LA's 75 Most Iconic Filming Locations
Ever wondered where some of the most iconic scenes from your favorite movie or TV show were shot? Chances are if you live in LA, you’ve walked past or visited some of them without even knowing.
This list covers the most popular to the most iconic filming locations in LA, along with a link so you can visit them IRL. From the violent action in Pulp Fiction to the romance in La La Land, our list covers a diverse mix of properties which have been featured in every genre imaginable.
This rank system takes into consideration the novelty and popularity of the films that featured these locations. If you’re eager to visit a spot from your favorite movie, take a look at our list below:
The Most Memorable LA Filming Locations (75-45)
75.
Pulp Fiction Junkyard
A junkyard might seem worlds apart from the glamour of Hollywood, it became the backdrop for an important scene in Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. In this scene, the two main characters played by Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta attempt to dispose of a body and car. While known as Monster Joe’s in the film, the real junkyard is called A & R Auto Dismantlers in Sun Valley, California.
74.
Parking Lot from A Star is Born
This grocery store located in Glassell Park made its way into one of the most talked-about movies of 2018. When Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s characters stop by for frozen peas, they end up discussing songwriting in the empty parking lot. While this may have been a normal supermarket to shop at, A Star is Born has now made Super A Foods a destination.
73. Frolic Room from L.A. Confidential
The Frolic Room is said to be the most historic dive bar in Hollywood with household names like Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland being regulars of the establishment. The giant neon yellow sign invites customers into an immersive space with a jukebox and walls lined with historic photos of celebrities. The bar has an authenticity to it that other new bars don’t possess.
72. Strip Mall from Nightcrawler
Located at 1522 West Sunset Boulevard, by the strip mall at Laveta Terrace in Echo Park, Angelino's is a popular local bakery, well loved for its delicious croissants, donuts, smoothies and coffee. Kavanaugh says that location scouting for this type of night scene needs to be done at night because in the daytime, the same location usually doesn't look as dramatic.
71. The Smokehouse from Argo, La La Land, The Office, and more
Established in 1946, this restaurant is located next to the Warner Brothers lot in Burbank, California which has led to its strong connection with the film industry. While producers and actors frequent this establishment for a bite to eat, it has also been used as a set for several films and television shows.
70. Desert Hideout from Terminator 2
Out in the desert, Cactus Jack's market which sat along a dusty road in Lancaster, California stood out with its bright yellow and red exterior. You may remember it from Terminator 2: Judgement Day when Sarah, John, and T-800 made a pit stop here. While the market has since closed, the building still remains in a barren state in the surrounding desert.
69. Vista Theatre from True Romance, Get Shorty, and more
Located on Sunset Drive, this single-screen theater opened in 1923 is one of the remaining buildings from Hollywood’s construction in the 20s. Out front, the theater’s sidewalk displays hand and footprints from independent and cult film icons.
68. Victorian Village from countless films and photoshoots
Established in 1969, the Heritage Square Museum has preserved eight historic Victorian buildings which were at risk of being demolished during expansion in the 60s. The museum has been featured in films like Saving Mr. Banks and Legally Blonde.
67. The Last Bookstore from Gone Girl, You, and more
Founded in 2005, the bookstore has moved from its original location to a former bank in Downtown LA. This gives the store extra character with the vault still in place. Their interesting displays are constantly posted on Instagram, attracting countless tourists.
66. The Train Station from Collateral
The chase takes them through the underground subway component of the Blue Line, all the way to the Green Line’s Harbor Freeway Station where they run out of room to run. This train station is located at the interchange of the Harbor and Century freeways, overlooking a knot of concrete ramps and overpasses, and was used in an eerie foreshadowing scene at the beginning of the movie.
65. Cunningham House from Happy Days
If you were to search out the house from Happy Days at its official address: 565 North Clinton Drive in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, you would be severely disappointed. The actual house is located in Hancock Park near Paramount Pictures which was used for all the establishing shots in the show. The house has remained the same with its white pillars and brick-lined lawn.
64. The Pool from Fast Times at Ridgemont High
This Los Angeles private residence was used in the filming of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The property is known as the Hamilton house as it fictionally belonged to the characters from the film, Stacy and Brad Hamilton. The most memorable part of the film shot at this residence was Phoebe Cates’s topless scene in the pool.
63. Lovell House from L.A. Confidential
The famed hillside abode designed by Richard Neutra doubled as Pierce Patchett's luxurious home, whose modernist design represented a distinct change from Ellroy's novel. “Curtis had been thinking that unlike what seemed to have been written in the Ellroy book, that the Strathairn character would have modern taste and live in a modern building.”
62. Herald Examiner Building from countless films and photoshoots
Built in a Spanish Colonial Revival style in 1914, this building is located in Downtown Los Angeles and houses the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. In 2015, renovation plans began to open restaurants and shops on the bottom floor. It has become an architectural icon with its arched windows and figures carved into the walls.
61. The Jungle from Training Day
Formally known as Baldwin Village, this neighborhood was developed in the early 40s and 50s in South LA. While the tropical trees scattered around are what led to locals nicknaming it “The Jungle,” this somewhat negative connotation forced the city to change the name to its current one.
60. Draper’s Ossining House from Mad Men
k, the Draper family’s colonial-style residence can actually be found at 675 Arden Road, right across the street from the Father of the Bride house, in one of Pasadena’s most picturesque neighborhoods. The Draper dwelling itself is no stranger to the screen—the very same pad was also used as the home of Robby Keough in the 1995 thriller Outbreak.
59. Issa’a House from Insecure
The apartment building where Issa lives with her boyfriend plays itself IRL. The Dunes is an actual, two-story, 52-unit complex in Inglewood, where a two-bedroom rents for $1,625. Built in 1961, it looks like a lot of Los Angeles apartment buildings: a simple building that wraps around a pool or garden, palm trees out front, a stucco facade, and its name emblazoned on the facade.
58. Frank Semyon’s House from True Detective Season Two
Frank Semyon (Vince Vaughn), a gangster really trying to go kind of straight, calls this lovely Topanga house home. Known as the Von Hagen Residence, the 1975 house was designed by architectural firm Ladd and Kelsey, the team that brought us the Norton Simon Museum and the main buildings at Calarts.
57. The Chinatown Express from Nightcrawler
Seeing where the story begins is interesting; seeing where it ends, especially if it ends in cinematic violence, is even better. Chinatown Express sits on Western Avenue in Koreatown, all nonchalant and pretending it wasn’t the location of a climactic shootout in Nightcrawler.
56. The Reseda Theatre from Boogie Nights
The Reseda Theater’s iconic blue marquee is featured in Boogie Nights’ famous opening Steadicam shot, which swoops down Sherman Way directly into Hot Traxx Disco. By the time the production came along, the establishment had been shuttered for nearly a decade, necessitating a facelift.
55. Pasadena Residence from Father of the Bride
"You see this pathway? I laid these bricks with my own two hands. I planted this grass. I built this fence. I broke that window with a frisbee. I painted these shutters. Don't bulldoze my memories, man. Sell me back my home." Okay, maybe Steve Martin didn't actually build this Pasadena home, but it's a stunning piece of movie history nonetheless.
54. The Prince Restaurant from New Girl
Post up with Nick, Jess, Cece, and the rest of the gang at The Prince Restaurant in Koreatown. While the interior of the bar is seen on the show, a different bar, The Griffin, is actually used for the exterior shots. Fun fact: Mad Men has also filmed at The Prince.
53. Greystone Mansion from Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls fans will recognize this spot as Rory's prestigious school, Chilton Preparatory Academy. Supposedly in Hartford, CT, the site of the fictional school is actually a historic Beverly Hills estate that hosts weddings and other functions. It's open for daily tours, but we can't promise Dean will be waiting to pick you up afterward.
52. Angel’s Knoll from 500 Days of Summer
Remember that heartbreaker of a final scene at this bench in 500 Days of Summer? "You never wanted to be anyone's girlfriend, and now you're somebody's wife. I don't think I'll ever understand that," he tells her. We feel you, Tom. Unfortunately the park has since been closed.
51. The Dresden from Swingers
Even though The Dresden was an institution long before the 1996 flick Swingers — it's been serving dinner since 1954 — the Vince Vaughn movie firmly cemented its place in Hollywood history. Fun fact: Musicians Marty and Elayne still perform!
50. The Wallace’s House from Halloween
This single family home launched Michael Myers’ murder-spree that has continued through one of the longest running horror franchises of all time. This is the house where Annie (Nancy Kyes) is babysitting and where most of the blood was shed.
49. The Chemosphere from Charlie’s Angels and Body Double
Technically the home was known as the Malin House, but one of these sponsors was a chemical manufacturer whose resins and polymers were used in building the home, hence its nickname, “Chemosphere.”
48. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel from countless films and shows
The hotel has been a featured location on numerous TV productions including Mad Men, Glee, The West Wing and Charlie’s Angels. It has also appeared in numerous films including Chinatown, Beverly Hills Cop, Spider-Man and Independence Day.
47. The U.S. Embassy in Tehran from Argo
The 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran is dramatically recreated at the beginning of Argo. Instead of using the actual embassy (which still stands today), the Argo crew filmed the sequence at the Veterans Affairs Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center. Located in the North Hills area, the mostly-vacant facility is currently undergoing restoration.
46. Santee Alley from Blade Runner
If you’re looking for a street scene to match Harrison Ford’s Deckard running down Joanna Cassidy’s sultry replicant Zhora, Santee Alley is the spot. Located in the Fashion District, Santee Alley is a packed panoply of shops offering all manner of affordable knick knacks, sneakers, clothing and more. Y
45. Toretto's Market & Cafe from Fast and The Furious
The clapboard corner market owned by Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) in The Fast and the Furious, where “no one likes the tuna,” is actually Bob’s Market in Echo Park. The small bodega was constructed by George F. Colterison in 1913 and was designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #215 in June 1979.
The Most Standout Filming Locations in LA (44-26)
44. Schaffer Residence from A Single Man
This mid-century modern house located in Glendale, California was built in 1949 and has made it onto the National Register of Historic Places. The property feels at home in the landscape as the large windows almost give an illusion of being outside among the oak trees which the house was built around.
43. Jackson Maine's House from A Star is Born
The real house that served as Bradley Cooper‘s troubled character’s home in A Star is Born is actually lovely and light-filled. The 2,986-square-foot home is a single-story midcentury property in Calabasas, California. Originally built in 1973 by Douglas Rucker.
42. Theater from Donnie Darko, Training Day, Get Shorty
Built in 1939 by Donald W. Douglas, this theater’s main purpose was to serve as a 24 hour movie-house for Douglas’s employees. It eventually became popular in the neighborhood where it is located in Santa Monica. While the theater almost closed, it was saved by the nonprofit organization, American Cinematheque.
41. Mulholland Drive from countless films and photoshoots
This 21 mile stretch of road in Santa Monica Mountains connects the east and west end of U.S. Route 101 and is one of the most traveled roads in the U.S. Some of the most expensive homes can be found along this road which gifts homeowners with a stunning view of the Hollywood Sign, the L.A. Basin, and the San Fernando Valley.
40. Pulp Fiction Pawn Shop
Located in Canoga Park, this seemingly ordinary pawn shop was actually the location for a famous scene from Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. In the Crown Pawn Shop, the two main characters from the film end up being captured by the store owner and are forced to fight their way out with dire consequences.
39. The Rosslyn Hotel from Se7en
Built in 1914, with its annex built across the street in 1923, these historic buildings once constituted the largest hotel on the west coast. Its enormous dining room and marble lobby with a five panel mural gave off a luxurious feel. The hotel was built for one million dollars next to an older hotel which inspired the movie it was featured in, The Million Dollar Hotel.
38. Pacific Electric Building from Se7en, LA Confidential, Face/Off
Opened in 1905, this historic building was used as a terminal for the Pacific Electric Red Car Lines. After the closure of the terminal, the vacant space was a popular spot for film shoots like Se7en and L.A. Confidential. The building has since been converted into a residential space but artifacts from its past remain in the lobby.
37. Old LA Zoo from Anchorman
The Old LA Zoo in Griffith Park is what remains of the original LA Zoo that was simply left in its place when the zoo changed locations. It is also the location of one of my favorite movies, Anchorman. While the movie was filmed all over LA, the part at the end with the cages and Ron Burgandy jumping in was filmed in this old zoo.
36. Starship Trooper from Face-Off, Britney Spear, Chris Brown music videos
Though the architecture, by Ed Niles, is distinctive, the 7,000-square-foot home's most notable feature may be its Hollywood history. It has appeared in more than 20 pieces of entertainment, serving as the backdrop for Chris Brown's "Fortune" album cover, Britney Spears'"Work B**ch" music video, and more.
35. Union Station from The Dark Knight Rises, Blade Runner, Catch Me If You Can
Opened in 1939, Union Station is the main railway station in Los Angeles and is close by to Chinatown and the Civic Center. The station is often visited by tourists for photos due to its attractive design of marble running along the floor and walls and the enclosed garden patios.
34. Velazut Ranch from Westworld
The possibilities are endless at Velazut Motion Picture Ranch which in a 30 mile radius includes sets such as ranches, a Western town, a Mexican city and many more. Not to mention, their 750 acres of natural landscape which can be used to film any scene out in a rural country.
33. Echo Park Lake from Chinatown
You can rent pedal boats to explore the lake made famous in Chinatown, but let's face it: It's not nearly as fun when Jack Nicholson's not involved.
32. Capitol Hill Records Building from Earthquake, Hancock, The Day After Tomorrow
The iconic Capitol Records Building isn’t open to the public, but its still a fun sight to see. The landmark building is designed to look like a stack of records and was the world’s first circular office building.
31. Century City Residence from Modern Family
Located a stone's throw from Fox Studios in Century City, Mitchell and Cameron's ivy-colored, Spanish-style house looks as idyllic as it does on TV.
30. Dinah’s Family Restaurant from The Big Lebowski
Yep, you can sit in the exact same booth where the nihilists ordered lingonberry pancakes in The Big Lebowski. Not a whole lot has changed in the 17 years since the scene was filmed at this diner, which has been in business since 1959.
29. Cher’s House from Clueless
Horrifyingly, Cher's "classic" house, with columns dating all the way back to 1972, is not in Beverly Hills or even on the Westside. It's in Encino. This is one of the few totally appropriate times to be like "as if!"
28. John Marshall High School from countless films
This is the school from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Boy Meets World, Pretty in Pink, Can’t Hardly Wait, and Grosse Pointe Blank.
27. Nakatomi Plaza from Die Hard
Die Hard's Nakatomi Plaza is located at 2121 Avenue of the Stars, which is actually Fox Plaza, the corporate headquarters for Twentieth Century Fox in Los Angeles, California. Fox Plaza is also featured in Speed, Airheads, and Fight Club. All four movies were released by Twentieth Century Fox.
26. Chez Quis from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Shots of the swanky eatery, interiors were filmed at L’Orangerie, which opened in 1978 and was known for decades as one of LA’s most exclusive eateries. After it closed on Dec. 31, 2006, the Nobu Group took over. Though the space was remodeled quite extensively, the layout is still recognizable from its appearance as Chez Quis.
The Most Unforgettable Filming Locations in LA (25-11)
25. Bradbury Building from Blade Runner, Bosch, 500 Days of Summer, Chinatown
This architectural landmark is a remarkable sight due to the atrium which fills the building with light. The building’s five open floors showcase the geometric staircases which have stood the test of time since being built in 1893.
24. The Graduate Church
This mid-century church built in 1961, displays impressive windows and floor to ceiling glass behind the altar. The church has become famous after filming for The Graduate took place there in 1967. The raunchy content of the film spurred disagreement among the congregation following its release but has remained a popular spot as parishioners still see passerbys taking photos during the day.
23. The Mall from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Commando, Terminator 2
This three level shopping mall opened in 1980 and soon became famous for the teen mall culture which erupted from the many teens who frequented their department stores. It currently has been reopened with only one part of the original mall court remaining.
22. Club Ed from hundreds of commercial shoots
Club Ed is a movie set in the high desert that was built in 1990 for the Dennis Hopper film "Eye of the Storm." After the movie's shooting was complete, the crew felt that the classic Route 66 set was too good to tear down and so Club Ed was born and named after Ed who was the caretaker.
21. The Stahl House in countless photoshoots and films
With floor to ceiling glass walls and a pool overlooking the expanse of Los Angeles, this 1960 house is a dream come to fruition. Not only is it listed as a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument, but it is on the National Register of Historic Places as well as in the top 150 properties for America’s Favorite Architecture list.
20. Elysian Park from Terminator 2
Elysian Park is known as an escape from the hustle and bustle of LA because of its beauty and tranquility. Try to locate the hidden swing with stunning views of DTLA as a fun bonus! If you are looking to shoot at a serene location that still captures LA’s beauty and essence, Elysian Park is right for you.
19. Bronson Canyon from Batman
Nestled in the foothills above Hollywood Boulevard and at the northern end of Canyon Drive, Bronson's iconic quarry has been seen in everything from classic Westerns (The Searchers, Ride the High Country) to beloved sci-fi (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Robot Monster). The cave is most famously identifiable as "the Batcave" on the 1960s Batman TV series.
UCLA Campus from Legally Blonde, The Godfather, Gilmore Girls, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The House Bunny, Forrest Gump
With 419 acres of campus ground, the well known university contains countless areas to film in.
USC Campus from The Graduate, Ghostbusters, Blue Chips, Forrest Gump, Road Trip, Legally Blonde, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
USC’s campus is in a prime location being a couple miles from Downtown LA.
16.The Office from The Office
Situated in Van Nuys, this building might be mistaken as being located in Scranton, PA. What might seem like a simple, gray office building and parking lot was the stand in for Dunder Mifflin in The Office. On a regular day, this building is the home of Chandler Valley Center Studios.
15. Linda Vista Hospital from Terminator 2
The psychiatric institution Sarah Connor escapes from sounds quite a bit like Atascadero State Hospital in San Luis Obispo County, which some have claimed as the real-life inspiration behind the cinematic sanatorium. The scenes at the hospital seen in the film were actually shot much closer to home, at the then-abandoned Lake View Terrace Hospital.
14. The Church from Kill Bill, True Confessions, Inferno
This location is most familiarly the backdrop for the famous, bloodied scenes of Uma Thurman in a wedding dress from Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Kill Bill: Volume 2. The church more formally known as the Sanctuary Adventist Church is built in a Spanish style and is surrounded by farms and ranches.
13. Angel's Flight from La La Land, Bosch
This historic landmark built in 1901, has been a popular stop for tourists which stands out with its bright orange and black theme among the other buildings on Hill Street. The location was featured in countless films including a 1965 film noir titled, Angel’s Flight. However, it is most recognized from La La Land.
12. Point Fermin in San Pedro from Chinatown, Pearl Harbor, 500 Days of Summer, The Usual Suspects, Crash
This seaside urban green space, complete with a 1874 Victorian lighthouse, historic Band Shell, and sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean, is located near the southern terminus of L.A.’s Harbor Freeway.
11. Terminator 2 Chase Scene
Dedicated filming location enthusiasts have identified this as the spot where the T-1000 crashes his 18-wheeler into the Bull Creek spillway in pursuit of John Connor. The flood control channel's extensive use in the breakneck sequence makes it arguably the most famous culvert in Los Angeles County.
The Most Legendary Filming Locations in LA (10-1)
10. LA Times Building From countless films
Opened in 1935, this building won a gold medal only two years later at the 1937 Paris Exposition. These Art Deco headquarters will no longer be home to the Los Angeles Times but is still used as a prime filming location. The building can be seen in films such as Argo, Moneyball, and Dreamgirls and tv shows like Scandal and Bones.
9. Leo Carillo Beach from Grease and more
Established in 1953, this state park was named after Leo Carrillo who worked on the State Parks Commission. The park is situated along the Malibu coast and contains many cool spots such as their tide pools, sea caves and reefs. Its 1.5 miles of beach have been used for films like Grease, The Karate Kid, Usual Suspects, Cast Away, and more.
8. Pink Motel from Drive
Located on historic U.S. Route 99, Cadillac Jacks Cafe and Pink Motel is a perfect retro movie set with a bright pink motel and a diner decorated with neon lights. Also available for use is between 28 to 30 fully restored classic cars from the 1950s and 1960s. This set has been featured in Netflix Original’s GLOW and the 2011 film, Drive.
The John Sowden house from countless films
The John Sowden house has been recognized as one of Lloyd Wright’s most important works. Its most notable features are the unique structure which resembles either a temple or a shark mouth and the concrete textile blocks used to build the house. You can see this house in Martin Scorsese’s film, The Aviator, Drive, and more.
6. Park Plaza Hotel from Drive, Kenrick Lamar, Maroon 5
Created by the architect, Claud Beelman, the Gothic Revival style hotel was built in the 1920s complete with a massive brass clock above the entryway. Its elaborate interior has been a backdrop for music videos like Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE” and Maroon 5’s “Sugar.”
5. Lower Grand Avenue from Terminator, Dark Knight
Hidden under South Grand Ave is this downtown underpass which is lit with stripes of light running vertically along the bottom of the overpass. This gloomy location was the backdrop for the 2009 film, The Soloist, Terminator, Dark Knight, and more.
4. The Sheats-Goldstein Residence from The Big Lebowski, Charlie’s Angels, Rihanna, and more
As one of Los Angeles’s most iconic homes, the Sheats-Goldstein residence stands apart with its concrete roof that almost resembles a cave.
3. Point Dume from Planet of the Apes, Big Lebowski
With its close proximity to the film and television industry location, Point Dume's Westward Beach continues to be a popular filming location for films, television, advertisements, and videos, appearing frequently whenever a beach scene is needed.
2. Venice Beach from American History X, Californication, and more
Venice Beach is not only the most popular beach location for filming in LA County, it’s also the second most permitted filming location overall. In many ways, it’s the ultimate California backdrop, providing a diverse mix of people, places, and scenery.
1. The Griffith Observatory from La La Land, Rebel Without a Cause
Our list topper, Griffith Observatory, is easily one of the most iconic and beautiful places in Los Angeles County. Griffith Observatory is a public observatory that is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles. The views from the observatory, especially of the famous Hollywood Sign, are spectacular and breathtaking.