Los Angeles is one dynamic, ever-evolving destination, as I discovered last October with Eve. There’s so much more to it than Disneyland, which technically isn’t even in L.A. anyway. With the Academy Awards Oscar countdown starting, I thought it would be fun to suss out how celebrities roll in the entertainment capital of the world.
The streets surrounding the Dolby Theatre shut down the week before the Oscars in order to prep.
Even if you can’t live like an A-lister, you can try and hunt them down – just like I did! Here are my best recs as we countdown to the Oscars. But first, my clip from Global weekend in case you’d rather watch….
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Best Los Angeles tours (for all things celebrity and entertainment)
If you’re keen check out iconic entertainment sights in L.A., you need to head to the heart of Hollywood. This is where you’ll find the Dolby Theatre – home of the Academy Awards. Few people realize the Dolby Theatre, offers tours.
Yep, yours truly in the front row at the Academy Awards. OK, Dolby Theatre, but it’s as close as I’ll ever get to Denzel.
We took one and it was fab. You can go literally go behind the scenes, and by that I mean hang out backstage and stand on the stage, just like the award winners do. So very cool. It’s one of the best things to do in LA with kids.
This is the real deal stage at the Dolby Theatre, where the Academy Award winners accept their Oscars.
America’s Got Talent and American Idol also film here, so if you time it right, you can score tickets to attend a live taping. Beyond the red carpet, there’s loads of opps in LA go get a first hand looks at moviemaking and TV production.
For that you’ll want to check out a major entertainment studios like Universal Studios Hollywood, SONY or Warner Bros.
What a treat! We got to stroll through Stars Hollow on the Warner Bros studio tour!
We did the Warner Bros studio tour and scored an exclusive look at costumes and props used in production. I was this close to the costumes Gal Gadot wore in Wonder Woman. Such a tiny waist!
Then we pretended to have a coffee on the couch of Central Perk on the Friends set. If they’re not filming, you can go inside the stage sets of your favourite films and TV shows, which in our case means the The Big Bang Theory.
If you’re a fan of Glimour Girls you can tour Stars Hollow! Crazy Rich Asians and A Star is Born were also filmed here.
Famous places to eat in Los Angeles
Just outside the Warner Bros lot is Smoke House, an old school steak restaurant. It was so beloved by George Clooney, he named his production company after it! And a scene in La La Land was filmed here, but I can’t remember which one. Sorry!
Portions are massive, but save room for their famous garlic bread. Oh, George likes to sit under the Humphrey Bogart mural to the left of the bar.
Head here for one of the best dry martinis in all the US of A!
Another celebrity studded restaurant to dine at is Musso & Frank Grill. They’re so famous for their dry martinis, GQ declared them the best in US! In 2019 they’re celebrating their 100th anniversary, which is a major accomplishment for any restaurant.
But you better go quick before the new Quentin Tarantino film – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood comes out. Starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, a major scene in the movie was filmed at Musso & Frank Grill. Get there before everyone else does.
VIP Shopping in L.A.
If you know me, you know I love me malls. I hit up Westfield Century City every day during our visit. It’s a 5 minute walk from where we were staying at the Intercontinental Century Century, and was just down the block CAA – the major talent agency for the stars.
It was super cool to see all the assistants out for lunch at the food court – which happens to be one of the best mall food courts I’ve ever been to. More like a high end food hall, really!
Also in Westfield Century City is Eataly, that upscale Italian mercantile and restaurant. For sure have a meal here!
Why, yes! I will have a glass of bubbles and some charcuterie while I try on expensive gowns.
For an exclusive experience make an appointment with a personal shopper at Westfield Century City. These shoppers are boss! One of them even interned with Rachel Zoe!
You’ll try on pieces picked just for you inside a chic styling suite designed by Kelly Wearstler, a famous international designer.
And don’t feel guilty if you’re spending a lot of time at this mall. It’s partnered with LA County Museum of Art and the Annenberg Space for Photography, so there’s loads of fantastic art work and photography on display. Shopping + culture = win-win!
For more awesome shopping spots in L.A. check out this post.
Where to spot a celebrity in L.A.
If you don’t spot any celebrities in the mall or on a studio tour, consider hitting a farmer’s market especially on the weekend. There’s the Original Farmer’s Market (a legit historic spot), plus there’s the Brentwood Country Mart, where Reese and Gwyneth have been spotted. I hear their rotisserie chicken is die for.
Where are they?
If you’re into hiking, hit the trails of Runyon Canyon. People magazine always has shots of celebs hiking there. PSA: Katie Perry lives at the top of the canyon. Her driveway is next to one of the hiking parking lots. Sports/celeb fans should catch a basketball game at Staples Centre to see who’s sitting court-side.
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Have you ever spotted a celebrity in L.A.? Where was it?
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