Corey Feldman

The Goonies (1985)

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The town of Astoria, Oregon is something of a film lover’s paradise. The coastal city has served as the backdrop to many famous films, including “Kindergarten Cop,” “Free Willy,” “Short Circuit” and more. Perhaps most famous of all, however, is “The Goonies.” While not quite all of the production occurred in Oregon, such as studio scenes and the final beach scenes, the film is primarily known for being shot in and around Astoria. The enduring popularity of the film attracts visitors from around the world to visit the locations.

The opening scene was filmed at the former Clatsop County Jail, which was an actual working jail from 1914 to 1976. The building has since been converted into the Oregon Film Museum, which offers self-guided tours and celebrates Oregon’s film history, with an emphasis on Astoria, where the building itself is located.

LOCATION: 732 Duane St, Astoria, OR 97103

Here is the interior of the jail cell where Jake Fratelli, played by Robert Davi, stages his escape. There’s a replica of the note the guard reads hanging at the back of the cell.

The first cell is filled with various merchandise and memorabilia related to the film.

The last jail cell contains Data’s costume from the film.

Here is the exterior of the building, which is seen as Jake escapes into a getaway vehicle with the Fratellis. The same building was used in the films “Short Circuit” and “Come See the Paradise.”

A replica of the escape vehicle is parked out front. It is not the actual Jeep used in the film.

While the Oregon Film Museum is admittedly small and focuses primarily on “The Goonies,” if you’re a fan of the film, we encourage a visit.

Mouth, played by Corey Feldman, lives at this house. The exterior is only seen for a brief moment as the Jeep flees from police.

LOCATION: 32 Skyline Ave, Astoria, OR 97103

The house is mostly seen from interior views, with the police chase seen out the window behind Mouth. The chase continues down Valley Street.

LOCATION: Skyline Ave / Valley St, Astoria, OR 97103

The jeep continues down this path and onto the beach. This is the entrance to Cannon Beach, which is located about 40 minutes south of Astoria.

LOCATION: Near 1164 Ecola Ct, Cannon Beach, OR 97110

The jeep proceeds into an off road vehicle rally taking place on the beach, where it successfully eludes police. The famous rock in the background is Haystack Rock, also commonly referred to as the Goonies Rock.

LOCATION: Haystack Rock, US-101, Cannon Beach, OR 97110

Haystack Rock is impressive to see in person and worth taking the detour from Astoria if you have the time.

The most famous of all locations from the film is of course the house of Mikey and Brand, played by Sean Astin and Josh Brolin respectively. The house sits up an inclined driveway and attracts many visitors, standing among the most popular filming locations in the United States. The house gained headlines in 2015 when the owner became irritated by excessive visitors, many of whom left litter and proved disruptive to their privacy. Eventually the homeowner took extreme measures, posting signs that visitors were not allowed up the driveway and even went as far as covering the home in a blue tarp, to discourage visitation or photography. Thankfully, tensions eased and that is no longer the case. The house has since been sold to a new owner, who has said they will continue to be accommodating to all of the tourism the house attracts.

LOCATION: 368 38th St, Astoria, OR 97103

The driveway leads to several homes. At the time of this writing, here is how the foot of the drive appears. There is a sign saying “Yes” to visitors, but also asking “No cars” and pedestrian traffic only. If you do visit, please be respectful of the residents and do not drive your vehicle up, leave any litter behind or engage in any disruptive behavior. There is a donation box in front of Mikey’s house and we encourage leaving something in return for their hospitality.

Seemingly less enthusiastic about all the visitors are the owners of the house of Data, played by Ke Huy Quan. The home is fenced off with no trespassing signs. Thankfully the home is still easily visible from the top of the drive. As long as you are respectful, get your photos and move along without trying to cross the fence, you will not likely encounter any issues. Both homes are located just a couple blocks away from another famous filming location, the school from “Kindergarten Cop,” which is easily within walking distance.

LOCATION: 304 38th St, Astoria, OR 97103

Just across the street from the Oregon Film Museum is the museum where Mr. Walsh works.

LOCATION: 441 8th St, Astoria, OR 97103

The Fratelli hideout was located at Ecola State Park in Cannon Beach, not far from Haystack Rock. The area is located on Ecola Park Rd, near the Indian Beach Trail and Ecola Point. The Lighthouse Lounge was constructed for the film and no longer exists at the location.

LOCATION: Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, OR 97110 (GPS coordinates: 45.919673, -123.974976)

The park, which offers beautiful views, is a frequent filming location, having also appeared in such movies as “Kindergarten Cop,” “Free Willy,” “Twilight,” “Point Break” and more.

There’s even a sign there marking it as the filming location of “The Goonies,” as well as a mention of “Kindergarten Cop.” It’s a long and winding road through the woods to reach this area, but it is a location well worth visiting.

Astoria has become a mecca for filming location enthusiasts and with the multitude of famous locations on display around the area, we consider it among the top destinations in the US to visit for movie lovers.

The Lost Boys (1987)

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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.”

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LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

License To Drive (1988)

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The 1988 comedy “License to Drive,” starring Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, was filmed in Southern California. The high school where Les Anderson, played by Haim, sees Mercedes Lane, played by Heather Graham, being picked up by her boyfriend is Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood.  This same school was seen in the films “Role Models” and “Accepted,” as well as the TV shows “Malcolm in the Middle” and “7th Heaven.”

LOCATION: 4525 Irvine Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91602

Here is the house where Les lives with his family.

LOCATION: 536 Dalehurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Les falls asleep during driver’s ed class and dreams about speeding around in the alley behind this building in Downtown Los Angeles. It has been featured in countless films and television series, including “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Beverly Hills Cop II,” “Divergent,” “The Muppets,” “Wrath Of Man,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Unlawful Entry,” “Inspector Gadget,” “Child’s Play 2” and dozens more.

LOCATION: 635 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Here his the home where a friend of Mercedes lives.

LOCATION: 661 Woodruff Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024

This his the house where Mercedes lives.

LOCATION: 485 Loring Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Wes takes Mercedes on a date to the El Rey Theatre, which was also seen in such films as “Night Of The Comet” and “Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back.”

LOCATION: 5515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Archie’s Atomic Drive-in restaurant, where Les and Dean, played by Corey Feldman, flee after denting the door of a nearby car was filmed at Johnie’s Broiler in Downey.  The restaurant has a unique history, having appeared in many other films, such as “Heat,” “The Game,” “Short Cuts,” “My Stepmother Is An Alien,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “One Hour Photo” 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.

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LOCATION: 7447 Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA 90241

Dean’s house has been completely remodeled and no longer appears anything like how it did in the film.

LOCATION: 6313 Riggs Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Gremlins (1984)

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The 1984 film “Gremlins” was shot mostly at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, California.  In the opening of the film, set in Chinatown, Mr. Peltzer emerges from this alley.  This was filmed on the Warner Bros. Studios Lot.

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LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

Here is the Mogwai shop, also located on the Warner Backlot.

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LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

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The Peltzer house could be found over at the Warner Bros. Ranch.  The ranch was located separate from the main Warner Bros. Studio lot and was not open to public tours. The entire ranch was demolished in 2023, with sound stages taking over the space.

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LOCATION: 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 (demolished)

Kate, played by Phoebe Cates, lives at this house, located back at the main Warner lot.

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LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

Billy, played by Zach Galligan, goes to this YMCA pool, which was back on the Warner Bros. Ranch.  The pool also famously appeared in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” This area has likewise since been demolished.

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LOCATION: 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 (demolished)

The church in the film is located back over on the main lot of Warner Bros. Studios.  The same church has been seen in countless films, such as “The Lost Boys.”

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LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

The house of Mrs. Deagle can also be found on the main Warner lot.  The house was also seen in the TV series “Growing Pains” and “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” as well as the 80s films “The Monster Squad” and “Deadly Friend.”

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LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

The ‘Burbs (1989)

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The 1989 Joe Dante film “The ‘Burbs” is set in the fictional town of Hinkley Hills, which, judging by the opening zoom, would place it somewhere in Iowa.  The story unfolds on Mayfield Place, a cul-de-sac road in Hinkley Hills.  In reality, the entire neighborhood was a facade, filmed on a studio backlot.

Known as Colonial Street at Universal Studios, the houses and streets have changed significantly over the years.  Once used for television classics such as “The Munsters” and “Leave It To Beaver,” the neighborhood was significantly remodeled in 1988 for the production of “The ‘Burbs.”

In the years that followed, as new productions came along, the neighborhood and the homes began to resemble the film less and less.  Some houses were relocated, others heavily redesigned, while others still were demolished altogether.  Eventually the neighborhood became known as Wisteria Lane on the TV drama “Desperate Housewives.”

To complicate matters further, several of the houses in “The ‘Burbs” were deliberately shot in close-ups, rarely seen in wide shots.  Combined with all of the changes over the years, it makes piecing the neighborhood back together a difficult endeavor.

The centerpiece of the film is of course the Klopek house, which is owned by a creepy family that rarely shows themselves, much to the intrigue of all of the surrounding neighbors.  Sadly, the home no longer exists.  Portions, however, were said to have been reused and incorporated in the design of this house, which later became Bree Van de Kamp’s house on “Desperate Housewives.”

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LOCATION: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

The Peterson house, where Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher live, was also unfortunately demolished and replaced with a different facade.

The house that most closely resembles how it appeared in the film is that of Walter, the old man with the small, white dog.  Aside from a paint job and some stairs being added, the house looks pretty much the same.

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Ricky Butler, played by Corey Feldman, lives at this house, which was once the home used for “The Munsters,” though it has since been heavily remodeled from how it appeared on the TV series.  Likely looking to avoid comparisons to the show, this house was only ever seen in close-up shots of the porch in “The ‘Burbs.”

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Colonial Street can be seen as part of the Universal Studios Hollywood Tour and even though the neighborhood has significantly changed and continues to change, movie and television lovers are still sure to appreciate a look around the historic, fictional neighborhood.

Related articles: Matinee (1993), Small Soldiers (1998)

Stand By Me (1986)

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Widely regarded as one of the finest Stephen King adaptations, “Stand By Me” was set in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine.  However, the film was actually shot around Oregon.  The boys set about their adventure at this bridge in the small community of Walden.  To find it, you will need to follow the Row River Trail up to Mosby Creek.

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LOCATION: Row River Trail at Mosby Creek, Cottage Grove, OR 97424