Blow (2001)

The 2001 Ted Demme film “Blow” was shot in Southern California. The home of George’s parents, played by Ray Liotta and Rachel Griffiths, is supposedly located in Massachusetts, but can be found in Whittier.

LOCATION: 6216 Friends Ave, Whittier, CA 90601

The alley where young George rollerskates is located nearby, next to 5839 Friends Ave, Whittier, CA 90601 (GPS coordinates: 33°59’19.7″N, 118°02’04.0″W)

The film jumps ahead to George as an adult, played by Johnny Depp, moving in with Tuna, played by Ethan Suplee. The home they’re seen in has since been completely demolished, with another home standing in it’s place. It was formerly located to the right in the image below.

LOCATION: 5361 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803 (demolished)

The surrounding buildings all still match up, however, such as this shot of Tuna walking down the sidewalk.

The two go to the beach and meet many women, who all say they are stewardesses. These scenes were filmed near Near Lifeguard Tower 42 St at El Porto Beach, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (GPS coordinates: 33°54’11.4″N, 118°25’19.4″W). The El Segundo Power Plant is visible in the background.

The salon where Derek Foreal, played by Paul Ruebens works, can be found at 147 Richmond St, El Segundo, CA 90245.

George is seen smuggling drugs at what is supposed to be LAX. These scenes were actually filmed at Ontario Airport in Ontario, California. This terminal is not in active use and has popped up in countless other films, including “Saving Mr. Banks,” “Zodiac,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Argo” and many more.

LOCATION: 1940 Moore Way, Ontario, CA 91761

After being released from prison, George makes a call to Diego, played by Jordi Mollà, from a payphone in front of this liquor store.

LOCATION: 506 Center St, El Segundo, CA 90245

George makes a drug deal at a motel, supposedly located in Miami. The motel was actually located at 2010 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803, but has since been demolished.

After Diego’s wedding, George embraces Mirtha, played by Penélope Cruz, in the lobby of the famed Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown L.A.  The hotel is a staple of film, having appeared in such movies as “Ghostbusters,” “Independence Day,” “Fight Club,” “Species,” “Blonde,” “Enough,” “Cheaper By The Dozen,” “Oppenheimer” and many more.

LOCATION: 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071

George and Mirtha move into a mansion in Beverly Hills. The home is not visible from the street, but here is an aerial view.

LOCATION: 918 N Alpine Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

George and Diego get into an argument during a drug deal at the Holiday Lodge near Echo Park, located at 1631 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

The story jumps ahead 3 years and George is seen speaking to his daughter Kristina, played by Emma Roberts, outside her school. These scenes were filmed at Madison Elementary School, 515 E Ashtabula St, Pasadena, CA 91104.

Late in the film, Mirtha is seen living at this home in Pasadena.

LOCATION: 858 N Oakland Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104

Role Models (2008)

The 2008 comedy “Role Models,” starring Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott, was filmed around Southern California.  The Minotaur energy drink headquarters can be found in Santa Monica.

rolemodels1

LOCATION: 2800 Donald Douglas Loop N, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Danny and Wheeler, played by Rudd and Scott respectively, go to El Segundo High School in an attempt to sell Minotaur drinks.  The same high school has been featured in many films, including “WarGames,” “Superbad” and “The Babysitter.”

superbad5

LOCATION: 640 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245

Danny argues with a coffee shop barista at this Pasadena establishment.  The same building appears in the film “Lady Bird” and is located just across the street from the South Pasadena Public Library, which was seen in the Rob Zombie remake of “Halloween.”

rolemodels2

LOCATION: 1019 El Centro St, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Danny and Wheeler also visit the Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood.  This same school was seen in the films “License To Drive” and “Accepted,” as well as the TV shows “Malcolm in the Middle” and “7th Heaven.”

rolemodels3

LOCATION: 4525 Irvine Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91602

Wheeler’s house is located at the Venice Canals near Venice Beach.

LOCATION: 2420 Strongs Dr, Venice, CA 90291

Danny talks King Argotron into allowing Augie back into a role playing party at The Burger Hole.  This scene was filmed in South Pasadena. The same restautant also appears in the film “Old School,” as well as such TV shows as “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Scandal” and “The X-Files.”

rolemodels4

LOCATION: 601 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Ronnie locks Wheeler out of the vehicle at Ed’s Mini Mart.

rolemodels5

LOCATION: 825 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Ronnie’s house can be found in Marina Del Rey. Most of the home is now obscured by large hedges.

LOCATION: 3111 Stanford Ave, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Augie’s house can be found in Venice.  A small fence has since been built around the property.

rolemodels6

LOCATION: 822 Valita St, Venice, CA 90291

The Sturdy Wings Center can also be found in Venice.

rolemodels7

LOCATION: 2232 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Danny’s house can be found in Los Angeles.

rolemodels8

LOCATION: 1169 Hi Point St, Los Angeles, CA 90035

WarGames (1983)

The house where David, played by Matthew Broderick, lives in the 1980s film “WarGames” can be found in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.

wargames1

LOCATION: 333 S Arden Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90020

The high school seen in the film is El Segundo High Shool.  The same high school has been seen in many films, including “Superbad,” “Role Models” and “The Babysitter.”

superbad5

LOCATION: 640 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245