While set in the San Fernando Valley, much of the TV series “Cobra Kai,” which continues the story of “The Karate Kid” films, is actually filmed in the Greater Atlanta, Georgia area. There are occasional shots that do take place in California, however. One key location found in the Valley is the apartment of Johnny Lawrence, played by William Zabka.
LOCATION: 18555 Burbank Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356
In season 1, episode 9, Johnny and Daniel Larusso, played by Ralph Macchio, visit Daniel’s former apartment, seen in the original film. The same location was used for the scene.
The TV series “Dennis the Menace,” which ran from 1959 to 1963, was set in a fictional neighborhood located at the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, California. The Warner Ranch lot is separate from the main Warner backlot and unfortunately is not open to public tours at this time. Plans have been announced for Warner to sell the ranch, so its future is unknown at this time, but for now the structures still stand.
The Mitchell house is the original home exterior featured on the show and still remains today, although it has had some remodeling. It is one of the few original sets on the ranch, having survived previous fires on the grounds.
LOCATION: 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505
The Wilson house was located next door, but the original set was lost in a fire in 1970. It was eventually rebuilt and this is how the facade currently appears.
The Elkins house was likewise burned in the 1970 fire and rebuilt. Here is how it appears now. The same facade was used in the 1970s TV series “The Partridge Family” and the film “The Monster Squad.”
Our article on Season 1 of the TV series “True Detective” remains one of the biggest location searches we’ve ever done, through the small towns of Southern Louisiana. For the second season of the show, writer Nic Pizzolatto shifts the setting to Southern California in the fictional city of Vinci, loosely based on the city of Vernon, which had a corruption scandal not unlike what is depicted in the show.
The locations are just as plentiful as the first season, spanning from Santa Paula to Santa Ana, from Mt. Baldy to Beverly Hills and everything in between. The show presents a more gritty look into Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. Visiting the locations is a deep dive into Southern California and one that should only be done if you’re a fan of the show, as it won’t take you to any tourist destinations. Sometimes you’ll even find yourself in somewhat unsafe neighborhoods.
The following article contains numerous spoilers for the show, so we recommend only reading if you’ve seen the complete second season. As is often the case with TV shows, many of these locations appear in multiple episodes, so we’ll cover each location by where they first appear.
Episode One – “The Western Book of the Dead”
The season begins with Detective Ray Velcoro, played by Colin Farrell, dropping his son off at school.
LOCATION: 2125 Lincoln Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
The Black Rose bar, where Ray frequently meets Frank Semyon, played by Vince Vaughn, over the course of the series is located in Vernon. It is mostly seen from interior views in the show, but the building is not actually a bar. It is a private building closed to the public and it is unclear if the interiors were actually filmed here or elsewhere. The exterior is seen a few times in the show as well, however. Frank gives Ray info on who assaulted his ex-wife, leading Ray to seek revenge on the assailant.
LOCATION: 2465 E 53rd St, Vernon, CA 90058
The establishing shots of the fictional city of Vinci were shot around Vernon.
LOCATION: Seen from the parking lot behind 3666 S Soto St, Vernon, CA 90058
The casino where Frank works could be found in Gardena. The actual casino has since closed down.
LOCATION: 1045 Rosecrans Ave, Gardena, CA 90247
Detective Ani Bezzerides, played by Rachel McAdams, runs an eviction raid on this home, which is located in Santa Paula, about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
LOCATION: 593 Orcutt Rd, Santa Paula, CA 93060
Ray’s house can be found in Vernon. It is located right next to City Hall, also seen in the show.
LOCATION: 4322 Furlong Pl, Vernon, CA 90058
Bezzerides follows a lead on a woman to the Panticapaeum Institute, a spiritual retreat run by her father. These scenes were filmed at Wayfarers Chapel in Ranchos Palos Verdes. The same location was featured in the 1980s comedy “Innerspace.”
LOCATION: 5755 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Here are the stairs from which the detectives approach.
The chapel is a very scenic place to visit, offering views overlooking the ocean.
The California Highway Patrol Station where Highway Patrol officer Paul Woodrugh, played by Taylor Kitsch, works could be found in Hawthorne. It was a real police building, also featured in the TV series “True Blood” and the film “Zodiac.” The building has since been demolished. It formerly stood at 4440 W 126th St, Hawthorne, CA 90250.
Ray parks outside of this apartment building, where he plans to attack the man he believes raped his ex-wife Gena.
LOCATION: 15464 Moorpark St, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
The apartment where he stages the attack is located across the street.
LOCATION: 15445 Moorpark St, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Ray visits this house at night, where a boy who has been bullying his son lives. Ray beats the boy’s father in front of him at the front door, as a warning to stop bullying.
LOCATION: 19825 Needles St, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Bezzerides gets escorted out of a casino when she receives a call about a new case.
LOCATION: 6580 Auto Center Dr, Ventura, CA 93003
Woodrugh discovers the body of Ben Caspere sitting on a picnic table at Point Magu Rock, overlooking the ocean. Detectives Ray Velcoro and Ani Bezzerides are called to the scene, where the three officers meet and the stage is set for the case. There are no picnic tables at the actual location, but it is a popular scenic overlook.
LOCATION: Point Magu Rock, 799 Pacific Coast Hwy, NAS Point Mugu, CA 93042
Episode Two – “Night Finds You”
Ray visits the city of Vinci, where he sees kids playing in the toxic water draining into this river channel. In the same area, he meets with Frank. The drainage hole was a visual effect added by the show.
LOCATION: Near 2715 E Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Woodrugh visits his mother at this trailer park.
LOCATION: 4456 Naval Air Rd, Oxnard, CA 93033
A brief transition shot is shown of these train tracks in Vinci.
LOCATION: Near 2552 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Ray visits this shopping plaza to see his son, but is instead greeted by his ex-wife Gena. Angry over Ray’s violent assault on the bully’s father, Gena tells him she will be petitioning for sole custody. The scene was filmed at the Northridge Mall. It’s a large place, so we’ve provided GPS coordinates below to the specific parking lot.
LOCATION: 9301 Tampa Ave, Northridge, CA 91324 (GPS coordinates: 34.240655, -118.556896)
After some men attack a man on the street, Frank pretends to be a bystander, before threatening the man himself. This scene was filmed near the same freeway overpass seen in the films “Heat” and “Scarface.”
LOCATION: Near 749 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Ray and Bezzerides visit the clinic of Ben Caspere’s doctor. These scenes were filmed at the Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Simi Valley. The property regularly hosts weddings and special events. It is otherwise a private estate, only allowing guests by appointment. The only road leading to the ranch is typically gated shut with no trespassing signs. The property has also appeared in Oliver Stone’s “Savages,” “Jobs” starring Ashton Kutcher and in the TV series “Too Old To Die Young.”
LOCATION: 2940 Kuehner Dr, Simi Valley, CA 93063
Frank visits the mayor at the Vinci City Hall. The opposite side of the building is where Ray’s house can be found.
LOCATION: 4305 S Santa Fe Ave, Vernon, CA 90058
Episode Three – “Maybe Tomorrow”
Bezzerides and Woodrugh visit the house of the mayor of Vinci, which can be found in Beverly Hills.
LOCATION: 1091 Laurel Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Ray and Bezzerides follow up on a lead when their car is set on fire under this freeway overpass.
LOCATION: 11502 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90061
Episode Four – “Down Will Come”
Woodrugh is unexpectedly confronted by the press in front of this hotel.
LOCATION: 7023 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Frank pays a visit to this apartment, where he informs the owner he is now 40% partner of the property. The apartment complex is seen from the interior courtyard in the show. The apartment next door was also featured in the film “Collateral.”
LOCATION: 1029 S Union Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Woodrugh’s girlfriend informs him she’s pregnant at this restaurant.
LOCATION: 2601 S Soto St, Vernon, CA 90058
Woodrugh locates a stolen watch at this pawn shop.
LOCATION: 5901 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
After Bezzerides find out she has a sexual misconduct complaint filed against her, she has an argument with her partner outside the police department. The same location was featured in the film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” This building has since been demolished. It formerly stood at 333 N Prairie Ave, Inglewood, CA 90301.
The pawn shop lead brings the detectives to a suspect. While the cops are watching the area ahead of their raid, workers file into this building.
LOCATION: 615 S Anderson St, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Protesters gather in front of this building.
LOCATION: 560 S Mission Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Bezzerides and her team approach past this building to begin the raid.
LOCATION: 607 S Anderson St, Los Angeles, CA 90023
A shootout ensues from this building, with a large explosion on the top floor.
LOCATION: 621 S Anderson St, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Ray and Woodrugh make it through the gunfire over to this door at foot of the building.
They then cross these stairs in front in pursuit of the suspects in a vehicle.
The suspect vehicle then crashes into a bus at this intersection, where another shootout ensues.
LOCATION: Jesse St / S Anderson St, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Episode Five – “Other Lives”
Burdened by financial issues, Frank is forced to move into a more modest home.
LOCATION: 1400 N Spaulding Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Bezzerides meets the woman she ran a raid on in the first episode at this hotel. While speaking to her, she obtains information on a private party.
LOCATION: 401 S Westlake Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Ray follows a group of prostitutes to a nondescript building. He parks in front of this building.
LOCATION: 1951 Staunton Ave, Vernon, CA 90058
He sees the prostitutes enter into this building.
LOCATION: 2001 Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90058 (seen from E 20th St)
Frank has a business meeting, where a man offers him a deal to own some land again, if Frank can locate a hard drive owned by Ben Caspere. The location is next to Union Station and the establishing shot shows Union Station, then pans slightly toward the building to the right, where the meeting takes place.
LOCATION: 800 Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, panning towards 700 Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Ray meets his ex-wife Gena at this scenic area overlooking Dodger Stadium and Downtown Los Angeles. His wife informs him her rapist was captured and it wasn’t the man Ray believed it was, therefore the information Ray had was incorrect. This area is the Elysian Park Helipad. There is parking nearby and a path that leads up directly to this area. It is not a difficult walk to reach it. This area is located close to where a dream sequence in “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” was shot.
LOCATION: Elysian Park Helipad, Solano Canyon Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (GPS coordinates: 34.082766, -118.236997)
Bezzerides and Woodrugh follow a lead in the Caspere case to a lodge in the woods. Known as the Harwood Lodge, it can be fount in Mt. Baldy, about 50 miles away from Los Angeles. There is a dirt road that leads up to the lodge, which is sometimes best reached by walking, depending on weather conditions.
LOCATION: 6700 Mt Baldy Rd, Mt Baldy, CA 91759
Bezzerides notices birds circling in the air in the woods nearby, leading them to the discovery of another crime scene.
Episode Six – “Church in Ruins”
Frank and his crew arrive at this home in search of a prostitute. Instead, he finds out the home belongs to the Mexicans criminals seen previously in the show, when Frank refused to form a partnership with them. Frank now renegotiates.
LOCATION: 1521 Colton St, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (seen from Lake Shore Terrace)
After the Mexicans put Frank in touch with the woman he’s been searching for, he arranges to meet her at this location, only to discover her dead body there. The Mexicans have killed her as retribution against Frank for not accepting their initial terms.
LOCATION: 2901 Fruitland Ave, Vernon, CA 90058 (seen from E 50th St)
Episode Seven – “Black Maps and Motel Rooms”
After Ray and Woodrugh rescue Bezzerides from a party in which she was drugged and attacked, the three stay at this motel in Mt. Baldy, located not far from the cabin seen in episode six.
LOCATION: 6867 Mt Baldy Rd, Mt Baldy, CA 91759
Woodrugh searches police records at the LAPD building in Downtown Los Angeles.
LOCATION: 100 W 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Woodrugh goes to meet a man who is blackmailing him at the Hall of Records. It turns out to be a set-up.
LOCATION: 320 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (seen from N Hill St)
Woodrugh is shot at the steps of old Los Angeles Police Department in Downtown Los Angeles, which has since been demolished. The same building was featured in the film “Inherent Vice.”
LOCATION: 150 N Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (now demolished)
Episode Eight – “Omega Station”
Frank sends his wife Jordan, played by Kelly Reilly, away at the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center. The same location was featured in such films as “Rain Man” and “Memoirs of an Invisible Man.”
LOCATION: 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Jordon refuses to leave until Frank finally persuades her.
Ray and Bezzerides enter this home and discover a lot of evidence about the case, as well as the fact that Laura and Leonard Osterman were behind the attack on Caspere.
LOCATION: 1000 El Mirador Ave, Long Beach, CA 90815
Bezzerides sends Laura Osterman away on a bus at this station. The real location is not a bus station at all, rather a boarding terminal for cruise ships in San Pedro.
LOCATION: 100 Swinford St, San Pedro, CA 90731
Frank makes his way to the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center to meet the corrupt cops under the agreed plan of exchanging incriminating evidence in his possession.
LOCATION: 2626 E Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806
Ray makes his way to the upper level inside the building.
Leonard Osterman then attacks one of the men and a shootout begins.
Ray parks at this intersection to see his son one last time, only to discover a tracking device on his vehicle. The intersection really is located next to the school, seen in the first episode.
LOCATION: Lincoln Ave / Apple Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
The Mexican criminals kidnap Frank at this intersection.
LOCATION: E 16th St / Hooper Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021
They proceed onto the freeway here.
LOCATION: E 17th St / Naomi Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Bezzerides escapes to what is supposedly Venezuela. In reality, the scenes were shot in Downtown Los Angeles, with a lot of set decoration and some visual effects to fill the city backdrop.
LOCATION: E 11th St / Wall St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
There remain dozens more locations we did not document from the second season. Some are minor, others are major, but not easily visible for photography. Los Angeles is a constantly changing city and just a few short years later, several locations already no longer exist. We’ve tried to document as any as we could here. If you do plan to visit the season 2 filming locations, it requires a lot of time and distance, so do your research and allow yourself many days to navigate it all.
The early seasons of the TV series “Westworld” were largely shot around various western movie ranches in Southern California, with additional vistas shot in Utah and Arizona. However, as the series narrative expanded, production followed suit, filming in places like Singapore and Spain.
One of the most heavily used locations in the series is Melody Ranch in Newhall, California. Melody Ranch is private property, inaccessible to the general public most of the time. However, unbeknownst to most, it does in fact offer tours, with the caveat being that no tours occur whenever active production is taking place on the ranch. The challenge is the fact that production is almost always taking place there. So opportunities for the general public to see it are rare and not something you can plan much in advance. You simply need good timing or a lot of persistence.
Endless productions have taken place at the ranch over the years, including “Deadwood,” “Django Unchained,” “Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood,” “Peaky Blinders” and many more. It’s a utopia for movie lovers, so if you ever get a chance to visit, we highly recommend it.
Here are the train tracks at Melody Ranch, where park visitors first arrive. In the show, CGI was added to make it appear the train was rolling in from an open, Western landscape.
LOCATION: 24715 Oakcreek Ave, Newhall, CA 91321
In a repeating scene, Teddy, played by James Marsden makes his way through this area, into the main street of Sweetwater. The android hosts play out scenes and stories in which they are programmed to perform.
Here is a look further down the main street of Sweetwater.
The Mariposa Saloon is one of the central locations of the early seasons of the show. Maeve Millay, played by Thandie Newton, works as the brothel madam there, helping visitors indulge in their fantasies. The same building was used as The Bella Union in the TV series “Deadwood.” The front boardwalk is also seen in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood,” when Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt’s characters are interviewed on a western set.
This interior view of the Mariposa Saloon should be quite familiar to fans of the show, as it’s one of the most prominently featured locations in the series. Many scenes take place in front of the bar. The same interior was seen in the film “Django Unchained.”
Here’s some additional looks at the inside of the Mariposa Saloon.
Here are some views of the upstairs.
Teddy first meets Dolores, played by Evan Rachel Wood, in front of this building. This is another scene that repeats over and over on the show and where Dolores typically ties her horse up when she visits the town.
Here’s an alternate angle of the same location, with the Mariposa Saloon a few buildings down on the right.
Here’s a couple additional shots of Melody Ranch, seen in various shots in the show.
Outside of the park is the Delos corporate headquarters, built inside a large mesa. Quite a number of different locations were used as a composite of Delos. Many of the lab scenes were built on sound stages at Melody Ranch.
As the hosts begin to show signs of malfunctioning, Bernard, played by Jeffrey Wright, heads down to sub-level 84 accompanied by security. This is the cold storage area where the defective hosts are stored in the nude. These scenes were filmed at the former Hawthorne Plaza Shopping Center. The plaza has been abandoned for years, with on-again, off-again plans for demolition. In the meantime, it has become a popular spot for filming and photography. It has been seen in such films at “Gone Girl,” “Minority Report” and “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” as well as the TV series “Too Old To Die Young.” The building is closed to the public and regularly patrolled by security, so unless you have permission from the city or someone filming, it is trespassing to enter the grounds. It is a popular spot for abandon building enthusiasts, however, and quite a few people have managed to sneak inside over the years.
LOCATION: 12124 Hawthorne Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250 (closed to the public)
The Mesa Gold Resort is another area where guests and staff can relax outside of the park. We first see the area when Theresa talks with Lee about the hosts, but the location pops up repeatedly throughout the series. These scenes were filmed at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Quite a lot of visual effects were added. In the show, the characters are seen overlooking a beautiful western vista. As you can see in the photos, the actual location faces the side of a hill. The vistas composited into the shot were filmed in Utah.
LOCATION: 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
The area of Skirball seen in the show is known as Taper Courtyard. The building is open to the public, but there is an admission price, as there are many exhibits on display.
In the first episode, one of the hosts goes on a killing spree in the Mexican border town Las Mudas, drinking milk as he kills. This scene was filmed at what many people refer to as the Veluzat Movie Ranch. However, the ranch has since changed its name to the Melody Ranch Studio Backlot. It is owned by the same family who owns the Sweetwater sets, although it’s an entirely different location and backlot. To make matters more confusing, right next to the Veluzat Backlot in Santa Clarita sits the Diamond V Movie Ranch. This is owned by other members of the family, but not the same ones as those who own Melody Ranch and the Melody Backlot (a.k.a. Veluzat Movie Ranch). People often mistake Diamond V and Veluzat Ranch as being one in the same, but they are two separate properties with different ownership.
While perhaps not quite as well known as Melody Ranch in Newhall, the Melody Backlot is actually larger. To get to the ranch, you make a turn from Copper Hill Drive. There is a very unassuming dirt road there (GPS coordinates: 34°27’36.5″N 118°30’32.0″W). If you follow the long dirt road, you’ll sure enough arrive at the ranches. However, a locked fence is at the entrance and you can proceed no further without permission of the owners. The good news, however, is that the ranch is available for public tours. You must book by appointment only and if productions are in active progress, that may inhibit their availability.
The ranch was also featured in Rob Zombie’s “3 From Hell” and “House of 1,000 Corpses,” as well as such films as “Dante’s Peak,” Friday the 13th: Part III,” “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter,” “Last Man Standing,” “Chaplin,” “The Laundromat” and many more. It was also featured in the TV series “The Young Pope.”
LOCATION: Melody Ranch Studio Backlot (a.k.a. Veluzat Movie Ranch), Forest Rte 5N28, Santa Clarita, CA 91390 (GPS coordinates: 34°29’03.5″N 118°30’25.1″W)
In the first episode, Arnold later arrives with security to inspect the malfunctioning host.
Las Mudas appears numerous times over the course of the series. The Man in Black, played by Ed Harris, searches for the elusive maze, killing anyone in his path, while Dolores arrives in the aftermath.
The Man in Black ties Teddy to a tree on the outskirts of the park. These scenes were filmed at the iconic Vasquez Rocks. Films which shot scenes at Vasquez Rocks include “Dante’s Peak,” “Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back,” “Hail, Caesar!,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Paul,” “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey” and dozens more. Television shows which featured Vasquez Rocks in episodes include “The Fugutive,” “The A-Team,” “MacGuyver” and perhaps most famous of all, the original “Star Trek” series, where the rocks were seen in numerous episodes, serving as multiple different planets.
LOCATION: 10700 Escondido Canyon Rd, Agua Dulce, CA 91350
Logan, played by Ben Barnes, takes Dolores and William, played by Jimmi Simposon, to the town of Pariah. These scenes were actually filmed on the Universal Studios Hollywood Backlot. The Mexican themed sets can be seen as part of their studio tour.
LOCATION: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Logan attacks Dolores and a massacre takes place on a Confederate soldier campground. These scenes were filmed at the Blue Cloud Movie Ranch in Santa Clarita. This same area was seen in the film “Iron Man.” Blue Cloud Movie Ranch very rarely offers public tours, but it does happen once in awhile. The staff there is quite friendly if you do make it there.
LOCATION: 20019 Blue Cloud Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91390
Another major location in the first season is the town of Escalante. An early testing site for the park, Dolores has visions of a massacre there. This white church was featured prominently in the show, with a large steeple added by the production. These scenes were filmed at the “Paramount Ranch.” Paramount Ranch is unusual in that it is managed by the National Parks Service and is public property. Even though the sets were frequently used for filming, the productions could not close the area to public visitation. So visitors were free to roam the grounds any time during open park hours.
Paramount Ranch has also made notable appearances on such TV shows as “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” “The X-Files” and “Carnivàle.” Countless films likewise shot at the ranch, including “Reds,” “The Flintsones in Viva Rock Vegas,” “Bone Tomahawk,” “The Great Outdoors,” “American Sniper” and many more.
Unfortunately in November 2018, the ranch fell victim to wildfires and nearly every building was burnt to the ground. However, plans have been announced to rebuild the sets. One of the few to survive the fires was the church set.
LOCATION: 2903 Cornell Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (now mostly demolished, but being rebuilt)
Here is a look inside the church.
The climax of Season 1 takes place at this saloon and gazebo, with Dr. Robert Ford, played by Anthony Hopkins and Dolores causing a chaotic scene. These structures were all destroyed by fires, but we were thankfully able to visit Paramount Ranch prior to the destruction.
“Shogun World,” an alternate park attraction, is introduced in the second season of the show. This too was filmed at Melody Ranch. Much of the sets still stand, which were a combination of new designs and re-purposing of existing sets to give them an ancient Asian appearance.
Here is a quick look inside one of the Shogun World buildings.
The house of Bernard can be found in Pasadena. Seen in the second season, the home is known as the Millard House. This is the back of the property, which is private and not available for tours. Unlike what is depicted in the show, the home is not on a hilltop. It is instead located in the middle of a neighborhood. This back area is surrounded by fencing, but from certain spots on the sidewalk, you can still catch a glimpse.
LOCATION: 645 Prospect Crescent, Pasadena, CA 91103
In Episode 10 of Season 2, the hosts can be seen at the Trona Pinnacles, as they journey towards the Valley Beyond. The otherworldly geological formation has appeared in many films, such as “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier,” Tim Burton’s 2001 version of “Planet of the Apes,” “Priest” and “Mom and Dad Save the World” as well as such TV shows as “Lost in Space,” “Battlestar Gallactica” and “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.” It also appeared in Lady Gaga’s music video for “Stupid Love.”
LOCATION: Trona Pinnacles, Trona, CA 93562 (GPS coordinates: 35.617777, -117.368211)
Ashley Stubbs, played by Luke Hemsworth, stays at the Pink Motel in Sun Valley in Season 3. Bernard crosses the back of the property past the empty pool to visit Ashley. The motel is never seen from the front, as its retro look is not in keeping with the show’s aesthetic. The Pink Motel is not an operational motel, rather a set used for filming or special events. According to many comments online, the property is not receptive to public visitation these days, preferring only professional clients. The motel property has been featured in countless productions, including “The House Bunny” and “Drive” (interiors only), as well as the TV shows “GLOW,” “Dexter” and “The O.C.”
LOCATION: 9457 San Fernando Rd, Sun Valley, CA 91352
In Season 3, Dolores and Caleb, played by Aaron Paul, are pursued by Serac’s men into Grand Lower in Downtown L.A. This is a popular area for both filming and photography. It has been featured in countless films, including “The Terminator,” “Demolition Man,” “Cobra,” “Batman Forever,” “Repo Man” and many more.
LOCATION: Grand Lower, Los Angeles, CA 90071
The chase then proceeds to upper S Grand Ave, directly above Grand Lower.
LOCATION: S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (near 340 S Grand Ave)
Caleb fires a specialized weapon, which shoots into the air, then back down, exploding a car directly in front of The Broad Museum.
LOCATION: 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Late into Season 3, Caleb learns about his history, as him and his partner stage an attack. The two are walking past the Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain in Grand Park in Downtown L.A., with City Hall in the background.
LOCATION: Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain, Los Angeles, CA 90012
They walk towards the John Ferraro Building and carry out their attack. A futuristic city skyline was added in behind the building.
LOCATION: 111 N Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
In the final episode of Season 3, William asks for his money while riots ensue just outside. This scene was filmed at the famed Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown L.A. The hotel is a staple of film, having appeared in such movies as “Ghostbusters,” “Beverly Hills Ninja,” “Independence Day” “Fight Club” and many more.
LOCATION: 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
At the end of Season 3, Bernard and Ashley Stubbs hide away at a motel. These scenes were filmed at the Sierra Pelona Motel in Santa Clarita. The motel was also used in “The Grifters,” the 2002 Britney Spears film “Crossroads” and the TV series “Too Old To Die Young.”
LOCATION: 12117 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91390
It is no easy task keeping up with the “Westworld” filming locations. Many of the early season scenes were shot on private ranches, which are difficult, but not impossible to be seen by the public. Later seasons went global, meaning you have to be well traveled if you hope to visit them all. TV shows are often a challenge, due to the volume of locations. Our photographs were taken over a period of years and some of these sets and locations have been scarcely seen outside of the show, so we hope you enjoy the areas we could showcase.
The TV series “Alice,” based on the Martin Scorsese film “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” ran from 1976 until 1985. Linda Lavin plays the titular Alice, a woman working as a waitress at Mel’s Diner. The show was based in Phoenix, Arizona and there is indeed a Mel’s Diner in Phoenix. The diner’s sign with the coffee cup was in fact featured in the show. However, the diner itself was actually a set built in Los Angeles.
The real Mel’s Diner in Phoenix remains in business all these years later and inside they have many photos from the show. If you do plan to visit, the restaurant is only open during breakfast and lunch hours.
The house from the sitcom “Young Sheldon,” a spin-off of “The Big Bang Theory,” is supposedly located in Medford, Texas. The actual home, however, can be found in North Hollywood, California.
LOCATION: 5501 Morella Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91607
The famous late night TV show “Late Show with David Letterman” was taped at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. The theater has a long and storied history. During Ed Sullivan’s tenure, he hosted legendary musical performances from Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
During Letterman’s tenure, his comedy bits included tossing items out the windows of the building and bringing nearby business owners onto the show, such as the owner of Hello Deli and the owners of a souvenir shop near the studio.
LOCATION: 1697 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
Letterman’s successor, Stephen Colbert, continues to run “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in the same studio.
