The house from the sitcom “Gimme A Break!,” which ran from 1981 – 1987 and starred Nell Carter, was supposedly located in the fictional town of Glenlawn, California. The real home can be found in Los Angeles.
LOCATION: 515 S Norton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
The 1987 film “The Lost Boys,” directed by Joel Schumacher, is set in the fictional beach town of Santa Carla, California. In reality, the film was famously shot in Santa Cruz, with some additional scenes filmed in Southern California. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk plays a prominent role in the film. In the opening scenes, David, played by Kiefer Sutherland, can be seen riding the carousel with his crew.
LOCATION: 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
As the boardwalk closes down for the night, a security guard is attacked as he exits to a parking lot.
Later in the film, Michael, played by Jason Patric, meets Star, played by Jami Gertz, in this area of the boardwalk. The 2019 Jordan Peele film “Us” also shot scenes at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. The film’s opening scene is set in 1986, at the same time “The Lost Boys” was filming. The characters in “Us” even reference this film when they walk past this area, mentioning a movie is being filmed nearby. The film “Sudden Impact” also shot on the boardwalk.
Michael meets David and his crew at this area of the boardwalk.
David invites Michael to come along on a bike ride and the boys all ride their bikes down these stairs.
Sam, played by Corey Haim, moves with his family from Phoenix to Santa Carla to live at his grandpa’s house. The building seen in the film is known as the Pogonip Clubhouse. Built in 1911, the building operated as everything from a golf club, to hosting women’s polo matches, to briefly serving as a rehab facility for servicemen during WWII. The building opened and closed again many times throughout the years, before being condemned in 1986, right around the time of filming. Only the exteriors of the building were used in the film, interiors were filmed at Warner Bros. Studios.
LOCATION: Near 333 Golf Club Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (GPS coordinates: 36.995416, -122.038388)
Today, the building is part of Pogonip, a scenic hiking and biking trail. The building is open to the public and there’s a few ways to reach it. From the nearest trailhead on Golf Club Dr, you can take a paved path straight up to it, or the Lower Meadow Trail. The Lower Meadow Trail, while offering scenic views, is overrun by homeless people, to such a degree that we found ourselves inadvertently walking right into their campsites more than once. While no one was confrontational, as the paths do receive a lot of pedestrian traffic, we recommend sticking to the paved path if you wish to see the building from the film. Either route is about a half mile walk, with some uphill portions, but not terribly difficult. Remember to bring water if you do hike there.
The comic book shop where Sam meets Edgar and Alan Frog, played by Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander, still exists, but no longer at it’s original location. While made to appear on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, the actual shop seen in the film was formerly located on Pacific Ave. The building suffered severe damages in a 1989 earthquake, resulting in the comic book shop changing locations.
LOCATION: 705 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (now demolished)
The store, Atlantis Fantasyworld, is now located on Cedar St in Santa Cruz. While not an actual filming location, they do still have a prop from the film inside; the original “Vampires Everywhere!” comic book. It sits on display behind the front counter.
LOCATION: 1020 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
The cave where David’s crew is based, known as Hudson’s Bluff Sea Cave, is located far from Santa Cruz in Rancho Palos Verdes. The cave sits next to Terranea Beach, which is easily accessible on foot along the Terranea Trail, a public trail which runs behind the Terranea Resort. Seeing the cave up close requires a bit of climbing up some rocks, however, so use caution if you wish to proceed beyond Terranea Beach. The same area has been seen in such films as “Charlie’s Angels,” “Lethal Weapon 2” and “Batman: The Movie,” as well as such TV shows as “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “Wonder Woman,” “The Munsters” and more.
LOCATION: Hudson’s Bluff Sea Cave, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 (GPS coordinates: 33.738747, -118.393196)
Another Southern California location is the bridge where David and Michael hang underneath as a train passes. It can be found at the Iron Horse Trailhead near Valencia. The actual bridge is a pedestrian crossing with no train tracks. This same location appeared in the film “Nothing But Trouble.”
LOCATION: 25311 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Unlike what is depicted in the film, the bridge is nowhere near the height above ground suggested in the scene. Here is a view of the actual elevation, with Six Flags Magic Mountain seen in the distance.
The church where Sam and Edgar collect holy water can be found at Warner Bros. Studios. The same church has been seen in many productions, such as “Gremlins” and “The Monster Squad.”
LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
In the opening scene of the 2017 sequel “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” Star-Lord’s father Ego, played by Kurt Russell, drives through 1980 Missouri in this 1978 Mustang II King Cobra. The vehicle could be found on display at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, which ran an exhibit entitled “Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles Of Science Fiction and Fantasy” from May 2019 through May 2020.
LOCATION: Peterson Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
The 2021 crime drama “The Little Things,” written and directed by John Lee Hancock, is set in Bakersfield and Los Angeles, California. Production likewise took place around Southern California. In the opening scene of the film, a woman is pursued by a mysterious motorist. She pulls over at a gas station, which is closed. The real location is not actually a gas station, rather a steakhouse and bar, located in Lancaster. The gas pumps were added by the production.
LOCATION: 46643 60th St W, Lancaster, CA 93536
Deke, played by Denzel Washington, is called to the scene of a petty vandalism at this restaurant in Acton. The interior of the same restaurant appears later in the film, when Deke meets with his ex-wife.
LOCATION: 533 Sierra Hwy, Acton, CA 93510
Deke visits the Los Angeles County Forensic Unit to collect some evidence. These scenes were filmed at the former City of Glendale police department.
LOCATION: 140 N Isabel St, Glendale, CA 91206 (rear parking lot)
The police station where Jimmy Baxter, played by Rami Malek, works is part of an actual jail facility in Los Angeles.
LOCATION: 450 Bauchet St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Deke gets coffee at a restaurant, where Jimmy invites him to ride along to a crime scene. The restaurant is supposedly located across the street from the police station. In reality, it can be found about 7 miles away in Eagle Rock. The restaurant is only seen from interior views in the film.
LOCATION: 5056 N Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
Jimmy and Deke investigate a murder scene at this building, which is located in the middle of Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles. It is located just a few buildings down from Robin Williams’ apartment in the film “One Hour Photo.” It is obviously not in the safest of areas and caution should be used if visiting.
LOCATION: 512 Wall St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Deke stops for a meal at this restaurant in Alhambra.
LOCATION: 1000 E Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801
Deke stays at at this hotel, which is changed to the “St. Agnes Hotel” in the film. The real hotel can be found in Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles and is another location we don’t recommend visiting, but if you do, use caution.
LOCATION: 423 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Jimmy investigates a crime scene at the Mullholland Dam in Hollywood. He is joined by Deke, who gives him a lead on appliance store workers. The dam is accessible to the public, however, it does require a minor walk to reach it. You have to drive up Weidlake Drive and the nearest parking is at the Hollywood Reservoir Trailhead. From there it’s just a short distance on foot. The same area can be seen in the opening of “Seven Psychopaths.”
LOCATION: Mulholland Dam, Los Angeles, CA 90068 (nearest parking area is the Hollywood Reservoir Trailhead at 6381-6399 Weidlake Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068)
Jimmy visits a victim’s family’s house, where they tell him she always wore a red barrette.
LOCATION: 3447 Laurelvale Dr, North Hollywood, CA 91604
Jimmy’s house can be found in Studio City.
LOCATION: 4328 Ben Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
Deke visits his ex-wife at this house in North Hollywood.
LOCATION: 4242 Bakman Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91602
Jimmy and Deke meet at the famed Frolic Room on Hollywood Blvd, where they exchange thoughts on the investigation. The same bar, which is only seen from interior views in this film, has also been featured in such films as “L.A. Confidential” and “Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood.”
LOCATION: 6245 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Deke takes Jimmy to La Loma Bridge in Pasadena, where he recounts the details of a past murder scene. The same bridge was featured in the film “Mank.”
LOCATION: La Loma Bridge, 799 La Loma Rd, Pasadena, CA 91105
Albert Sparma, played by Jared Leto, becomes the lead suspect in the investigation. Sparma lives at this apartment in North Hollywood.
LOCATIONS: 10929 McCormick St, North Hollywood, CA 91601
Here is the area where Jimmy and Deke watch Sparma’s apartment.
Jimmy answers a pay phone in this spot.
Sparma heads to a bus stop, just up the same road toward W Magnolia Blvd.
LOCATION: 10929 W Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601 (rear parking lot)
Sparma heads to a bar, where he realizes he’s been duped in order to get him out of his apartment so the detectives can run an illegal search. These scenes were filmed at The Oaks Tavern in Sherman Oaks, which is only seen from interior views in the film.
LOCATION: 13625 Moorpark St, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Two locations were used for the appliance store where Sparma works. The exterior can be found in Whittier, where Deke monitors his activities.
LOCATION: 6744 Bright Ave, Whittier, CA 90601
The interior was filmed at an actual appliance store in Hollywood.
LOCATION: 1191 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Deke watches as Sparma crosses the street into this building.
LOCATION: 6739 Bright Ave, Whittier, CA 90601
Sparma visits this strip club in North Hollywood.
LOCATION: 12147 Victory Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606
Jimmy and Deke watch his activities from their car, parked at this corner.
The 1983 film “Rocky III,” starring Sylvester Stallone, Hulk Hogan and Mr. T, was filmed in Philadelphia, New York City, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
Early in the film, a montage is shown of Rocky defending his title against challengers. The exterior of Radio City Music Hall in New York City is seen as one of the locations where he fights. The landmark concert hall has appeared in countless productions, such as “The Godfather,” “Home Alone 2: Lost In New York,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” “Annie,” “Radio Days” and many more.
LOCATION: 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020
The house where Rocky lives can be found in Los Angeles, California. It is located at Fremont Place in Hancock Park. Despite being a popular neighborhood for filming, Fremont Place is one of the few gated communities in Los Angeles, making it inaccessible to the general public. Other films showcasing locations inside Fremont Place include “Rocky IV,” “Taken,” “The War Of The Roses,” “Zodiac,” “Gone Girl” and more. It is also a popular location for TV shows, such as “Monk,” “Prison Break, “The Mentalist,” “CSI: Miami,” “Rizzoli & Isles” and many more. Rocky’s house in this film is actually located directly across the street from the house used as his home in the next installment, “Rocky IV.”
LOCATION: 55 Fremont Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Rock trains for his fight against Clubber Lang, played by Mr. T, inside the Crystal Ballroom at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. The hotel has appeared in dozens of productions, with this particular ballroom appearing in such films as “True Lies,” “Pretty In Pink,” “The Bodyguard,” “Romy And Michele’s High School Reunion,” “The Fabulous Baker Boys” and more. It has also appeared in such TV shows as “True Blood,” “Bridgerton” and more.
LOCATION: 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
The most iconic movie location from all of the “Rocky” films appears once again when a Rocky statue is unveiled at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
LOCATION: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130 (the actual steps face Spring Garden St)
Related articles: Rocky (1976), Rocky IV (1985)
The house from the 1964 film “Lady in a Cage,” starring Olivia de Havilland and a young James Caan, can be found near the Pico Union neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
LOCATION: 1132 S Lake St, Los Angeles, CA 90006
The house from the 1962 film “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?,” starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, can be found in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
LOCATION: 172 S McCadden Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90004
The 1995 Ron Howard film “Apollo 13” was filmed in Florida, Texas and California. The house of Jim and Marilyn Lovell, played by Tom Hanks and Kathleen Quinlan, can be found in Northridge, California.
LOCATION: 18325 Index St, Northridge, CA 91326
Marilyn loses her wedding ring in the shower of this motel, supposedly located in Florida. The real motel, the Safari Inn, is actually located in Burbank, California.
LOCATION: 1911 W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91506
The same motel was featured in the films “True Romance” and “Coach Carter.”
The house from the 1989 Danny DeVito film, “The War Of The Roses,” starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, long remained subject to debate. The interiors for the film were shot at Fox Studio Lot (10201 Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064), where a large set was constructed for interior filming. The exterior of the home is located at Fremont Place in Hancock Park, Los Angeles. Despite being a popular neighborhood for filming, Fremont Place is one of the few gated communities in Los Angeles, making it inaccessible to the general public. Other films showcasing locations inside Fremont Place include “Taken,” “Rocky III,” “Zodiac,” “Gone Girl” and more. It is also a popular location for TV shows, such as “Monk,” “Prison Break, “The Mentalist,” “CSI: Miami,” “Rizzoli & Isles” and many more.
While some of the features of the home match what appears on screen, other elements do not. For example, the real home only has a one story portico, while in the film, it is two stories high. Furthermore, in the film, the home has an addition built onto the left side. It long remained unclear if the filmmakers had built set additions onto the real home to enhance the production, or if the home itself was later remodeled. Due to these discrepancies, there remained debate as to the authenticity of the filming location.
In the audio commentary for the film, director Danny DeVito finally put that debate to rest, confirming the exteriors were indeed filmed on location at Fremont Place, with facade portions added to give the home a “more federal look.” The scene of the car getting destroyed was a combination of shots at Fremont Place and inserts filmed at the studio. DeVito tells a story about wanting to use a different home, located outside of Los Angeles, but the studio declined, citing budgetary concerns. Shooting at Fremont Place proved difficult, due to a community restriction at the time of no filming after 11:30 PM. This left the production with only a couple hours per night to film night scenes. Filming was further complicated by a difficult neighbor, who parked on the street and threw parties, disrupting the production. The challenges of shooting at the location ultimately put the production seven days behind schedule, which DeVito points out became more expensive than simply opting for his original location outside of the city, which had relaxed night filming policies. Here is the home as it appears now, confirmed once and for all as the location used for exterior scenes in the film.
LOCATION: 119 Fremont Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90005
The 1991 Steve Martin comedy “L.A. Story” features multiple locations all over the titular city. At the beginning of the film, four cars yield for one another, before all proceeding simultaneously into a four way collision. The intersection can be found at Kingsland St and Butler Ave in Mar Vista.
LOCATION: Kingsland St / Butler Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Trudi, played by Marilu Henner, lives in this apartment in West Hollywood. Harris, played by Steve Martin, continues a dead-end relationship with Trudi, while looking for a way out.
LOCATION: 884 Palm Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069
The famous freeway sign from the film is not actually located on a freeway. Instead it was filmed on Burbank Blvd in Encino. The sign was of course a prop built by the production. The area where the sign could be found is just past Hayvenhurst Ave. We’ve listed the GPS coordinates below, however, we do not recommend visiting this location. Burbank Blvd has moderate to heavy traffic and there is no sidewalk or parking on the shoulder. It becomes narrow in some places and puts you dangerously close to traffic at times. At best, simply driving past it is likely a safer option to anyone interested in seeking it out.
LOCATION: Just past the intersection of Hayvenhurst Ave / Burbank Blvd, Encino, CA 91436 (GPS coordinates: 34.167274, -118.489291)
Matte paintings were used to depict a city skyline in the distance.
Harris has to submit financial records to the Fourth Reich Bank of Hamburg to get restaurant reservations at an exclusive restaurant. The bank scenes were filmed at the A.G. Bartlett Building in downtown Los Angeles. The building is currently used for a variety of businesses and lofts. The property has been seen in countless other films, including “Seven,” “They Live” “The Mask,” “The Wedding Singer,” “13 Going On 30,” “The Prestige,” “Ghost,” “Bridesmaids” and many more. This area cannot normally be accessed by pedestrians. However, portions are visible from the street in a couple areas through the windows.
LOCATION: 650 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
The restaurant where Harris meets Sara, played by Victoria Tennant, was a composite of two locations. The exterior was actually not a restaurant at all, rather an entrance to an apartment complex, which still exists today.
LOCATION: 426 S Norton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
After Harris and Trudi finish eating, Harris initially forgets Trudi on the street curb and starts to drive away. This is the same general spot as the restaurant entrance.
The dining patio, however, was part of the Ambassador Hotel, which was demolished in 2006. The hotel was a staple of film and television, appearing in such films as “The Graduate,” “Forrest Gump,” “Seven,” “Bobby,” “True Lies,” “True Romance,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “The Mask,” “Calendar Girl” and dozens more. Only this post and statue from the original building remain at the location.
LOCATION: 3400 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010 (now demolished)
Harris’ house can be found in West Hollywood.
LOCATION: 1206 N Orange Grove Ave ,West Hollywood, CA 90046
Sara lives at this apartment in, also located in West Hollywood. The same building has been featured in the films “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey,” “The Limey,” “Rush Hour” and more.
LOCATION: 1400 N Hayworth Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Harris’ friend Ariel, played by Susan Forristal, lives just a few doors up from Harris. The location of the apartment complex has since been completely remodeled and no longer bears any resemblance to how it appeared in the film.
LOCATION: 1220 N Orange Grove Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Harris goes skating inside the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The portion of the museum seen in the exterior establishing shot has since been torn down for remodeling. The same area was seen in the 1988 film “Miracle Mile.”
LOCATION: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Now! clothing store where SanDeE, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, works is currently a pharmacy.
LOCATION: 8491 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Sara’s ex-husband Roland tries to win her back as they stand at the Tail O’ The Pup hot dog stand. It is also seen at the beginning of the film, hanging from a helicopter as it travels across the city. The hot dog shaped site was originally located on La Cienega Blvd. At risk for demolition, it was relocated to San Vicente Blvd in the mid-80s. The business then closed in 2005 and the stand was put in storage until 2022, when it finally reopened in West Hollywood. The iconic stand has appeared in countless films, such as “Body Double,” “Annie Hall,” “Ruthless People,” “My Girl 2,” “Heartbreaker” and more.
LOCATION: 8512 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 (previously located at 329 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048, originally located at 311 La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211)
SanDeE’s apartment can be found in Venice Beach.
LOCATION: 25 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291
A false doorway was added on the side of the building, making it appear SanDeE lives within the mural.
The Colonic Institute can also be found in Venice Beach. The same building can be seen in the film “Point Of No Return.”
LOCATION: 523 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Harris and Sara attend an art museum fundraiser at this house in Rancho Palos Verdes. Only a small portion of the home can be seen from the street.
LOCATION: 3456 Vía Campesina, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
The El Pollo del Mar resort where Harris and Sara unexpectedly run into one another can be found in Long Beach. The front entrance to the property is gated off, but the back side of it, also seen in the film, is visible from the beach.
LOCATION: 20 S 37th Pl, Long Beach, CA 90803
Film Oblivion 