People come to Los Angeles in search of fortune, fame, and celebrity sightings. While new stars are opting for neighborhoods like Silverlake, Calabasas and Tarzana, there are still plenty of stars lunching, shopping, and having coffee around Hollywood.
To get a glimpse of the rich and famous without being too nosy, hop aboard the Red Route of the CitySightseeing Hop On Hop Off bus to drink in the scenery. The upper deck provides a tan and a tour at the same time while stargazing around town, and there are no parking hassles or tipping the parking valet. The two-hour loop will take you near this baker’s-dozen of hot spots.
Stop 1 Starline Terminal and nearby, Musso & Franks
Celebs are drawn to the old-fashioned restaurants and Musso & Franks is the oldest eatery in Hollywood. In the 1920’s when movies were silent and Hollywood was dotted with cafeterias ang rills, Jean Rue, Musso’s most tenured and famous chef, created the menu that exists today. It has been loved and frequented by celebrities for more than 90 years. Their classic martini is the best in town. Sean Connery, Keith Richard and Johnny Depp are among the stars that drop in. 6667 Hollywood Boulevard
Also close by is the Roosevelt Hotel, home of the original Academy Awards where Douglas Fairbanks hosted the dinner and presentations in 1929. Sip craft cocktails created by mixology wizards in the exclusive-feeling Library Bar, and settle into a tufted leather booth beneath crystal chandeliers for the most glam burger you’ve ever had at the restaurant, 25 Degrees. Kick back in the Spanish Colonial-style lobby for some people-watching—and keep your eyes open for Marilyn Monroe. She lived at the Roosevelt for two years, and some visitors swear they’ve spotted her ghost in a full-length mirror. 7000 Hollywood Boulevard
Dream Hotel’s Beauty & Essex
Nestled inside the Dream Hollywood hotel (down Hollywood Boulevard and around the corner on Selma Avenue) this moody and undeniably trendy restaurant and bar is a celeb favorite which fakes the entrance through a vintage boutique to a grand restaurant, courtyard and bar. The food and cocktail menu are as stylish as its patrons: Beyoncé, Jay Z, Selena Gomez, The Weeknd and Paris Hilton. 6417 Selma Avenue
Stop 3 Chateau Marmont
The Chateau Marmont has an extensive and complicated history with celebrities. James Dean once jumped through a window at the hotel, John Belushi died of a drug overdose in Bungalow 3, Lindsey Lohan briefly took up residence in the hotel and racked up at $46,000 bill, and Britney Spears was banned for “smearing food all over her face.” Now, the hotel’s rich history still lures celebrities like Lana Del Rey, Dakota Johnson, Kit Harington, Julianna Hough, and Lady Gaga in to dine on its restaurant patio or stay in one of their famous bungalows. Stop 3 is a block away. 8221 Sunset Boulevard
Stop 6 Delilah
Kendall Jenner celebrated her 21st birthday at this swanky restaurant that has a 1920’s feel. It’s so popular with celebs that it has banned indoor photography due to the nature of its clientele. Drake also hosted his birthday at Delilah and both Hadid sisters have been spotted there. 7969 Santa Monica Boulevard
Stop 8 Four Seasons Hotel at Beverly Hills
This hotel, with its flower-filled lobby and stunning guest rooms is all about spoiling guests. The pool area includes the lovely shaded Cabana café for celebrity-spotting of the prettiest kind: Jessica Chastain, Katy Perry, Zoe Saldana, Lea Michele, Orlando Bloom, Morgan Freeman and Jason Statham have been here. 300 South Doheny Drive
Stop 9 Beverly Center
Celebrities shop just like anyone else, and Beverly Center has been one of their spots for many years. The Center is large enough to go unnoticed, but notable views have been Nicholas Cage, Drew Barrymore, Courtney Cox, Jerry Seinfeld and Paul McCartney. 8500 Beverly Boulevard
Stop 12 Melrose Avenue Shopping and Dining
Fig & Olive
Fig & Olive’s West Coast flagship restaurant is 8,000 square feet of celebrity spotting, with its light-filled space, two-story dining area, 50-foot tasting bar and communal table, and cocktail space. Pop in if you see paparazzi outside. Seen here: Ryan Gosling, Leonardo DiCaprio, Halle Berry, Drew Barrymore and Victoria Beckham. 8490 Melrose Avenue
Fred Segal
When Fred Segal opened his West Hollywood store over five decades ago, 85 percent of the inventory in the 350‑square‑foot store was blue – his namesake denim jeans alongside shirts and pants in chambrays, velvets and flannels. In fact, he created the first “jeans bar” and designed Elvis’s wardrobe for 20 years. The store draws the widest range of stars, such as Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Gwyneth Paltrow and Nichole Kidman. 8118 Melrose Avenue
Urth Caffe
A familiar hangout in an HBO series and featured in the Entourage movie, Urth Caffé on Melrose Avenue, about a block from Stop 12 is a bustling cafe known for organic coffee, American eats and frequent celebrity sightings on its lively patio. The relaxed crowd gives the impression that no one has to go back to work. Be prepared to stand in a long line, but you might be behind Russell Brand, Joe Jonas, Jessica Alba, Miley Cyrus or Kylie Jenner getting a macha green tea latte. 8565 Melrose Avenue
Alfred Café
There are many locations of Alfred Coffee, and they are all frequented by British heartthrob and LGBTQA activist Harry Styles. The one in West Hollywood gets its celebs from the spin class next door, called Soul Cycle. Celebs swear by this endorphin-and adrenaline-boosting class. Ellie Kemper, Carey Mulligan, Khloe Kardashian and David Beckham are fans. 8509 Melrose Avenue
Catch
If you can get a reservation at Catch, you may have to physically worm your way through several TMZ paparazzi to get in. Mariah Carey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kendall Jenner, Justin Bieber, Jamie Foxx, the “it” couple Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, and Cindy Crawford have been spotted there. Your college roommate will ask you if you got past the bouncers because she’s seen it in the People magazine. You wouldn’t know it, but they actually service fantastic, globally influenced seafood. Once impossible to get a reservation, it’s now available on Open Table. (Tip: It’s on the corner of Melrose and San Vicente if you want to just hang out on your phone talking to your agent.) 8715 Melrose Avenue
Craig’s
A block away is Craig’s. It’s easier to make a reservation and has a steady stream of celebrities having dinner over a movie script. A great way to get in and enjoy the vibe is to arrive when the restaurant opens and take a seat at the bar. Gigi and Bella Hadid, Rachel Zoe, Mariah Carey and Kendall Jenner are regulars along with Kim Kardashian and George Clooney. The restaurant is owned by Craig Susser, the long-time manager of the legendary Italian celebrity hangout, Dan Tana’s, who left to open his own spot after the owner sold to someone else. All the stars followed, and plan their paparazzi run-ins outside the famous front door. 8826 Melrose
Gracias Madre
Across the street is Gracias Madre, a plant-based Mexican food restaurant and a wicked bar serving only Tequila-inspired drinks. People who can’t snag a reservation at Craig’s often end up here. Beyoncé and Jay Z have been spotted in the restaurant’s courtyard more than once. 8905 Melrose Avenue
The CitySightseeing Hop On Hop Off bus can be boarded at any stop and offers a fully narrated tour in English and eight other languages: French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin) Korean and Japanese. A 24-hour ticket is $49 for adults and $30 for youth 3-11 and a 48-hour ticket is $64 adults, $40 for youth with complimentary entrance to Madame Tussaud’s, where stars pose for hours in the museum. Combine a 24-hour CitySightseeing ticket with a Celebrity Homes Tour to see where the stars live for $79 adult, $49 for youth 3-11, all available at www.starlinetours.com for online pricing.
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