In the 1993 Tony Scott directed, Quentin Tarantino penned film, “True Romance,” the outlaw couple of Clarence, played by Christian Slater and Alabama, played by Patricia Arquette, supposedly meet in Detroit. In reality, most of the film was shot in Southern California.
In the opening scene of the film, Clarence sits at a bar and talks about Elvis. These scenes were filmed in San Fernando. The bar is only seen from interior views in the film, but you’ll see the distinctive glass block windows match up to those visible behind Clarence in the film.
LOCATION: 1113 San Fernando Rd, San Fernando, CA 91340
Early in the film, Clarence and Alabama watch a Sonny Chiba “Street Fighter” triple feature together. This was filmed at the Vista Theater, one of L.A.’s best vintage theaters.
LOCATION: 4473 Sunset Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
After the movies, the couple goes for coffee and pie at Rae’s Restaurant in Santa Monica. The restaurant has been used in countless films, such as “Lords Of Dogtown,” “Bowfinger” and “Starsky & Hutch.”
LOCATION: 2901 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
The comic book store, “Heroes For Sale,” where Clarence works, was actually “Fantastic Store,” a former comic book, music and vintage store located near the famous intersection of Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave in Hollywood. The store has unfortunately long since closed and bears little resemblance to how it appeared in the film.
LOCATION: 1718 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
The billboard location where the two sit outside and talk could be found in downtown Los Angeles at the Dewey Hotel Apartments. Unfortunately, there is no longer an actual billboard on the side of the building.
LOCATION: 721 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
The building where Drexl, played by Gary Oldman, resides was a combination of two locations. The exterior was located in Downtown Detroit, Michigan. It was demolished in the 1990s, to make way for a football stadium. The interior living room, where Clarence confronts Drexl, was actually shot on the other side of the country, back in Los Angeles. Known as The Beckett Mansion, the property, located in the West Adams neighborhood, actually operates as an event space and filming location year round. The same house has been featured in Rob Zombie’s “Halloween,” “Neighbors,” “No Strings Attached” and many more. It’s also located directly across the street from the house from “The People Under The Stairs.”
LOCATION: 2218 S Harvard Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
The apartment of Floyd and Dick Ritchie, played by Brad Pitt and Michael Rapaport respectively, can be found in Hollywood. The scenes were filmed on the upper level unit of the Krotona Apartments. Tarantino himself lived at Krotona Apartments for a time, staying on the couch of writer-director Scott Spiegel, much like Floyd in the film. The apartment is seen only from interior views in the film. This area is on the side of the building.
LOCATION: 2122 Vista Del Mar Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068
Clarence calls Dick Ritchie from a payphone in the desert. The building in the shot has long since been demolished and now its just an empty plot of land. The mountains in the distance can be seen behind Clarence and Alabama in the payphone in multiple shots.
LOCATION: 17012 E Palmdale Blvd Palmdale, CA 93591 (now demolished)
The scene took place near the intersection of 170th St E and E Palmdale Blvd in Palmdale.
The foundation where the building stood still exists.
Dick Ritchie auditions for a role on “T.J. Hooker” at the majestic Castle Green Apartments in Pasadena. The scene was shot on the bridge of Castle Green facing S Raymond Ave. The location is only seen from interior views in the film.
LOCATION: 99 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
Here’s a closer look at the hallway, which leads into what would have been the casting office in the film. Castle Green has been featured in countless films, such as “The Sting,” “Wild At Heart,” “The Little Rascals,” “Deja Vu,” “Sneakers,” “Bugsy,” “The Last Samurai,” “Puppet Master” and many more.
Later in the film, the couple stays at this motel, supposedly located on the Sunset Strip. The real motel, the Safari Inn, is actually located just north of L.A., in Burbank, California.
LOCATION: 1911 W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91506
The same motel was featured in the films “Apollo 13” and “Coach Carter.”
The final drug deal takes place at the fictional Beverly Ambassador Hotel. The exterior used in the film is The Athenaeum, an event venue at Caltech in Pasadena. The same building was featured in the films “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Beverly Hills Cop II.”
LOCATION: 551 S Hill Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
The hotel interiors were filmed at the former Ambassador Hotel, which has since been demolished. The hotel was a staple of film and television, appearing in such films as “The Graduate,” “Forrest Gump,” “Seven,” “Bobby,” “True Lies,” “L.A. Story,” “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)
The Seaver house from the 1980s sitcom “Growing Pains” can be found in Burbank, California, but you won’t find it in just any neighborhood. The house is actually part of the Warner Bros. Studios lot and can be seen as part of their tour. It can also be seen the the films “Gremlins,” “The Monster Squad” and “Deadly Friend,” as well as the TV series “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.”
LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Dewey High in the show is John Marshall High School. A regular location in film and television, it has also appeared in such movies as “Rebel Without A Cause,” “A Nightmare On Elm Street,” “Pretty In Pink,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Bachelor Party,” “Grosse Pointe Blank,” “Grease” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” as well as such TV shows as “Boy Meets World,” “Boston Public” and many more. It was even used in the Van Halen music video for “Hot For Teacher.”
Much like “The Simpsons,” the setting of “The Wonder Years” was intended to be nonspecific, as to represent any American town. However, the Arnold house from the show can be found in a very specific city; Burbank, California. The house still looks nearly identical to how it appeared on the show.
LOCATION: 516 University Ave, Burbank, CA 91504
Just across the street is Winnie Cooper’s house, exactly as depicted on the show. The house has changed a bit, but still mostly resembles how it appeared on the show.
LOCATION: 525 University Ave, Burbank, CA 91504
After three seasons, the Coopers relocate to a new home, said to be miles away. In reality, the house is in the same neighborhood.
LOCATION: 501 Tufts Ave, Burbank, CA 91504
Paul Pfeiffer’s house wasn’t seen much in the series, but it did pop up a couple times. It can be found on the same street as Winnie Cooper’s second house.
LOCATION: 536 Tufts Ave, Burbank, CA 91504
An alternate home was also used for Paul Pfiefer’s house. It can be found in the same vicinity as the other homes. In fact, it’s located directly beside the first Pfeifer house.
LOCATION: 537 University Ave, Burbank, CA 91504
While the Arnold house is of course the most well known, fans of the show should also check out the other houses when in the neighborhood. All of them are within blocks of one another and can be seen in mere minutes.
As time has passed, appreciation for Michael Mann’s crime saga masterpiece “Heat” has continued to grow. Few films have ever captured Los Angeles so magnificently as Mann did here. Even after all of these years, a few locations remain secret, but most have surfaced.
The opening shots of the film show Neil McCauley, played by Robert DeNiro on the Metro Green Line, arriving at the Redondo Beach Station. Director Michael Mann would return to this same station for the closing scenes of “Collateral.” If you plan to visit this station, the only way to access the platform is by purchasing a fare.
LOCATION: 2406 Marine Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Neil steals an ambulance from the St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach. The same hospital shows up again later in the film, when Vincent Hanna, played by Al Pacino, rushes his step-daughter Lauren, played by Natalie Portman, to the emergency room.
LOCATION: 1050 Linden Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
Chris, played by Val Kilmer, purchases explosives from a company in Whittier. However, the building seen in the film was later demolished. Here is how the area appears now.
LOCATION: 10006 Rose Hills Rd, Whittier, CA 90601 (demolished)
Vincent and his wife Justine live in what is known as the “Sixth Street House” in Santa Monica. A famous architectural piece, the house has the designation of historical landmark. Much of the front of the home is obscured by a wall and shrubs, making it a bit inconspicuous. The side of the home offers better visibility. In the film itself, only the interiors of the house are seen.
LOCATION: 2634 6th St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
The Mexican food stand where Waingro gets picked up has since been demolished. This is what the area looks like now.
LOCATION: 1233 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006 (demolished)
What matches up better is the plaza across the street, seen in the background as Waingro walks to the truck.
The robbery of the armored truck takes place on Venice Blvd, exactly as Hanna states in the film. It’s near the Los Angeles Convention Center, just underneath the interchange of the 10 and 110 freeways. The detention center scenes from “Scarface” were filmed nearby as well.
LOCATION: Venice Blvd / Convention Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90015
The robbers emerge from underneath this split overpass for the collision.
This is where Vincent arrives to investigate the aftermath.
McCauley’s crew torches the ambulance here.
LOCATION: W 22nd St / Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90007
McCauley meets with Nate, played by Jon Voight, at a parking garage in Downtown L.A. They are seen on the ninth level, which is now private and monitored by a security guard. Here is a view of the same area a couple levels down, which is public.
LOCATION: 333 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
McCauley’s crew takes Waingro to the former Johnie’s Broiler in Downey, where they attempt to kill him in the parking lot, but he ultimately escapes. The restaurant has a unique history, having appeared in many other films, such as “Short Cuts,” “License To Drive,” “The Game,” “My Stepmother Is An Alien,” “One Hour Photo,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and many more. In 2007, the building was demolished. However, Bob’s Big Boy purchased the property years later and rebuilt it based on the original blueprints and even some of the same materials. So what stands now closely resembles what was seen in the film.
LOCATION: 7447 Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA 90241
The location of Neil’s oceanfront home, where Chris sleeps off a domestic spat, has long been subject to debate. The house most commonly believed to be the correct location can be found on Malibu Cove Colony Drive, a private road just off the Pacific Coast Highway. Old real estate listings showing the interior of the home match closely with what was seen in the film, down to fixtures and appliances. The same house was also featured in the film “Less Than Zero,” where Jami Gertz tells Andrew McCarthy she’s not going to college. However, since then portions of the home have been remodeled, making it a difficult task to match up in person.
The entrance to Malibu Cove Colony Drive has a gate and guard on duty, preventing any public access (most beachfront roads in this area are likewise private). On the opposite side, however, are the outskirts of Escondido Beach, which is open to the public, but also presents its own challenges. First and foremost, the houses sit very close to the water. All of them are perched on stilts, as the tides can reach all the way up to the base of the properties. Visitors should use caution if they walk these narrow shores, as the high tides can leave you little room to cross. It also makes photography a challenge, unless you plan to take a swim. The next challenge is simply identifying the correct home. Many of these beachfront homes have been heavily remodeled. If you attempt to match them to satellite views, many details won’t align in person, due to remodeling. Some of the homes also resemble one another, particularly their patios, making it even more confusing. It’s easy to see why, after decades, the location has remained subject to debate. To be certain we found the correct home we were seeking, we used a combination satellite imagery and GPS. A drone (or jet ski) is likely a better method to view the house, but if you do attempt it on foot, use caution and do your research.
LOCATION: 26940 Malibu Cove Colony Dr, Malibu, CA 90265
The home of Chris Shiherlis can be found in Northridge. The house has since been remodeled some.
LOCATION: 19514 Romar St, Northridge, CA 91324 (remodeled)
This view, seen as Chris drives away, still matches up.
The bookstore where Eady, played by Amy Brenneman, works is located at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. The entire area, an outdoor pedestrian mall, was heavily renovated and the bookstore is long since gone.
LOCATION: 1254 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (remodeled)
The cafe where Eady gets to know Neil was likewise part of the 3rd Street Promenade. Much like the bookstore, the cafe is long since gone and the building has been remodeled.
LOCATION: 1457 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (remodeled)
Eady’s house sits perched on stilts in the hills of West Hollywood, offering a magnificent view over the city. There’s not much to see from the front of the house itself on Blue Heights Dr. Signs declare the cul-de-sac where it sits to be private property, but you can still see it well from the public section of the road. The floor to ceiling windows and patio area are much better seen from lower streets, such as Viewmont Dr (near the 1600 block, just before it reaches a dead end). The house found renewed interest in 2014 with the TV series “Bosch,” where it serves as the home of the titular detective.
LOCATION: 1870 Blue Heights Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069 (best seen from around the 1600 block of Viewmont Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069, just before the road hits a dead end)
Here is a view of the city, as seen from Blue Heights Dr, just before you reach Eady’s house, closely resembling what you’d see from the home.
Vincent and Drucker visit Albert’s chop shop in Wilmington. At the time of filming, the area was rumored to host an actual chop shop, though now it’s just a train maintenance area. The distinct, yellow sulpher pile still remains and there is a very strong smell in person.
LOCATION: 1017 Foote Ave, Wilmington, CA 90744 (near the railroad tracks)
Plans for the bank heist are first offered to Neil and Nate when they visit Kelso, played by Tom Noonan. The house was filmed on Dodds Circle in Los Angeles, which is also where Trejo’s house is located in the film. Neil and Nate first park here, overlooking the 10 freeway.
LOCATION: Dodds Cir, Los Angeles, CA 90063 (just off Dickson Ave)
McCauley then discusses the plan with Kelso at his house, which is fenced off around the entire perimeter.
LOCATION: 1235 Dodds Cir, Los Angeles, CA 90063
The restaurant where Donald, played by Dennis Haysbert, begins working under the abuse of a crooked manager is Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank (not to be confused with the Downey location covered earlier in this article).
LOCATION: 4211 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505
Later in the film, Neil happens to be dining inside with his crew and spots Donald cooking and immediately recognizes him as a former prison buddy.
Neil speaks to his driver, Trejo, from a phone at the restaurant, where he is informed Trejo is being tailed by cops and cannot join their heist. In need of a last-minute, replacement driver, Neil offers Donald a job on the spot.
McCauley follows Charlene, played by Ashley Judd, to this hotel in Burbank.
LOCATION: 3901 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505
Vincent later meets up with Albert at a club to speak with another informant.
LOCATION: 3548 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005
The drive-in theater where a deal goes wrong was demolished not long after filming took place. The area has since been redeveloped. This is how it appears now.
LOCATION: 5700 W Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90045 (demolished)
The restaurant where Neil’s crew dines can be found in Santa Monica, near the pier.
LOCATION: 1535 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
The motel where Hanna investigates a crime scene linked to Waingro has long since been demolished. A parking lot now stands at the site, but many of the buildings seen in the background still match up.
LOCATION: 944 Georgia St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (demolished)
Lauren is sitting on a bus bench in Santa Monica when she sees Hanna passing by in a car.
LOCATION: Hollister Ave / Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
The police car u-turns and picks up Lauren.
McCauley’s crew proceed to take down a metals repository, only to abandon the job midway, after McCauley hears a noise and correctly surmises the police are watching.
LOCATION: Near 1309 Factory Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Vincent stands in this general area after the failed operation.
After realizing the police are on to them, McCauley’s crew considers splitting up at this power station in Torrance. Here is a view of the general area.
LOCATION: 17680 Yukon Ave, Torrance, CA 90504
Neil’s crew stages a fake scout of an industrial area, where they are surveilled by the police, only to discover Neil’s true intent is actually surveilling the LAPD back. Hanna’s crew can be seen exiting down the stairs of this large drum, located in Wilmington.
LOCATION: 841 S La Paloma Ave, Wilmington, CA 90744 (facing S Fries Ave)
The police stand in this area at Terminal Island in San Pedro, as Hanna realizes they’ve been tricked. The area they stand is just past the fencing of this parking lot. To get here, you travel down New Dock Street. There is a checkpoint to the right for trucks, but if you keep left, the road bypasses the checkpoint for passenger vehicles. You can reach this parking lot, which is as close as you can get to the exact spot. If you plan to visit, we recommend doing so on a weekend, as weekdays the road can be backed up with long lines of trucks arriving to the port.
LOCATION: Near 700 New Dock St, San Pedro, CA 90731 (GPS coordinates: 33°45’18.5″N, 118°15’21.6″W)
You can see this building in the background of the shots.
You can also see the right side of this building, confirming they would have been standing directly to the right beyond the fencing.
Hanna is seen landing in a helicopter in this area, which is actually a church parking lot.
LOCATION: 1430 Imperial Hwy, Los Angeles, CA 90047
Hanna drives down the 110 freeway, connecting to the 105 freeway, in pursuit of McCauley. The express ramp to the left was also where the opening of “La La Land” was filmed. The bus jump from “Speed” was likewise filmed on the same interchange, when it was still under construction.
LOCATION: I-110, Los Angeles, CA 90061 (GPS coordinates 33°55’58.1″N, 118°16’50.6″W)
Hanna is then seen driving down Interstate 105 past these signs, in pursuit of McCauley.
LOCATION: Century Fwy, Inglewood, CA 90304 (GPS coordinates: 33°55’58.2″N, 118°21’32.4″W)
Just slightly further ahead, Hanna pulls McCauley over in this area and invites him for a cup of coffee.
LOCATION: Century Fwy, Inglewood, CA 90304 (GPS coordinates: 33°55’54.7″N, 118°21’44.6″W)
One of the film’s famous scenes is of course the face to face meeting between Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. The conversation took place at the excellent Kate Mantilini, an institution of Beverly Hills which closed in 2014 after the restaurant could not afford a rental increase by the building owners. We managed to capture some photos from when the place was still open.
LOCATION: 9101 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (now closed)
Above the entrance to the restaurant, this image from the iconic scene was hung.
After meeting Neil, Vincent returns to a hotel where he’s staying, only to discover his step-daughter Lauren has attempted suicide in his bathroom. This was filmed at the Hotel Angeleno, just off the 405 freeway. The hotel was mostly seen from interior views in the film, aside from a shot of Vincent looking down at the freeway from his balcony.
LOCATION: 170 N Church Ln, Los Angeles, CA 90049
The exterior of the famous bank robbery scene is set in downtown Los Angeles at the Citigroup Center. This same location was also featured in such films as “Fight Club,” “To Live And Die In L.A.,” “The Hidden” and more.
LOCATION: 444 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
The bank interiors were filmed at this building, also located in Downtown L.A.
LOCATION: 350 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
The robbery then spills out onto the streets, in what many consider one of the greatest shootouts ever filmed.
LOCATION: Intersection of W 5th St / S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
McCauley and Chris attempt to escape in the parking lot of a grocery store. At the time of filming, this was just a parking garage, dressed to appear as a grocery store. The entire area has since been redeveloped and a large building now stands in it’s place. However, you can still match up some of the buildings seen in the background.
LOCATION: Near 831 S Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (GPS coordinates: 34°02’45.9″N, 118°15’36.8″W)
Cheritto, played by Tom Sizemore, takes a hostage in this area, which is actually the rooftop of a small parking garage. There is a walking path directly onto the rooftop from 4th St.
LOCATION: 445 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Trejo’s house, much like Eady’s, sits on stilts over a hillside of L.A., where he is discovered by McCauley near the end of the film. It sits on the same small road as Kelso’s house from earlier in the film, which was discovered as a result of finding this home for the film.
LOCATION: 1219 Dodds Cir, Los Angeles, CA 90063
The home of Van Zant, played by William Fichtner, can be found near West Hollywood, not far from Eady’s house. The back area where McCauley approaches is not visible from the street.
LOCATION: 9024 Thrasher Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Nate’s bar was filmed at The Blue Room in Burbank. The same location appears in “Memento” and the 1997 film “Touch.”
LOCATION: 916 S San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502
Neil talks with Eady as the two look out over the ocean next to this tree. It’s located next to a popular park in Pacific Palisades known as The Point at the Bluffs, which has a beautiful view over the water.
LOCATION: Via de Las Olas, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 (GPS coordinates: 34°02’08.0″N, 118°31’53.5″W)
After the robbery, the police try to bait in Chris by setting up a meeting with his wife Charlene. After she tips him off with a subtle gesture (on a patio at 119 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291), he leaves the scene. He’s stopped next to Venice Beach by the police, where he presents false identification and escapes.
LOCATION: Navy St / Speedway, Los Angeles, CA 90405
Thinking Neil is gone for good, Hanna leaves the police station and kicks a TV out of his car onto the street at this intersection. This same intersection has appeared in such films as “Speed” and the 2001 remake of “Ocean’s Eleven.”
LOCATION: W 5th St / S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
The hotel where Neil tracks down Waingo can be found right next to LAX airport, just as depicted in the film. Neil parks in this alley next to the hotel.
LOCATION: 5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
McCauley flees from Hanna into LAX airport.
LOCATION: Los Angeles International Airport, 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045
The final standoff between Hanna and McCauley actually takes place in a field just across the street from the end of the LAX runway. You can see some similar structures still standing there.
LOCATION: Near Aviation Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 (GPS coordinates: 33°56’21.0″N, 118°22’36.7″W)
You may or may not know that you can see almost any television talk show for free. There are worse ways to spend an afternoon, if you’re curious to check one out. Just a warning, if you do, be prepared to endure long lines, sitting in waiting areas and a pretty fast taping, once you finally do get to the stage. The shows need to provide a lot of daily content, so it’s all done very efficiently and like clockwork. Just remind yourself it’s free.
If you’re in the Los Angeles area, you can check out Conan. The late night show tapes at the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, CA. One upside with Conan is he’s very interactive with the audience and feeds off every reaction they give him. While photography and video are not permitted during the taping of the show, you can see a shot at the stage from when the show was not taping.
LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Upon arrival, you’ll wait with the event staff, where you can take pics with a couple Conan statues. There’s also a Conan merchandise stand.
Just outside of the show’s stage, you’ll find these life size Conan creations.
You’ll also get a glimpse of the Warner Bros. studio as you make your way to and from the stage, but it will be quite limited what you see. To check out the wide array of sets and props the lot has to offer, we’d recommend purchasing a studio tour pass.
Film Oblivion 