California girl

Her ideal romantic break would be in Cape Town. 'I went there in November. I saw penguins on the beach, I went hiking on Table Mountain. At the top you could see where the two oceans meet.' Although she loves shoots on the volcanic wastes of Lanzarote or in Mumbai, life as a globetrotting model has its drawbacks. 'With my lifestyle it's hard to meet people and to maintain relationships when you're travelling so much. I've only ever had had two boyfriends.'

Lindsay's LA guide

FOR BRUNCH My favourite place is Urth Caffé on Melrose and La Cienega ( www.urthcaffe.com). I always order the same thing - bread pudding with baked apples and cream. It's a fun atmosphere: you can sit outside and pick out actors - Robert Downey Jr was there last time I went. I go for eggs Benedict at Toast Bakery Café on W 3rd Street and La Jolla ( www.toastbakerycafe.net). They're dog-friendly so I take my West Highland terriers Toby and Tucker.

FOR DINNER There's this really cool place called Ketchup on Sunset (www.dolcegroup.com/ketchup). It's like a chic barbecue. The décor is modern and it does all the American favourites like ribs and chicken pot soup. If you like American food you have to go there. I think California has the best Mexican food and The Gardens of Taxco on North Harper Avenue has authentic food - not too fancy (www.gardensoftaxco.com). It's cosy, there are lots of plants, like an indoor garden, and they do great margaritas.

FOR COFFEE For the best coffee go to Groundwork Coffee Company on Cahuenga Boulevard (www.lacoffee.com/groundwork.html). It's tucked in amid nightclubs but it's quiet and cosy. I love to sit outside in the sun with one of their chai lattes. It's in Hollywood so there's a view. Also Brighton Coffee Shop on Brighton Way in Beverly Hills (00 1 310 276 7732). It's not too expensive but it's in 90210 which is a chic area.

FOR GROCERIES My favourite shop is Trader Joe's on Santa Monica Boulevard ( www.traderjoes.com). I go there to stock up on granola, nuts and berries. I like Whole Foods in Beverly Hills or West Hollywood because you can eat there ( www.wholefoodsmarket.com). You can get a salad or load up a plate with spinach and vegetables and red wine vinegar.

FOR SHOPPING I love Madison because it's got cute lingerie. I recently bought some by Eberjey and they also stock Stella McCartney (www.madisonlosangeles.com). When I did shows in LA, I always walked for an LA designer called Petro Zillia and she now has a boutique on W 3rd Street called House of Petro Zillia (www.petrozillia.com). Her style is unique and colourful - very different. If you have a day to kill, there's a great outdoor shopping area called The Grove on 3rd (www.thegrovela.com). There are tons of options like Nordstrom and J Crew. They have lots of restaurants, a movie theatre and big fountains that do water shows every hour to music. It's a cute date spot. There's a boutique called Kitson on Robertson Boulevard (www.shopkitson.com). I was there last week with my sister. They have cute bracelets - I love layering bracelets - big funky earrings, perfumes, Kiehl's hand cream and cards. It's everything you want in one store.

BEACHES If you want somewhere beautiful and secluded, I would suggest Malibu. It's further away; it's an area where there are a lot of houses and people tend to stay away because there's not as much going on.

Any time I shoot we always go there. At Santa Monica and Venice it's more fun. You can walk around, get a slice of pizza and look at the little stalls along the beach where you can buy shorts that say 'Lifeguard'.

HOTEL BARS The Skybar at the Mondrian, founded by Rande Gerber (see page 18), is really cool ( www.mondrianhotel.com). They just redid everything in white and orange and there are pretty mirrors and floral designs on the ceiling. They have a lot of events and parties going on. The attention to detail is amazing. So are the mojitos. I really like Teddy's at the Roosevelt ( www.hollywoodroosevelt.com). A lot of celebrities go there because it's really dark, there are private tables and you can escape. Last time I was there, Paris Hilton was acting crazy and falling everywhere. My sisters and I really like the Cactus Lounge at The Standard ( www.standardhotels.com). They do mini tasting cocktails. It's right on Sunset, and reminds me of a hotel from the Sixties.

DIVE BARS When I was on the D&G shoot, I walked past this crazy place on Sunset in the middle of the day and it was pounding with music so I had to try it. It's called Cabo Cantina and it's like this cool party world when you go in (00 1 323 822 7820).

WINE BARS For a more chilled, low-key night, Bottle Rock on Main Street in Culver City serves international wines and you can have little snacks, cheeses and foie gras to go with them (www.bottlerock.net).

NIGHTCLUBS The thing about LA is you have to go out early. If you get somewhere for midnight there are lines and there's no chance of getting in and everything closes at 2am. Hyde is hard to get into (00 1 323 656 4932). It's really small but once you're in it's like a lounge and they have DJs like Samantha Ronson. She plays Nineties stuff mixed with The Ting Tings. For a big club, I like Privilege on Sunset (00 1 310 216 9008).

Shot on location at the Mondrian hotel, 8440 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood (00 1 323 650 8999; www.mondrianhotel.com), where visionary designer Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz completed his rejuvenation of the iconic hotel in September 2008.

Hair by Tony Chavez at Frank Reps using Shu Uemura Art of Hair. Make-up by Yumi at Frank Reps using MAC. Lindsay Ellingson is at Viva London.

The ES team flew with Virgin Atlantic which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Daily flights from Heathrow to Los Angeles from £339 economy, premium from £738 and Upper Class from £1,699 (08705 747 747; www.virginatlantic.com)