White Men Can’t Jump (1992)

The 1992 film “White Men Can’t Jump” remains one of the more iconic Los Angeles based films. While it shot at various locations around the city, many of which were not destination-based spots for tourists, it is arguably best remembered for its basketball scenes on Venice Beach. During the opening credits, Billy Hoyle, played by Woody Harrelson, parks his car on Windward Ave in Venice Beach, as he searches for a basketball court.

LOCATION: 25 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Just on the opposite side of the street, there is this mural for the film.

LOCATION: 66 Windward Ave Venice, CA 90291

Here is where the men sing a song over the opening credits. This same area was featured in the film “Monkey Trouble.”

LOCATION: Dudley Ave / Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291

Billy approaches the singing men and asks where to find the basketball court.

LOCATION: 401 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291

The court where Billy hustles Sidney Deane, played by Wesley Snipes, was not a real court at all. It was and still is a parking lot for beach visitors at the end of Rose Ave, stretching down to Dudley Ave. The production liked the location and converted it into a basketball court for filming. There is a famous court next to the Muscle Beach gym area, often mistaken as being the court from this film and featured in such films as “American History X.” However, the real location is the Rose Ave parking lot, as the buildings and surrounding areas still align with what is seen in the background of the film. The same location appears in the film “Lords Of Dogtown.”

LOCATION: 1 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Here is the court where Sidney and Billy run their first hustle together. Their target does not react kindly to the hustle and goes to his car to get a gun.

LOCATION: 601 E 23rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (court is behind the church on the corner of Trinity St / E 22nd St)

Billy and Gloria, played by Rosie Perez, drop Sidney off at his apartment in Los Angeles.

LOCATION: 4808 August St, Los Angeles, CA 90008

The first motel where Billy stays was formerly located at 1733 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401. It has since been demolished and a new building stands in its place. After some men seeking to collect a debt from Billy track him down at that motel, Billy and Gloria flee to this motel for much of the film.

LOCATION: 5274 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016

Sidney gets a tour as a prospective buyer of this home, which may be beyond his price range.

LOCATION: 2352 W 30th St, Los Angeles, CA 90018

Gloria appears on the game show “Jeopardy!,” which was filmed at the show’s stage on the Sony Pictures studio lot.  The set can be visited as part of their studio tour.

jeopardy1

LOCATION: 10202 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

jeopardy2

After Gloria does well on “Jeopardy!,” she and Billy celebrate by upgrading to this hotel in Santa Monica.

LOCATION: 1301 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

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