Erin Brockovich (2000)

June 23, 2020June 23, 2020 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2000 film “Erin Brockovich,” starring Julia Roberts and directed by Steven Soderbergh, tells the story of a woman who uncovers a water contamination case in the town of Hinkley, California. Based on true events, the production did indeed shoot in the actual town, which is commendable for its efforts at location accuracy, since there are areas closer to Los Angeles that could’ve stood in.

Erin’s house can be found in Ventura, California.

LOCATION: 545 Emma Ave, Ventura, CA 93003

Erin picks up her kids from the babysitter next door. The house really is directly next door to Erin’s house. After the babysitter moves out, George, played by Aaron Eckhart, moves in and begins babysitting Erin’s kids.

LOCATION: 555 Emma Ave, Ventura, CA 93003

Erin takes her kids to this restaurant, where she makes an excuse for not eating, in order to cover up the fact she doesn’t have enough money to cover a meal for herself.

LOCATION: 3159 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93003

Erin gets a job a Ed Masry’s office, which can be found in Reseda.

LOCATION: 18645 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335

After deciding to research the case further, Erin makes her way to the town of Hinkley, California, passing by the gas and electric company.

LOCATION: 35863 Fairview Rd, Hinkley, CA 92347

Located just past the gas company is the house of Donna Jensen, played by Marg Helgenberger. There’s not much to see from the road, as the properties are obscured by trees.

LOCATION: Fairview Rd, Hinkley, CA 92347 (just after the gas buildings)

Erin visits the water board in an attempt to find incriminating records.

LOCATION: 26949 Cote St, Boron, CA 93516

Erin interviews more possible victims of toxic water at this home, located in Boron.

LOCATION: 26821 John St, Boron, CA 93516

She encounters a woman who initially refuses to participate in the case at this home.

LOCATION: 12130 Kostopolous Ave, Boron, CA 93516

A judge decides the case merits going to trial at the Barstow Superior Court.

LOCATION: 235 E Mountain View St, Barstow, CA 92311

Ed Masry holds a meeting with a group of upset plaintiffs at this building, located in Boron.

LOCATION: Near the intersection of Boron Ave / John St, Boron, CA 93516 (GPS coordinates: 34°59’47.3″N 117°39’00.6″W)

Late in the film, Erin meets with George at this motel.

LOCATION: 24147 Twenty Mule Team Rd, Boron, CA 93516

The Karate Kid (1984)

August 4, 2017March 19, 2020 / 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.

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.

Boogie Nights (1997)

July 23, 2017August 15, 2019 / 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 restaurant has undergone renovations since the film was shot and looks a bit different these days.

LOCATION: 12036 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

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

Film Oblivion

Movie and TV locations, points of interest.

Reseda

Erin Brockovich (2000)

The Karate Kid (1984)

Boogie Nights (1997)