Spot celebs at their hotspots
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Hollywood sign, tick. Walk of Fame, tick. Sunset Strip, tick, tick, tick. You've knocked off most of your must-sees in the City of Angels, but you'd kill to see someone for a brag-worthy story once you get back home. Let's face it, though: the celebrity bus tours just don't cut it if you'd like to see a little more than a large hedge. Forget star tours and find out where the celebs really hang out with this guide to tried-and-tested hot spots.
Where the stars - work out
Chances are, if you've ever seen a picture of a celeb walking their dog, running or hiking, it was taken at Runyon Canyon. The packed public park has walking trails that lead up to a gorgeous view of smog-soaked LA. 2000 N Fuller Avenue.
Spotted: Charlize Theron, Carey Mulligan, Ryan Gosling.
Where the stars - juice
Los Feliz is known for its celebrity inhabitants but, unlike somewhere like Beverly Hills, they're of the variety more likely to stroll the streets. And, naturally, they're often heading to raw, vegan organic juice bar Punchbowl for a liquid feast. 4645 Melbourne Avenue.
Spotted: Katherine Heigl, Teresa Palmer, Alicia Silverstone.
Where the stars - have fun with friends
Another hot spot in Los Feliz is neighbourhood favourite Little Dom's. The often-rowdy and always-delicious restaurant and bar is loud enough for celebs to feel comfortable chewing the fat and just bright enough for us plebs to spot them. Buzzy without being pretentious, their Monday night $15 three-course special packs the house out with, surprisingly, some of the biggest stars. 2128 Hillhurst Avenue.
Spotted: Jon Hamm, Chloe Sevigny, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Janeane Garofolo, Diane Kruger, Orlando Bloom.
Where the stars - indulge
We're not talking B-listers at Spago - the swanky Wolfgang Puck flagship restaurant is known for attracting the big-hitters, as well as the housewives whose names you don't know but whose diamonds you won't miss. Ultra-private and oh-so-LA, the refined-but-fresh cuisine is a winner regardless of whether you see anyone other than your dining companion. 176 N Canon Drive, Beverly Hills.
Spotted: Christina Aguilera, Sidney Poitier, Bruce Willis, Rod Stewart.
Where the stars - grab take-out
Health-conscious celebs head to M Cafe de Chaya, an airy macrobiotic cafe that serves surprisingly delicious food free of refined sugar, eggs, dairy, red meat and poultry. Sometimes they'll sit, but they'll often duck in the back door for pre-prepared salads, sandwiches and the best vegie burger in town. Jake Gyllenhaal had to work out cafe custody when he split from Reese Witherspoon - she now heads to the Beverly Hills store, while he drops into the Hollywood outpost alone. 7119 Melrose Avenue.
Spotted: Anne Hathaway, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lea Michele, Orlando Bloom, Ginnifer Goodwin.
Where the stars - have working lunches
A hot-spot for celebrity sightings, the Beverly Hills Hotel's Polo Lounge is the place to see and be seen. The best odds at the classic Hollywood destination are during lunch, when most celebs head to the sun-dappled patio. And if you don't spot anyone, soak up the rarefied atmosphere - after all, this is where Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Clark Gable used to stay. 9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills.
Spotted: Rachel Zoe, Reese Witherspoon, James Gandolfini, Nicole Kidman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tobey Maguire, Warren Beatty.
Where the stars - shop
Stars, they're just like us: even they have to stop for groceries every now and again. LA locals know that and head to a supermarket in a celeb-laden area like West Hollywood, Los Feliz and Malibu. Upscale grocery stores offer your best chance - try Whole Foods, Gelsons, Lassens and Trader Joe's.
Spotted: Jessica Alba, Minnie Driver, Ellen Pompeo, Jack McBrayer, Miley Cyrus, Rachel Taylor, Rachel Bilson, Jennifer Garner, January Jones.
