Licorice Pizza (2021)

January 15, 2022December 4, 2022 / filmoblivion / 2 Comments

The 2021 Paul Thomas Anderson film “Licorice Pizza” is set in the 1970s San Fernando Valley, with the production likewise staying pretty faithful to that area. This article contains some minor spoilers, so we only recommend reading if you’ve seen the film.

The opening scene where Alana, played by Alana Haim, first meets Gary, played by Cooper Hoffman, was filmed at Gaspar De Portola Middle School in Tarzana. There are a couple of similar looking corridors located at the school. Alana walks near the southwest corner, facing the towards Linnet St. The same school appeared in the films “Thirteen,” “Crazy, Stupid, Love” and “Akeelah and the Bee.”

LOCATION: 18720 Linnet St, Tarzana, CA 91356

Gary eats at this hot dog stand, where he tells Greg he met the girl he’s going to marry one day.

LOCATION: 9039 Lindley Ave, Northridge, CA 91325

Gary’s house can be found in North Hollywood.

LOCATION: 7902 Goodland Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91605

The Tail O’ The Cock scenes were filmed inside the former Billingsley’s Restaurant, located on the grounds of the Van Nuys Golf Course. While the restaurant closed in 2004, it remains in tact and Anderson previously used the same location for his film “Magnolia.” Some websites state the Tail O’ The Cock scenes were filmed at Barone’s, but this is incorrect. These exterior shots of the building were kindly provided to us courtesy of Ingo Schmoll (schmollywood1).

LOCATION: 6550 Odessa Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Alana’s house can also be found in North Hollywood, on a cul de sac located very close to the scenes where Gary and Alana run together later in the film.

LOCATION: 12801 Miranda St, North Hollywood, CA 91607

The wig shop where Gary first sees a waterbed for sale is located in Canoga Park. The store is currently vacant, but the lettering on the windows from the film is still there.

LOCATION: 21819 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303

You can see the nursery & hardware sign behind him as he enters the store.

The Teen-Age Fair scenes were filmed at the Hollywood Palladium. Gary and his friends are seen loading in from the side entrance on Argyle Ave. Police mistakenly arrest Gary because his description matches another suspect.

LOCATION: 6215 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Gary is taken to the police station, where he is seen in this hallway. The real building is actually a youth center in Hollywood.

LOCATION: 6501 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Alana is seen across the street.

After a witness confirms Gary is not the suspect, he is released. Gary and Alana start running from this point.

They are seen running together down Cole Pl.

LOCATION: Cole Pl / Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

The film seamlessly jumps to North Hollywood and the two continue running along Burbank Blvd, with Bellaire Ave visible behind them. To find the exact area, look for this spot where there is a second fence running perpendicular, with the building on the left and towers. They as seen running past these exact spots. This is close to the location of Alana’s house.

LOCATION: 12755 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91607

After Alana gets an advertisement on the radio for Gary’s water bed business, sales pick up as they start shipping out numerous orders. They load a truck from this location in Studio City. This is just behind Ventura Blvd, at the rear alley near Laurel Terrace Dr.

LOCATION: 12444 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Here is where the UPS truck is parked. Alana then heads back inside and yells at the other boys for not helping her carry the dolly up the stairs.

This is also where the film’s poster image was shot, with Alana and Gary standing in front of a car, facing the camera

Gary opens his own store, Fat Bernie’s, selling waterbeds. Later in the film, Gary re-brands his business as the Pinball Palace, using the same location. The actual storefront can be found in Chatsworth.

LOCATION: 21758 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA 91311

Here is the front of the store, seen numerous times in the film.

We were actually able to visit the set of the film back when production was taking place. Here you can see the Fat Bernie’s signs and the crew prepping the location.

Here’s a look at the interior, which is also featured heavily in the film.

Alana follows Gary to the back of the store, as she jealously watches him take interest in another girl.

Alana, angered by Gary’s behavior, walks along the side of the building and kisses a random guy on the sidewalk. Here’s how the area appeared in the film, with the Jurgensen’s Grocery Co. advertisement painted on the wall.

Here’s the same area, repainted as it appears since filming completed.

The back of the store appears again when they load up the truck to leave the store.

Alana auditions for Jack Holden, played by Sean Penn (reciting dialogue from the film “Breezy“), inside the Church of the Chimes in Sherman Oaks. The scene is only shown from interior views in the film. The property, which consists of several buildings, has also appeared in the film “Stepfather II: Make Room for Daddy,” as well as the TV shows “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” “The Office” and “Scrubs.”

LOCATION: 14115 Magnolia Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

The scenes where Jack Holden does a motorcycle stunt were filmed at the the Van Nuys Golf Course (6550 Odessa Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406).

As the gas crisis takes hold, Gary runs past a line of cars waiting to fuel up near the intersection of Victory Blvd and Lindley Ave in Tarzana, overlooking the L.A. River.

LOCATION: Near Victory Blvd / Lindley Ave, Tarzana, CA 91335

The camera follows him running up to the gas station, which is known as Signal Gasoline in the film. In reality, it’s not a gas station at all, rather a mechanic’s shop and smog check station.

LOCATION: 18102 Victory Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91335

The eccentric Jon Peters, played by Bradley Cooper, lives at this home in Encino, where Alana and Gary deliver a water bed.

LOCATION: 4450 Balboa Ave, Encino, CA 91316

While the home is located on a public road, it sits at the top of a long driveway up a dead end hillside and is not really visible from the street. There are additional views around the property available online via old real estate listings.

Alana and Gary give Jon Peters a ride to this gas station in Encino. The geography laid out in the film is somewhat plausible, in that Jon Peters’ home really is at the top of the hill on the road to the left. However, in the film, it is depicted as a long, steep and winding road, when in reality, it is a relatively short, straight path up Balboa Ave. The two locations are in near proximity, however.

LOCATION: 16900 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316

The actual winding road seen in the film is Palo Drive in Tarzana, near Rosita Street. This is where Gary smashes up Jon Peters’ car, only to realize their truck has run out of gas, forcing Alana to coast down a series of hills, back down to the gas station. Here is the curve they are seen taking in the film. The house in the background behind the trees and shrubs appeared in the film “Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood,” for the back yard scenes of Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski’s home.

LOCATION: Palo Dr, Tarzana, CA 91356 (GPS coordinates: 34°09’26.5″N, 118°33’26.4″W)

Here is the area where Jon Peters’ car was parked.

Here is another view of the general area where the car was parked.

Alana says in the film if she can make the light at Ventura, she can make a right and get them to the gas station. This is again geographically accurate, as the truck is seen turning at the intersection of Genesta Ave and Ventura Blvd, which turning right does indeed put you about one block from the gas station used in the film.

LOCATION: Ventura Blvd / Genesta Ave, Los Angeles, CA 91316

Afterwards, Alana sits on this curb in front of the Encino Post Office. Jon Peters walks by and throws a garbage can through the front window of the store next to it, before turning around to flirt with some women walking past. The real property does provide mails services, but is not a post office.

LOCATION: 18034 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316 (Jon Peters breaks the window out of 18034 1/2 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316)

Alana begins volunteering at the campaign offices of Joel Wachs, played by Benny Safdie. The building is actually a mattress and furniture store.

LOCATION: 21702 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303

Later, she notices a man loitering across the street watching the office and confronts him.

Here is the reverse view, where Alana would have been looking out of the offices, which are mostly seen from interior views in the film.

Late in the film, Gary and Alana embrace under the marquee of the El Portal theater in North Hollywood. For those hoping to catch a screening there, the theater does not host theatrical films, rather stage productions by local performing artists.

LOCATION: 5269 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

We leave you with a few more behind the scenes shots of some of the production design from when we visited the shoot. This was all around the Fat Bernie’s location in Chatsworth.

Spun (2002)

June 27, 2021December 10, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2002 Jonas Akerlund film “Spun” was filmed in Southern California, with much of the production taking place in the San Fernando Valley. The house of Spider Mike, played by John Leguizamo, can be found in Sylmar.

LOCATION: 12799 Telfair Ave, Sylmar, CA 91342

The home is not derelict like it appears in the film.

The motel where Nikki and The Cook, played by Brittany Murphy and Mickey Rourke respectively, stay throughout the film can be found in Pacoima.

LOCATION: 10225 San Fernando Rd, Pacoima, CA 91331

Ross, played by Jason Schwartzman, visits this strip club in North Hollywood, which is only seen from interior views in the film.

LOCATION: 6630 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Nikki takes her dog to a pet clinic, which is a real business in Sun Valley.

LOCATION: 11814 Sheldon St, Sun Valley, CA 91352

The liquor store The Cook visits is referred to by name as Circus Liquor in the film. However, it is not the more famous location on Vineland in North Hollywood with the large clown sign, seen in such films as “Clueless.” It was a different location, which is no longer a Circus Liquor.

LOCATION: 6417 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Near the end of the film, Ross meets up with his ex-girlfriend at Pershing Square in Downtown Los Angeles.

LOCATION: 532 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

2 Days In The Valley (1996)

May 24, 2020October 5, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1996 film “2 Days in the Valley” tells the story of the lives of several characters intersecting, as the title suggests, over two days in the San Fernando Valley. The wealthy art dealer Allan Hopper, played by Greg Crutwell, becomes sick in the streets next to a night club. This scene was shot in Sherman Oaks.

LOCATION: 13615 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Here is the view across the street where Allan’s car was parked.

LOCATION: 13616 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Two detectives, played by Jeff Daniels and Eric Stoltz, stake out a massage parlor. Wes Taylor, played by Stoltz, questions whether the stakeout is a suitable use of their time, while Alvin Strayer, played by Daniels, insists it is important.

LOCATION: 6343 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91606

The two conduct their stakeout from a convenience store across the street.

LOCATION: 6364 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Dosmo Pizzo, played by Danny Aiello, seeks refuge at the home of Allan Hooper. The home, which sits on a hillside in Studio City, is not visible from the road. Here is a glimpse of the entrance.

LOCATION: 3354 Wrightwood Dr, Studio City, CA 91604

One of the most memorable scenes in the film is the fight between Becky Foxx, played by Teri Hatcher and Helga Svelgen, played the Charlize Theron. These scenes were filmed at the St. George Motor Inn in Tarzana. The exteriors are seen briefly, but most of the scene takes place inside one of the rooms.

LOCATION: 19454 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356

Jeff Daniels’ character becomes irate when a golf ball breaks the front window of his home. The house can be found in Studio City.

LOCATION: 4155 Bellaire Ave, Studio City, CA 91604

It really is located right across the street from a golf course, just as depicted in the film.

Too Old To Die Young

July 16, 2019September 23, 2022 / filmoblivion / 2 Comments

“Too Old to Die Young” from director Nicolas Winding Refn is, depending on how you look at it, either a TV series or a long film. Refn himself prefers to view it as the latter. Most of the production took place around the San Fernando Valley in Southern California, with some additional filming in New Mexico. Here we’ll cover the locations episode by episode. Some locations of course appear over multiple episodes. This article contains many spoilers for the show, so please do not proceed unless you’ve seen it in it’s entirety.

Volume 1 – “The Devil”

The first episode opens with Martin Jones, played by Miles Teller and his partner Larry, played by Lance Gross, standing in front of this mural along the side of a taco restaurant in Studio City.

LOCATION: 11401 Moorpark St, Studio City, CA 91602

Here is a wider view of the side of the building. The same building has appeared in the films “People Like Us” and “Up In Smoke.”

Also seen in the opening scene is this sports bar, located directly next to the taco restaurant.

LOCATION: 11411 Moorpark St, Studio City, CA 91602

Unbeknownst to Martin and Larry, they are being watched from across the street by Jesus, played by Augusto Aguilera.

Martin and Larry pull over a young woman in the parking lot of a largely abandoned shopping plaza in North Hollywood known as the Valley Plaza. The area is a popular filming location, having also recently appeared in “Captain Marvel.” The Blockbuster Video store where Carol Danvers first arrives is one of the store fronts in the background.

LOCATION: Near the intersection of Sylvian St / Vantage Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91606 (directly across from 12200 Sylvan St, North Hollywood, CA 91606)

The police car is parked in the area to the left near the tree.

After taking money from the girl they’ve pulled over, they let her go and Larry walks over towards a restaurant called “The Lone Drifter.” This is not a real establishment, rather a vacant building dressed up by the production. It too was seen in “Captain Marvel,” dressed as a music venue called “The Slow Club,” where Carol makes a call at a payphone.

Jesus is parked just beside the building, where he approaches and shoots Larry. The fire hydrant to the right is where Larry’s cell phone is recovered.

LOCATION: 2124 Sylvan St, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Martin returns fire on Jesus with the Regency Valley Plaza theater seen in the background.

After the shooting, Jesus escapes driving down Sylvian St and turning right onto Laurel Canyon Blvd. Martin calls in the shooting and surprisingly states the actual location of the scene to dispatch, rather than a fictionalized address, which is a somewhat rare occurrence in film and television.

The police station where Martin works, seen frequently throughout the show, is the Sunkist Headquarters building in Sherman Oaks. It is seen mostly from interior views in the show.

LOCATION: 14130 Riverside Dr, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

The building faces the 101 freeway and Westfield shopping mall, both of which are seen through the windows in various scenes.

Not far from the police station, Martin parks here and walks to a payphone to call Damian, played by Babs Olusanmokun. This area is the rear parking lot behind a shoe repair and dry cleaners, looking out over a gas station and bank building. There is no actual payphone there.

LOCATION: 13644 Riverside Dr, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (rear parking lot)

Damian runs his operation out of an ice skating rink in Van Nuys. The location appears many times in the show, from a variety of angles both from the interior and exterior. Here is the front entrance.

LOCATION: 14318 Calvert St, Van Nuys, CA 91401

In one scene, Martin is seen approaching past this sign.

The parking lot is featured in several scenes. First, Martin meets Damian to say he only wants to kill those who have committed horrible acts. In later episodes, Damian slices fruit with a sword and a would-be assassin named Gameboy watches as Damian and his crew perform a peculiar dance to “Ten Commandments” by Prince Buster.

Here is the corner where Devante, Jaime and Gameboy all stake out Damian’s ice rink.

LOCATION: Calvert St / Tyrone Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91401

Gameboy mistakenly takes out the wrong man, killing Celestino. He attempts to speed off, but Damian returns fire and kills him in the street.

Martin’s apartment can be found in Sherman Oaks.

LOCATION: 14426 Addison St, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Janey, played by Nell Tiger Free, lives with her father Theo, played by Stephen Baldwin at this home. The distinctive, eye shaped front window was created by the production and does not exist at the real home.

LOCATION: 1623 N Benton Way, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Later, when Martin returns home with Janey, Damian and his crew are waiting on this street corner, where they violently persuade Martin to become a hitman for them.

LOCATION: Addison St / Tilden Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Martin pays a visit to Amanda’s apartment in North Hollywood to pay her money.

LOCATION: 6837 Fulton Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91605

As Martin goes to perform the hit ordered by Damian, he parks at this liquor store.

LOCATION: 12500 Moorpark St, Studio City, CA 91604

His target is a man inside this auto shop.

LOCATION: 4350 Whitsett Ave, Studio City, CA 91604

Once inside, he finds the man nude on a couch and the two engage in a physical battle before Martin gets the upper hand.

Volume 2 – “The Lovers”

Don Ricardo’s estate, where much of episode 2 takes place, is the Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Simi Valley. The property regularly hosts weddings and special events. It is otherwise a private estate, however, only allowing guests by appointment. The only road leading to the ranch is typically gated shut with no trespassing signs, making it unfortunately closed to the public. The property has also appeared in Oliver Stone’s “Savages,” “Jobs” starring Ashton Kutcher and in the second season of “True Detective.”

LOCATION: 2940 Kuehner Dr, Simi Valley, CA 93063

Volume 3 – “The Hermit”

In episode 3, the character of Viggo, played by John Hawkes, is introduced. As he is transporting a dead body in his trunk, he suddenly runs out of gas. He pulls over to this alley in Van Nuys.

LOCATION: 14524 Hamlin St, Van Nuys, CA 91411

Not thinking clearly, Viggo locks himself out of his car. In the neighboring parking lot, gunshots suddenly ring out as an unrelated crime takes place. Viggo decides to escape on foot, leaving the key with his fingerprint inside the car. The next morning Martin arrives and discovers the key, putting him on the trail of Viggo.

LOCATION: 6417 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401 (rear parking lot)

Diana, played by Jena Malone, orchestrates Viggo’s targets and regularly meets with him at the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center. The pool has a picturesque mountain range spanning the backdrop. It is depicted as quiet and isolated in the show, but in reality, it’s a popular spot for families to visit.

LOCATION: 11798 Foothill Blvd, Lake View Terrace, CA 91342

The slide at the pool is also seen in a later episode when the two once again meet up and talk.

Martin visits the family of an abused boy to gather more information on Viggo.

LOCATION: 6616 Langdon Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Janey forces a bartender to serve her a drink despite knowing she is underage. Most of the scene is out of focus, but when she exits the building, it is revealed to be a bar inside Highland Park Bowl.

LOCATION: 5621 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Here is a view of the full exterior, although it is never seen from this angle in the show.

Janey then walks over to meet her father at an art gallery. This is geographically accurate, as the location really is just a few doors down from the bar. It is seen only from interior views in the scene. This same building has appeared in the film “Lights Out,” as well as the TV shows “Leverage” and “Battle Creek.”

LOCATION: 5601 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Martin finally tracks down Viggo and follows him to his mother’s house in Sylmar.

LOCATION: 11370 Clybourn Ave, Sylmar, CA 91342

Martin then follows Viggo to the Northridge Fashion Center, which leads him to Diana. Viggo is seen driving up this ramp. To access the exact area seen in the film, you need to go to Nordhoff St and turn into the lot near Sears. The ramp is on the left and will take you to the upper lot where the scene was shot.

LOCATION: 9301 Tampa Ave, Northridge, CA 91324

Viggo parks along the wall on the right, while Diana parks beside the lamppost in the foreground. Martin photographs them from afar, looking at this angle.

Martin is told to meet Damian at a strip mall near the house. Damian gives him a key to enter the house of his next target. The plaza can be found in Studio City.

LOCATION: 11308 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Martin meets with Viggo at the Olympic Coffee Shop in Sylmar. The two discuss what it feels like to kill. The same coffee shop has appeared in the films “Over The Top,” “Memento” and “Every Which Way But Loose,” as well as such TV series as “Bosch” and “NCIS: Los Angeles.” Across the street is another notable filming location, the motel from “The Addams Family.”

LOCATION: 12192 San Fernando Rd, Sylmar, CA 91342

Volume 4 – “The Tower”

Martin’s next target is a Korean man that he tracks down at this burger restaurant in Burbank.

LOCATION: 2320 W Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506

Martin follows the man and he pulls over here to eat a burger. As Martin pulls the gun, he finds himself conflicted about whether the man really deserves death and decides to find an alternate solution. Once again, the route they drive is geographically accurate and just a short distance from the burger restaurant.

LOCATION: 2301 W Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506

Volume 5 – “The Fool”

Episode 5 was filmed on location in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We do not yet have specific location information at this time.

Volume 6 – “The High Priestess”

Back in the Valley, Alfonso attempts to get in the good graces of Jesus by ordering a hit on Damian. He visits Devante at this auto shop in Van Nuys and hires him to perform the hit for $6,000.

LOCATION: 14101 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91401

Devante then outsources the job to Jaime for $2,000, who in turn outsources the hit to a junkie named Gameboy for $200 and some crystal meth. Gameboy stops by this apartment and does some drugs, tearing the photo of his target in two in the process and mixing up Damian with Celestino. The address is on Bakman Ave in North Hollywood, but the view seen in the show is actually the back side of the building, on an unnamed road next to the electrical towers.

LOCATION: 6607 Bakman Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91606 (rear side of the building on an unnamed road)

Gameboy is then seen passing the electrical towers and turning down Kittridge St to go kill Damian. Things do not go as planned.

Volume 7 – “The Magician”

Janey’s father Theo, played by William Baldwin, takes Martin to a screening room, where he plays a scene of a show within a show. The scene is very meta, mimicking the scene from episode 1 where Martin and Larry pull over a woman. This was filmed at an auto shop very close to the location of the final scene in the show.

LOCATION: 5547 Satsuma Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601

After Viggo helps Martin dispose of a body, Martin asks him to pull over as he vomits.

LOCATION: 8981 Bradley Ave, Sun Valley, CA 91352

Volume 8 – “The Hanged Man”

Martin and Viggo’s next target takes them to an abandoned shopping mall. This is the former Hawthorne Plaza Shopping Center. The plaza has been abandoned for years, with on-again, off-again plans for demolition. In the meantime, it has become a popular spot for filming and photography. It has been seen in such films at “Gone Girl,” “Minority Report,” “John Dies At the End,” and “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” as well as the TV series “Westworld.” The building is closed to the public and regularly patrolled by security, so unless you have permission from the city or someone filming, it is trespassing to enter the grounds. It is a popular spot for abandon building enthusiasts, however, and quite a few people have managed to get inside over the years.

LOCATION: 12124 Hawthorne Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250 (closed to the public)

The High Priestess of Death executes everyone in sight at the Sierra Pelona Motel in Santa Clarita. The motel was also used in “The Grifters,” the 2002 Britney Spears film “Crossroads” and the TV series “Westworld.” The motel is also located very close to the restaurant from “Duel.” The phone booth was not a prop and really exists at the motel.

LOCATION: 12117 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91390

Most of the killings take place in front of rooms 3 and 4.

Volume 9 – “The Empress”

In the penultimate episode, Diana has a vision which changes her eyes. She visits a mysterious woman to explain her vision and fix her eyes. All of the decor seen in the front of the shop is real and was not a flourish of the production. This location is right across the street from the scene in episode 1 where Martin and Larry pull over the young woman.

LOCATION: 6316 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Diana makes her way out to the back of the building to speak to the woman.

Volume 10 – “The World”

In the final episode, Yuritza makes her presence known as the High Priestess of Death. She sits at the corner of Satsuma Ave and Cumpston St. This is on the same street as the show within a show that Theo plays for Martin in his screening room.

LOCATION: Satsuma Ave / Cumpston St, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The final scenes were filmed at the Limelight West, an event space in North Hollywood.

LOCATION: 5453 Satsuma Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601

GLOW

July 1, 2019December 21, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The TV series “GLOW” tells the real life story of a 1980s women’s wrestling promotion called the “Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling.” The show, starring Alison Brie, was primarily set around the San Fernando Valley in Southern California for the first two seasons, before shifting to Las Vegas for the third season.

The exterior of the gym where the ladies train can be found at the San Fernando Masonic Lodge. The angle shown is from the back of the building. There is a gate on the front side preventing vehicle access to this area. There is also fencing along the back. However, there is an alley running behind the property, allowing for views of the location. The interior of the gym was a set built on a sound stage.

LOCATION: 1112 N Maclay Ave, San Fernando, CA 91340

The diner the girls frequent is Cadillac Jack’s in Sun Valley. It is no longer an active restaurant establishment, instead it is used solely as a filming location or event space. The building is actually part of the same property as the hotel used in the show and located directly beside it. The restaurant has been used in countless productions, including “Grease 2,” “The Whole Ten Yards,” the TV shows “Vanderpump Rules,” “MacGuyver” and dozens more. It has also been featured in many music videos, such as CeeLo Green’s “Forget You” and Mandy Moore’s “Candy.”

It should be noted that this location, including the hotel, has gained reputation in recent years for disliking unsolicited visitation. Cones block off most of the entrances. Due to the filming history, as well as the unique look of the property, it often attracts interest from the general public. We had no issues when we visited, but there are numerous comments online from others with more unpleasant experiences. If you do visit, keep in mind that they have apparently become sensitive about the issue and be careful not to trespass.

LOCATION: 9457 San Fernando Rd, Sun Valley, CA 91352

The girls attend a party at the house of the producer Bash. This was filmed at the Circles on the Point mansion in Malibu. The 1994 film Bruce Willis film “Color Of Night” also filmed here, as well as the TV series “Jean-Claude Van Johnson.”

LOCATION: 29377 Cliffside Dr, Malibu, CA 90265

The Dusty Spur motel where the girls reside is actually the Pink Motel in Sun Valley. It’s part of the same property as the diner on the show and sits directly beside it. It is not an operational motel, rather a set used for filming or special events. As mentioned earlier, according to many online comments, the property is not receptive to public visitation these days, preferring only professional clients. The motel property has been featured in countless productions, including “The House Bunny” and “Drive” (interiors only), as well as the TV shows “Westworld,” “Dexter” and “The O.C.”

LOCATION: 9457 San Fernando Rd, Sun Valley, CA 91352

The gang tries to secure sponsorship from Patio Town. This was filmed at the back entrance of an actual patio store in Studio City.

LOCATION: 11055 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

The girls celebrate securing sponsorship by grabbing some burgers at Foster’s Freeze. The same location was used in “Pulp Fiction,” whenever Butch crosses paths with Marsellus and gets into a car collision.

LOCATION: 2760 Fletcher Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Carmen’s house, where they wrestle in the back yard, can be found in the Pico Union neighborhood of Los Angeles.

LOCATION: 1234 Fedora St, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Seeking additional funding, the girls attend a fundraiser at Bash’s mother’s house. The home, found in Pasadena, was also famously used in the sitcom “Benson,” as well as in the films “American Gigolo” and “Monster-In-Law.”

LOCATION: 1365 S Oakland Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106

Starlet (2012)

April 11, 2019October 18, 2022 / filmoblivion / 1 Comment

Sean Baker’s underappreciated 2012 film “Starlet” filmed mostly in the San Fernando Valley in California. The old lady’s house where she strikes up an unlikely friendship with the much younger Jane (Dree Hemingway) can be found in North Hollywood.

LOCATION: 11541 Albers St, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The property is largely covered by trees, just as depicted in the film.

Jane and Sadie visit the Whitnall Dog Park, which is surrounded by power lines.

LOCATION: 5801 Whitnall Hwy, Los Angeles, CA 91601

The nail salon Jane visits can be found in Winnetka.

LOCATION: 20121 Vanowen St, Winnetka, CA 91306

Related articles: Tangerine (2015), The Florida Project (2017)

Superbad (2007)

January 10, 2019December 10, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2007 comedy “Superbad” shot all around Southern California, including the San Fernando Valley, El Segundo, Culver City and more. The high school scenes were filmed at El Segundo High School.

LOCATION: 640 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245

Here is the front entrance of the school, also seen in the film. The same high school has been used in many films, including “WarGames,” “Role Models” and “The Babysitter.”

The “Good Shopper” supermarket where Seth, played by Jonah Hill, attempts to steal alcohol, only to back out after visions of being murdered, was filmed at Jon’s Market in Glendale.

LOCATION: 1717 W Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201

The liquor store where “McLovin” attempts to buy alcohol, only to wind up caught in the middle of a robbery, was filmed at a real liquor store, also located in Glendale. The scene where Seth gets hit by a car was also filmed in this same parking lot.

LOCATION: 1700 Victory Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201

The party house where Evan and Seth try yet again to steal alcohol can be found in Northridge. It’s located on the same street as the house from another Seth Rogen film, “Knocked Up.”

LOCATION: 17711 Community St, Northridge, CA 91325

Bailey’s Bar and Grill, where the cops take McLovin, was actually the Buggy Whip restaurant in Westchester. It was seen in several other films, including “Blow,” “The Doors” and “Date Night.” Unfortunately, the restaurant closed in 2013 and was demolished in 2017. It could be found at 7420 La Tijera Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Lady Bird (2017)

March 31, 2018October 23, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2017 Greta Gerwig film, “Lady Bird,” is set in the city of Sacramento, California, where most of the film was shot as well.

The blue house, which Lady Bird envies and even begins to tell others is her home, is arguably the most well-known Sacramento location from the film.

LOCATION: 1224 44th St, Sacramento, CA 95819

One key location from the film that is not in Sacramento, but can actually be found in Southern California, is Lady Bird’s house, which is located in Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley.

LOCATION: 6701 Orion Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Lady Bird works at this cafe, which can be found in South Pasadena. The same building can be seen in the films “Role Models” “Prom Night” and “Slipstream.”

LOCATION: 1019 El Centro St, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Kyle’s house can be found in Los Angeles, near Hancock Park. The interior of the same house was used in “American Beauty.”

LOCATION: 330 S Windsor Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90020

The market where Miguel and Shelly work and where Lady Bird later takes a job is Fields Market in Canoga Park. The store is a staple of film and television, appearing in such films as “Bird Box” and “Matchstick Men,” as well as such television shows as “Desperate Housewives,” “American Horror Story” and dozens more. It has also been seen in countless commercials and music videos.

LOCATION: 23221 Saticoy St, Canoga Park, CA 91304

Lady Bird has a date at night with Danny at the Fredrick N. Evans Rose Garden at McKinley Park.

LOCATION: 3255 H St, Sacramento, CA 95816

The rose garden is seen once again late in the film, during a montage of businesses and landmarks around Sacramento.

The Thrift Town, where Lady Bird and her mom shop for clothes.

LOCATION: 410 El Camino Ave, Sacramento, CA 95815

The American Market and Deli is where Lady Bird buys cigarettes, lottery tickets and a Playgirl magazine to celebrate her 18th birthday.

LOCATION: 2331 N St, Sacramento, CA 95816

Gunther’s Ice Cream is shown during a montage of Sacramento businesses and landmarks.

LOCATION: 2801 Franklin Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95818

Club Raven is also seen in the montage.

LOCATION: 3246 J St, Sacramento, CA 95816

Memento (2000)

March 17, 2018May 25, 2023 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The Christopher Nolan film “Memento” mostly shot around the San Fernando Valley in Southern California. The opening and closing scenes of the film, as well as the scenes of Leonard burning his wife’s mementos, were all shot at the Fletcher Oil Refinery in Carson, California (24721 S Main St, Carson, CA 90745), which has since been demolished.

Teddy, played by Joe Pantoliano, takes Leonard, played by Guy Pearce, out to lunch at this diner in Sylmar. The same coffee shop has appeared in the films “Over The Top” and “Every Which Way But Loose,” as well as such TV series as “Too Old To Die Young,” “Bosch” and “NCIS: Los Angeles.” Across the street is also another notable filming location, the motel from “The Addams Family.”

LOCATION: 12192 San Fernando Rd, Sylmar, CA 91342

Throughout most of the film, Leonard stays at the Discount Inn motel. It’s actually the Travel Inn in Tujunga, California. Both the motel and the surrounding area have seen better days, so use caution if visiting.

LOCATION: 7254 Foothill Blvd, Tujunga, CA 91042

The motel manager takes advantage of Leonard’s condition and secretly charges him for two rooms.

Later in the film, Leonard visits Natalie’s house, played by Carrie-Anne Moss, where she deceives him into believing that Dodd has beat her. The house, which as since been renovated a bit, can be found in Burbank.

LOCATION: 919 E Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91501

Leonard finds himself at another motel, the Mountcrest Inn, where he ambushes Dodd and ties him up. This motel is the Hill Crest Inn in North Hills.

LOCATION: 9111 Sepulveda Blvd, North Hills, CA 91343

Leonard visits Natalie at “Ferdy’s Bar,” where she spits in his beer to test his memory. This was filmed at The Blue Room in Burbank. The interior of the bar is shown in the film.

LOCATION: 916 S San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502

Magnolia (1999)

November 19, 2017December 4, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 film, “Magnolia,” named after a street that spans the San Fernando Valley, was shot mostly, as you might expect, around the Valley. However, some additional scenes were also filmed in Los Angeles, Big Bear Lake and Reno, Nevada.

In the opening “coincidences” sequence, a man is scuba diving and gets accidentally picked up out of the water by an aeriel firefighting plane. These scenes were filmed at Big Bear Lake in California. This photo of the general area was kindly provided to us courtesy of Christian Hernandez.

LOCATION: Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

There is another coincidence scene in which an attempted suicide becomes an accidental homicide. That scene was actually a composite of a couple different locations. The rooftop shot was done in Hollywood, with both the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood sign visible in the distance. Also visible is the top of the North Kingsley Apartments, which puts the roof at Hollywood Blvd, facing north up N Kingley Dr. It still looks pretty much the same as it did in the film.

LOCATION: 5217 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The view of the man falling was shot at the Bryson Apartments in Los Angeles. The same apartments were seen in the film “The Grifters.”

LOCATION: 2701 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Early in the film, Quiz Kid Donnie Smith, played by William H. Macy, crashes his car into this liquor store in Winnetka. The same liquor store also appeared in Kevin Smith’s “Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back” and The Smashing Pumpkins’ music video for “1979.”

LOCATION: 20001 Roscoe Blvd, Winnetka, CA 91306

Officer Jim Kurring, played by John C. Reilly, investigates a crime scene at this apartment complex in North Hills. As he walks back to his police car, he is approached by a young boy.

LOCATION: 15150 Parthenia St, North Hills, CA 91343

As the two stand on Burnet Ave, the boy performs a rap for him.

Frank T.J. Mackey, played by Tom Cruise, gives his memorable seminar inside this hotel in Valencia. The hotel is only featured from interior views in the film. The same hotel appears in the films “Twilight” and “Little Miss Sunshine,” as well as numerous TV shows, including “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “CSI: New York,” “NCIS,” “Big Love,” “Las Vegas,” The Unit,” “Make It or Break It” and more.

LOCATION: 24500 Town Center Dr, Valencia, CA 91355

Linda, played by Julianne Moore, gets upset with a pharmacist after he insinuates she may be abusing the medications. These scenes were filed at the A to Z Pharmacy in North Hollywood, although it is only seen from interior views in the film.

LOCATION: 12626 Riverside Dr # 100, North Hollywood, CA 91607

Donnie visits the Foxfire Room, located on the titular Magnolia Blvd in Valley Village. In a slight bit of movie trickery, Donnie parks in the lot at the rear of the building, but is seen entering through the door facing the street on opposite side.

LOCATION: 12516 W Magnolia Blvd, Valley Village, CA 91607

The Firefox Room is a staple of the San Fernando Valley and in the two decades since filming took place, it still looks nearly identical. The bar opens at 7AM daily and it’s dark and inconspicuous. Yet the staff is friendly and the vibe is welcoming. Donnie enters through the door on the right.

Donnie sits at this corner booth. The lighting in the bar is so dark, any brightness quickly overexposes a shot, so photography can be a challenge inside.

He sits and admires Brad the bartender.

Donnie then sits at the corner of the bar and talks to a mysterious older man, credited as Thurston Howell.

Officer Jim approaches the corner of this building, when shots are fired.

LOCATION: 4055 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, CA 91604

He then slides down this embankment on the side of the building.

As Jim is disoriented in the rain, a kid approaches and steals his gun, running up the stairs to escape undetected. While there are still stairs up to the street at the location, they have been remodeled since filming.

The police arrive to assist in the search for the gun, with the L.A. river and overpass visible next to the building.

Late in the film, as a biblical storm hits, Officer Jim finds himself at the intersection of Reseda Blvd and Sherman Way in Reseda. This is located right beside the “Hot Traxx” night club from “Boogie Nights.”

LOCATION: Sherman Way / Reseda Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335

He makes an emergency stop at a gas station, only see Donnie climbing on a pole, where he has just attempted to rob his workplace. Donnie then falls to the ground. The pole and payphone are both still standing at the location.

LOCATION: 7222 Reseda Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335

The two take shelter at the gas station.

LOCATION: 7208 Reseda Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335

Film Oblivion

Movie and TV locations, points of interest.

San Fernando Valley