The 2014 Tim Burton film “Big Eyes” was shot in Northern California, Hawaii and Vancouver, Canada. The Golden Gate Bridge is seen as Margaret Keane, played by Amy Adams, drives. The bridge is one of the most often seen locations in film, having appeared in “Vertigo,” “The Rock,” “Zodiac,” “Pacific Rim,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Terminator: Genisys,” “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” “Superman: The Movie,” “San Andreas,” “A View To A Kill,” “Dirty Harry,” “Hulk,” “Lords Of Dogtown,” “The Bridge” and many more.
LOCATION: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA
Margaret paints at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The same location appears in many films, such as “The Rock,” “Vertigo,” “The Room,” “So I Married an Axe Murder,” “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” and more.
LOCATION: 3301 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Margaret marries Walter Keane, played by Christoph Waltz, at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki, Hawaii. The hotel has been featured in numerous films, such as “Punch-Drunk Love,” “From Here To Eternity,” “Goin’ Coconuts” and “Gidget Goes Hawaiian,” as well as such TV shows as “Mad Men,” “Hawaii Five-O,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Charlie’s Angels” and more.
LOCATION: Royal Hawaiian Hotel, 2259 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
This area near the bakery at the hotel is also seen in the film.
The Keane’s home can be found at 6187 Collingwood Pl, Vancouver, BC V6N 1V2, Canada.
The Hawaiian home of Margaret was filmed at the Grace Cook House, which has historical landmark status in Honolulu.
LOCATION: 2365 Oahu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96822
The courthouse scenes were filmed at Aliʻiolani Hale in Honolulu. This side of the building, seen in the establishing shot with the statue, faces S King St.
LOCATION: Aliʻiolani Hale, 417 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813
The characters enter and exit from the opposite side of the building, facing Queen St.
The 1961 film “Blue Hawaii,” starring Elvis Presley, was shot on the islands of Oahu and Kauai. Early in the film, Malie, played by Joan Blackman, is seen getting pulled over at this intersection near Aloa Moana Park in Honolulu. The gate on the left side of the street, seen in the film, still stands.
LOCATION: Ala Moana Park Dr / Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814
Here is the area where Malie pulls over and speaks with the police officer, just slightly past the previous location.
LOCATION: Ala Moana Park Dr, Honolulu, HI 96814 (GPS coordinates: 21°17’16.2″N, 157°50’37.6″W)
After Malie picks up Chad, played by Elvis Presley, they are seen driving past the Diamond Head Lighthouse. The lighthouse is still there, but the trees have grown much taller since then, so only the very top is visible from the area seen in the film.
LOCATION: Diamond Head Lighthouse, 3399 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Here is a closer view of the lighthouse.
Chad’s shack doesn’t actually exist, but the area where is was filmed is Hanauma Bay, a famous tourist spot in Honolulu. Many of the landscapes in the background can still be matched up. Chad and Malie are seen standing in front of this area. Chad later performs a song here too. As mentioned, Hanauma Bay is a very popular spot, so much so that visitation for tourists requires advanced reservations. Local residents are able to visit without reservations.
LOCATION: Hanauma Bay, 100 Hanauma Bay Rd, Honolulu, HI 96825
Here is another area seen while Chad performs a song.
Chad and Malie have a picnic at Tantalus Lookout in Puu Ualakaa State Park. This mountain range is seen behind them when they arrive.
LOCATION: Tantalus Lookout, Puu Ualakaa State Park, Nutridge St, Honolulu, HI 96822
Tantalus Lookout is another famous tourist spot, overlooking Honolulu.
Here is the area where they sit and have their picnic.
Much like the previous installments, the 2018 sequel “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” filmed largely in Hawaii, with some additional filming in England. After the events of “Jurassic World,” the island of Isla Nulabar is heavily damaged and mostly abandoned. A team of mercenaries arrive on the island to collect DNA as a volcano nears eruption.
Ken Wheatley, played by Ted Levine, leads a team on an expedition back into Jurassic World. Owen, played by Chris Pratt, and Claire, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, join the expedition to track down the dinosaurs, in hopes of relocating them to a new sanctuary. The convoy travels across this valley, which is seen in both “Jurassic Park” during the gallimimus stampede and in “Jurassic World,” when the boys ride a train out to the Gyrosphere area. This area can be found on Kualoa Ranch in Oahu, Hawaii.
LOCATION: Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Much like in “Jurassic World,” the mountains seen here have a railway added via CGI.
The team arrives at this bunker, where they are able to get inside and activate the dinosaur tracking system. The set from the film remains in tact at Kualoa Ranch.
Just as depicted in the film, right next to the bunker is the mountain top where the volcano threatens to blow throughout the film. If you’re facing the bunker set, it is located directly on the left.
There are a wide variety of tours available at Kualoa Ranch, more than one of which is film related. We recommend the Premier Movie Site Tour, as it takes you to many filming locations exclusively featured on that particular tour. If you make it out to Hawaii, it is a highly recommended place to visit.
In the 2017 comedy “Snatched,” Amy Schumer plays a woman named Emily, who travels with her mother, played by Goldie Hawn, to Ecuador. The two find themselves kidnapped and taken to Colombia. After escaping, they find a local bar and call the U.S. State Department. At the bar, they also find an American who agrees to take them to a U.S. Embassy in Bogota.
The bar scenes were filmed near the Moli’i Fishpond on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, which is adjacent to Kualoa Ranch. The ranch in fact owns this land and it has been featured in many films, including “50 First Dates,” “Jurassic World,” “Triple Frontier,” “Tears of the Sun,” “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” “You, Me and Dupree” and the TV show “Lost.” There is a sign in front of the building identifying it as the location from the film.
LOCATION: 49-243 Kuukama St, Kailua, HI 96734
There are a couple ways to see this area. The local shops near the pond, which rent their buildings from Kualoa Ranch, offer tours of their own near the water for a small fee. However, the Premier Movie Site Tour offered by Kualoa Ranch itself stops at this area and covers it in detail, which is our recommended way to see it.
The famous beach from the movie “From Here to Eternity,” known as Halona Beach Cove, can be found on the Southeast shore on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The beach is located just off the Kalanianaʻole Hwy (HI-72), but nearby parking can be limited during peak tourist times. The beach itself is only accessible by hiking down the rocks.
The 2004 comedy “50 First Dates” was filmed primarily in Oahu, Hawaii, with some additional scenes filmed in Southern California.
The Hukilau Cafe, where Henry, played by Adam Sandler, first meets Lucy, played by Drew Barrymore, was a set built for the film. Contrary to some information online, it no longer exists. It was filmed near the Moli’i Fishpond, which is adjacent to Kualoa Ranch. The ranch in fact owns this land and it has been featured in many films, including “Jurassic World,” “Triple Frontier,” “Snatched,” “Tears of the Sun,” “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” “You, Me and Dupree” and the TV show “Lost.” There are some buildings there, but they were not used as the restaurant set, which was torn down after filming.
There are a couple ways to see this area. The local shops near the pond, which rent their buildings from Kualoa Ranch, offer tours of their own near the water for a small fee. However, the Premier Movie Site Tour offered by Kualoa Ranch itself stops at this area and covers it in detail, which is our recommended way to see it. Here is a view of the general area where the cafe set was built.
LOCATION: 49-243 Kuukama St, Kailua, HI 96734
Here is a small sign nearby marking it as the filming location.
It is a challenge to find the house of Lucy and even more of a challenge to photograph it. The easiest way to pinpoint the general area is to find the Waikane Store on Kamehameha Hwy, located at 48-377 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744. There is an unnamed road sitting right beside the store, which leads to Lucy’s house. However, where the road dead ends, you still can’t see the house very well. Here instead is an aerial view of the property.
The pier, known as Waikane Pier, also appeared in the TV show “Lost.” Only remnants of it exist now. Further out in the water, you can see a small island known as Mokolii, which can also be seen in the film. It is a popular photo spot for tourists.
The road where Henry keeps finding creative ways to stop Lucy can be found on Kualoa Ranch. Countless other films have shot in this area, ranging from “Jurassic Park” to “Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle” to “Windtalkers.” If we have one complaint about the Kualoa Ranch tours (which are otherwise great), even on their Premier Movie Site Tour, they drive through this area rather quickly and do not stop. This makes getting decent photographs a challenge.
LOCATION: Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Later in the film, Lucy is admitted to the Callahan Institute for Brain Injuries. This was filmed at the Cabrillo Beach Bath House in San Pedro, California. The same location was famously featured in the film “Face/Off.”
LOCATION: 3800 Stephen M White Dr, San Pedro, CA 90731
The Cabrillo Beach Bath House interiors were also used in the film. The staff is very friendly there and welcoming to the public, so don’t hesitate to visit.
The 2017 film “Kong: Skull Island” filmed at a variety of locations around the world, including Australia, Vietnam and Hawaii. Over at Kualoa Ranch in Oahu, there are a couple interesting set pieces from the film.
First up is the bone graveyard. These props made by the production were unfortunately not built to last. As they remain exposed to the elements year round, they are slowly deteriorating. The props will not likely be displayed in this manor long term, but for now they can be seen on the ranch’s movie tours.
LOCATION: Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744
In the Jungle area of the ranch, there is one more location from the film; the site of the helicopter crash.
A few more bone props are stored in the prop building at the ranch.
If you’re a fan of filming locations and make it to Hawaii, Kuloa Ranch is an oasis, hosting dozens of memorable films. There are a wide variety of tours available at the ranch, more than one of which are film related. We recommend the Premier Movie Site Tour, as it takes you to many locations that are only seen on that particular tour. The Hollywood tour, while cheaper, skips many locations around the ranch.
While much of J.C. Chandor’s 2019 heist film “Triple Frontier” is set in South America, it was mostly filmed in O’ahu, Hawaii, with a few scenes filmed in Colombia and the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.
Ben Affleck’s character is introduced unsuccessfully trying to sell a property to prospective buyers at Pae Ko Gardens in Kapolei. As he exits, Oscar Isacc is outside waiting to speak with him.
LOCATION: 91-1040 Kaiau Ave, Kapolei, HI 96707
The two stand in the parking lot and talk.
Just a few blocks away is Ben Affleck’s house in the film, where he is only allowed in the garage.
LOCATION: 91-228 Pilipiliula Pl, Kapolei, HI 96707
The camera is mostly positioned inside the garage, looking out towards the neighboring houses across the street.
LOCATION: 91-229 / 91-225 Pilipiliula Pl, Kapolei, HI 96707
As Affleck drives his daughter to school, he stops by a convenience store. The real building is currently a restaurant.
LOCATION: 91-775 Papipi Rd, Ewa Beach, HI 96706
He then drops his daughter off at school, which was filmed at Samuel Wilder King Intermediate School in Kaneohe.
LOCATION: 46-155 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744
The freeway establishing shot in South America is actually the iconic Interstate H-3 in O’ahu, also known as the John A. Burns Freeway, which crosses east and west over the Southeast side of the island. The freeway is known for it’s viaducts running alongside the lush Hawaiian landscape. We could not replicate the aerial view seen in the film, but here is a view of the freeway from one of the nearby neighborhoods.
LOCATION: Interstate H-3, Kaneohe, HI 96744
This is the view actually driving the H-3. Some visual effects were used in the film to add a small village near the road.
The house where the heist takes place was a composite of a couple different locations. The main building is part of the historic Clarence H. Cooke Residence, which can be found on Old Pali Road in Honolulu. It’s actually almost directly across the street from George Clooney’s house in “The Descendants.” Unfortunately, the building seen in the film is not visible from the road.
The gate and surrounding jungle seen in the film were actually filmed at Kualoa Ranch (49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744). Unfortunately, the area where the gate set was built was not identified on their movie tour. Here is a view of the real gate to the Clarence H. Cooke Residence, which of course was never seen from this residential view in the film.
LOCATION: Clarence H. Cooke Residence, 3860 Old Pali Rd, Honolulu, HI 96817
The crew can be seen having drinks at this cottage, which sits near the the Moli’i Fishpond in Kailua. The property is actually owned by Kualoa Ranch. This cottage building can also be seen in the Bruce Willis film “Tears of the Sun.” The surrounding buildings and pond have also been featured in many movies, such as “Jurassic World,” “50 First Dates,” “Snatched,” “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” “You, Me and Dupree” and TV show “Lost.”
This area, while private, can be seen as part of the Premier Movie Site Tour of Kualoa Ranch. It’s worth mentioning that parts can also by seen by visiting the local shops near the pond, which rent their buildings from Kualoa Ranch. They offer tours of their own near the water for a small fee, but the Premier Movie Site Tour offered by the ranch is our recommended way to see it.
LOCATION: 49-243 Kuukama St, Kailua, HI 96734
The helicopter crash site was filmed on the main property of Kualoa Ranch. Their tours do not go up close to the exact site, but they do pass nearby and offer a view in the distance. A couple buildings from the film, seen on the left side, are still standing. Countless productions have also filmed in this area, including the 1998 remake of “Mighty Joe Young,” “Windtalkers” and dozens more.
LOCATION: Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744
In 2015’s “Jurassic World,” the story takes us back to Isla Nublar, the same fictional island from the original “Jurassic Park,” supposedly located off the coast of Costa Rica. The locations are a composite of multiple places, including Louisiana and Hawaii. Filming largely took place at Kualoa Ranch in O’ahu, where as the original film also shot, albeit to a lesser extent.
As the ferry takes the boys to the island, the establishing shot shows the majestic Nā Pali Coast on the North Shore of Kauaʻi. There are a variety of ways to see the coast, including boat and helicopter tours. Some areas can also be hiked.
LOCATION: Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
The escalators where the boys head to their room is on the island of O’ahu at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. The same escalators were featured in the TV series “Lost.”
LOCATION: 1801 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
The helicopter pad where Claire, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, is picked up is at Kualoa Ranch in Oahu, where the original “Jurassic Park” also filmed scenes. The pad set was initially kept after filming was completed, but eventually the ranch decided to remove it, as many helicopters travel the nearby air space and they had concerns one of them might confuse it for an actual landing pad. Many of the locations around Kualoa Ranch have signs such as this posted, identifying which films shot where.
LOCATION: Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744
The helicopter pad is featured in a number of scenes throughout the film. Quite a bit of CGI was added, to include the buildings and train rail featured in the park. In the distance is the Moli’i Fishpond, also part of the Kualoa Ranch property, which is featured in several other scenes in the film.
The Indominus rex paddock set was also built on Kualoa Ranch, which does still stand. There are a wide variety of tours available at the ranch, more than one of which are film related. We recommend the Premier Movie Site Tour, as it takes you to many locations from this and other films that are only seen on that particular tour. The Hollywood tour, while cheaper, skips many locations on the ranch.
Here is the interior of the deck overlooking the Indominus Rex paddock.
A view of the deck from the exterior.
In a later scene, Claire brings Owen, played by Chris Pratt, to the paddock, where they initially believe the Indominus rex may have escaped. The claw marks Owen points out are still there.
The Moli’i Fishpond is where the giant mosasaurus emerges from the water and eats the shark. Quite a bit of CGI was added to the scene. The Moli’i Fishpond area has been featured in many movies, such as “Triple Frontier,” “50 First Dates,” “Snatched,” “Tears of the Sun,” “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” “You, Me and Dupree,” as well as the TV show “Lost.” Here is a sign identifying the mosasaurus scene.
LOCATION: 49-243 Kuukama St, Kailua, HI 96734
It’s also on the banks of the Moli’i Fishpond where Owen’s bungalow and trailer set was built, though it has since been removed. It’s worth mentioning that parts of this area can also by seen by visiting the local shops near the pond, which rent their buildings from Kualoa Ranch. They offer tours of their own near the water for a small fee, but the Premier Movie Site Tour offered by the ranch is still our recommended way to see it.
As the boys ride a train out to the Gyrosphere area, they pass a valley where gallimimus are running alongside a vehicle. This is a nod to the original film, where Dr. Grant and the two children run from a gallimimus stampede, which was filmed in the exact same location at Kualoa Ranch. The same valley pops on again in the sequel “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” when a convoy travels on an expedition into the park.
The mountains seen here have a railway added via CGI.
In the Jungle area of Kualoa Ranch, there is a stream that runs through, which is where the scenes of the Indominus rex attacking park security took place. Unfortunately, their tours quickly drive past this location, so you have to be quick trying to get photos.
The set where the boys wait in line for the Gyrosphere ride also still stands at Kualoa Ranch, with a stunning backdrop looking out over the ocean.
The scenes of the boys wandering the park in the Gyroscope were filmed at Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kauaʻi. This is the same ranch where the brachiosaurus is first seen in the original “Jurassic Park.” It also appeared in the sequels “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic Park III.” For years, the ranch remained closed to the public, proving to be one of the most elusive and sought-after locations for fans of the franchise. That changed in 2019, when the ranch began offering public tours for the first time. The tours were unfortunately suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic, but they may resume in the future.
The scene of the boys riding around with the dinosaurs was actually a composite of a couple different areas. This is the field they initially traverse.
LOCATION: Jurassic Kahili Ranch, 5-1771D, Kuhio Hwy, Kilauea, HI 96754
The filmmakers also wanted these mountains in the distance of several shots, which are in fact located in the same general area, but not from all of the specific angles seen in the film. Visual effects were employed to place the mountains into the desired areas of the shots.
The boys then notice an area of the perimeter fence that has a gate open. This set piece was left standing at the completion of the film, at the request of the ranch. The gate really does open and it’s heavier than you might expect.
LOCATION: 22.173597, -159.398782
Here is a wider view of the full set piece.
This is the view of the other side of the gate, where the boys look down. There is also a reverse shot looking back up towards the open fence at the Gyrosphere. This trail was made specifically for the film, to allow in equipment and crew and achieve the desired shots. The tour itself does not go down this trail, but guests are allowed to walk up on foot and take a closer look, if they’re so inclined.
As Claire and Owen go searching for the boys, they encounter a dying apatosaurus, which had the misfortune of encountering the Indominus rex. This was also filmed at Jurassic Kahili Ranch.
They then discover more dead dinosaurs lying scattered across this hill, realizing the Indominus is killing for sport.
In the closing shot of the film, the T-rex emerges from this area onto the helicopter pad, back at Kualoa Ranch in O’ahu.
Here is one of the vehicles seen in the film. It was actually owned by Kualoa Ranch prior to production. When the filmmakers saw it, they asked to use it in the film.
If you get a chance to visit Hawaii, we highly recommend Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kauaʻi and Kualoa Ranch in O’ahu. Both offer spectacular views and very recognizable locations from not only this film, but the original “Jurassic Park” as well. As a reminder, these are private ranches closed to the general public for unauthorized experiences. Please do not trespass. The only way to see them is by booking a tour.
Thanks to Sean Mello for providing the GPS coordinates of the fence.
Steven Spielberg’s classic 1993 film “Jurassic Park” takes place on the fictional island of Isla Nublar, supposedly near Costa Rica. The real locations were filmed mostly in Hawaii, on the islands of Kauaʻi, O’ahu and Maui, with some additional scenes filmed on studio lots near Hollywood, California.
The Velociraptor pen seen in the film was a set built at Limahuli Garden & Preserve in Northern Kauaʻi. It was removed after filming and a visitor’s center building now stands in it’s place. However, the mountains in the background can still be matched up. If you want to visit the garden itself, it has a very small parking lot that fills up quickly, so advanced reservations are recommended.
LOCATION: Limahuli Garden & Preserve, National Tropical Botanical Garden, 5-8291 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714
Grant and Ellie, played by Sam Neill and Laura Dern, are introduced discovering dinosaur fossils at a dig site supposedly located in the Badlands, near Snakewater, Montana. These scenes were actually filmed at Red Rock Canyon State Park in Cantil, California, a couple hours north of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert. To get to the area seen in the film, you can take the Red Cliffs Nature Trail from the Red Rock Cliffs Parking Area, which will lead you most of the way there. We’ve provided GPS coordinates below.
LOCATION: Red Rock Canyon State Park, Cantil, CA 93519 (GPS coordinates: 35°22’26.2″N, 117°58’18.2″W)
Here is the area where Grant talks to the young boy about the hunting techniques of the raptor.
Here is one of the angles from the area where the monitor canopy was set up. Closer to the rocks is also the area where the camper trailer is parked and Hammond, played by Richard Attenborough, opens the champagne.
This area is not seen in the film, but we’ve included it for reference to those who wish to visit. From the Red Rock Cliffs Parking Area, you start where this Red Cliffs Nature Trail sign is located. It is roughly a 20 minute hike from here, which we’d describe as moderate with some hills. Once you get over the hills from the parking lot, there is a trail most of the way. You can follow the cliffs to the left as a reference to keep your bearings most of the way. We highly recommend knowing your route before you go, as cellular service is spotty. We also recommend plenty of water and avoiding hiking during excessive heat.
Nedry, played by Wayne Knight, meets Dodgson at an outdoor dining area, supposedly located in San Jose, Costa Rica. The real location is just off the Kuhio Highway in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi. There are numerous food trucks there where motorists can stop and enjoy local food. This is the spot where Dodgson first arrives by the side of the road.
LOCATION: 4-1620 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
This is the general area where Nedry and Dodgson sit and discuss plans to steal dinosaur DNA from InGen and sell it to a rival company. As you can see, the area has changed a little bit. While there are tables you can sit and eat, they are closer to the road at the food trucks. In the film, the two sit further back near the palm trees.
One of the most memorable scenes in the film is of course the first dinosaur sighting. For years, it also remained one of the most elusive locations to fans. The brachiosaurus encounter was filmed at Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kauaʻi. The land is a private ranch for horse, sheep and cattle. For decades, it did not offer tours of any kind and only a select few ever made it onto the property. That changed in 2019, when the ranch began offering public tours for the first time, including a tour dedicated to filming locations around the ranch. The tours were unfortunately suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic, but they may resume in the future. Besides the original film, “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” “Jurassic Park III” and “Jurassic World” also filmed at the ranch.
Here is where Hammond rides with Grant, Ellie and Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) in the Jeeps, as they first approach a hill towards the brachiosaurus.
LOCATION: Jurassic Kahili Ranch, 5-1771D, Kuhio Hwy, Kilauea, HI 96754
The vehicles continue driving past this row of trees.
Here is the exact spot where they first see the brachiosaurus. It is eating from the tree on the right. As iconic as this scene is, the ranch itself is so vast, it would be quite easy to miss if you didn’t know the general vicinity. However, once you’re there, if you know the film, it’s very identifiable.
LOCATION: Jurassic Kahili Ranch, 5-1771D, Kuhio Hwy, Kilauea, HI 96754, USA (GPS coordinates: 22°11’09.7″N, 159°23’19.4″W)
As Grant sits on the ground bewildered by what he’s just seen, he looks the opposite direction and sees a herd of dinosaurs at a lake. This is made to appear as if it’s right near the trees where the first brachiosaurus is seen, but in reality is a completely different part of the ranch. Visual effects were used to composite the actors into the shot, to appear to be overlooking the lake.
This was filmed at the Pu’u Ka Ele Reservoir, located on the ranch. After a breach of the nearby Ka Loko Reservoir in 2006, located about 2 miles east of the ranch, the owners decided to decommission the Pu’u Ka Ele Reservoir in 2009 and downsize it into a lake. This is how it appears now. This same lake was featured again in “Jurassic Park III,” when Dr. Grant and the survivors ride a barge along the water and pass herds of dinosaurs standing along the banks.
If you get a chance to visit Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kauaʻi, we certainly encourage you to do so if you’re a fan of the film. There are other, very recognizable locations from the other “Jurassic Park” films to be seen there as well. The staff is very friendly and welcoming to photography and video and eager for fan input on how to improve the experience. With the ranch now open to tours, it will likely grow as a tourist hot spot in the years to come.
Later in the film, a storm arrives on the island, which was filmed at Nawiliwili Harbor in Kauaʻi. The very real Hurricane Iniki hit Kauaʻi during filming in 1992. Spielberg and the cast were safely holed up at the Marriott Resort in Lihue when the hurricane struck. The hurricane resulted in many scenes initially planned for filming in Kauaʻi to be shifted to O’ahu, as well as the studio lots in California. However, they managed to use footage of the actual hurricane in the film, taken at the hotel looking out over the harbor. If you don’t want to visit the hotel, there is a nearby park, from which the harbor can also be seen pretty well.
LOCATION: Nawiliwili Harbor, Lihue, HI 96766 (seen near 3610 Rice St, Lihue, HI 96766)
The T-rex attack was filmed at Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank, California, on their tallest sound stage. The T-rex chasing Malcolm and Ellie was originally intended to be shot in Kauaʻi, however. Due to the hurricane, this scene was also shifted to the Warner lot and can sometimes be seen on their studio tours, depending on the production schedules around the lot (4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505).
Perhaps the most widely known location for this film is Kualoa Ranch in O’ahu. The Gallimimus stampede, with Grant and the two children, was not initially intended to be filmed at Kualoa Ranch. Instead it was meant to be another location in Kauaʻi. Kualoa was a replacement location, due to the hurricane. Here is the main valley at the ranch, where the stampede takes place.
LOCATION: Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744
The original log they hide behind as the T-rex hunts and eats the Gallimimus was replaced by the ranch in 2012, due to deterioration. However, the ranch still has a small piece of the original log behind the replacement. They added a sign for the film and it has since become the most popular photo location on the ranch. It’s right next to the main tour trail, so it’s very easy to access.
These mountains were seen in the background as Grant and the kids hide and watch the T-rex.
While “Jurassic Park” was not the first movie to film at Kualoa, it certainly became the most famous. After this film, countless other films, TV shows, commercials and music videos began filming on the ranch, bringing with it quite a lot of tourism. The ranch has so many filming locations, it’s almost like a studio tour. There are a wide variety of tours available at the ranch, many of which are not film related. While the locations from this film can be seen on quite a few of the tours, we recommend the Premier Movie Site Tour, as it takes you to many locations from other films that are only seen on that particular tour.
If you get a chance to visit Hawaii, there are quite a few “Jurassic Park” locations to be seen. Some are quite a challenge to visit, however, involving hiking or private helicopter rides as the only way to reach them. For the casual fan, we recommend Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kauaʻi and Kualoa Ranch in O’ahu. Both offer spectacular views and very recognizable locations from multiple different “Jurassic Park” films. As a reminder, these are private ranches closed to the general public for unauthorized experiences. Please do not trespass. The only way to see them is by booking a tour.
Thanks to Sean Mello for providing the GPS coordinates of the brachiosaurus tree.
To see our “Jurassic Park” location page, click here.
Film Oblivion 