In my experience traveling, when people find out I’m from LA their first reaction is a kind of awe (I’m not trying to sound superior, it’s just what I notice and it’s a much better reaction than the one I get when I tell them I’m from the US so I’ll take it) and the the second thing is almost always the question, “Do you see a lot of celebrities?”
The answer is generally to tell them that they’re not on every street corner but I do see them periodically.
To date I have randomly seen the following celebrities (and I use this term lightly):
- Morrissey (I just about died)
- Scarlett Johansson
- Kate Walsh
- Kelly Osbourne
- Julianna Margulies
- New York (Flava of Love and I Love New York)
- Jeffrey Sebalia (Project Runway 3…I just about died here too)
- Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston
- Chris Isaak
- Oscar de la Hoya
- John Cleese
- Rene Russo
- Joe Pesci
- Edward Norton
- Helena Bonham Carter
- Danny Masterson
- Chris Masterson
- Jimmy Smits
- Random people from Mad TV and Curb Your Enthusiasm that I can’t name of the top of my head.
Wow, this list is kind of shitty. I’ll have to remember the bigger celebrities and add them. I know people who have seen Peter Krause, Bret and Jermaine from Flight of the Conchords (why not me?), all of whom I would have loved to see. I always forget who I’ve seen so I’ll update this again later.
People always want to come to LA to see the “Hollywood” places. I’m writing a short list of what people want when they visit here. I’ll allow you to go to these places but only if you promise not to tell others that this is LA. These are yucky, self-fulfilling perceptions of LA that further propagate the stereotypes that everyone in LA works in the industry, is superficial, and is stupid.
The Sunset Strip: A lot of touristy stuff here. You could spend some time just walking up and down the Strip to see all the “Hollywood” type bars and people. Almost nothing of redeeming value here other than the site of where I broke my collar bone (Saddle Ranch…yes on the mechanical bull) and the spot which used to house Dublin’s (I miss you and your comedy nights, Dublin’s) and these are only memories. It’s time has long passed.
Universal Studios: This is not the most exciting theme park and actually is probably the least exciting place in Los Angeles that people always want to go to. I would suggest if you are short on time, or not short on time, to skip it. It should be the first thing off your list.
Venice Beach: I find this place revolting. Everyone always wants to go there and all they offer is a dirty beach, Bob Marley posters, and bongs.
The Ivy: I think this is still the restaurant to go to if you want to see A-Z list celebrities.
Better and Great Alternatives:
The Getty Museum: Where you will have an incredible collection of art, amazing views of LA and the museum itself is gorgeous. http://www.getty.edu/museum/about.html
Walt Disney Concert Hall: Either just to see the buiding (Frank Gehry-designed) or actually go see a performance. http://www.laphil.com/about/wdch_overview.cfm
Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery: The place where, most famously, Marilyn Monroe is buried. This is actually really cool. A great “Hollywood” cemetery but it is hard to find. It is located at 1218 Glendon Avenue. It is very close to a major street (Wilshire) but the driveway/entrance to it almost looks like you are going into the parking lot of the nearby hospital. I drove past it a few times before locating it. You may need to ask for directions when you are in the neighborhood. Many other famous people are also there including Dean Martin, Truman Capote, and Don Knotts (!!!), among others. Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451, will be buried there. He already has his name on the tombstone.
Graumann’s (Mann’s) Chinese Theatre: It has some history. Where all the old movie stars have their handprints and footprints in the cement in front. [Avoid the nearby Hollywood and Highland shopping complex like the plague. The Kodak Theater is there (where the Academy Awards are held) but I think the complex is a horrid place with terrible architechure. There are a few major stores there though, if you just want to do some shopping. It's cliche but The Grove is a cuter, newer outdoor shopping area that is very popular and probably a better alternative. At least it has the Farmer's Market.]
Movie Premieres: Frequently on Tuesdays in Westwood, there are major movie premiere at either the Bruin or Fox theaters (which are across the street from each other) where you can see all the celebrities arriving. You may want to look into this.
Disneyland: It’s not the same thing as Universal Studios as a theme park, it’s so much better. Disneyland is ALWAYS fantastic and highly recommended for people of all ages.
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