The LA Hidden Gem Where You’ll Actually See Celebrities

Let’s be real: one of the biggest draws of visiting Los Angeles is the possibility of getting to see a celebrity in person. But in a sprawling city of millions, it might be tricky to locate them. Of course, there are the safe bets like TV show tapings or awards show ceremonies where the glitterati are bound to gather. But what about encountering them ‘in the wild’ without the cameras, bodyguards, and loads of fans? I’m going to let you in on a Los Angeles hidden gem where you will definitely spot a celeb, including my own experiences with celebrity sightings there. 

If you want to see celebrities in LA, go to the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood. The Sunset Marquis entrance is located on Alta Loma, a quiet street just off the Sunset Strip, a block west of La Cienega. The Sunset Marquis has a restaurant and bar that’s open to anyone for dining, so you don’t need to be a guest to enter. One time my friend Anna Flora was visiting town, and we walked into the Sunset Marquis just to look around the property. While walking around I saw Helen Mirren reading a magazine by the pool area. 

The best option though is to actually make an experience of it by having lunch there. I recently met a friend there for lunch. I hadn’t seen her in four years, so we had a lot of catching up to do. I was so engrossed in our conversation that I didn’t realize a major Hollywood actor was sitting right by us. It wasn’t until after he left that my friend revealed the actor who was just inches away from me was none other than Oscar Isaac. I could have kicked myself. Poe Dameron in the flesh. 

So there you have it. If you want to see movie and tv stars up close during your stay in Los Angeles, pay a visit to the Sunset Marquis Hotel.