Star Trek

As a red carpet reporter, I've interviewed everyone from Ben Affleck to Robert Redford-yet I have never once run into any star out and about in his (or her) native environment. Now on a trip to Southern California, with my (very patient) husband in tow, spotting stars and celebs had become a personal obsession.

Power lunchers
Even as our plane landed at LAX, I could feel my luck turning. I would see stars. Of course, I had already missed one key sighting that day: My friend Stefanie texted as our plane touched down to say she was having lunch at Château Marmont —and so was Jessica Biel.

Once grounded, we headed for the obvious locale: Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. If there's a spot to find celebrities, local friends assured me, this is the place-particularly midweek. This weekday afternoon? The brightest stars sparkled in the windows of Tiffany & Co., but not in human form. We decided to refuel our efforts with lunch at The Grill on the Alley, where agents often wine and dine talent. We didn't see anyone special, though our view was blocked by our enormous-and fabulous-ahi tuna salads and strawberry shortcake desserts.

Later, we hit Malibu, heading to Nobu , one of the hottest restaurants among today's A-listers-but no celebs tonight. Stefanie texted while we nursed our early-evening cocktails: Back in Beverly Hills, Arnold Schwarzenegger was eating at Barney Greengrass.

Playing paparazzi
We checked in at the iconic Hotel Roosevelt on Hollywood Boulevard, a favorite stopover for VIPs who frequent the hotel's über-exclusive Teddy's, which only lets in the hottest stars who want the ultimate in private partying. Last time we checked, our names weren't Brad and Angelina, so that nixed us. Instead, we sampled fabulous cocktails prepared by mixologist Matt Biancaniello in the hotel's sophisticated (and open to mere mortals) Library Bar.

The following day we lunched at the ultra-glamorous Beverly Hilton , which plays host to many an awards show, including the Golden Globes. We heard Renée Zellweger and rock star Pink were among the celebs gathered for a gala at the Beverly Hilton that evening, so we camped out poolside to wait. No luck. But lunch at Circa 55 made up for the missed sightings, as did draping ourselves by the hotel's luxurious pool, open to anyone dining at the hotel.

That afternoon, we met a friend at Millions of Milkshakes , a spirited West Hollywood hangout that's popular with young stars like Miley Cyrus. Zero celebs. We spent that night at the trendy Beverly Hills Thompson Hotel , where David and Victoria Beckham throw soirées by the rooftop pool. Still, the stars weren't out tonight.