Stargazing 101

Stargazing 101

OK, here's the situation: You're in Du-Par's coffee shop in Studio City, and George Clooney is in the next booth, downing a short stack. This may not be the best time to run up and ask for an autograph and a quick pic, but when is a good moment? And.. wait! George is about to pay the check and split. You decide to jump at the chance. Remain calm. Use common courtesy and hang on to your sense of decorum. Remember to be polite, brief, and have the pen and paper ready if an autograph is part of your mission. When introducing yourself, mention that you're "visiting from.." It will buy you a lot of leeway.

Just another day ...

When in L.A., it's tempting to buy star maps—however, they're notoriously inaccurate and out of date. Instead, think like a resident. Plenty of stars go about their daily routines on the streets of Beverly Hills, so keep your eyes peeled. The Farm of Beverly Hills, on Beverly Boulevard, is a favorite lunch haunt, as is the Lobby Lounge at the Regent Beverly Wilshire hotel. The Grill on the Alley gets busy around Oscar time. Also try restaurants around the studios. For most stars, a day of shooting or preproduction is their day at the office, and they want to get out a little at lunch. Try Lucy's El Adobe Café, across the street from Paramount or French 75 in Burbank.

Hit the trail

Stars spend the first half of the day doing lunch and the second part of the day working it off. Gyms are out and hiking is in, so put on your sneakers and head for the hills. Fryman Canyon, off Laurel Canyon, is TV-star turf and gives stunning views of the San Fernando Valley. The Lake Hollywood Reservoir has a surprisingly bucolic 3.2-mi waterside walk with the hollywood sign as a backdrop. Just remember: Avoid hiking after sunset and never hike alone.

Dog parks are also low-key places celebs like to go to relax and spend quality time with their furry pals. Even if you don't have dog, you can join the many who go to stroll the parklike settings. Try Runyon Canyon Park on Franklin and Fuller Avenue, Laurel Canyon Dog Park, 8260 Mulholland Drive just west of Laurel Canyon, or Barrington Dog Park, 333 S. Barrington Avenue in West L.A.