Curtis Hanson’s excellent, overlooked 2000 film “Wonder Boys” takes place within the literary circles of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the film was also shot. The film ranks among Hanson’s finest works and features an impressive, ensemble cast. We highly recommend it if you’ve never seen it.
This house is where Michael Douglas’ character lives in the film, disheveled and struggling to finish writing his second book.
LOCATION: 359 S Atlantic Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Later in the film, the confrontation with “Vernon Hardapple” takes place in the parking lot of this bowling alley. The bowling alley is also seen in the Farrelly Brothers comedy “Kingpin,” where Woody Harrelson’s character loses his hand.
The house from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” is notoriously difficult to see from the street, as is it obscured by a gate, fencing, shrubs and trees. However, if there are a few areas you can get a fairly unobstructed photo.
LOCATION: 251 N Bristol Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Unlike the original “Full House” TV series, which used a real house in San Francisco for exterior shots of the Tanner house, Netflix’s “Fuller House” opted to instead build this replica on the Warner Bros. lot. This could change in the future, however, due to the fact show creator Jeff Franklin purchased the original house from the show in 2016.
One of the most remote locations you’ll ever likely encounter is Barker Ranch in Death Valley, California. It was the last hideout of Charles Manson and the Manson Family. Getting there is no easy task and requires planning and caution, due to the extreme desert conditions. To begin, you’ll have to head to the virtual ghost town of Ballarat, California, located in Inyo County. There are a few scattered people who pass through Ballarat, who are usually deliberately attempting to stay on the outskirts of society. One of the few buildings you’ll see in the town is the Ballarat Trading Post.
Directly in front of the Ballarat Trading Post is this truck, which for years has been rumored to have belonged to Manson Family member Charles “Tex” Watson. The rumor even got distorted one degree further, with some eventually claiming Charles Manson himself once owned it. The most common story is that when “Tex” fled Barker Ranch for Texas, he took this truck, which quickly broke down in Ballarat (Watson hitchhiked from there). However, according to locals, the actual truck “Tex” drove ultimately fell into the hands of another Ballarat local after it broke down, who was the caretaker of a nearby mining camp. He is said to have eventually dismantled the Watson escape truck. The one that sits in front of the trading post is similar, but locals claim it was never a Manson Family truck. However, the truck has sat in the same spot for quite some time and was likely in Ballarat at the time the Family was there, even if there is no direct connection. There is another truck, which is much more strongly argued to have belonged to “Tex” Watson, located at Barker Ranch itself.
Another old, rusty truck body, located near the Ballarat Trading Post.
To get to Barker Ranch, you will need to take a right at the Ballarat Trading Post, down Coyote Canyon Road. Surprisingly, most GPS systems, including Google Maps, can navigate you to Barker Ranch. However, it is strongly advised not to rely solely on GPS. Some GPS systems can be a bit off and cellular service is nowhere to be found in this region. So it is highly advisable to bring written or printed directions as well. There are no paved roads here, everything is dirt roads. Without a 4-wheel drive vehicle, Coyote Canyon Road is about as far as you will likely make it in a standard vehicle. Once you reach Goler Wash Road, you will likely traverse no further, unless its on foot or in a 4×4 vehicle. Here is a photo of the entrance of Goler Wash, which does not do justice to how rough the road truly gets.
Goler Wash is occasionally graded by the National Parks Service, which makes driving the road much easier. You can check online to see the various road conditions in a given season around Death Valley. Even with the road graded, its still difficult in certain spots. Even though it isn’t a long road, it will take you quite a long time to drive through it, due to the canyons becoming quite narrow at times (you can probably touch the rocky walls from your vehicle at various points). There is also a regular stream of water that runs through the wash. Depending on the season, this can be minor or significant. At one point along Goler Wash, you even need to drive up a small waterfall. Depending on the amount of water runoff, this can be fairly difficult. Another factor is simply all the loose rocks and gravel beneath you as you drive. It is recommended that an experienced off-road driver handle this road, but if conditions are agreeable in certain seasons, its possible for a first time off-road driver to handle it. Do your research and be careful if you do elect to attempt it.
Once you get through the war of attrition that is driving Goler Wash, you will finally arrive at Barker Ranch and Myers Ranch. Charles Manson first became aware of the ranches through Manson Family member Kathy Gilles, whose grandparents lived there. She brought Manson to the property, which he immediately liked for both its seclusion from society, as well as its perceived freedom from authority. Eventually, the Family began occupying both ranches, after Manson offered a Beach Boys gold record in exchange for permission to remain on the properties. While the Tate / LaBianca murders were planned from Spahn Ranch, it is Barker Ranch where Charles Manson and most members of the Manson Family were finally captured.
The path up to Myers Ranch and Barker Ranch.
The gates of Barker Ranch.
Some remnants of the outbuildings and stables at the ranch.
A plaque at the ranch, made by the National Parks Services, noting the history of the ranch. It shows a photo of what the ranch looked like before it was mostly destroyed by a fire. They also installed a picnic table beside it for travelers adventurous enough to make it out that far.
A view back towards the entrance, standing on Barker Ranch.
The remnants of Barker Ranch, as it is today. In 2009, a fire burnt down the majority of the building. However, the rock walls still partially remain, including the exact spot where Charles Manson was captured. The fire was reportedly accidental, when travelers passing through knocked over a grill. However, like so many things related to the Manson Family, this too has been called into question by some who believe it was intentional. In spite of the fire, it’s still fairly easy to identify each room in the remains of the ranch.
LOCATION: Just off of Goler Wash Rd., Death Valley National Park, Panamint, CA 93592 (easiest access is via Ballarat, CA, GPS coordinates: 35°51′34.57″N 117°5′18.76″W)
A closer look at the ranch, which was an extremely small building.
The fireplace, with a bedroom located behind it.
A seating area for eating.
A spot where someone carved their name, circa 1958.
The bathroom, where Charles Manson was captured. The discoloration to the right is where the bathroom sink was located. Manson spent his last moments as a free man hidden in a cabinet beneath it, in a space so small the arresting officer claimed he would’ve never even thought to look inside of it, if not for a piece of Manson’s hair sticking out. Before he could open the cabinet door up, Manson opened it himself and crawled out and surrendered. The arresting officer was not aware at the time of the magnitude of his capture. Most of the Family was arrested on two separate raids of the ranch, on suspicion of vandalism to some nearby government-owned construction vehicles. Charles Manson eluded capture on the first raid, but was captured on the second raid. It was only during their holding in Inyo County that the Family’s connection to the Los Angeles murders was initially pieced together.
Another angle of the spot where Charles Manson was captured, showing how truly tiny the space was. Surprisingly, the ranch fire did not destroy this part of the building and it’s still clearly identifiable today.
One of the outbuildings on Barker Ranch. Manson Family members Paul Watkins and Brooks Poston stayed in this building. It was Watkins and Poston who told prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi of the “Helter Skelter” motive. According to Watkins and Poston, the murders were intended to start a race war between the blacks and whites. The Manson Family would hide out underground in the desert until the blacks won the war, then they would return to rule over the blacks, who they believed would be incapable of running a society themselves. Bugliosi used “Helter Skelter” as the primary motive in his case against Charles Manson, Charles “Tex” Watson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten and the theory became widely popularized as the motive for the murders. However, this motive has been disputed over the years. Many claim the murders were done as a copycat act, in an effort to make Bobby Beausoleil, who was a friend of the Family, appear innocent on the charges of killing Gary Hinman. Others still claim it was done as to instill fear into society, as an act of retribution for all the times those in power had rejected or imposed punishments upon the Manson Family. There are many different motives debated and the truth will likely never be conclusively agreed upon.
A view from behind the ranch. The most famous photos of the ranch from 1969 are from this angle, with the Manson Family bus parked to the center right of the frame. The bus was eventually dismantled and destroyed.
A swimming pool at the ranch, where members of the Family swam.
Many claim this is one of “Tex” Watson’s trucks, which is located behind the ranch. However, others dispute this as well. If you’re not familiar with the ranch, be careful in venturing back too far behind it, as it’s very easy to lose your bearings.
It’s difficult to make out through the rust and bullet holes, but the words “Helter Skelter” are written on the back of the truck.
Behind the ranch is also where some of the women were captured and arrested. The women were hiding in a hole in the ground, which was covered with some loose debris. This photo is of that approximate area, but perhaps not exact.
Another view behind Barker Ranch. From here you can get a better idea of just how small the building was.
A look at the nearby Myers Ranch, as seen from Barker Ranch. Members of the Manson Family also stayed at Myers Ranch. Today, it actually remains a private, occupied residence, unavailable for public visitation.
Footage of some of the members of the Manson Family at Barker Ranch can be seen in the Robert Hendrickson documentary “Manson,” which was nominated for an Academy Award, as well as his sister documentary, “Inside the Manson Gang,” which is mostly comprised of unused footage from the first film.
Barker Ranch is one of the most desolate places in the United States and it’s easy to see how one might have felt they could escape the eyes of the law in such a remote place. Everything there is sun-baked, rusted or worn down. It’s a unique experience to visit, but clearly one that is not for everyone. We of course do not endorse any of the crimes committed by those that took shelter here. Our aim is to simply show a unique place in American history, as it appears today.
The opening credits to the TV series “Full House” is of course remembered for a shot of the Tanner family driving across San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
LOCATION: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA
Another San Francisco landmark seen in the opening credits is the Painted Ladies, a row of Victorian homes facing Alamo Square Park.
LOCATION: 710 – 720 Steiner St, San Francisco, CA 94117
The house from the series can be found in San Francisco as well, where the show was famously set. In 2016, it was purchased by the show’s creator, Jeff Franklin, who hopes to use it for filming, as well as possibly opening it up to the public. We’ll see what happens with the home, now that it’s back in the Tanner fold, so to speak.
LOCATION: 1709 Broderick St., San Francisco, CA 94115
Michelle’s honey bee uniform from the show can be found on display on the Warner Brothers Studio Tour.
The comedy classic “National Lampoon’s Vacation” is set all across the United States, but a good portion of the filming was based in Southern California.
Early in the film, Clark, played by Chevy Chase, visits a car dealership with his son Rusty, to trade in their vehicle. After the dealership fails to stock the vehicle they requested, Clark asks for his old car to be returned, only to find it has been destroyed. These scenes were filmed in Glendale, Califonia.
LOCATION: 900 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204
The Griswold house, set in Chicago, Illinois, is actually located in near Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California. You’ll likely drive right past if it you visit the Griffith Observatory.
LOCATION: 2310 N Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027
The hotel where Clark goes skinny dipping with “The Girl in the Ferarri,” played by Christie Brinkley, is the Guesthouse Hotel in Norwalk, California. Despite some remodeling and changes in ownership, the pool area is still fairly recognizable to how it appeared in the film. The scene where Clark runs into The Girl in the Ferrari at thehotel lounge was also filmed here, but that section, while still a lounge, has unfortunately been remodeled beyond recognition.
LOCATION: 12500 Firestone Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650
The gas station where Clark has trouble finding the gas tank can be found in Flagstaff, Arizona.
LOCATION: 2515 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
When the Griswolds get lost in a bad neighborhood, the rough streets were actually filmed on the Warner Bros. Studio lot. This is the spot where Clark is getting directions, while the guys on the street steal his hubcaps.
LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505
When Aunt Edna dies, the family drops her off at Cousin Normie’s house, which can be found in Flagstaff.
LOCATION: 3025 W Wilson Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
The production was clever when it came to filming the “Walley World” entrance at the end of the film. While the amusement park used in the film was Six Flags Magic Mountain (26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy., Valencia, CA 91355), the memorable entrance was a totally different location; the Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. This overpass was used as the entrance, with a matte painting of the Walley World sign and the roller coasters in the background. The overpass is actually on the outskirts of the park, right beside the Westfield Santa Anita mall. In this case, the exact address is tricky, as the grounds are large and it only navigates you to the general vicinity. A tip on how to find the exact spot is to drive down W Huntington Dr. towards S. Baldwin Ave. As you near the mall’s parking lot, drive past the overpass entrance and proceed to the next entrance, into the mall parking lot. As soon as you turn off of Huntington Dr. to the mall, you’ll immediately see this view of the Santa Anita Park parking lot on your right, with the Walley World overpass in the distance.
The house from Steven Spielberg’s beloved 1982 film “E.T.” can be found in the town of Tujunga, California.
LOCATION: 7121 Lonzo St., Tujunga, CA 91042
The ending of the film, when Elliott begins to fly with E.T. on his bike, was filmed near Granada Hills, at the intersection of Tulsa St and White Oak Ave. The bike heads north on White Oak as it begins to take flight.
LOCATION: Intersection of Tulsa St / White Oak Ave, Los Angeles, CA 91344
A full scale animatronic of E.T., one of three created for the film, can be found on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, California.
LOCATION: 6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
In the wake of the popular television series “Breaking Bad,” it’s difficult to even mention the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico without thinking of the show. Albuquerque plays a central role in the series and there’s a vast array of filming locations scattered all across the city. Here, we’ll take a look at those, as well as a some props and even a pop-up set.
First, we begin with one of the more notorious film locations; the Walter White house. Beyond the notoriety of the house within the show itself, the real home has it’s own reputation, due to the sometimes adversarial owner. While most of the time it’s fine to visit properties once seen in films or TV shows, on occasion, property owners of these locations are not receptive to visitors. While that’s not exactly the case with the Walter White house, the owner could be considered particular to the acceptable ways in which visitors approach her home. This is not without reason, however, as some past guests have abused their visiting privileges, by doing things like trespassing into their back yard, while others have even gone as far as throwing pizza on her roof, in a distasteful attempt to parody a famous scene from the show. The pizzas in particular escalated to the point where series creator Vince Gilligan himself had to publicly denounce these acts and tell fans to stop doing it. That’s not to mention the sheer volume of guests that visit the house, which was said to be dozens per day at the height of the show’s popularity. So while there’s seemingly no harm in looking at a house, it is nevertheless understandable if the property owner has developed a low tolerance for intrusive visitors. Since the show ended, the owners have made a habit of opening their garage up each day and sitting in front of the house, from dawn to dusk. It isn’t often you’ll visit the property in the daytime where the owners won’t be perched out front. They also installed cameras around the house, posted a “no trespassing” sign and erected a steel gate at the front door, in an effort to curb the repeated trespassing issues. While the owner of the house can be friendly, she has also had some verbal altercations with visitors, if she feels they are being intrusive. All of this, however, is not to say visitation is discouraged. The owner has stated she does not mind fans of the show stopping by and taking photos, as long as they remain on the opposite side of the street and do not disturb them. While one can make a valid argument that it’s perfectly legal to walk right up to the curb in front of the house and take a photo, doing so will likely provoke the ire of the homeowners, so please respect their wishes if you intend on visiting the property and you’re unlikely to encounter any issues.
LOCATION: 3828 Piermont Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
Jesse Pinkman’s house requires a bit less discretion when visiting, as we are unaware of any animosity between the owners and fans of the show.
LOCATION: 322 16th St. SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104
Agent Hank Schrader’s house is located in this cul de sac.
LOCATION: 4901 Cumbre Del Sur Ct. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
Next we take a look at the infamous “Los Pollos Hermanos,” the restaurant owned by criminal mastermind Gus Fring. Here we have photos from both the real location (a restaurant named “Twisters”), as well as a pop-up replica of the restaurant, which was used to promote “Better Call Saul.” First, lets look at the actual location in Albuquerque, called “Twisters.” There are a few of these restaurants in the area, so be sure if you plan to visit, you go to the one on Isleta Blvd, in order to see the location used in the show. The location also resurfaces in “Better Call Saul.”
The counter inside at the real location, which features a small “Los Pollos Hermanos” sign. You can also sit and eat at the table Walter White sat in, if it isn’t already occupied by another customer.
This is a “Los Pollos Hermanos” logo painted inside the real Twisters location, on the wall beside the entrance door. This was added by the “Breaking Bad” production and the restaurant allowed it to remain up. They are very welcoming to fans of the show.
Now we move on to what is a pop-up replica of “Los Pollos Hermanos,” which was built on an open parking lot space in Los Angeles for just a few short days, in promotion of “Better Call Saul.” These are not photos of the real restaurant and the pop-up has long since been dismantled.
A “Los Pollos Hermanos” restaurant sign built for the pop-up.
Visitors to the pop-up were given a complimentary order of french fries and a cup of water, both bearing the “Los Pollos Hermanos” name.
A mock application form was also given out to visitors of the pop-up.
Back in Albuquerque and to the real show locations, here is a look at the office of Saul Goodman.
A few businesses have come and gone from the location since the show aired, but the current restaurant actually has their front door made up to look like Saul’s office.
Tuco’s headquarters, which is left in bad shape after a visit from Walter. The real building is actually a coffee shop.
LOCATION: 906 Park Ave. SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102
This is Walt and Jesse’s RV from the show, which can be seen as part of the Sony Pictures Studio Tour in Culver City, California. The show had 2 identical RVs for filming, one of which actually was destroyed on the show. This is the only remaining RV from the production.
Walter White’s vehicle from the show is also on display at the Sony Pictures Studio Tour.
Next up are some props from the show, also seen on the Sony Pictures Studio Tour. Included are Gail’s lab notes, Walt’s missing person flier, the stuffed animal that falls into Walt’s pool and much more.
Last, but not least, we leave you with a couple of Bryan Cranston’s costumes from the show. First up, this Heisenberg outfit can be found on display on the Sony Pictures Studio Tour.
Another of Walter’s outfits can be found on display at Planet Hollywood in Florida.
LOCATION: 1506 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
The frat house from the 2003 Will Ferrell comedy “Old School,” where “Mitch-a-palooza” takes place, can be found at this South Pasadena home.
LOCATION: 1803 Bushnell Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Frank the Tank, played by Ferrell, lives at this home in Altadena.
LOCATION: 2284 Mar Vista Ave, Altadena, CA 91001
Mitch, played by Luke Wilson, discusses ways to save the fraternity at this restaurant, which was also featured in the film “Role Models,” as well as such TV shows as “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Scandal” and “The X-Files.”
LOCATION: 601 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Cameron Crowe’s 1989 directorial debut, “Say Anything…” was filmed in Washington, Southern California and Vancouver, Canada. The exterior of the house of Corey, played by Lili Taylor, can be found in Seattle. Interiors were filmed in California at 2545 Ganesha Ave, Altadena, CA 91001.
LOCATION: 3627 NW 65th Ct, Seattle, WA 98117
Mike, played by Jason Gould, lives at this home, located in Sherman Oaks.
LOCATION: 4936 Sunnyslope Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Lloyd, played by John Cusack, walks with Diane, played by Ione Skye, out of a convenience store and kicks glass out of her way. The store can be found in North Hollywood.
LOCATION: 11340 W Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601
Diane has lunch with her mom at this restaurant in Pasadena, which has changed a lot since filming took place.
LOCATION: 1978 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
Lloyd teaches a kickboxing class at this location, which was more famously used as the Cobra Kai dojo in “The Karate Kid.” It’s located just a few blocks away from the convenience store.
LOCATION: 5223 Lankershim Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91601
Here’s a look inside the building.
The most iconic scene in the film is of course when Lloyd Dobler holds a boombox outside of the bedroom of Diane. The real scene wasn’t filmed at any house at all, rather a park in North Hollywood. It’s actually located right across the street from the convenience store seen earlier in the film, at the North Hollywood Park, on the SW corner of Magnolia Blvd and Tujunga Ave. The same park was seen in “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.”
LOCATION: North Hollywood Park, 11430 Chandler Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601
In one of the film’s deleted scenes, Diane asks Lloyd to take her back to Lloyd’s workplace, mentioned above. This scene, which can be found on the home video edition, was filmed at the Community Room of the South Pasadena Public Library. The same building appeared in Rob Zombie’s remake of “Halloween.”
LOCATION: 1115 El Centro St, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Film Oblivion 