The 1996 Alexander Payne film “Citizen Ruth” was primarily shot in Omaha, Nebraska, with a bit of additional shooting just over the Iowa border. Early in the film, Ruth, played by Laura Dern, gets kicked out of her boyfriend’s apartment.
LOCATION: 2454 Harney St, Omaha, NE 68131
Ruth asks to stay at her brother’s house. He refuses and gives her some money instead.
LOCATION: 411 Hickory St, Omaha, NE 68108
Ruth buys some patio sealant from a hardware store, where she heads to the back of the building and gets high.
LOCATION: 4949 Underwood Ave, Omaha, NE 68132
The abortion clinic scenes were filmed in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which is just over the state border from Nebraska.
LOCATION: 200 S 29th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
At the end of the film, Ruth is seen running away down this alley, located across the street.
LOCATION: Alley across from 200 S 29th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 (GPS coordinates: 41.259361, -95.890616)
The 2002 Alexander Payne film “About Schmidt,” like much of the director’s work, was primarily filmed in Nebraska, with additional filming in Iowa and Colorado. In the film, Warren Schmidt, played by Jack Nicholson, begins retirement from working for an insurance company. The building featured as Schmidt’s workplace, Woodmen Tower, can be found in Omaha.
LOCATION: 1700 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68102
Schmidt lives with his wife Helen, played by June Squibb, at this home, also located in Omaha.
LOCATION: 5402 Izard St, Omaha, NE 68132
Schmidt embarks on a journey to Denver for his daughter’s wedding. Along the way he decides to stop off and visit his childhood home, only to discover it has been razed and a tire shop now stands in it’s place. This scene was filmed in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which is just over the state border from Nebraska.
LOCATION: 2103 W Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Schmidt arrives at the home of Roberta, played by Kathy Bates, which is supposedly located in Denver, Colorado. The real home can actually be found back in Omaha.
The 1999 film “Election,” like many of director Alexander Payne’s films, was shot around Omaha, Nebraska. The school scenes at “George Washington Carver High,” where much of the film takes place, were shot at Papillion-La Vista Senior High School in Papillion.
LOCATION: 402 E Centennial Rd, Papillion, NE 68046
Dave and Linda Novotny, played by Mark Harelik and Delaney Driscoll, lives at this home. After Dave begins an affair with Tracy Flick, played by Reese Witherspoon, Linda kicks him out of the house.
LOCATION: 683 Parkwood Ln, Omaha, NE 68132
Tracy Flick first begins her affair with her teacher, Dave Novotny, at Godfather’s Pizza in La Vista, after they’re the last two remaining from a dinner with yearbook editors.
LOCATION: 7920 S 84th St, La Vista, NE 68128
The house of Paul Metzler, played by Chris Klein, can be found at 1562 S 187th Cir, Omaha, NE 68130. Paul’s girlfriend Lisa, played by Frankie Ingrassia, lives at 1007 N 64th St, Omaha, NE 68132.
Jim McAllister, played by Matthew Broderick, lives in this home.
The 2013 Alexander Payne film “Nebraska” does feature many scenes set in the titular state, but the film also shot significant portions in Montana as well. Additional scenes filmed in Wyoming and South Dakota. If you’ve never seen the film, this article contains some spoilers. In the film, Bruce Dern plays Woody Grant, an aging man who believes he’s won a million dollar sweepstakes prize. After repeated attempts to walk to Nebraska to collect his perceived winnings, Woody’s son David, played by Will Forte, decides to drive him to Nebraska.
While on the road, David suggests they stop at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota. Woody, unimpressed, looks at it from the parking lot and suggests they get back on the road. The monument has appeared in many films, sometimes as the real location, other times as a set recreation. The most famous example is of course Alfred Hitchcock’s “North By Northwest,” which did not actually film the monument itself, but did film scenes at the parking lot and concession areas on location. Other films with scenes set at Mount Rushmore, real or recreated, include “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” “Superman II,” “Mars Attacks!,” the 2011 version of “The Muppets,” “North,” “The NeverEnding Story III,” “Head of State,” “The Incredible Mr. Limpet” and many more.
LOCATION: 13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD 57751
While David and nearly everyone else in the film is aware Woody’s prize is a mail scam to get people to purchase magazine subscriptions, David nevertheless takes him to the marketing headquarters. The building is said to be located in Lincoln, Nebraska, which is where the scenes were indeed shot.
LOCATION: 3400 Madison Ave, Lincoln, NE 68504
Near the end of the film, David buys Woody a new truck from a car dealership, also located in Lincoln.
LOCATION: 2034 O St, Lincoln, NE 68510 (as seen from N 21st St)
Portions of the 2017 Alexander Payne film “Downsizing,” like much of his work, filmed in the director’s home state of Nebraska, with additional filming in Canada and Norway. Early in the film, Paul and Audrey Safranek, played by Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig, live at this duplex, located in Omaha. In one scene, they are seen selling their belongings in a yard sale out front, as they prepare to downsize.
LOCATION: 4629 Douglas St, Omaha, NE 68132
The back of the property and garage also appear in the film. An alley runs behind Douglas Street to this area.
Paul sits with his buddies watching a news program debating the benefits of downsizing at this restaurant.
LOCATION: 4432 Leavenworth St, Omaha, NE 68105
The Safraneks look at this home in Elkhorn as they evaluate the local housing market. The interior was filmed at a different house in the same neighborhood.
LOCATION: 18676 Oregon Cir, Elkhorn, NE 68022
Paul and Audrey attend an alumni gathering at this school, where they run into an old friend Dave, played by Jason Sudeikis. Dave has been downsized and tells Paul all about the benefits of his life after the procedure. The entrance seen in the film is at the back and has been slightly remodeled since filming took place.
LOCATION: 7400 Western Ave, Omaha, NE 68114 (back entrance at 41°16’19.5″N, 96°01’39.8″W)
Paul and Audrey have a going away gathering at Jams Old Market (1101 Harney St, Omaha, NE 68102).
The 2004 Alexander Payne film “Sideways” is set against the backdrop of California’s wine country, with most of the production likewise taking place in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County, California. The film has had a lasting impact on the region, as more than one location has since altered their namesakes after the film. One such example is the apartment where Miles, played by Paul Giamatti, resides. Supposedly located in San Diego, the real building can actually be found a couple hundred miles north in the town of Goleta.
LOCATION: 120 Magnolia Ave, Goleta, CA 93117
The property has since been renamed the “Sideways House.”
A few scenes were filmed in Southern California. As Miles heads to Los Angeles to meet up with Jack, played by Thomas Haden Church, he passes the famous Hotel Angeleno, which was also seen in the film “Heat.”
LOCATION: 170 N Church Ln, Los Angeles, CA 90049 (as seen from Sunset Blvd)
Miles makes his way to this house, located in the L.A. neighborhood of Brentwood. The route depicted driving down Sunset Blvd to reach the home is geographically accurate.
LOCATION: 355 N Rockingham Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90049
As Jack and Miles begin their trip, Miles insists he stop and visit his mother, who supposedly lives in Oxnard. The property is actually located in Santa Maria.
LOCATION: 1619 Carmel Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Miles and Jack arrive into Solvang driving down Alisal Rd.
LOCATION: 485 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463
These scenes really were filmed in Solvang, as stated in the film.
LOCATION: 467 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463
They stay at this hotel, located in Buellton.
LOCATION: 114 E Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427
The hotel is another location which has renamed itself in honor of the film.
After walking in on Jack having sex with Stephanie, played by Sandra Oh, Miles heads over to the hotel lounge, which has likewise been renamed the “Sideways Lounge.”
Here is the restaurant where Maya, played by Virginia Madsen, works.
LOCATION: 406 E Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427
The next morning, this building is seen as one of the establishing shots before cutting to Jack and Miles having breakfast.
LOCATION: 1576 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
Miles goes bowling with Jack and Stephanie. The bowling alley was formerly located at 1420 E Ocean Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436, but has since been demolished.
Miles and Jack are briefly seen picking up Maya and Stephanie in front of this building in Los Olivos.
LOCATION: 2900 Grand Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441
Maya’s place can be found in Santa Barbara. The back entrance is seen in the film, which is easily visible from the sidewalk.
LOCATION: 916 E Carrillo Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 (back entrance facing Spring St)
Miles learns a publisher has passed on his novel at this winery in Los Olivos, where he becomes upset and proceeds to make a scene.
LOCATION: 6200 Foxen Canyon Rd, Los Olivos, CA 93441
Miles sulks with Jack at the beach near Goleta Pier.
LOCATION: Near Goleta Pier, Sandspit Rd, Goleta, CA 93117
After Stephanie discovers Jack is getting married to another woman, she assaults him. Jack gets treatment at this hospital in Solvang, which has been remodeled a bit.
LOCATION: 2050 Viborg Rd, Solvang, CA 93463
Miles and Jack visit this restaurant, where Jack gets himself into more trouble after sleeping with the waitress.
LOCATION: 350 E Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427
In one of the more memorable scenes in the film, Miles sneaks into this house in Lompoc, to retrieve Jack’s wallet from the waitress and her husband. The completely nude husband, played by M.C. Gainey, chases Miles out onto the street. To achieve this scene, police blocked off the entire street and neighbors were paid to stay inside their homes during the filming.
LOCATION: 400 E Lemon Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436
Jack asks Miles to drive the car, not revealing his intentions. They proceed to this intersection in Buellton.
LOCATION: Jonata Park Rd / Central Ave, Buellton, CA 93427
Jack then swerves the car and drives into this tree, in an attempt to create a cover story to his fiancee for his injuries. In the film, the area is seen as barren and undeveloped. A storage facility has since been built on the land, but somewhat surprisingly, the developers left the tree in tact. It remains standing today.
LOCATION: 711 Jonata Park Rd, Buellton, CA 93427
Near the end of the film, Jack’s wedding takes place at this church, located back south in Montebello. After the ceremony, Miles runs into his ex-wife in the parking lot.
Most of Alexander Payne’s 2011 film, The Descendants, was shot around the island of Oahu, Hawaii, although some filming did take place on Kauai and the Big Island.
Matt King, played by George Clooney, lives at this house, tucked away in the Nu’uanu neighborhood of Honolulu. The house is not fully visible from the street. You’ll need to walk down a little, unmarked road (connected with Gartley Place) that leads to a few houses, in order to get a clear view. The Descendants house is the first on the left and the one closest to Old Pali Road. Just across the street of Old Pali Road is the Clarence H. Cooke Residence, seen in the film “Triple Frontier.”
LOCATION: 3849 Old Pali Road, Honolulu, HI, 96817
Located just down the street from the above house is the corner where George Clooney frantically runs in his sandals over to his friends’ house, The Mitchells, after hearing of some distressing news.
LOCATION: The fork in the road of Old Pali Road / Nu’uanu Pali Dr., Honolulu, HI, 96817
The Mitchell’s house. The view, again, is slightly obstructed from the road, due to the many trees and plants on the property.
LOCATION: 155 Dowsett Ave., Honolulu, HI 96817
The goat seen in the film, Poppy, is a real goat that actually lives at the location. It is still alive and well today.
Brian Speer’s house.
LOCATION: 4328 Papu Circle, Honolulu, HI, 96816
Late in the film, Matt and Alex go to Brian Speer’s vacation home to confront him. This was filmed on the island of Kauai. It really is a vacation property and can be seen from Waioli Beach Park, albeit by looking between the shrubs. It’s worth mentioning that Waioli Beach Park is an excellent beach and well worth going out of your way to visit.
LOCATION: 5032 Weke Rd, Hanalei, HI 96714
The islands of O’ahu and Kaua’i are beautiful, with many amazing sights to see. Most of these film locations are tucked away from the more touristy areas. One upside, due to the islands being so small, is that all of these locations are pretty close to one another and can be visited in a short span of time, as not to distract you too much from the other amazing sights the islands have to offer.
Film Oblivion 