Hotels
Chateau Marmont
8221 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles
Who to meet: Robert Pattinson, James Franco, Jared Leto, Lana Del Rey, Lindsay Lohan
85-year-old castle hotel, in front of which there are always a bunch of paparazzi. The reason is due to the fact that almost every other day here you may see a controversially famous teen star or a #1 Hollywood family man busted with his mistress. Even the hotel’s name has a link with the celebrity theme, because the building was built by the famous silent movie actor - Percy Marmont. These walls have seen more drama, secrets and scheming than any film studio. It was here that Jim Morrison got drunk and fell down from the balcony, Roman Polanski lived with his first wife Sharon Tate, and John Belushi died from overdose… Clearly, this is a hot spot for celebrity hunters.
Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas
1200 Alta Loma Rd, West Hollywood
Who to meet: Justin Timberlake, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Miranda Kerr, Francis Ford and Sofia Coppola
This hotel attracts celebrities for an obvious reason: here is one the iconic Los Angeles’ record labels where stars like Ozzy Osbourne, Christina Aguilera, and Billy Bob Thornton were working their vocal cords off and droping their best hits. As it was pointed out once by a Time’s critic: “Sunset Marquis is the last rock-n-roll hotel on the planet”. And of course there also was a place for drama: here in a suite Courtney Love tried to commit suicide after the death of her lover Kurt Cobain. Similarly, the famous local Bar 1200 saw the drunken escapades of Eminem, Bono of U2 and all of Aerosmith’s band members who almost burned the hotel to the ground because of taking one shot too many.
Entertainment
Brentwood Country Mart
225 26th St, Santa Monica
Who to meet: Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck (now no longer together), Kate Hudson, Reese Witherspoon
A whole village of amusement, where fashionable restaurants neighbor pony corrals and high caliber boutiques are right next to Californian vegetable stands. The biggest Hollywood stars treat this like home: here they buy yogurt and a gluten-free mix for baking, spend a Sunday brunch-picnic with kids, check out a new ball gown by Jenni Kayne, or a tracksuit by James Perse.
Walt Disney Studios
500 S Buena Vista St, Burbank
Who to meet: Alessandra Ambrosio, Denise Richards, Kourtney Kardashian
The star parents are actively spreading the philosophy: when in doubt, take your child to Disneyland. And Disneyland in Los Angeles gives you the biggest chance to see Brad Pitt or Kim Kardashian screaming their lungs off, while wearing Mickey Mouse ears. And if you get tired of stalking celebs in the line to the next ride, you can always just explore the amusement park. There’s a ton of interesting things to do: you can visit a studio where you can witness cartoons coming to life, walk along Walt Disney’ Walk of Fame, and take a couple of silly selfies with Goofy and Scrooge McDuck.
Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino
Who to meet: Natalie Portman, Gwen Stefani, Vanessa Hudgens
In one of LA’s suburbs, there’s one of the most unfrequented, hidden parks in the city. Chances are that besides Natalie Portman, strolling along with a baby carriage, the only person you might see is a gardener, lazily cutting the bushes. The remoteness is what attracts celebrities here. They love coming on working days walking along deserted paths, discussing upcoming shootings (Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev often rehearsed their roles in “The Vampire Diaries” here). Also, one of the city’s biggest libraries, which often hosts pretty interesting exhibitions, is situated in the heart of the green massif.
Malibu Country Mart
3835 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu
Who to meet: Pierce Brosnan, Adam Sandler, Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Justin Bieber
Malibu is every celebrity’s favorite coastal region, while the local outdoor mall is a real center for everyone who is sick of endless shootings and red carpets, and is ready to embrace earthly life. To say what people (and celebrities who I guess could still be considered homo sapiens) do here exactly is tough as Malibu has it all: trendy fast-food restaurants, gyms, playgrounds, mind-bogglingly expensive boutiques, tents with cheap souvenirs… A day in a celeb’s life, let’s say, Jason Statham in “Malibu Country Mart” looks something like this: first, he walks along the seaside with his long-legged Rosie, occasionally visiting some shops, then makes his way to a beauty salon (one of the most fashionable – Cie Sparks Salon), then sips ice green tea on the terrace of the Italian Tra di Noi. If you’re lucky, you might get a nearby table!
Pacific Palisades Recreation Center
851 Alma Real Dr, Pacific Palisades
Who to meet: Harrison Ford, Matt Damon, Rihanna
A multifunctional park near Santa Monica. Perhaps, a place more secluded than the Huntington Library we mentioned before. Overall, the recreational center is pretty luxurious with green fields, palm trees, shaded paths, and even its own lake. There are also tennis courts, an outdoor pool, two gyms and an old French mansion. The stars can’t get enough of it!
Staples Center
1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles
Who to meet: Adam Levine, David Beckham, Denzel Washington
The main sports venue of the city. During sport events, there’s not enough room to swing a cat; the neighboring blocks are also crowded– as if there’s a protest going on. Here you can see numerous fans of the Los Angeles Lakers, who don’t miss a single goal. Who would’ve thought that even the A-listers of the industry, like Jane Fonda and Adam Levine also have their idols whom they’re ready to watch for hours. Even David Beckham, who is evidently more interested in football, has already booked a few seats in the front row. (Next to Rihanna and her entourage, of course.)
SoulCycle
120 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica
6201 Hollywood Blvd
888 S Olive St, Los Angeles
Who to meet: Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes, Gweneth Peltrow, Lady Gaga
“Soul Cycle” – is a favorite studio of every Hollywood beauty, who isn’t up to riding a bike around the city, but is ready to pedal in a gym, under continuous oversight of a demanding trainer. All in all, the exercise bike is a real panacea for all that may need fixing: it helps with cellulite, edemas, obesity and so on. And Soul Vycle is a real frontrunner when it comes to this: the center isn’t just number one in California, it’s the best in the entire United States. Seven separate branches have opened in just LA (we picked 3 of the most starry of them).
Carbon Beach
Who to meet: Mark Zuckerberg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Courteney Cox, Bella Thorne
It’s easier to say who you won’t meet here. Every actor, director, rising star, and retired diva (Paris Hilton’s presence alone is worth going there) loves this beach and coastal region. It''s as if this is where movie auditions are held instead of somewhere in a Hollywood studio. This stretch of sandy land taking up a few kilometers is sometimes called “the beach of millionaires”. It truly deserves that name, as it is here that you can see luxurious villas that belong to either IT-geniuses, who own a mind-blowing sum of money, or to CEOs of global companies. Walking and swimming here is extremely enjoyable and the fact that it is free makes it that much better.
Restaurants
Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice
Who to meet: Ryan Gosling, Julia Roberts, Jessica Simpson and even the outspoken Prince Harry (!)
A seemingly unappealing concrete construction turns out to house an incredibly dark restaurant that serves Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. A dark atmosphere, low sofas in the corners, a niche with an open fire in the middle, and even a cozy, inner yard, where, by the way, Prince Harry was spotted during his partying in America. You’ll have to book a table a few months before to get into this restaurant.
Soho House
9200 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood
Who to meet: Beyonce and Jay-Z, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones (do you really need anyone else?)
If you haven’t been to Soho, you haven’t seen Hollywood – say the LA locals. Every Friday and Thursday suppers become parties, while nighttime escapades only conclude the next morning during a luxurious hangover brunch. Sitting on an open terrace, you can see a great number of celebrities in an hour’s time, from friendly Beyonce, who never refuses a selfie with fans, to arrogant Kimmy, who you’re barely allowed to sit next to.
La Poubelle Bistro
5907 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles
Who to meet: Jennifer Lawrence, Dakota Johnson, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis
A place loved by the power couple of Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis – that’s where these two were first seen by the paparazzi, and since then the lovers (now spouses) haven’t left the “love nest”. Not too long ago the small, cozy bistro with simple, yet delicious French cuisine also became a favorite of Dakota Johnson, who comes here almost every week.
Cafe Gratitude Larchmont
639 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles
Who to meet: Ann Hathaway, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zoe Saldana and Emily Blunt
The place is certainly not Hollywood-esque. First, it’s vegetarian: second, it’s not very expensive. This obvious paradox, however, made its way into some of the greatest celebrities’ hearts. It’s interesting that the hip waiters always ask their guests: “What are you grateful for today?” I wonder what Anne Hathaway, who is constantly eating here, chooses to answer…
Fig & Olive
8490 Melrose Pl, West Hollywood
Who to meet: Leonardo DiCaprio, Drew Barrymore, Victoria Beckham
This place manages to impress not only with the number of people who visit it, but also with its size. It spans the area of 750 square kilometers and includes 2 dining halls, the lounge, and a degustation bar. A special homemade olive oil, which is traditionally added into every meal, is the restaurant’s signature.
Bars and nightclubs
The Sayers Club
1645 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles
Who to meet: Nicole Scherzinger, Charlie Sheen, Rumer Williams, Sophia Bush
A bar that is famous for its great acoustics and amazing live performances. Be it finalists of “The Voice”, or troopers like Black Eyed Peace, it’s hard to find a singer who hasn’t sung on this stage. The facility has a classy speakeasy-like interior, there are even private cabinets and personal bartenders, who, if you ask them nicely (and offer some sufficient cash) will get you almost any drink you want no matter how rare it is.
Hyde Lounge
1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles
8117 Sunset Blvd
Who to meet: Hugh Hefner, Taylor Swift, Wiz Khalifa, Amber Rose, the stars of “Glee”
Hyde is no ordinary nightclub, it’s an entertainment philosophy. The network is growing with the speed of light: 3 bars in Miami, 1 in Las Vegas in the luxurious “Bellagio,” and 2 in Los Angeles. The City of Angels has a closed lounge-bar on the Sunset boulevard and a superb Level C suite in the famous “Staples Center”, which is a magnet for celebs, because of its elegant atmosphere.
Beacher''s Madhouse
7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles
Who to meet: David Beckham, Ian Somerhalder, and Nikki Reed, Miley Cyrus, and almost the entire cast of “Twilight”
“Madhouse” Hollywood style: blow-up dolls of all colors you can think of, dwarfs, people dressed as stuffed animals, strippers in corsets, glitter, lots of glitter, a paper streamer and five- liter bottles of champagne. A real party! The Beacher’s Madhouse first appeared in New York and was initially a cabaret with dancing, shows and stand-up comedians. Now it’s a huge network all across America, which is adored by stars as here you can do whatever the heck comes to mind, and no one will bat an eye.
Katsuya
6300 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles
Who to meet: Mark Wahlberg, Katy Perry and John Mayer, Tori Spelling, Bar Rafaeli
The most stylish sushi-bar in all of LA, named after its creator – a famous Japanese chef Katsuya Uechi, who was a master at incorporating French delicacies in eastern cuisine. However, it’s not just sophisticated dishes that attract celebrities here; perhaps the exclusive cocktails and an ultra-fashionable design by Philippe Starck are even more refined. The hieroglyph, which is the logo of the restaurant, means “victory”, which isn’t surprising as only those who aren’t used to being off the pedestal dine here.
