A simple guide to celeb stalking in LA

If you’ve got a trip to Los Angeles planned in the near future, your itinerary probably includes Disneyland or Universal Studios. Those two places are undeniably fun and exciting, but you won’t see any celebs there. Maybe you’re heading to LA to get away from this harsh Okanagan summer we’re having, in hopes of catching some serious rays on their glorious beaches. Whatever your purpose is for making the 2,300 km. trip down to Southern California, you’re probably yearning to see some celebs while there.

Although I can’t promise that by reading this you’ll see a lot of Hollywood stars, I can guarantee that you’re better off with this guide than by purchasing a “map of the stars” they sell all over Hollywood. First of all, those homes listed have long been vacated by the celebs they say still reside there. Also, the homes are gated and very private; hanging around without purpose in those residential areas won’t do you any good. If you want to see where the stars live, just drive down N Beverly Glen Blvd in Bel Air (on the west side of the city) and you’ll get a real idea of how the stars live. I’ve marked it on the map.

But what you really want to know is how to “bump into” as many stars as you can without being mistaken for a paparazzi. Let me backtrack for a second… sometimes it’s fun to actually stalk the paparazzi stalking the celebs. Best place to do this is around Robertson Blvd., where all the Lindsays and Kims and Britneys shop for their duds. It’s on the map.

Are you young and single? Do you enjoy being well-dressed? Are you a woman who plans to go out to the club partying with a group of other young women? You’re in luck! You can party with the celebs in fine style late into the night. One of the best places to do this is… wait, hold up. What, you ask? What about the guys? Ok, the way things work at these hot clubs is if you’re a guy – and you’re going with a group of guys – the chances of you getting in are about as good as the Kardashians stumbling onto a huge helping of integrity. A good looking couple can get in, but usually dudes are left out in the cold. Oh yeah, almost forgot: that hot spot that never seems to go out of style is Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel. My wife and I had a chance to stay at the hotel and check out the club back in 2008, and it was an experience. Maybe I’ll tell you about it one day. Yup, Skybar is on the map.

Photo: Contributed - Mark Stone

This may sound strange, but one of the very best places to check out one of your favorite celebrities is at the grocery store. Not just any grocery store; you’ve got to know which ones the celebrities frequent most. The two most popular stores with celebs are Whole Foods and Gelson’s Market. Pretty much any of the establishments on the west side of town will do, but I’ve mapped a few out for you.

We visited a Whole Foods in Glendale last week just as we touched down to buy a few things for breakfast the next morning, and we ran into Analeigh Tipton (photo right), who has starred in The Green Hornet, Crazy Stupid Love and HBO’s Hung.

This is taking longer than I thought, so I’ll do a part two – with video - where I’ll reveal THE very best place to spot celebs!

View Seeing the celebs in LA in a larger map

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.