How to spot a celebrity

It’s that time of the year whenthe celebrity set descends on Hollywood for annual events. But you can visit LA and spot a star anytime if you know where to look!

Everyone knows about the celebrity foot and hand prints on the Walk of Fame, but my aim was to find a real, live celebrity, preferably A-list, and do some shopping while the Aussie dollar is so strong, of course!

To spot a celeb shopping, forget Rodeo Drive – head to the outdoor shopping centre called The Grove. As I parked at the adjacent Farmers Market, I spied Ryan Seacrest pulling out with some takeaway. I only had to walk 50m more before I saw the paps running to a bookshop at The Grove where Heidi Klum and family were busy browsing. It’s no wonder there are so many celebs here – the CBS studios are right next door.

Exercise is critical to the typically slender celeb frame, and the place to go is Coldwater Canyon Park on Mulholland Drive to catch stars such as Jake Gyllenhaal walking the dogs or Gwen Stefani romping with her gorgeous kids. Also check to see if an LA Lakers game is on while you’re there – the front rows yield a sea of stars.

Celebs are a fickle bunch when it comes to bars and dining, and insiders tell me Livello at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills is the place to be in 2012. After, head to West Hollywood’s SUR Lounge, a new nightclub created by Lisa Vanderpump of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Another sure-fire way to sight a star is by lining up for tickets for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at NBC Studios in Burbank. After a visit to Universal Studios to enjoy the rides and a back-lot tour, I stopped in for a taping... and Tom Cruise was the special guest. A-list celeb spotted! Mission accomplished...