Where: Malibu, California

Who hangs out here? Malibu is getting a bad name. Well, not really, but it has been the site of some pretty wild events recently—from Britney's impromptu swim in a hot-pink bra to Mel's arrest on the Pacific Coast Highway. On a more tasteful note, look out for famous residents such as Kate Hudson, Courtney Cox Arquette, John Cusack, Sally Field, Richard Gere, Goldie Hawn, and Charlize Theron playing with her many dogs.

The star attraction: Think the Oscars on the beach. Since the early days of Hollywood, movie stars have flocked like birds of paradise to the Malibu Colony, snapping up designer love nests along the 27-mile coastline. This is their vacation home—walled houses, locked gates, and VIP access to a pristine swathe of Pacific Ocean beach.

Stargazing: Try as they might to keep out prying eyes, Carbon Beach is public, though there are but a few hard-to-find entry points. Slip between the mansions via the Zonker Harris Accessway, located a mile east of Malibu Pier. After tanning next to Ms. Hudson, head out for a bite to eat at Granita, which is always a safe bet for local and visiting lovelies. end-of-week, Geoffrey's is one of the hottest haunts for Sunday brunch.

The hot bed: You mean you can't afford to rent a summer house? Refrain from hissy fits and simply check in to the Malibu Beach Inn, situated on Carbon Beach, mere moments away from those movie star holiday homes. The hotel has 42 rooms and six one-bedroom suites, all with ocean views and private balconies.

Malibu Beach Inn
Tel: 310 456 6444
Doubles from $325 per night.