The 2006 film “Little Miss Sunshine” was primarily filmed in Southern California. In the film, this hotel, supposedly located in Scottsdale, Arizona, is where Richard Hoover, played by Greg Kinnear, comes to confront Stan Grossman, played by Bryan Cranston. The real hotel is actually located in Valencia, California. The same hotel appeared in the films “Twilight” and “Magnolia” (interiors only), as well as numerous TV shows, including “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “CSI: New York,” “NCIS,” “Big Love,” “Las Vegas,” The Unit,” “Make It or Break It” and more.
LOCATION: 24500 Town Center Dr, Valencia, CA 91355
This Volkswagen van was one of five used in the film. It can be found on display at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California.
LOCATION: Peterson Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
The murder house from season 1 of the TV series “American Horror Story” can be found in Los Angeles, California. The house attracts such a high volume of fans from the show that when it was sold in 2015, the new owners, who claimed they were unaware of the home’s connection to the show, sued the previous owners and their realtor for allegedly failing to divulge the house’s pop culture notoriety and the influx of visitors it would attract.
LOCATION: 1120 Westchester Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Briarcliff Manor, one of the main locations of Season 2, “Asylum,” can be found in Santa Ana, California. The same building has appeared in the films “Legally Blonde” and “Catch Me If You Can.”
LOCATION: 211 W Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701
The 1989 horror film “Puppet Master” was largely filmed at the Castle Green Apartments in Pasadena, California. Castle Green has been featured in countless films, such as “True Romance,” “The Sting,” “Wild At Heart,” “The Little Rascals,” “Deja Vu,” “Sneakers,” “Bugsy,” “The Last Samurai” and many more.
John Carpenter’s original 1978, classic horror film, “Halloween,” is one of those films that tends to inspire people to seek out it’s filming locations. Nearly everything from the film can still be seen today, much of it within a small radius of one another. These locations have been heavily documented over the years, but that won’t stop us from taking a look at some of the most iconic spots from the film.
Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, lives at this house, supposedly located in Haddonfield, Illinois, but actually filmed in South Pasadena, California.
LOCATION: 1115 Oxley St, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Another view of the house, from the corner of Oxley St and Fairview Ave. The owners of the house are quite welcoming to fans of the film, which is always refreshing to see, even leaving Halloween pumpkins on their front porch year round.
Haddonfield Elementary school is actually Garfield Elementary in Alhambra. The interior of the same school also serves as Laurie’s classroom.
LOCATION: 110 W McLean St, Alhambra, CA 91801
Some bullies are seen teasing Tommy.
Tommy continues walking past the front of the school.
Laurie and Lynda are walking home from school at this street corner.
LOCATION: Corner of Highland St and Fairview Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
They cross the street, whenever they feel they are being followed by a car being driven by a strange figure. The camera looks back toward Fairview Ave, where the car first turns down the street.
LOCATION: Facing the street approximately in front of 1014 Highland St, South Pasadena, CA 91030 (looking towards Fairview Ave)
Annie yells “Hey jerk, speed kills!” at the car, when it hits it’s breaks. The camera in this shot is on the same street, now facing the opposite direction, towards Meredian Ave. The houses from a couple very different kinds of films, “Liar Liar” and “Space Jam,” were shot on this same block. John Carpenter would himself return to the same neighborhood for his 1983 Stephen King adaptation, “Christine.”
LOCATION: Facing the street approximately in front of 1014 Highland St, South Pasadena, CA 91030 (looking towards Meridian Ave.)
Laurie and Annie are walking toward these shrubs, when they appear to see Michael Meyers looking out at them.
They approach the shrubs and look behind them, only to see no one is there.
LOCATION: 1019 Montrose Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
The Michael Meyers house was originally located at 707 Meridian Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030. Since then, some apartments have been built in it’s place. The original house, however, was spared from demolition at the last minute in 1987. A South Pasadena resident, recognizing the historical importance of the home and realizing it was about the be demolished, purchased it for a mere $1, with the promise to relocate the house and keep it in tact. It wasn’t moved very far away, just over on Mission Street, near some train tracks. Later recognizing that the home had historical significance, the city of South Pasadena would go on to designate the home as a California landmark. Many iconic movie locations have been demolished over the years, so it’s always nice to hear of stories where one was not only spared, but preserved and honored. While fans of the film are encouraged to visit the house, it is currently occupied by a local business, who simply asks visitors to keep to the driveway area and refrain from attempting to go up on the porch or inside.
LOCATION: 1000 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030 (original 707 Meridian Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030)
Right across the street from the Myers house, you’ll find the hardware store Michael robs. The same intersection appears in the film “13 Going On 30,” ” as well as “Step Brothers,” “Straight Talk,” “Carpool” and “Prototype.”
LOCATION: 966 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Just a couple blocks away from Hollywood Blvd, you’ll find the Wallace house.
LOCATION: 1537 N Orange Grove Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Just across the street is Doyle’s house. The same house has appeared in the Rodney Dangerfield comedy “Back To School,” as well as the TV series “American Horror Story.”
LOCATION: 1530 N Orange Grove Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Overall, if you are a fan of the original “Halloween” film, you’ll likely have an enjoyable time strolling around South Pasadena visiting many of these spots and it won’t even consume too much of your time.
The 2017 Greta Gerwig film, “Lady Bird,” is set in the city of Sacramento, California, where most of the film was shot as well.
The blue house, which Lady Bird envies and even begins to tell others is her home, is arguably the most well-known Sacramento location from the film.
LOCATION: 1224 44th St, Sacramento, CA 95819
One key location from the film that is not in Sacramento, but can actually be found in Southern California, is Lady Bird’s house, which is located in Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley.
LOCATION: 6701 Orion Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406
Lady Bird works at this cafe, which can be found in South Pasadena. The same building can be seen in the films “Role Models” “Prom Night” and “Slipstream.”
LOCATION: 1019 El Centro St, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Kyle’s house can be found in Los Angeles, near Hancock Park. The interior of the same house was used in “American Beauty.”
LOCATION: 330 S Windsor Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90020
The market where Miguel and Shelly work and where Lady Bird later takes a job is Fields Market in Canoga Park. The store is a staple of film and television, appearing in such films as “Bird Box” and “Matchstick Men,” as well as such television shows as “Desperate Housewives,” “American Horror Story” and dozens more. It has also been seen in countless commercials and music videos.
LOCATION: 23221 Saticoy St, Canoga Park, CA 91304
Lady Bird has a date at night with Danny at the Fredrick N. Evans Rose Garden at McKinley Park.
LOCATION: 3255 H St, Sacramento, CA 95816
The rose garden is seen once again late in the film, during a montage of businesses and landmarks around Sacramento.
The Thrift Town, where Lady Bird and her mom shop for clothes.
LOCATION: 410 El Camino Ave, Sacramento, CA 95815
The American Market and Deli is where Lady Bird buys cigarettes, lottery tickets and a Playgirl magazine to celebrate her 18th birthday.
LOCATION: 2331 N St, Sacramento, CA 95816
Gunther’s Ice Cream is shown during a montage of Sacramento businesses and landmarks.
LOCATION: 2801 Franklin Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95818
In the 1990 romantic comedy “Pretty Woman,” Vivian, played by Julia Roberts, lives at this Hollywood hotel. The real hotel is located right off of Hollywood Blvd, exactly as depicted in the film. At the end of the movie, Edward, played by Richard Gere, climbs the fire escape with roses and the two passionately kiss.
LOCATION: 1738 N Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Vivan stays at a luxurious hotel in Beverly Hills.
LOCATION: 9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Vivian and Edward walk past the Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain at Grand Park in Downtown L.A. The same fountain was seen in “(500) Days Of Summer.”
LOCATION: Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Edward’s office can be found in Downtown Los Angeles. The same building can be seen in such films as “Barbie,” “Night Of The Comet,” “Cutter’s Way” and “The Muppets.”
LOCATION: 333 S Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
The opera house was a composite of three locations. The exterior, supposedly located in San Francisco, is actually the Carnegie Museum & Library in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The same building appears in the films “The Silence Of The Lambs” and “Flashdance.” In fact, this film used the actual footage from “Flashdance” as their establishing shot after their planned location fell through. The interior lobby was filmed at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007), while the theatre was filmed at Walt Disney Studios (500 S Buena Vista St, Burbank, CA 91521).
Much of the 1994 Jim Carrey comedy “The Mask” filmed around the Warner Bros. Studio Lot in Burbank, California. After Stanley Ipkiss, played by Carrey first tries on the mask, a startled neighbor pulls a gun on him and he leaps out of a window from this building on the Warner Lot, where he falls to the street and like a cartoon character, flattens like a pancake, before peeling himself back up. The same building was featured in an action sequence in the Steven Spielberg film “Minority Report.”
LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
The bank where Stanley works was filmed at 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 “They Live” “Seven,” “The Prestige,” “Ghost,” “Bridesmaids,” “13 Going On 30” and many more. This area cannot normally be accessed by pedestrians. However, portions are still visible from the street in a couple areas through the windows.
LOCATION: 650 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
The mechanic’s shop where Stanley gets a loaner car was filmed at Fire Station No. 23 in Downtown L.A. The fire station was closed in 1960 and has currently fallen into quite a state of disrepair. Currently the building is boarded up, covered in graffiti and prohibited from entry. It sits in a pretty bad area, not far from skid row. The same building was featuring in such films as “Ghostbusters,” “Lost Highway,” “Flatliners,” “Set It Off,” “Big Trouble In Little China” and more.
LOCATION: 225 E 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
The Coco Bongo nightclub scenes were filmed at the former Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, which has long since been demolished. The hotel was a staple of film and television, appearing in such films as “The Graduate,” “True Romance,” “Seven,” “Forrest Gump,” “Bobby,” “True Lies,” “L.A. Story,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “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 2005 Steven Spielberg remake “War Of The Worlds,” starring Tom Cruise, was filmed in New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Connecticut and California. The home of Ray Ferrier, played by Cruise, can be found in Bayonne, New Jersey.
LOCATION: 11 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ 07002
Ray is seen driving past the Bayonne Bridge on his way home, which runs right beside the house.
In one scene, Ray stands in the street in front of his home and notices a disturbance in the sky.
On the Universal Studios Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, you can see the plane crash set from the film. It is a very intricate set, with lots of full-scale, realistic wreckage. Cars, ambulances and even an actual, out of use, Boeing 747 were all used for film. Universal made it an interactive exhibition, with fires and smoke as you pass through.
LOCATION: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
One tip for those perhaps not interested in paying the full price for admission into Universal Studios Hollywood, this set can actually be seen free of charge from a hilltop behind the studio. Just head up to the 3400 block of Blair Dr in Los Angeles for a view of the crash set. It’s obviously not as good as viewing it up close from ground level, but if you’ve got some time to spare, it’s still an interesting sight.
LOCATION: 3400 block of Blair Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068
Ray and Rachel, played by Dakota Fanning, make their way to Boston, where they find the alien vegetation withering. These scenes were actually filmed in Los Angeles.
LOCATION: Witmer St / Ingraham St, Los Angeles, CA 90017
A tripod has collapsed into this building, seen at the same intersection.
John Travolta plays FBI Agent Sean Archer in John Woo’s 1997 action film “Face/Off.” Archer lives with his family at this Pacific Palisades home, right near the ocean. Later in the film, Nicolas Cage’s villainous character, Castor Troy, bearing the face of Sean Archer, comes to his home and begins role-playing as husband and father. The home was destroyed by wildfires in 2025.
LOCATION: 326 N Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
The hospital where Eve Archer, played by Joan Allen, works can be found in Baldwin Park. This entrance sits closest to Dalewood Street. A different area of the same facility was seen in the movie “Starship Troopers.”
LOCATION: 1011 Baldwin Park Blvd, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (near Dalewood St)
Caster Troy and his brother plant an explosive at the Los Angeles Convention Center. This particular section is near the intersection of S Figueroa St and W Pico Blvd. The same building was seen in the film “Demolition Man.”
LOCATION: 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (near the intersection of S Figueroa St / W Pico Blvd)
Near the climax of the film, Victor Lazarro’s funeral takes place at the Cabrillo Beach Bath House in San Pedro. The Adam Sandler comedy “50 First Dates” also notably shot at the same location.
LOCATION: 3800 Stephen M White Dr, San Pedro, CA 90731
Archer’s daughter is dropped off outside at the entrance to the building.
Inside, an epic John Woo gunfight takes place, featuring his signature use of doves and slow motion. Thankfully, the staff is quite friendly and welcoming and allows visitors inside. Here are some areas where the shootout takes place.
The gunfight spills out to this area, with Archer’s daughter trapped in the crossfire.
Archer’s daughter runs down these stairs to the lower level.
As the fight spills outside, Archer’s daughter is taken hostage in this area.
