Where the stars go for summer vacation

Summer is here and that means sun and fun — and for many A-list stars, the more exotic the location, the better. See where celebs like Jennifer Aniston, Rihanna, Jessica Simpson, Oprah Winfrey, and Beyonce and Jay-Z unwind with their friends and family all over the world.

Saint-Tropez, France
The picturesque French Riviera town is probably the most famous sandy celebrity playground. Anyone who is anyone in Hollywood has made a splash in Saint-Tropez, including Rihanna, Elton John, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, and Kate Moss. Besides amenities like windsurfing, sailing, jet skiing, and scuba diving, its biggest draw for its elite guests is the privacy it offers. A number of smaller beaches — some of which are clothing optional — make up the town's landscape, and even have their own huts and tanning areas.

And for those who want to stay in the shade, there is plenty of shopping in Saint-Tropez, which rose to notoriety in the '50s thanks to French "It girl" Brigitte Bardot. Although there are no designated streets lined with shops, there are plenty of chic boutiques, antique markets, and souvenir tents scattered near the beaches and many stay open late in the summer. There's also a yacht regatta in the bay of Saint-Tropez every late September, which draws vacationers from nearby Nice and Cannes.

Los Cabos San Lucas, Mexico

When celebs want to let their hair down, they head south of the border to this Mexico's luxurious destination. Not only is Los Cabos San Lucas (or Cabo for short) a great place to party — after all, Jennifer Aniston spends nearly every birthday there, margarita in-hand — it's also well-known for its world-class spas and pampering resorts. George Clooney is a big fan of One&Only Palmilla, which boasts an infinity pool and a bar you can swim right up to, while Jennifer Lopez likes to indulge in massages at Las Ventanas al Paraiso.

If you want to nurse your tequila hangover with a little shopping, head on over to The Shoppes at Palmilla, an upscale hacienda-style shopping and dining destination set amongst lush gardens and fountains that has more than 30 boutiques selling original Mexican jewelry, clothing, artwork, and carved wooden furniture. Christina Aguilera and Nicole Richie have both been spotted eating at gourmet Japanese restaurant Nick-San at The Shoppes. And for those who don't like to drink, shop, or pamper themselves, there's plenty of other recreational activities, like ATV tours, whale watching, horseback riding, surfing lessons, or even a round of golf at a Jack Nicklaus-designed course.

Hawaii

The eight islands that make up the 50th state are such a go-to vacation spot for celebs, many have actually bought houses there — like Oprah Winfrey, Drew Barrymore, and Woody Harrelson — so they can pop over from Los Angeles whenever they like. The most popular of the islands is probably Maui, where Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green said "I do" in June 2010, and its many posh hotels including the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea Resort and Spa, which prides itself on its nine pools and its spa, deemed the best in the United States. Besides white sandy beaches, palm trees, and crystal blue water, the 727-square-mile island has plenty of places to dine and spot celebrities. For seafood and sushi, Sansei is one of the most famous and for good ol' burgers and pizzas, Charleys is the place.

Another popular island in Hawaii for celebs to visit is Oahu, which has served as the backdrop for many movies such as George Clooney's "The Descendants," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" with Mila Kunis, and "Blue Crush," which marked Kate Bosworth's debut. And when the stars are in town, many check in at the Turtle Bay Resort, where every room has an ocean view, and guests can enjoy helicopter rides or hit the links at one of the property's two 18-hole golf courses. As far as nightlife goes, Pearl Ultra Lounge is a favorite haunt of Johnny Depp and David Beckham.

Miami

For those stars who don't want to leave the mainland or just want a weekend getaway, South Florida is the place to be — and there is certainly no shortage of hot hotels. Jay-Z and Beyonce frequent The Setai in South Beach, Justin Timberlake is a fan of The Delano (and its chic lounge, Rose Bar), while the Kardashians love the Fountainbleau and have been spotted partying at its LIV nightclub.

When they're not working on their tans, celebs like Cameron Diaz and Kanye West work out their credit cards at high-end shopping meccas The Webster and Bal Harbour Shops outdoor mall. As for fine dining, there's Bill Clinton's fave for steaks (and fried Oreos) Prime 112, Italian eatery Casa Tua, and Nobu inside the Shore Club hotel, where Jessica Simpson has been seen swimming on occasion. And for those looking for something different to do, there's always a Miami Heat basketball game.

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