Best Places to See the Stars
LA is known for being a playground for the elite of Hollywood, with many visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars while they are in town. From hotels and restaurants to movie premieres, these are some of the best places in Los Angeles to indulge in some star spotting.
Hollywood and Brentwood Farmers Markets
LA is famous for its incredible farmers markets, and all of your favorite health-conscious stars are likely to be paying them a visit early on a Sunday morning. The Hollywood and Brentwood locations are usually where you will find the highest concentration of stars, as well as their families, with names ranging from Jennifer Garner to Ben Affleck to Naomi Watts to Gwen Stefani.
Cecconi’s Restaurant
For those who have already done some research into the best places to see the stars, Cecconi’s Restaurant will need no introduction, as this classic venue is a favorite haunt amongst so many big names, making it no surprise that it is extremely difficult to book a table here. For the highest chance of spotting a star, try to be seated at a table on the private patio, or the exclusive dining room known as the Butterfly Room.
The Ivy
The Ivy is known for being one of the top locations in LA for star spotting, and, thanks to the fact that its patio area is relatively open, you are likely to witness a crowd of paparazzi across the street whenever you visit, separated by just a white picket fence. From George Clooney to Jennifer Aniston, this is where you are likely to find some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

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Movie Premieres
There seems to be an almost constant stream of red carpet movie premieres being held in Los Angeles, and, in addition to listing them in advance on their websites, some theaters also allow fans to line up outside and watch the stars walk in. The Grauman’s Chinese Theater is where you will find the majority of premieres being hosted, although El Capitan and the Egyptian Theater are also worth checking out.
Chateau Marmont
The Chateau Marmont is a Hollywood fixture that has long since attracted the rich and famous. Just about every big name that you can think of has stayed here, from Led Zeppelin to James Franco to Lady Gaga, as it never fails to offer a truly extravagant LA experience. This is another location that is usually surrounded by flocks of paparazzi, although if you do decide to head inside, whether to the bar for a quick cocktail or the restaurant for a meal, be sure to keep in mind that the hotel has a “no photography” rule, in order to respect the privacy of their celebrity guests.
For many people, a visit to Los Angeles is just not complete unless they have managed to spot a couple of stars. Fortunately, there are plenty to be found in LA, and whether you head to the ultra-exclusive Chateau Marmont, or the down to earth farmers markets, you are likely to encounter a few of your favorite big names.