Where to Spot a Celebrity in Los Angeles

Palm trees, endless summers, and forever beach days aside, many people flock to Los Angeles with the hope of spotting someone famous. While Hollywood Boulevard is flooded with tourists on any given day, you’re more likely to spot your favorite celebrity’s name on a star on the Walk of Fame than in person - unless, of course, you happen to be in town during a Hollywood movie premiere or Awards Season. 

It may surprise you to learn that your chances of spotting a celebrity are greater if you do things that normal people do in the city in which they live – dine out, shop, grab a cup of coffee or enjoy the great outdoors. It’s true, you’re more likely to spot a celeb at Starbucks than you are in the heart of Hollywood. 

If you want to increase your chances of a celebrity sighting while visiting LA, put on your paparazzi hat because we’ve got your guide to the best places to spot a celebrity in the City of Angels.

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!

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 (92000 N. Fuller Ave., Los Angeles 90046) 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.

Opened in September 2021, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles 90036) 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.

One of the most legendary dining spots in Los Angeles is Hollywood’s oldest restaurant, Musso & Frank Grill (6667 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood 90028). 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.

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles 90028) is not only one of LA’s most famous hotels, but it's been a hangout for generations of celebrities, having hosted its share of famous guests in its Spanish Colonial Revival rooms. You might see a star at the Lobby Bar, relaxing at the Tropicana Pool & Cafe, or partying at The Spare Room. You could also spot one of your favorite celebrities dining at the Golden Age inspired Shirley Brasserie, located off the lobby.

Not every paparazzo earns a paycheck with the kind of candid shots that wind up in gossipy tabloids. Many make a living along the sidelines of red carpets that are set up at restaurant openings, fundraisers and film premieres. When stars have a new movie to promote, they’re happy to pose on the red carpet at their premieres. TCL Chinese Theatres (6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood 90028) remains one of the most popular locations in Los Angeles for premieres, and one of the best spots where the public and the paparazzi can catch a glimpse of film stars arriving at a glamorous event. Even when a Hollywood movie premiere isn’t underway, a visit to the Chinese is worth it to see the handprints and signatures of generations of celebrities in the Forecourt of the Stars.

Think of a celebrity, and they've probably stayed at the Beverly Hills Hotel (9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills 90210) or sipped cocktails in the Polo Lounge. Elizabeth Taylor reportedly spent six of her honeymoons in the hotel's bungalows! If booking a room at the hotel or a power lunch at the Polo Lounge isn't in your budget, a stroll around the grounds will do.

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. 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 produce.

Not all celebrities have a private jet to travel, so if you’re arriving or departing from LAX, there’s a chance you may see someone famous. While many celebrities are members of airline clubs for pre-flight privacy, they still have to mingle with the public post-flight at baggage claim.

Located up the coast off Pacific Coast Highway, Japanese-Peruvian restaurant Nobu Malibu (22706 CA-1, Malibu 90265) 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.

When celebs want to shop somewhere relaxed and casual, they head to the Malibu Country Mart (3835 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu 90265) 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.

Westside local celebs love visiting the Brentwood Country Mart (225 26th St, Santa Monica 90402) which offers top-of-the-line boutiques for shopping and great food and restaurants, including homemade ice cream at Sweet Rose Creamery.