melrose Trading Post
Melrose Trading Post is a flea market that every Sunday attracts a diverse crowd, including celebs, to the grounds of Fairfax High School at the west end of the ever-hip Melrose Avenue strip. From local art and vintage cameras to throwback music tees and handcrafted artisan goods, this bustling shopper’s paradise has been browsed by famous faces since its 1997 founding.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Not all celebrities travel by private jet, so if you’re flying into or out of LAX, there’s a chance you may see someone famous. While A-listers usually relax in private airline clubs before their flights, they often make their way through terminals on their way to ground transport pickup. If you see a swarm of paparazzi, you'll know a star has landed!

The Tom Bradley International Terminal (aka Terminal B) features a central "Great Hall" with premier dining, retail shopping, luxurious airline club lounges, and the best of amenities for travelers, such as pet relief areas, nursing rooms, children’s play areas and an incredible design aesthetic that pays tribute to the wonders of the region and the diversity of our world.

Celebs and jet-setters alike can shop Duty Free luxury brands like Burberry, Bvlgari, Cartier, Gucci, Hermes and Moncler. The newest addition to the collection is The Macallan Boutique, featuring a curated selection of The Macallan’s finest whiskies, including boutique-exclusive and limited-edition releases, all within an immersive environment designed for exploration, sampling and gifting.

Brentwood Country Mart
Westside local celebs love visiting the Brentwood Country Mart which offers top-of-the-line boutiques for shopping and great food and restaurants, including homemade ice cream at Sweet Rose Creamery.

Malibu Country Mart
When celebs want to shop somewhere relaxed and casual, they head to the Malibu Country Mart an outdoor shopping center with 65 boutiques, galleries and restaurants. While celebrities pick up toys, designer jeans and jewelry, locals buy their coffee, cosmetics and everyday (but pricey) clothes. Located near Pepperdine University, the Malibu Pier and the mega-mansions of the fabulously rich, the Malibu Country Mart is Malibu’s de facto town square, which makes it a great place for star sightings.

Studio Tours
Multiple LA film studios offer behind-the-scenes tours of various durations and prices. While none of these make any promises, you just might glimpse “name” actors on the backlots – a rare sighting of celebs at work rather than socializing, shopping, or on a red carpet.

The World-Famous Studio Tour is Included with General Admission to Universal Studios Hollywood and lasts one hour, including the backlot, the original Jupiter’s Claim set from Jordan Peele’s horror epic, NOPE, and the massive 747 crash set from Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds.

The three-hour Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood includes iconic movie sets, soundstages, vehicles and costumes, plus fun film-related opportunities like recreating a scene from Friends or straddling Harry Potter’s broomstick.

Hollywood Forever
The historic Hollywood Forever is not your typical cemetery. While it’s a functioning, full-service funeral home, crematory and graveyard, it also hosts live music events and outdoor summer movie screenings. Part of what has made this beautiful landmark a tourist attraction is the sheer number of celebs interred within its 62 park-like acres, including Judy Garland, George Harrison, David Lynch, Johnny Ramone, Chris Cornell, Paul Rubens, Cecil B. DeMille and Rudolph Valentino.

Runyon Canyon
Contrary to popular belief, stars aren’t always hanging out at old school celebrity hangouts like The Polo Lounge and The Ivy. If you want to catch a star in public, hiking Runyon Canyon is one of the best places in LA for encountering the rich and famous. If you want to spot a celebrity while also getting some exercise, lace up and head out to Runyon Canyon.

Lakers and Clippers Courtside
Your idols also have their idols, and stars are also fans. Witness the number of celebs spotted courtside at LA's NBA games where, while they still get plenty of attention, someone else is under the spotlight (and under pressure) for a change.

Very visible Lakers fans at Crypto.com Arena include megafan Jack Nicholson, Snoop Dogg, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis and Flea, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Black.

The increasingly fashionable Clippers also have famous followers who can be seen cheering the team on at Intuit Dome, including Billy Crystal, Adam Devine, Queen Latifah, and Jimmy O. Yang.

Behind Home Plate - Dodger Stadium
Spotting famous faces at LA Dodgers games is made much easier because they usually secure primo seats right behind home plate. Magic Johnson is not only a fan but also a longtime part-owner of the Dodgers MLB franchise, and you may also see Kim Kardashian, Danny DeVito, Billie Eilish, Rob Lowe, Mary Hart, Will Ferrell and Samuel L. Jackson enthralled by the on-field action. Celebs also make it onto the field themselves, taking part in pregame ceremonies.

Angel City FC & LAFC - BMO Stadium
Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) only joined Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 2018 but already counts many famous folks among its fans. Head to the soccer-specific BMO Stadium in Exposition Park for not only “the beautiful game” at its best but also opportunities to see celebrities like LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Selena Gomez supporting the Black and Gold. Even Prince Harry attended an LAFC match against David Beckham’s Inter Miami, featuring soccer superstar Lionel Messi, in 2023, albeit in a $9,000-a-match VIP suite.

Sharing BMO Stadium are National Women’s Soccer League standouts Angel City FC, who began play just three years ago. From the get-go, Angel City FC has been almost synonymous with celebs, with founding members including Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, Jennifer Garner and Eva Longoria, plus former U.S national team players including Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm and Shannon Boxx. More recently, the likes of Christina Aguilera, Uzo Aduba, Gabrielle Union and Billie Jean King have joined the star-studded Angel City ownership group alongside former U.S. men’s national soccer team midfielder Cobi Jones and retired NFL star Ryan Kalil.