National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

July 9, 2017April 4, 2024 / filmoblivion / 1 Comment

The comedy classic “National Lampoon’s Vacation” is set all across the United States, but a good portion of the filming was based in Southern California.

Early in the film, Clark, played by Chevy Chase, visits a car dealership with his son Rusty, to trade in their vehicle. After the dealership fails to stock the vehicle they requested, Clark asks for his old car to be returned, only to find it has been destroyed. These scenes were filmed in Glendale, Califonia.

LOCATION: 900 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204

The Griswold house, set in Chicago, Illinois, is actually located in near Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California. You’ll likely drive right past if it you visit the Griffith Observatory.

LOCATION: 2310 N Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027

The hotel where Clark goes skinny dipping with “The Girl in the Ferarri,” played by Christie Brinkley, is the Guesthouse Hotel in Norwalk, California. Despite some remodeling and changes in ownership, the pool area is still fairly recognizable to how it appeared in the film. The scene where Clark runs into The Girl in the Ferrari at thehotel lounge was also filmed here, but that section, while still a lounge, has unfortunately been remodeled beyond recognition.

LOCATION: 12500 Firestone Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650

The gas station where Clark has trouble finding the gas tank can be found in Flagstaff, Arizona.

LOCATION: 2515 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

When the Griswolds get lost in a bad neighborhood, the rough streets were actually filmed on the Warner Bros. Studio lot. This is the spot where Clark is getting directions, while the guys on the street steal his hubcaps.

LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505

When Aunt Edna dies, the family drops her off at Cousin Normie’s house, which can be found in Flagstaff.

LOCATION: 3025 W Wilson Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

The production was clever when it came to filming the “Walley World” entrance at the end of the film. While the amusement park used in the film was Six Flags Magic Mountain (26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy., Valencia, CA 91355), the memorable entrance was a totally different location; the Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. This overpass was used as the entrance, with a matte painting of the Walley World sign and the roller coasters in the background. The overpass is actually on the outskirts of the park, right beside the Westfield Santa Anita mall. In this case, the exact address is tricky, as the grounds are large and it only navigates you to the general vicinity. A tip on how to find the exact spot is to drive down W Huntington Dr. towards S. Baldwin Ave. As you near the mall’s parking lot, drive past the overpass entrance and proceed to the next entrance, into the mall parking lot. As soon as you turn off of Huntington Dr. to the mall, you’ll immediately see this view of the Santa Anita Park parking lot on your right, with the Walley World overpass in the distance.

LOCATION: 285 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

July 8, 2017June 18, 2026 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The house from Steven Spielberg’s beloved 1982 film “E.T.” can be found in the town of Tujunga, California.

LOCATION: 7121 Lonzo St., Tujunga, CA 91042

The ending of the film, when Elliott begins to fly with E.T. on his bike, was filmed near Granada Hills, at the intersection of Tulsa St and White Oak Ave. The bike heads north on White Oak as it begins to take flight.

LOCATION: Intersection of Tulsa St / White Oak Ave, Los Angeles, CA 91344

A full scale animatronic of E.T., one of three created for the film, can be found on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, California.

LOCATION: 6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Old School (2003)

July 7, 2017November 3, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The frat house from the 2003 Will Ferrell comedy “Old School,” where “Mitch-a-palooza” takes place, can be found at this South Pasadena home.

LOCATION: 1803 Bushnell Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Frank the Tank, played by Ferrell, lives at this home in Altadena.

LOCATION: 2284 Mar Vista Ave, Altadena, CA 91001

Mitch, played by Luke Wilson, discusses ways to save the fraternity at this restaurant, which was also featured in the film “Role Models,” as well as such TV shows as “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Scandal” and “The X-Files.”

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

Say Anything… (1989)

July 5, 2017March 17, 2024 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Cameron Crowe’s 1989 directorial debut, “Say Anything…” was filmed in Washington, Southern California and Vancouver, Canada. The exterior of the house of Corey, played by Lili Taylor, can be found in Seattle. Interiors were filmed in California at 2545 Ganesha Ave, Altadena, CA 91001.

LOCATION: 3627 NW 65th Ct, Seattle, WA 98117

Mike, played by Jason Gould, lives at this home, located in Sherman Oaks.

LOCATION: 4936 Sunnyslope Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Lloyd, played by John Cusack, walks with Diane, played by Ione Skye, out of a convenience store and kicks glass out of her way. The store can be found in North Hollywood.

LOCATION: 11340 W Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Diane has lunch with her mom at this restaurant in Pasadena, which has changed a lot since filming took place.

LOCATION: 1978 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107

Lloyd teaches a kickboxing class at this location, which was more famously used as the Cobra Kai dojo in “The Karate Kid.” It’s located just a few blocks away from the convenience store.

LOCATION: 5223 Lankershim Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91601

Here’s a look inside the building.

The most iconic scene in the film is of course when Lloyd Dobler holds a boombox outside of the bedroom of Diane. The real scene wasn’t filmed at any house at all, rather a park in North Hollywood. It’s actually located right across the street from the convenience store seen earlier in the film, at the North Hollywood Park, on the SW corner of Magnolia Blvd and Tujunga Ave. The same park was seen in “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.”

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

In one of the film’s deleted scenes, Diane asks Lloyd to take her back to Lloyd’s workplace, mentioned above. This scene, which can be found on the home video edition, was filmed at the Community Room of the South Pasadena Public Library. The same building appeared in Rob Zombie’s remake of “Halloween.”

LOCATION: 1115 El Centro St, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Frankenweenie (1984)

June 22, 2017June 24, 2025 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The house from the 1984 short film “Frankenweenie,” directed by Tim Burton, was filmed in South Pasadena. Burton later remade the film as an animated feature in 2012. Here is the home of the Frankenstein family, played by Shelley Duvall, Daniel Stern and Barret Oliver.

LOCATION: 816 Stratford Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Bad Santa (2003)

June 17, 2017July 9, 2023 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

As snow falls on “O’Hara’s Pub” in the opening scenes of Terry Zwigoff’s “Bad Santa,” the sunny streets of Venice, California are probably the last thought in the minds of the viewers. However, that’s exactly where the scenes were shot, at a store front along the famous Abbot Kinney Boulevard. A wooden facade was partially built over the store front, along with a neon sign, with only the outer brick lining still visible. It’s located just a couple doors down from the record label where Paul Rudd works in “This Is 40.”

LOCATION: 1100 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Willie, played by Billy Bob Thorton, lives at this apartment, located in Long Beach.

LOCATION: 1161 Magnolia Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813

Willie finds someone searching through his motel room. This scene was also filmed in Long Beach.

LOCATION: 446 W Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90806

Willie hides out at Thurman Merman’s house, which can be found in West Hills, California.

LOCATION: 7211 Whitehall Ln, West Hills, CA 91307

The Wizard (1989)

June 16, 2017June 14, 2026 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

In the 1989 film “The Wizard,” Corey, played by Fred Savage, along with his brother Jimmy, played by Luke Edwards, run away to California. Early in the film, Corey goes to the “Greenriver Hospital,” supposedly located in Utah, where he sneaks off with Jimmy. The actual location can be found in Gardnerville, Nevada.

LOCATION: 1431 Ezell St, Gardnerville, NV 89410

There is a plaque on a tree in the front yard, which mentions the property’s appearance in the film.

Corey, Jimmy and Haley, played by Jenny Lewis, are seen sitting at the Lake Tahoe Scenic Overlook, where they add up their money. The stone since been redone a bit from how it appeared in the film, but the landscape in the background still looks the same.

LOCATION: Lake Tahoe Scenic Overlook, Mt Rose Hwy, Incline Village, NV 89451 (GPS coordinates: 39°15’45.0″N, 119°55’51.3″W)

Corey and Jimmy’s father and brother, played by Beau Bridges and Christian Slater respectively, follow on their trail in hopes of finding them. Sam (Bridges) and Nick (Slater) stay at this hotel and play video games. These scenes were filed at the Sierra Pelona Motel in Santa Clarita. The motel also appeared in the films “Near Dark,” “The Grifters” and “Crossroads,” as well as the TV shows “Too Old To Die Young” and “Westworld.”

LOCATION: 12117 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91390

Corey and Jimmy make their way to Reno, which is home to Haley. The famous Reno Arch is featured prominently during this scene.

LOCATION: 345 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501

The casino scenes were filmed at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno. The same casino, which has since been remodeled, also appeared in the film “Hard Eight.”

LOCATION: 2707 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502

Near the end of the film, Jimmy makes his way to the Cabazon Dinosaurs to relive some family memories. 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 1985 film “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.”

LOCATION: 50700 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230

To see our “The Wizard” location page, click here.

The Rock (1996)

June 10, 2017June 24, 2025 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The majority of Micheal Bay’s 1996 action film “The Rock” was shot on location at Alcatraz Island. You can read our separate article on Alcatraz here, which has many more photos.

LOCATION: Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA 94133

The film also shot some scenes in Southern California. The house of Jade Angelou, played by Claire Forlani, can be found in San Pedro.

LOCATION: 611 W 37th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Near the end of the film, Sean Connery’s character is apprehended at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The same location appears in many films, such as “Vertigo,” “The Room,” “So I Married an Axe Murder,” “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” “Big Eyes” and more.

LOCATION: 3301 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Step Brothers (2008)

June 7, 2017December 10, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

In the 2008 comedy “Step Brothers,” Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly famously waged war on the front lawn to this house in Altadena, where their characters find themselves suddenly living together.

LOCATION: 1987 Midwick Dr, Altadena, CA 91001

The spot where Brennan and Dale, played by Ferrell and Reilly respectively, get beat up by child bullies was filmed at Veteran’s Hospital in North Hills. There are quite a number of buildings and roads on the premises, so it can be tricky finding the exact spot used in the film. To locate it, you must first turn onto Puller Rd. Each building has a large number on it. A bit down Puller Rd, you’ll see the building from the film, which is building 4. It can be easily identified by the long wall surrounding the yard in front of it. The same building was also featured in Rob Zombie’s “Halloween,” as well as such films as “Argo” and “Accepted.”

LOCATION: 16111 Plummer St, North Hills, CA 91343

The Rules Of Attraction (2002)

June 6, 2017November 9, 2025 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Roger Avary’s 2002 adaptation of the Bret Easton Ellis novel “The Rules of Attraction” was set in the fictional Camden College in New Hampshire, but it was actually filmed at the University of Redlands in Redlands, California. In order to achieve this, the filmmakers had to be very careful in blocking their shots, as to avoid the mountains and palm trees that surround the area. Below, we’ll cover many shots seen in the film from around the campus.

This location also appeared in the film “Hell Night.”

LOCATION: 1200 E Colton Ave, Redlands, CA 92374

Sean Bateman, played by James Van Der Beek, sits on these seats towards the end of the film.

The “End of the World” party takes place at this building.

One of the final shots of the movie, where the character of Sean rides away on his bike, was filmed here.

The home of Rupert, played by Clifton Collins Jr., can be found near Koreatown in L.A.

LOCATION: 858 3rd Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Paul and his friends drop off a classmate at a hospital in Downey, although it is never seen from this angle in the film.

LOCATION: 12750 Erickson Ave, Downey, CA 90242

The angle seen in the film faces this way, toward the street.

Sean Bateman drops of Paul at a bus station, which was on the grounds of the former Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, California. Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center was founded back in the late 1800s. The hospital upgraded to a newer facility located nearby and abandoned a lot of their older buildings, with ownership transferred to the county. The buildings sat vacant for years. The buildings featured as the bus station could be found at Erickson Ave / Flores St, Downey, CA 90242, but have since been demolished.

During an extended montage, Victor, played by Kip Pardue, is seen traveling all over Europe, with many different locations seen in quick cuts, including Big Ben in London.

LOCATION: Big Ben, London SW1A 0AA, UK

The Eiffel Tower is Paris is also quickly seen.

LOCATION: Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

Victor is also seen at the Arc de Triomphe, which also briefly appears in Roger Avary’s previous film, “Killing Zoe.”

LOCATION: Arc de Triomphe, Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France

Victor eats with Sean and Mitchell, played by Thomas Ian Nicholas, at the former Quality Cafe in Downtown Los Angeles. The diner was a one-time staple of film, appearing in “Seven,” “Training Day,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Ghost World,” “Another Day In Paradise,” “(500) Days Of Summer” “Million Dollar Baby,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “The Heartbreak Kid” and many more. However, it was not an actual restaurant open to the public. Instead it was used solely for filming (much like Johnie’s Coffee Shop in mid-town L.A.). Unless the building was being set up for a production, most of the time it was closed up and locked by a large metal door covering the front windows. So catching a glimpse of it was rare. It ceased to function as a filming location and was completely renovated in 2014. The interior of the property no longer bears any resemblance inside to how it appeared in so many films.

LOCATION: 1238 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (since closed and remodeled)

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