Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

The 2022 sequel “Top Gun: Maverick,” much like the original film, shot all around Southern California, from San Diego to Los Angeles. This article contains some minor spoilers for those who haven’t seen the film.

The movie made use of numerous Military Operating Areas (MOAs), closed off from the general public, including Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) in Coronado, California, Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon in Nevada, NAS Lemoore in Central Valley, California, Naval Air Facility (NAF) in El Centro, California, Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake near Ridgecrest, California and Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island near Oak Harbor, Washington. The film’s third act was largely filmed in the Cascade Mountain Range.

Maverick, played by Tom Cruise, tests high-hypersonic speed and destroys a prototype jet. Afterwards, he roams into a roadside cafe. These scenes were filmed at the Halfway House Cafe in Santa Clarita, California. The same location has appeared in many productions, such as “Waitress,” “Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny,” “Space Cowboys,” “The Twilight Zone: The Movie” and “Westworld.” The cafe also appeared in a famous commercial starring Cindy Crawford.

LOCATION: 15564 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91390

The Hard Deck Bar where Penny, played by Jennifer Connelly, works was a set, built at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) in Coronado, California. It was dismantled at the end of filming.

The private hanger of Marverick was filmed at Inyokern Airport in Inyokern, California (1669 Airport Rd, Inyokern, CA 93527).

The home of Penny can be found in San Pedro.

LOCATION: 391 W 40th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Here is a wider view of Penny’s house.

Maverick is seen approaching on his motorcycle with Penny from Bluff Pl and turning right onto W 40th St. The production altered several elements of the neighborhood, such as swapping out the street sign for a lamp post and adding numerous palm trees.

The scene where Maverick meets with Admiral Beau ‘Cyclone’ Simpson, played by Jon Hamm, was filmed inside the First Baptist Church Pasadena. The building is only see from interior views in the film.

LOCATION: 75 N Marengo Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101

The home of Admiral Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky, played by Val Kilmer, was filmed at Wattles Mansion and Gardens in Los Angeles. The home is owned by the City of Los Angeles and is open to the public, regularly hosting special events. It is only seen from interior views in the film. The mansion has appeared in many films, including “Troop Beverly Hills,” “Rain Man,” “Babylon,” “Queen of the Damned,” “My Family” (“Mi Familia”), “Ghoulies,” “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa,” “The Lost Empire,” “A Better Life,” “Knock Knock 2” and many more. It has also appeared in the TV shows “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “The O.C.” and “Scandal,” as well as the Diana Ross music video for “Eaten Alive”.

LOCATION: 1824 N Curson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Related articles: Top Gun (1986)

Tron: Legacy (2010)

Props from the 2010 sci-fi action sequel “Tron: Legacy” could be seen at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, which ran an exhibit entitled “Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles Of Science Fiction and Fantasy” from May 2019 through May 2020.  Here is the actual Flynn’s Arcade sign featured in the film, as well as a full-scale model of one of the light cycles.

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

Here’s a closer look at the light cycle.

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Here is the suit worn by Clu in the film.

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On the left is an identity disc, which holds a program’s history and digital DNA, as well as being used as a weapon in the Game Grid.  To the right is an Encom 786 light cycle model set.  In the back is a baton and case, which when pulled apart, becomes the handles for a light cycle.

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Related articles: Tron (1982)

Tron (1982)

Flynn’s Arcade from 1982’s “Tron” was filmed at this distinctive building in Culver City, California.  The 2010 sequel, “Tron: Legacy,” once again filmed at the location, with a few digital alterations.  Today, the building is currently being used as a restaurant.

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LOCATION: 9543 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232

Related articles: Tron: Legacy (2010)