Back To The Future (1985)

October 22, 2017October 9, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1985 Robert Zemeckis classic “Back To The Future” is among the most famous of all Los Angeles area films. Countless fans continue to flock to these locations.

Doc Brown’s house can be found in Pasadena. It’s the Gamble House, a National Historic Landmark and museum, which is open to public tours. However, only the exterior was used for Doc’s house in the film. The interior was shot at 1777 Hillcrest Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106, which is a private residence.

LOCATION: 4 Westmoreland Pl, Pasadena, CA 91103

Doc’s garage, located on the same property, is now a bookstore.

The street leading up to Marty’s house in 1984 is at the intersection of Sandusky Ave and Kagel Canyon St, not on Roslyndale Ave, where the McFly house is located.

LOCATION: Sandusky Ave / Kagel Canyon St, Los Angeles, CA 91331

Marty McFly’s house can be found in the San Fernando Valley, north of Los Angeles, in the town of Pacoima, California.

LOCATION: 9303 Roslyndale Ave, Pacoima, CA 91331

The Burger King where Mary hitches a ride on his skateboard, grabbing onto the back of a truck, is still operational and going strong. You can find it in Burbank, California.

LOCATION: 535 N Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502

Hill Valley High School is actually Whittier High School.

LOCATION: 12417 Philadelphia St, Whittier, CA 90601

The Twin Pines Mall is actually the Puente Hills Mall in City of Industry. The mall occasionally hosts events in celebration of the film.

LOCATION: Puente Hills Mall, 1600 S Azusa Ave, City of Industry, CA 91748

Inside the mall, you can even find this replica sign for the Twin Pines Mall. Sometimes when there are special events surrounding the film, they will place this sign outside, as it appeared in the film.

When Marty travels back in time to 1955, he discovers his neighborhood, the Lyon Estates, has yet to be built. This spot can be found near Chino. To reach it, you take Chino Corona Rd, which passes a women’s prison. The road becomes Cucamonga Ave and there are signs posted that the road is not maintained. Just ahead you’ll find the spot, which actually has an address. We’ve also included GPS coordinates. The area hasn’t changed much since filming and it’s easily the most remote location featured in the film.

LOCATION: 17545 Cucamonga Ave, Eastvale, CA 92880 (GPS coordinates: 33.935527, -117.633307)

George McFly’s house can be found in South Pasadena.

LOCATION: 1711 Bushnell Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Marty’s mother Lorainne lives at this house, located on the same street, just a few doors down from George’s house. It was used only for exterior shots. This house was also used in another Michael J. Fox film, “Teen Wolf.”

LOCATION: 1727 Bushnell Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030

The interiors of Lorainne’s house were filmed at another property on the same road.

LOCATION: 1705 Bushnell Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030

The courthouse square and clock tower can be found on the Universal Studios Lot in Hollywood (100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608). The building has been used in countless other films, including “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “Gremlins” and “Bruce Almighty.” In 2008, a fire destroyed much of the building, but Universal restored and reopened it in 2009. Today, it can be seen once again as part of the Universal Studios Tour, but be warned, this area frequently hosts productions and the site is routinely closed off from the tours. If you’re adamant about seeing the tower, it’s perhaps best to call ahead and find out if it’s showing on a given day.

Few movie cars are as famous than the Delorean, with many fans building their own replicas. There were in fact seven vehicles built for use in the original trilogy, with only three still known to exist. Below is the first of those three, which appeared throughout the original film and in both sequels. After spending 25 years as part of Universal Studio’s Hollywood Tour, the car had begun showing signs of wearing and many key pieces had been removed, including the famed flux capacitor. A team was hired to meticulously restore the car back to it’s original form and the vehicle is now on permanent display at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. The second Delorean is on display at Universal Studios Florida, while the third is privately owned.

LOCATION: Peterson Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

A look inside the restored vehicle.

Here is the restored flux capacitor.

One vehicle from the original film which can still be seen on the Universal Studios Hollywood Tour is Biff Tannen’s 1946 Ford Convertible. Some vehicles from the sequels can also be seen there, but here we’ll strictly focus on the first film.

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

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

October 18, 2017June 24, 2025 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Tim Burton’s 1985 film “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” introduced the world to Paul Rubens’ classic character, Pee-Wee Herman. In the film, Pee-Wee lives at this South Pasadena home.

LOCATION: 1848 Oxley St, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Later in the film, Pee Wee is chased around the Cabazon Dinosaurs. The dinosaurs are a roadside attraction in Cabazon, California and can be seen from the 10 freeway. Originally built by a sculptor and theme park artist as a way to attract customers to his nearby restaurant, the dinosaurs now operate as a small museum and gift shop. The dinosaurs were also seen in the 1984 film “Paris, Texas” and the 1989 film “The Wizard.”

LOCATION: 50700 Seminole Dr., Cabazon, CA 92230

Pee-Wee gets chased by some kids on bikes at this park in North Hollywood. The same park was famously featured in the film “Say Anything…“

LOCATION: North Hollywood Park, 11430 Chandler Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Francis lives at this house. The homeowners have since added a lot of shrubs along the front of the property, obscuring the view a bit.

LOCATION: 401 S Hudson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020

The bike from the film can be seen at the Hollywood Museum in Hollywood, California.

LOCATION: Hollywood Museum, 1660 Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028

They also have one of Pee Wee’s costumes, though it is said to be from the TV show, not the film.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

October 15, 2017May 21, 2024 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

John Hughes’ 80s classic, “The Breakfast Club,” was filmed at the former Maine North High School, in Des Plaines, Illinois. The filmmakers converted the high school gymnasium into the famous library set. Today, the building is no longer a high school at all. It’s used as an Illinois State Police Station.

LOCATION: 9511 Harrison St, Des Plaines, IL 60016

One of the most highly disputed film locations you’re ever likely to encounter is the football field, where Judd Nelson does his famous fist pump at the end. Some insisted it was filmed at the same high school as the rest of the production; Maine North. Others insisted it was filmed at Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois, where John Hughes himself was an alumni. The majority of the arguments centered between these two locations, with former students from each school disputing which field was used. Others still have claimed it was filmed at Maine South High School in Park Ridge or Maine West in Des Plaines. The argument persisted until 2015, when the cinematographer of the film, Thomas Del Ruth, confirmed to the Chicago Tribune it was indeed the now-defunct Main North High School football field; the same location where principle production took place. The field has since been demolished, but the confusion remains so strong, many people to this day still recreate the fist pump photograph at Glenbrook North.

Stand By Me (1986)

October 5, 2017December 10, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

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.

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

Psycho (1960)

September 27, 2017November 10, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 horror classic “Psycho” filmed largely in California, but some of the early scenes shot in Phoenix, Arizona. Marion Crane, played by Janet Leigh, takes her lunch break to meet a man she’s having an affair with at this hotel.

LOCATION: 101 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004

The car dealership where Marion changes her vehicle can be found in North Hollywood, California.

LOCATION: 4270 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602

The iconic house from the film can be found on the Universal Studios lot, as part of their studio tour. It is indeed the actual house from the film, although the back part of the house, not seen on camera in the film, was added later on by the studio, after the film had been released. There is also a Bates Motel set on the tour, but that set is actually from the sequel film, not the original.

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

Another view of the side of the house.

This was Alfred Hitchcock’s office on the Universal lot, which is commemorated with a drawing of the director’s famous silhouette.

Inherent Vice (2014)

September 25, 2017July 3, 2026 / filmoblivion / 2 Comments

Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2014 adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s novel, “Inherent Vice,” shot all over Southern California. Much of it is set in the fictional town of Gordita Beach. These scenes were actually shot in Manhattan Beach, which is worth checking out if you’re interested in beautiful ocean views, without the crowds of such places as Santa Monica or Venice Beach.

This shot, seen at both the beginning, as well the end of the film, is overlooking Manhattan Beach and a scenic walkway called The Strand. However, the shot is actually taken from Ocean Drive, one block up, at the intersection of Seaview Street.

LOCATION: 4210 The Strand, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (this exact shot is from behind the house, on Ocean Drive at Seaview Street, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, looking out towards the water)

Doc, played by Joaquin Phoenix, lives in this house, which is close to the above shot. The house was mostly used for interiors in the film, but the exterior can also briefly be seen.

LOCATION: 214 El Porto St, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

This cafe in San Pedro pops up a couple times in the film. First, Doc sits outside reading a newspaper about real estate developments. The interior is seen later in the film, albeit dressed heavily to appear as a Japanese restaurant, as Bigfoot, played by Josh Brolin, delivers the immortal lines, “Motto panukeiku, motto panukeiku.” The same cafe appeared in the films “Chinatown,” “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

Doc follows leads on the mysterious Golden Fang boat, which is believed to bring in drugs, as well as having carried Shasta, played by Katherine Waterston, on board the last time it sailed. The schooner is seen in darkness, off in the distance in the film. The actual boat is the Tallship American Pride, which can be found at the Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, California. The boat is located at Dock 3, though it does sometimes set sail into the waters. If you’re unfamiliar with this area of Long Beach, just search for Gladstone’s Restaurant (330 S Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802) or Toyko Wako (310 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802) at the Long Beach Pike. The pier and the boat are located directly behind them.

LOCATION: Rainbow Harbor, Dock 3, Long Beach, CA 90802

Doc talks with Sauncho Smilax, played by Benicio Del Toro, at the Chowder Barge in Wilmington. These restaurant shots are provided courtesy of Christian Hernandez at Boogie Sights, who also identified the location.

LOCATION: 611 N Henry Ford Ave, Wilmington, CA 90744

Later in the film, Doc pays a visit to Bigfoot at the old Los Angeles Police Department in downtown Los Angeles. As he’s approaching the building, an officer bumps into him, knocking him to the ground. The building has since been demolished.

LOCATION: 150 N Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (now demolished)

One of the most memorable scenes in the film is a flashback sequence, when Doc and Shasta get caught in the rain, while Neil Young’s “Journey Through the Past” plays. This song was a major inspiration for the film and Doc’s look was even modeled after a 1970s photograph of Neil Young. The scene was shot in Pomona, Californa, about an hour east of Los Angeles.

LOCATION: 406 W 2nd St, Pomona, CA 91766

Somewhere (2010)

September 20, 2017October 9, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Sophia Coppola’s slow-paced, 2010 film “Somewhere” takes place almost entirely at Hollywood’s famed Chateau Marmont. The hotel has been a beacon for celebrities over the years, at times hosting everyone from Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski, to Jim Morrison, to Hunter S. Thompson, to Keanu Reeves. Comedian John Belushi passed away at the hotel in 1982. The hotel is known for it’s privacy and discretion. It made for a perfect location for Coppola’s story about an aimless actor reexamining his life.

LOCATION: 8221 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

September 17, 2017September 1, 2024 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Few filmmakers have ever captured adolescence as well as John Hughes did with a string of hit films in the 1980s. Most of his films were set in the fictitous town of Shermer, Illinois and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is no exception.

While much of the film did indeed film in the Greater Chicago area, Ferris’ house is actually located far from the neighborhoods of Chicago, in Long Beach, California. The same house appears in the films “Red Dragon” and “Not Another Teen Movie.”

LOCATION: 4160 Country Club Dr, Long Beach, CA 90807

Ferris’ high school scenes were filmed at Glenbrook North High School, in Northbrook Illinois. Hughes had previously used the hallways of the school in another of his 80s hits, “The Breakfast Club.” Later in the film, Ferris poses as his girlfriend Sloane’s father, coming up with a scheme to get her out of school. This scene was actually filmed at the Center for Performing Arts, a separate building on the grounds of the high school. The stairs still look exactly the same as they did in the film.

LOCATION: 2300 Shermer Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062

A reverse view at the parking lot from the stairs, where Ferris posed as Sloane’s father.

The police station where Jeanie, played by Jennifer Grey, meets a mysterious man, played by Charlie Sheen, can be found in Downtown Los Angeles. It is only seen from interior views in the film. The building has been featured in countless films and television series, including “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Beverly Hills Cop II,” “Divergent,” “The Muppets,” “Wrath Of Man,” “License To Drive,” “Unlawful Entry,” “Inspector Gadget,” “Child’s Play 2,” “Enough” and dozens more.

LOCATION: 635 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Ferris’ best friend Cameron lives at this house in Highland Park, Illinois. It has unfortunately since been remodeled, but we were able to capture it long before remodeling took place.

LOCATION: 370 Beech St, Highland Park, IL 60035

Late in the film, disaster strikes when Ferris and Cameron accidentally reverse Cameron’s father’s car through the glass wall of this building, down a steep canyon. The building really does exist behind the above house and there really is a steep canyon beneath it, exactly as depicted in the film. This building has not been remodeled.

Some outfits worn by Ferris and Cameron in the film can be seen on display at Planet Hollywood in Florida.

LOCATION: 1506 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

The Devil’s Rejects (2005)

September 9, 2017June 25, 2026 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Like most of Rob Zombie’s films, “The Devil’s Rejects,” which is arguably his finest, shot around Southern California. The opening standoff at the Firefly house was shot at Sable Ranch in Santa Clarita, California, which is not open to the public. Quite a number of buildings at Sable Ranch were lost, due to a wildfire in 2016. The Firefly house, however, was one of the buildings which survived the fires. In case you’re wondering, the Firefly house is not very visible from the road, if you were to drive up to the ranch entrance. The same location appears in OutKast’s music video for “Ms. Jackson.”

LOCATION: 25933 Sand Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91387

Captain Spaulding’s house can be found in Lancaster. No address seems to show up on GPS, but the house can be found on E Ave J, between 60th St E and 65th St E. Exact GPS coordinates are listed below.

LOCATION: E Ave J, between 60th St E and 65th St E, Lancaster, CA 93535 (GPS coordinates: 34.689478, -118.018095)

On the run, Baby, played by Sheri Moon Zombie, makes a phone call to Captain Spaulding from this gas station. It’s never seen in a wide shot in the film, which is why it may not look immediately recognizable. The gas station is located right beside the motel location seen later in the film.

LOCATION: 42848 150th St, Lancaster, CA 93535

Otis and Baby make their way to the “Kahiki Palms Motel,” where some unsuspecting guests have the unfortunate luck of crossing their paths. The real location is the Club Ed movie set, out in Lancaster, California, in an area of mostly desert terrain. The building is not an actual running business and is used strictly for filming purposes today. This too is private property and closed to the public. However, unlike Sable Ranch, these locations can be seen quite easily from the road.

LOCATION: 42848 150th St, Lancaster, CA 93535

Another angle of the motel, including the rooms to the left, where many scenes with the hotel guests were shot. Club Ed has been in many films, including “The Fabelmans,” “Nothing To Lose,” “Rubber” “Woman of the Hour” and “Eye Of The Storm.”

After Captain Spaulding’s truck runs out of fuel, he stops at Buck’s Grab ‘N Go, where he steals the vehicle of a mother and her son. The same location appeared in the film “The Last Starfighter.”

LOCATION: 9411 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91390

The film’s climactic standoff with the police was filmed on a closed section of Golden State Hwy in Castaic. We’ve provided GPS coordinates below.

LOCATION: Golden State Hwy, Castaic, CA 91384 (GPS coordinates: 34°37’21.6″N, 118°44’40.6″W)

The police set up a barricade at this bridge, which runs over Piru Creek.

Here’s a wider view of where the car speeds towards the police.

While this last shot is not seen in the film, this is the furthest point you can drive on Golden State Hwy before the road is blocked. The road to get to this point from the 5 freeway is a bit rough, but it is also a scenic drive, free from traffic. It is permissible to continue on foot or bike from this point and its about a half mile to reach where the scene was filmed. The path is flat and a modest walk for most.

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)

August 31, 2017October 15, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

White Goodman, played by Ben Stiller in “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” runs “Globo Gym,” where he heads up the “Purple Cobras” dodgeball team. The lobby of the former Nikken Building in Irvine, California, now known as the Masimo Building, served as the location of “Globo Gym.” The same building has been used in many other productions, including “Iron Man,” “You, Me And Dupree” and “All About Steve.”

LOCATION: 52 Discovery, Irvine, CA 92618

The Dirty Sanchez bar can be found here.

LOCATION: 3387 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034

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