Film Locations

Chinatown (1974)

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The 1974 Roman Polanski film “Chinatown,” starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, is about a private investigator uncovering corruption in the Los Angeles water system.  The production naturally took place around Los Angeles.

The dry river bed where Jake Gittes, played by Nicholson, follows Hollis can be found on Foothill Blvd in Sunland-Tujunga, near the intersection of Foothill Blvd / W Conover St.  The Foothill Blvd Bridge overlooks the Tujunga Wash, where the scene was filmed.  This area falls in a strange intersection of city jurisdictions, where maps call it anything from Sunland-Tujunga to Sylmar, or Lave View Terrace to Los Angeles.  We’ve provided the exact GPS coordinates below for clarity.

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LOCATION: Foothill Blvd, Sunland-Tujunga, CA 91342 (GPS coordinates: 34.272220, -118.338135, nearest address 9666 Foothill Blvd, Lake View Terrace, CA 91342)

Jake parks his car in front of this cafe in San Pedro as he follows Hollis. The same cafe appeared in the films “Inherent Vice,” “Gods and Monsters” and “Lovesick,” as well as such TV shows as “T.J. Hooker” and the 2020 version of “Perry Mason.”

LOCATION: 700 W Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro, CA 90731

Jake pretends to photograph his associate on Echo Park Lake in Echo Park, while he actually photographs Hollis and Katherine.  The park had become run down for years, but has since been revitalized and you can even take paddle boats out on the lake.

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LOCATION: Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles, CA 90026

The mansion of Evelyn Mulwray, played by Faye Dunaway, can be found in Pasadena.  Trees in front of the property obscure most of the view.

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LOCATION: 1315 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106

The alleyway where Evelyn is parked can be found in Downtown Los Angeles.  It’s an alley for private guests to enter the famous Millennium Biltmore Hotel.  This side is facing S Olive St.  The lower portion to the left can be seen in the 2018 remake of “A Star Is Born” and the reverse view from S Grand Ave can be seen in the film “Seven.”  There is a gate here blocking entrance into the alley, so it’s a bit tricky getting a photo.

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LOCATION: Alley between 523 / 525 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA, 90013

Jake visits Noah Cross in Catalina Island.  Catalina Island is most synonymous with the film “Step Brothers” and the “Catalina Wine Mixer,” but no actual filming took place on the island for that film.  Unlike “Step Brothers,” “Chinatown” really did shoot scenes on the island, located just under 30 miles off the coast of Long Beach, California.  The Casino Ballroom building can be seen in the background.  For eager visitors, no actual gambling is offered at the Casino Ballrom, in spite of the name.

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LOCATION: 1 Casino Way, Avalon, CA 90704

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The Mar Vista Rest Home Jake and Evelyn visit is actually the Archer School For Girls, located on Sunset Blvd. The same building appeared in the film “Clean Slate.”

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LOCATION: 11725 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Evelyn’s sister Katherine lives at this home, which was later used in the film “Blast From The Past.”

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LOCATION: 1972 Canyon Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Jake visits the home of Ida Sessions, only to discover a body.

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LOCATION: 848 E Kensington Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Jake’s client Curly lives in this East Hollywood home.

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LOCATION: 5030 Lemon Grove Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029

WarGames (1983)

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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.

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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.”

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LOCATION: 640 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245

Seven Psychopaths (2012)

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The 2012 Martin McDonagh ensemble film “Seven Psychopaths” was filmed around Southern California.  The opening scenes were filmed at the Mullholland Dam in Hollywood.  The dam is accessible to the public, however, it does require a minor walk to reach it.  You have to drive up Weidlake Drive and the nearest parking is at the Hollywood Reservoir Trailhead.  From there it’s just a short distance on foot. The same location was featured in the film “The Little Things.”

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LOCATION: Mulholland Dam, Los Angeles, CA 90068 (nearest parking area is the Hollywood Reservoir Trailhead at 6381-6399 Weidlake Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068)

Billy, played by Sam Rockwell, lives at a house perched on a hillside in Angelino Heights in East L.A.  The same house was seen in the films “Under The Silver Lake” and “Crazy/Beautiful” and located just around the corner from Jake Gyllenhaal’s apartment in the film “Nightcrawler.”  The home has since been demolished.

LOCATION: 1016 White Knoll Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (now demolished)

Billy runs an operation stealing dogs for reward money at the La Brea Tar Pits, which has appeared in many films, such as “Miracle Mile,” “Eye For An Eye,” “Encino Man” and the 1990 film “Bad Influence.”

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LOCATION: 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

He stands here overlooking operations with a pair of binoculars.

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Marty, played by Colin Farrell, visits this market in Pearblossom, California.

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LOCATION: 13012 Pearblossom Hwy, Pearblossom, CA 93553

He exits here with Hans, played by Christopher Walken, where the two spot a newspaper.

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13 Going On 30 (2004)

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In the 2004 romantic comedy “13 Going On 30,” starring Jennifer Garner, filmed heavily in New York City, with additional scenes filmed in Southern California. Jenna Rink, played by Garner, lives at this home as a teenager, which is located in South Pasadena, California.

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LOCATION: 1837 Spruce St, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Next door on the left is the home of Mark Ruffalo’s character.

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LOCATION: 1839 Spruce St, South Pasadena, CA 91030

The two homes really are side by side, just as depicted in the film.

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Living as an adult in New York City, Jenna is seen riding through Times Square.

LOCATION: Times Square, New York, NY 10036

The dance sequence set to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was filmed inside the A.G. Bartlett Building in downtown Los Angeles.  The building is currently used for a variety of businesses and lofts.  The property has been seen in countless other films, including “Seven,” “They Live” “The Mask,” “The Wedding Singer,” “L.A. Story,” “The Prestige,” “Ghost,” “Bridesmaids” and many more.  This area cannot normally be accessed by pedestrians.  However, portions are visible from the street in a couple areas through the windows.

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LOCATION: 650 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Late in the film, Jenna jumps out of a cab at the intersection of Meridian Ave / Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030. The same intersection appears in the original “Halloween,” as well as such films as “Step Brothers,” “Straight Talk,” “Carpool” and “Prototype.”

Jenna and Matt ultimately move into this home, which is painted pink in the film. It is also located in South Pasadena. The same home appeared in the television series “Cold Case.”

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LOCATION: 1965 Fletcher Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Roar (1981)

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The 1981 film “Roar” has been called “the most dangerous film ever made” and may well be exactly that.  The film was created by director Noel Marshall and his then wife Tippi Hedren, who both star, after they drew inspiration to raise awareness against animal poaching while visiting Africa.  Marshall and Hedren began raising a variety of big cats at their home, eventually purchasing a ranch in Acton, California.

Using large, untrained animals, the film is scripted, but with the unpredictable behavior of the animals, it often feels like a documentary.  Initially shooting scenes in Santa Clarita, filming shifted to Acton and the troubled shoot, which involved 70 injuries to the cast and crew, continued on for 5 years.  Actress Melanie Griffith, daughter to Tippi Hedren, was among the injured, requiring facial reconstructive surgery after being attacked by a lion.

The film eventually saw release in 1981, but only hit theaters outside of the U.S. upon initial release.  However, 34 years later, it was finally re-released into theaters in 2015, including the United States, and has since gained a cult following.

Today the ranch in Acton, known as the Shambala Preserve, is still operated by The Roar Foundation, founded by Tippi Hedren.  The ranch offer tours, but reservations fill up quickly.

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LOCATION: 6867 Soledad Canyon Rd, Acton, CA 93510

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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.

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

Better Off Dead (1985)

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In the 1985 film “Better Off Dead,” Lane Meyer, played by John Cusack, lives at this house with his family in Glendale, California.

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LOCATION: 1636 Virginia Ave, Glendale, CA 91202

Directly across the street is the home of Monique, the foreign exchange student.

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LOCATION: 1633 Virginia Ave, Glendale, CA 91202

The Pig Burgers building now sits vacant in North Hollywood.  This same location was used as Mooby’s restaurant in “Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back.”

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LOCATION: 6223 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606

3 From Hell (2019)

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Rob Zombie’s “3 From Hell,” the follow up to “The Devil’s Rejects” and “House Of 1000 Corpses,” was filmed entirely in Southern California.  Some minor spoilers are contained in this article.

Prison scenes were filmed at the Sybil Brand Institute, a former women’s prison in Los Angeles. It was here that Manson Family member Susan Atkins confessed to a cell mate named Virginia Graham about the Tate Murders. Graham in turn shared what Atkins had told her, which eventually helped lead to the capture of Charles Manson. The prison shut down in 1997, but today the grounds are still owned by the Los Angeles sherrif’s office, where it’s used by warehouse companies and for filming purposes.  Another film featuring Sid Haig, 1997’s “Jackie Brown” also filmed at this location. Here is the front of the former prison, although it is never seen from this angle in the film.

LOCATION: 4500 City Terrace Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90063

Much of the film is set in the town of Durango, Mexico.  These scenes were actually filmed on the Melody Ranch Studio Backlot in Santa Clarita, California.

Many people know the lot as the Veluzat Movie Ranch and it is still commonly referred to by that name.  However, the ranch has since changed its name to the Melody Ranch Studio Backlot.  If you make it to the ranch in person, you’ll see a sign at the gates, referring to it as the Melody Ranch Studio Backlot.  The lot is owned by the Veluzats, who also own Melody Ranch in Newhall, California.  To make matters more confusing, right next to the Veluzat Backlot in Santa Clarita sits the Diamond V Movie Ranch.  This is owned by other members of the Velutats, but not the same ones as those who own Melody Ranch and the Melody Backlot (a.k.a. Veluzat Movie Ranch).  People often mistake Diamond V and Veluzat Ranch as being one in the same, but they are two separate properties with different ownership.

While perhaps not quite as well known as Melody Ranch in Newhall, the Melody Backlot is actually larger.  To get to the ranch, you make a turn from Copper Hill Drive.  There is a very unassuming dirt road there (GPS coordinates: 34°27’36.5″N 118°30’32.0″W).  You would never guess from that road what lies at the end of that dirt road, but if you follow the long dirt road, you’ll sure enough arrive at the ranches.  However, a locked fence is at the entrance and you can proceed no further without permission of the owners.  The good news, however, is that the ranch is available for public tours.  You must book by appointment only and if productions are in active progress, that may inhibit their availability, but the Melody Ranch owners are very generous in that they offer tours at all, because most movie ranches do not.

The main attraction of the ranch is the full scale Mexican town set, which is of course featured prominently in this film.  There are a few other sets there as well.  The ranch was also featured in Zombie’s “House of 1000 Corpses,” as well as such films as “Dante’s Peak,” “Friday The 13th Part III,” “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter,” “Last Man Standing,” “Chaplin,” “The Laundromat” and many more.  It was also featured in the TV show “Westworld” as the Mexican town of “Las Mudas.”

Here is the establishing shot of the town square.

LOCATION: Melody Ranch Studio Backlot (a.k.a. Veluzat Movie Ranch), Forest Rte 5N28, Santa Clarita, CA 91390 (GPS coordinates: 34°29’03.5″N 118°30’25.1″W)

The “three from hell “look down on the town from this hilltop before entering.

They make their way down into the town through these gates.

Here is another view of the hill they drive down entering the town.

They then pass through this arched gate toward the main town square.

Baby, played by Sheri Moon Zombie, sees company approaching near the Estrella del Motel.

Baby and Winslow Foxworth Coltrane, played by Richard Brake, sit on this fountain.

Otis Driftwood, played by Bill Moseley, emerges from this church for a showdown.

Related articles: The Devil’s Rejects (2005), House Of 1000 Corpses (2003), Halloween (2007), Halloween II (2009)

Jurassic Park III (2001)

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The 2001 film “Jurassic Park III” was filmed in Hawaii and Southern California.  Early in the film, Dr. Alan Grant, played by Sam Neill, visits the home of Ellie, played by Laura Dern.  Ellie’s house can be found in South Pasadena, California.  The same house was featured in the film “Bringing Down The House,” as well as the TV shows “Family” and “Fatal Attraction.”

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LOCATION: 1230 Milan Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Much like the original “Jurassic Park” and the sequel “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” this third installment also shot scenes at Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kauaʻi, Hawaii.  In Spring 2019, the ranch began offering tours to the public for the first time.  However, it is unclear if they are still offering them, as most of their tour information has been removed from their website.  It’s difficult to pinpoint specific scenes from the film, as the ranch is quite large and mostly credited for being featured in general outdoor and jungle scenes.  The ranch’s movie tour focused primarily on the original film and the 2015 hit “Jurassic World,” with little mention of where scenes from the third film specifically shot.  Here are some looks around the grounds of Jurassic Kahili Ranch.  Please note that this land is private and unless you have express permission from the owners, it is trespassing to attempt to enter the grounds.

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LOCATION: Jurassic Kahili Ranch, 5-1771D, Kuhio Hwy, Kilauea, HI 96754

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One scene that can be matched up comes late in the film is when Dr. Grant and the survivors ride a barge along the water and pass herds of dinosaurs standing along the banks.  This was filmed at the Pu’u Ka Ele Reservoir. After a breach of the nearby Ka Loko Reservoir in 2006, located about 2 miles east of the ranch, the owners decided to decommission the Pu’u Ka Ele Reservoir in 2009 and downsize it into a lake. This is how it appears now.  This is the same area where Grant sees the dinosaur herds at the lake in the original film.

Related articles: Jurassic Park (1993), The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), Jurassic World (2015), Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)