Please do a search. This exact question has been asked before (and I think by you!), so some of the answers above were probably covered in that thread

BTW - The Ivy in Santa Monica has changed hands & is opening up as a new restaurant according to last week's LA Times.

It's hit or miss on seeing celebs at any of the places. Please prepare your wife for that. Where you can see a lot (depending on which age group you're looking at) are the clubs, but odds are you won't get in.

Ask the concierge at your hotel (discreetly) re: restaurants etc. They'll have a good handle on the celeb going ones, although you have a # of good suggestions on this thread.

I know you said your wife doesn't necessarily want to meet them, but please please tell her it 'is not cool' to do the photo or autograph thing!

Having said all that - have a fabulous time while you're visiting!!!! Cheers.