Lost Highway (1997)

August 10, 2017March 8, 2025 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

David Lynch’s “Lost Highway” shot around Southern California, Death Valley and the Nevada desert. Early in the film, Fred and Renee, played by Bill Pullman and Patricia Arquette respectively, receive a mysterious video tape at their doorstep. David Lynch used his own home as the location.

LOCATION: 7035 Senalda Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Fred plays his saxophone at the Luna Lounge. This was filmed at the Lankershim Arts Center in North Hollywood.

LOCATION: 5108 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Fred ends up on death row for the murder of his wife. The cell block wasn’t a prison at all, rather a creative re-purposing of a decommissioned fire station in downtown Los Angeles. The same station was used for interior scenes for the original “Ghostbusters” firehouse, as well as “The Mask,” “Flatliners,” “Set It Off,” “Big Trouble In Little China” and more. Only the interiors were used in the film, but here is a view of the exterior. Today, the surrounding area has become run down and it isn’t the safest of places.

LOCATION: 225 E 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

After some mysterious events, Pete, played by Balthazar Getty, awakens in Fred’s jail cell. Baffled by this phenomenon, the police decide to release him. Pete returns to his home, located in Northridge.

LOCATION: 16706 Citronia St, Northridge, CA 91343

Pete’s girlfriend Sheila, played by Natasha Gregson Wagner, lives at this house, located just a few blocks away from Pete’s place.

LOCATION: 9532 McLennan Ave, Northridge, CA 91343

Pete works as a mechanic at Arnie’s, which was filmed at the Firestone building in Los Angeles. No longer in service, the building, built in 1937, is designated as an historical monument by the city.

LOCATION: 800 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

The place where Mr. Eddy becomes enraged at a tailgating driver requires a bit of effort if you want to visit the location. It was filmed on Mt Hollywood Dr, near the Griffith Observatory. Contrary to what is seen in the film, the road is actually completely inaccessible to the public by vehicle. It is found along a fully paved road, but the road is gated off in all directions from motor vehicles. Aside from park rangers, the road is primarily used by hikers and bicyclists.

The easiest way to visit is by parking at the Griffith Observatory. The lot at the Observatory itself is almost always full. You’re unlikely to find a spot in the actual lot. However, you can park along East or West Observatory Road. Unfortunately, these are now paid parking spaces and somewhat expensive. There are a few free auxiliary lots, but those fill up quickly as well, plus they put you pretty far away from where you need to be to get to the location. You shouldn’t have a difficult time finding a paid parking space on Observatory Road, unless you’re arriving at peak evening hours. Your best bet is to arrive early.

The easiest way to spot the trail head to reach the location is to look for the tunnel when approaching Griffith Observatory. Most traffic to reach the Observatory passes through it. The tunnel was famously seen in Back To The Future Part 2, when Biff and Marty McFly (riding a hoverboard) fight over a sports almanac. The very first road on your right, once you pass through the tunnel, is where you will need to hike. It will either be gated off, or if the gates are open, a guard will be parked there, making sure no motorists attempt to drive up it. The road is freely accessible to pedestrians on foot or bike, however, and you’ll likely see a lot of both. You simply take that road for about 0.5 miles to reach the location. At least you can take photographs in relative safely here, without concern for traffic on the road.

LOCATION: Mt Hollywood Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (GPS coordinates: 34.126026, -118.306921)

It is a moderate hike. Much of it is uphill, but considering you can walk a paved road the entire way, as well as the fact that there are resting spots, it’s certainly manageable for most. A bottle of water should suffice, unless it’s an extremely hot day.

If you want to get the most out of your money for paying for a parking space near Griffith Observatory, we recommend continuing along the same path to the location of the dance scene in “La La Land.” That location is another 1.5 miles up the same road.

After Alice meets Pete at the mechanic’s, the pair begin an affair. Alice is waiting at the Palm Tree Inn in North Hills, calling down to him from the second floor to say that she already got them a room.

LOCATION: 8424 Sepulveda Blvd, North Hills, CA 91343

Pete pulls up to this spot in the parking lot, where he talks to Alice.

The cops watch from the parking lot as the two go into the hotel room. The same motel has also been seen in the TV series “My Name Is Earl.”

Near the end of the film, Fred arrives at the Lost Highway Hotel. This was actually a composite of two separate buildings. The exterior, seen below, is an abandoned building located at Death Valley Junction, near the California / Nevada border. The same building was seen in the 1986 film “The Hitcher.” The interior corridors were actually filmed across the street at the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel (608 Death Valley Jct, Death Valley, CA 92328). This area is very much in the middle of nowhere.

LOCATION: Near the intersection of State Line Rd / CA-127, Death Valley Junction, CA 92328 (nearest address is 608 CA-127, Death Valley Junction, CA 92328)

A deleted scene with Pete and Sheila was was filmed at the former Johnie’s Broiler in Downey. Some footage can be seen in the film “Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch.” The restaurant has a unique history, having appeared in many other films, such as “Heat,” “Short Cuts,” “License To Drive,” “The Game,” “My Stepmother Is An Alien,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “One Hour Photo” and many more. In 2007, the building was demolished. However, Bob’s Big Boy purchased the property years later and rebuilt it based on the original blueprints and even some of the same materials. So what stands now closely resembles what was there before.

LOCATION: 7447 Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA 90241

To see our “Lost Highway” location page, click here.

The Karate Kid (1984)

August 4, 2017February 7, 2026 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1980s classic “The Karate Kid” shot mostly around the San Fernando Valley in California. Surprisingly, many of the film locations are not only still standing, but still closely resemble how they appear in the film. The major exception is Mr. Miyagi’s house, which was torn down.

Daniel Larusso’s apartment still exists in Reseda, California. The apartment looks identical to how it appeared in 1984. However, the neighborhood it’s located in isn’t the safest of areas.

LOCATION: 19223 Saticoy St, Reseda, CA 91335

Daniel embarrassingly arrives in his mom’s run-down car to pick up Ali at her house for a date. This house has since been remodeled.

LOCATION: 4072 Alonzo Ave, Encino, CA 91316

The two go on a date to Golf N’ Stuff, which is a real place and still open to visitors. It’s located further south, down in Norwalk, California.

LOCATION: 10555 Firestone Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650

The location of the Cobra Kai dojo can be found in North Hollywood. The same location was featured in the film “Say Anything…“

LOCATION: 5223 Lankershim Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91601

A glimpse inside the dojo location.

Related articles: The Karate Kid Part II (1986), Cobra Kai

Risky Business (1983)

August 2, 2017November 10, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The house where Tom Cruise famously danced in his underwear for the 1983 film “Risky Business” can be found in the city of Highland Park, Illinois, just north of Chicago.

LOCATION: 1258 Linden Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035

Father Of The Bride (1991)

July 24, 2017October 18, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The house from “Father of the Bride” can be find in a quiet neighborhood in Pasadena, California. The house still looks nearly identical to how it appeared in the film.

Right around the corner in this same neighborhood is the house from Mad Men.

LOCATION: 843 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106

Boogie Nights (1997)

July 23, 2017July 3, 2026 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic portrayal of the 1970s and 1980s porn industry, “Boogie Nights,” was shot all around Southern California, but like many of his early works, was primarily based around the San Fernando Valley.

The opening shot of the Reseda Theater can be found on Sherman Way in Reseda, California. The theater has long since closed, but plans are underway to reopen the property as a mutiplex.

LOCATION: 18443 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335

Just down the street is the “Hot Traxx” nightclub, which is now a church. Also right around the corner is the workplace of Quiz Kid Donnie Smith in “Magnolia.”

LOCATION: 18419 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335

Dirk Diggler’s parents’ house is located far south of the Valley, down in Torrance, California.

LOCATION: 3503 187th St, Torrance, CA 90504

Jack Horner takes Dirk out for a meal with Amber Waves and Rollergirl at Du-Pars Restaurant and Bakery in Studio City. The same restaurant was featured in the film “Valley Girl.” The location has since closed down and the building has been heavily remodeled.

LOCATION: 12036 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 (now closed)

Jack Horner’s house is tucked away in the city of Covina. The property is not easily visible from the street.

LOCATION: 19515 E Cameron Ave, Covina, CA 91724

The side of the house, where Little Bill, played by William H. Macy, witnesses his wife having sex outside, while a group of party guests watch.

The back of Jack Horner’s house, with the patio and swimming pool, where the party takes place.

Later in the film, Dirk Diggler moves into his own house, located in Woodland Hills.

LOCATION: 4214 Lobos Rd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

Amber Waves makes a documentary about Dirk Diggler, which itself is based on the documentary “Exhausted: John C. Holmes, the Real Story.” The bridge Dirk stands in front of is the Colfax Ave footbridge in Studio City. It can be found near the intersection of Colfax Ave and Ventura Blvd. Once you spot the overpass on Colfax, the bridge is just beneath it and can easily be accessed by foot.

LOCATION: Near the intersection of Colfax Ave / Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 (nearest address is 4028 Colfax Ave, Studio City, CA 91604)

Towards the end of the film, things take a darker turn as Dirk solicits himself to perform sexual acts for money. The alley where he meets the man in the truck is still there, but the buildings to the left has since been demolished. The church in the background can still be seen. This location is very close to the donut shop in the film.

LOCATION: 18128 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335

Buck Swope picks up some donuts at the aforementioned Miss Donuts. This is in Reseda, near the church seen above and the “Hot Traxx” location.

LOCATION: 18231 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335

The drug dealer robbery is planned from the El Royale Hotel in Studio City.

LOCATION: 11117 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Things reach a crescendo with a drug deal gone bad, at this house in Encino. Sadly, the house has since been demolished and a new home build in it’s place. Luckily, we we able photograph it prior to it’s demolition.

LOCATION: 16801 Encino Hills Dr, Encino, CA 91436

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

July 21, 2017March 17, 2024 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

James Cameron’s iconic sci-fi action sequel, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” shot all around California, primarily in the Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley and Fremont areas. Here we’ll take a look at some of these spots.

The T-1000 travels back in time and arrives underneath the 6th St bridge in Downtown Los Angeles, where he kills a police officer and takes his car, beginning his search for John Conner. The 6th St Bridge has been used in countless films. The original bridge was demolished in 2016, with a new bridge built in its place in 2022. The area where the scene took place has changed quite a bit.

LOCATION: Under the 6th St. Bridge, at the intersection of lower E 6th St / Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (heavily remodeled)

John Conner lives at this house in Canoga Park with his foster parents. The T-1000 later arrives searching for John.

LOCATION: 19828 Valerio St, Canoga Park, CA 91306

John Conner and a friend rob an ATM at this former bank in Van Nuys, California. The building is now a pharmacy and is fenced off from the street, with no trespassing signs. It’s still fairly easy to photograph from the sidewalk, however.

LOCATION: 14400 Roscoe Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91402

After the T-1000 spots John Conner, he begins to pursue him, as John flees down the stairwell of a parking garage. This is a garage at the Santa Monica Place shopping center. Despite appearances, it’s actually not too difficult to match up the areas used in the film.

LOCATION: 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, CA 90401

John races over to his bike.

The T-1000 chases him at an inhuman speed.

A look at some other shots seen during the bike chase…

In one of the most famous scenes in the film, after thinking he’s finally escaped the T-1000, due to some help from the T-800, John is surprised when the T-1000 drives a semi truck through the overpass wall of Bull Creek, a flood control channel located in North Hills.

LOCATION: Bull Creek, SW corner of Plummer St, near Hayvenhurst Ave, North Hills, CA, 91343

Here is a view of the Bull Creek channel, where John Conner is chased on his dirt bike by the T-1000.

After The Terminator saves John Conner, Conner asks him to stop the bike at this alley in Van Nuys, where he questions him on his mission. The alley is located very close to the bank where John Conner robs the ATM.

LOCATION: Alley on Wakefield Ave, between Burton St and Roscoe Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91402

Sarah Conner, played by Linda Hamilton, is being held at the Pescadero State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. These scenes were shot at the Phoenix House for Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation. We did not replicate the exact angles seen of the building in the film, as those sections are now entirely obscured by a row of trees.

LOCATION: 11600 Eldridge Ave, Lake View Terrace, CA 91342

Sarah has a dream in which she approaches a playground as Judgment Day begins. This was filmed at Elysian Park, overlooking Dodger Stadium and Downtown Los Angeles. The park has changed quite a bit and the chain link fence is long gone, but the city skyline can still be matched up. This area is near Elysian Fields on Park Road, where it ends in a cul-de-sac. The playground has been moved up closer to the road and the area seen in the film is now a lookout point.

LOCATION: Near Elysian Fields, Park Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (GPS coordinates: 34°04’56.8″N, 118°14’23.4″W)

The T-800, Sarah and John stop off at this desert market and gas station, as they make their way to the Salceda ranch. Although long since closed, the property is still recognizable from the film. However, a fence has since been erected around it, blocking some of the views. The same building was featured in the film “From Dusk Till Dawn.”

LOCATION: 46551 140th St E, Lancaster, CA 93535

The house of Miles Dyson, played by Joe Morton, can be found in Malibu. The home sits up a long, gated driveway, so the only views are looking up from Pacific Coast Highway. The same home appeared in the film “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!”

LOCATION: 30068 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

Later in the film, the Terminator, John and Sarah Conner all break into the Cyberdine Headquarters, where Skynet will be created, launching Judgment Day. The real building is located in Northern California in the city of Fremont. Ironically, the building actually belongs to a real tech company, Mattson Technology.

LOCATION: 47131 Bayside Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538

A closer look at the entrance, where the SWAT truck crashes through.

The exterior of the factory where the ending takes place can be found in Long Beach. The same building appeared in the film “Child’s Play 2.”

LOCATION: 118 Pier S Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802

We leave you with some props from the film. The T-1000’s crowbar arms, stabbing finger and liquid metal bullet wound can be found on display at Planet Hollywood in Florida.

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

Wonder Boys (2000)

July 18, 2017December 13, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Curtis Hanson’s excellent, overlooked 2000 film “Wonder Boys” takes place within the literary circles of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the film was also shot. The film ranks among Hanson’s finest works and features an impressive, ensemble cast. We highly recommend it if you’ve never seen it.

This house is where Michael Douglas’ character lives in the film, disheveled and struggling to finish writing his second book.

LOCATION: 359 S Atlantic Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Later in the film, the confrontation with “Vernon Hardapple” takes place in the parking lot of this bowling alley. The bowling alley is also seen in the Farrelly Brothers comedy “Kingpin,” where Woody Harrelson’s character loses his hand.

LOCATION: 25 New York Ave, Rochester, PA 15074

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

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