The 1993 action comedy “Surf Ninjas” was filmed primarily in Southern California, with some additional filming in Hawaii and Thailand. The home of Johnny and Adam, played by Ernie Reyes Jr. and Nicolas Cowan, can be found in Hermosa Beach.
LOCATION: 2400 The Strand, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Early in the film, Iggy, played by Rob Schneider, is seen driving the boys around the city. They drive past the Santa Monica Pier.
LOCATION: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
They also drive down Windward Ave in Venice Beach. The portion they are seen driving down is actually now closed to vehicular traffic and is a pedestrian only pathway.
LOCATION: Near Windward Ave / Speedway, Los Angeles, CA 90291
Zatch, played by Ernie Reyes Sr., takes the boys to the Imperial Palace restaurant, where they meet Ro-May, played by Kelly Hu. The exterior scenes were filmed at Hop Louie in Chinatown. The restaurant has since closed, but the facade still remains. The same restaurant was also seen in the films “I Love You, Man,” “Beverly Hills Ninja” and “Mystery Men.”
The 1985 William Friedkin film “To Live and Die in L.A.” was shot, as the title suggests, in Los Angeles, California The film made use of nearly every corner of L.A. County. In the opening scenes of the film, the Secret Service escort the President down Santa Monica Blvd in Century City, as they make their way to a hotel.
LOCATION: Century Park E / Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
The convoy arrives at The Beverly Hilton hotel, where Agent Richard Chance, played by William Peterson, stops a terrorist assassination attempt. Many films have shot scenes at the hotel, including “Frost/Nixon,” “Coffy” and “Micki + Maude.”
LOCATION: 9876 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Eric Masters, played by Willem Dafoe, lives at this home in Santa Monica. Most of the property is not visible from the street. Eric burns a piece of art on the balcony on the left. The same home as appeared in such films as “Cafe Society” and “The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.”
LOCATION: 757 Kingman Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Chance is seen bungee jumping from the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro. The bridge has appeared in countless films, such as “Gone In 60 Seconds,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “Lethal Weapon 2,” “Wrath Of Man,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “City of Angels,” “Knight of Cups,” “Charlie’s Angels” and more. It has likewise appeared in such TV shows as “Mission: Impossible,” “CHiPs,” “Columbo” and more. It it also where director Tony Scott tragically ended his life.
LOCATION: Vincent Thomas Bridge, San Pedro, CA 90731
Masters runs a counterfeit cash operation out of this building in Lancaster. Despite the address being on 170th St E, this area is on the back side of the building, closer to the intersection of 171st St E / Glenfall Ave.
LOCATION: 40038 170th St E, Palmdale, CA 93591 (near the intersection of 171st St E / Glenfall Ave)
Masters is seen speeding off in his car down this area to the right of the building.
To the left is where the dumpster and trailer were located and the murder scene takes place.
Chance’s house can be found in Malibu. There is a Public Beach Access Point that runs directly beside the property, located at 22664 Beach Access Path, Malibu, CA 90265, which makes it relatively easy to access from Pacific Coast Hwy, unlike many of the properties in Malibu.
LOCATION: 22664 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Chance runs a stakeout from this church in Pasadena. The home he surveillances was located around 445 E Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91101, but it has since been demolished. The church, however, still stands.
LOCATION: 464 E Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91101
Chance drives down N Pacific Ave in San Pedro to his girlfriend Ruth’s house. The route he takes in the film is geographically accurate.
LOCATION: 981 N Pacific Ave, San Pedro, CA 90731
Chance continues up Knoll Hill, with the Vincent Thomas Bridge visible in the distance.
LOCATION: N Center St / Knoll Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90731
Ruth’s house has long since been demolished, with a baseball field now in its place. Here is the approximate area where it stood.
LOCATION: 255 Viewland Pl, San Pedro, CA 90731 (now demolished)
The start of the foot chase scene begins at this building, which is located across the street from the prison from “Wild At Heart.”
LOCATION: 1701 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Masters walks with Jeff Rice, played by Steve James, where they make plans to kill a man in prison. This same location appeared in the film “Wassup Rockers.”
LOCATION: 11231 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90061 (on W 113th St)
Jeff Rice’s house is located in Wilmington.
LOCATION: 1442 W F St, Wilmington, CA 90744
The walk to the judge’s office passes through the Citigroup Center in Downtown Los Angeles. The same area appeared in the films “Heat” and “Fight Club.”
LOCATION: 444 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
The hospital scenes were filmed at this building.
LOCATION: 610 S St Louis St Los Angeles, CA 90023
The strip club, which was located in Wilmington, has since been demolished. It’s now just some empty land at the corner of S Figueroa St and W Harry Bridges Blvd. Prior to being demolished, the same building appeared in the films “Fight Club” and “Blood In, Blood Out.”
LOCATION: S Figueroa St / W Harry Bridges Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90731 (now demolished – original address was 1331 W B Street, Wilmington, CA 90731, but that address no longer exists)
The train station scenes were filmed at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. It has been featured in many films as well, such as “Blade Runner,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Species,” “Bugsy,” “Pearl Harbor” and more.
LOCATION: 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Chance tracks down Carl Cody, played by John Turturro, at this apartment in Sherman Oaks.
LOCATION: 5050 Woodman Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Chance and Vukovich, played by John Pankow, meet with Masters to make an exchange at this building.
LOCATION: 8051 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (on N Laurel Ave)
The 1978 crime drama “Straight Time,” starring Dustin Hoffman, much like the novel its based upon, “No Beast So Fierce,” by Edward Bunker, is set in the Los Angeles criminal underworld. In the film, Hoffman plays Max Dembo, an ex-con out on probation and adapting to a straight life. Max reconnects with his friend Willy, played by Gary Busey, who lives at this home located near Angelino Heights.
LOCATION: 327 N Bixel St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Max meets up with Manny, played by Sandy Baron, at The Bat Rack cocktail bar, which could be found in Santa Monica. Max asks Manny to give him a gun.
LOCATION: 2454 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Max uses the gun to rob Ahn’s Market.
LOCATION: 2609 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Max robs a pawn shop, where he obtains more weapons to take on bigger scores. This is located just a few doors down from the former “Quality Cafe,” which has been seen in dozens of films, such as “Seven” and “Training Day.”
LOCATION: 1226 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Max teams up with Jerry Schue, played by Harry Dean Stanton, to start doing robberies together. The pair rob a bank at the Wilshire Colonnade. It has been featured in many films, such as “Zodiac,” “Wrath Of Man,” “Stealing Harvard” and “Earthquake,” as well as such TV series as “Californication,” “American Crime Story: Impeachment” and more.
LOCATION: 3701 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
After the robbery, the pair swap vehicles at the intersection of W 4th St and S Kenmore Ave.
LOCATION: W 4th St / S Kenmore Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
The climactic jewelry store robbery was filmed at this building in Beverly Hills, while the back alley scenes were filmed at a different location (138 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90212).
LOCATION: 9634 Wilshire Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90212
The gas station and diner from the end of the film can be found in Lancaster. It is located almost directly across the street from the church from “Kill Bill.”
The 2006 Richard Kelly film “Southland Tales” tells the story of an alternate timeline in the near future where the United States is descending into chaos and ultimately the end of the world. The film features an ensemble cast with interconnecting stories set against the backdrop of Southern California. The film is largely set along the beach fronts of Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. However, the film also shot brief scenes in Abilene, Texas and Primm, Nevada. This article contains some spoilers for the film.
In the opening scene of the movie, a nuclear attack is shown in the town of Abilene, Texas, through the perspective of home video footage at a children’s party. These scenes really were filmed in Abilene, with the house located at 2143 S 10th St, Abilene, TX 79605.
Throughout the film, Private Pilot Abilene, played by Justin Timeberlake, sits perched at the end of the Santa Monica Pier on the rooftop of Maria Sol restaurant, armed with a military grade gun, which is aimed inland at citizens.
LOCATION: 401 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Here’s closer view of the building, from the pier itself.
Boxer Santaros, played by Dwayne Johnson, awakens on the beach, unable to remember the events prior to the start of the film (those events are told in a graphic novel). He is seen walking up these stairs, which connect Palisades Park to the Santa Monica Beach parking area, as he is monitored by USIDent, which is something of an mock up and extreme version of the Department of Homeland Security.
LOCATION: 34°00’47.5″N, 118°29’51.6″W
In Downtown Los Angeles, protesters demonstrate outside of the USIDent headquarters, which was filmed at the Caltrans building. The same building was featured in the film “Hancock.”
LOCATION: 100 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Boxer Santaros and Krysta Now, a porn star with psychic abilities played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, hide out with Fortunio Balducci, played by Will Sasso, at this home in Manhattan Beach. It is also under surveillance from USIDent.
LOCATION: 132 3rd St, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Later in the film, Officer Ronald Taverner, played by Seann William Scott, stands in front of the home and looks out toward the beach.
The Sidewalk Cafe in Venice is featured multiple times throughout the film, as several characters meet and discuss various matters. It is connected to Small World Books, which is another location seen later in the film.
LOCATION: 1401 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
The entrance is seen briefly in the film.
USIDent surveillance shows that Boxer was first found at the California / Nevada state line, with images showing Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino in Primm, Nevada (31700 S Las Vegas Blvd, Primm, NV 89019).
Neo-Marxist Cyndi Pinziki, played by Nora Dunn, lives at this apartment above a storefront in Venice Beach, which has been slightly remodeled since filming.
LOCATION: 1307 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
The Neo-Marxist compound, where Roland Taverner, also played by Seann William Scott, awakens can also be found on Venice Beach.
LOCATION: 909 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Later in the film, Roland escapes the Neo-Marxist compound by jumping off the rooftop of the same building. The dumpster jump was a visual effect, but the location is otherwise geographically accurate. In fact, most of the film is geographically accurate in the ways the characters move from one location to the next. This side of the building faces Speedway / Breeze Ave.
Ronald and Boxer go on a drive together as Ronald makes a racist remark, which is captured on camera by Boxer, who is recording for research for an upcoming movie role. The two drive along Culver Blvd, past Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve in Playa Del Rey.
A political ad plays on the USIDent screens, with a little girl standing in front of a church. This was filmed back in Abilene, Texas (518 N 6th St, Abilene, TX 79601).
Boxer follows the mysterious Serpentine, played by Bai Ling, into a book store. This was filmed at the aforementioned Small World Books, which is connected to the beach front restaurant featured multiple times throughout the film. Both the interior and exterior of the store were featured in the film.
LOCATION: 1407 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Dr. Soberin Exx, played by Curtis Armstrong, picks up Boxer Santaros in front of this restaurant in Marina Del Rey.
LOCATION: 311 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Bing Zinneman, played by Todd Berger, gets hit by car at this intersection in Venice.
LOCATION: Market St / Speedway, Los Angeles, CA 90291
The actual close-up stunt of the impact, however, was filmed in an alley near Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles, around 337 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013.
On the same street where Bing Zinneman is hit, Ronald Taverner is injected with Fluid Karma, a drug with a variety of effects, depending on which color is taken. Ronald passes out in the street in this area.
LOCATION: 74 Market St, Venice, CA 90291
After Roland awakens from the dumpster he jumped into, he arrives at this area, where he finds Walter Mung, played by Christopher Lambert, parked in an ice cream truck.
LOCATION: 1313 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Dozens of caskets draped in American flags are unloaded onto the Santa Monica Pier.
LOCATION: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
One of the bodies is transported on a tram to Treer Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles. The tram was a CGI creation, but the surrounding buildings are once again geographically accurate, placing the location at W 7th St / Francisco St. As you can see in the photo, however, new buildings are going up as the skyline continues to change.
LOCATION: W 7th St / Francisco St, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (partial CGI used for the location)
One of the most memorable scenes in the film is Pilot Abilene’s Fluid Karma hallucination, where an impromptu musical sequence ensues to “All These Things That I’ve Done” by The Killers. This was filmed at the Playland Arcade on the Santa Monica Pier, which was renamed the “Fire Arcade” in the film, as a nod to the band Arcade Fire. Both the interior and exterior of the arcade are seen and it still looks largely similar to how it appeared in the film
LOCATION: 350 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Late into the film, the MegaZeppelin prepares to launch in Downtown Los Angeles. This was another CGI creation. However, it is depicted as being located beside the Staples Center, placing it where L.A. Live stands now.
LOCATION: 777 Chick Hearn Ct, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (partial CGI used for the location)
Zora Charmichaels, played by Cheri Oteri and Bart Bookman, played by Jon Lovitz, track down Krysta Now in Hermosa Beach. They exit the Municipal Parking Structure, where armed military are present. This same building appears later in the film, as gunfire erupts.
LOCATION: Municipal Parking Structure, 13th St, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Krysta Now enters the former Poop Deck, which was a real bar and restaurant in Hermosa Beach. It is now known simply as The Deck. Both the exterior and interiors of the restaurant were featured in the film. However, the bathroom scene where Krysta delivers a tape was filmed on a set.
LOCATION: 1272 The Strand, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Back at the Municipal Parking Structure, which is just around the corner, a military gunman opens fire on Zora and Bart from the top deck.
Krysta Now escapes the scene.
The interior of the MegaZeppelin was a composite of two different locations. It starts inside a restaurant at the Pacific Design Center (8687 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069), before seamlessly transitioning (via a hidden edit in an unbroken shot) into the ballroom, which was filmed at Skirball Cultural Center (2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049).
A Los Angeles freeway is seen, with more CGI elements added. This was filmed at W 7th St, overlooking the CA-110 freeway, facing Southbound. Again, the surrounding buildings are geographically accurate.
LOCATION: 34°03’01.0″N 118°15’45.3″W (partial CGI used for the location)
Walter Mung drives his ice cream truck, with Roland inside, towards the erupting riots in the city. A car is burning next to the “Uptown Rocker” public art piece in Downtown Los Angeles.
LOCATION: W 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (GPS coordinates: 34°03’06.3″N 118°15’10.2″W)
The ice cream truck crashes at S Hill St / W 4th St, where there are riots in the streets.
LOCATION: S Hill St / W 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
As Roland and Ronald Taverner meet one another, the ice cream truck ascends into the sky in front of the US Bank Tower in Downtown Los Angeles. The building has appeared in countless films, including “Independence Day,” “Darkman,” “The Thirteenth Floor” and more.
The 1992 film “White Men Can’t Jump” remains one of the more iconic Los Angeles based films. While it shot at various locations around the city, many of which were not destination-based spots for tourists, it is arguably best remembered for its basketball scenes on Venice Beach. During the opening credits, Billy Hoyle, played by Woody Harrelson, parks his car on Windward Ave in Venice Beach, as he searches for a basketball court.
LOCATION: 25 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Just on the opposite side of the street, there is this mural for the film.
LOCATION: 66 Windward Ave Venice, CA 90291
Here is where the men sing a song over the opening credits. This same area was featured in the film “Monkey Trouble.”
LOCATION: Dudley Ave / Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Billy approaches the singing men and asks where to find the basketball court.
LOCATION: 401 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
The court where Billy hustles Sidney Deane, played by Wesley Snipes, was not a real court at all. It was and still is a parking lot for beach visitors at the end of Rose Ave, stretching down to Dudley Ave. The production liked the location and converted it into a basketball court for filming. There is a famous court next to the Muscle Beach gym area, often mistaken as being the court from this film and featured in such films as “American History X.” However, the real location is the Rose Ave parking lot, as the buildings and surrounding areas still align with what is seen in the background of the film. The same location appears in the film “Lords Of Dogtown.”
LOCATION: 1 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Here is the court where Sidney and Billy run their first hustle together. Their target does not react kindly to the hustle and goes to his car to get a gun.
LOCATION: 601 E 23rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (court is behind the church on the corner of Trinity St / E 22nd St)
Billy and Gloria, played by Rosie Perez, drop Sidney off at his apartment in Los Angeles.
LOCATION: 4808 August St, Los Angeles, CA 90008
The first motel where Billy stays was formerly located at 1733 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401. It has since been demolished and a new building stands in its place. After some men seeking to collect a debt from Billy track him down at that motel, Billy and Gloria flee to this motel for much of the film.
LOCATION: 5274 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Sidney gets a tour as a prospective buyer of this home, which may be beyond his price range.
LOCATION: 2352 W 30th St, Los Angeles, CA 90018
Gloria appears on the game show “Jeopardy!,” which was filmed at the show’s stage on the Sony Pictures studio lot. The set can be visited as part of their studio tour.
LOCATION: 10202 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
After Gloria does well on “Jeopardy!,” she and Billy celebrate by upgrading to this hotel in Santa Monica.
The 1995 Sandra Bullock film “The Net” was shot mostly around Los Angeles and San Francisco, California. In the film, Angela Bennett, played by Bullock, lives in this house in Venice.
LOCATION: 407 28th Ave, Venice, CA 90291
The homeowners built a large fence around the property, obscuring much of the view.
The U.S. Embassy seen in the film is actually the Pasadena City Hall. It has been featured in numerous productions, such as “American Pie 2,” “Beverly Hills Cop II” and “S1m0ne,” as well as the TV series “Parks And Recreation.”
LOCATION: 100 Garfield Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
Angela attempts to meet a fellow hacker named CyberBob at the carousel at the Santa Monica Pier. The same carousel was featured in the opening credits of the TV series “Three’s Company.”
LOCATION: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
In the 1985 comedy “Fletch,” the titular character, played by Chevy Chase, lives at this apartment building, located in Santa Monica, California. The building is known as the El Cortez Apartments.
The 2008 comedy “Role Models,” starring Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott, was filmed around Southern California. The Minotaur energy drink headquarters can be found in Santa Monica.
LOCATION: 2800 Donald Douglas Loop N, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Danny and Wheeler, played by Rudd and Scott respectively, go to El Segundo High School in an attempt to sell Minotaur drinks. The same high school has been featured in many films, including “WarGames,” “Superbad” and “The Babysitter.”
LOCATION: 640 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245
Danny argues with a coffee shop barista at this Pasadena establishment. The same building appears in the film “Lady Bird” and is located just across the street from the South Pasadena Public Library, which was seen in the Rob Zombie remake of “Halloween.”
LOCATION: 1019 El Centro St, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Danny and Wheeler also visit the Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood. This same school was seen in the films “License To Drive” and “Accepted,” as well as the TV shows “Malcolm in the Middle” and “7th Heaven.”
LOCATION: 4525 Irvine Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91602
Wheeler’s house is located at the Venice Canals near Venice Beach.
LOCATION: 2420 Strongs Dr, Venice, CA 90291
Danny talks King Argotron into allowing Augie back into a role playing party at The Burger Hole. This scene was filmed in South Pasadena. The same restautant also appears in the film “Old School,” 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
Ronnie locks Wheeler out of the vehicle at Ed’s Mini Mart.
LOCATION: 825 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Ronnie’s house can be found in Marina Del Rey. Most of the home is now obscured by large hedges.
LOCATION: 3111 Stanford Ave, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Augie’s house can be found in Venice. A small fence has since been built around the property.
LOCATION: 822 Valita St, Venice, CA 90291
The Sturdy Wings Center can also be found in Venice.
The 1991 sequel “Bill And Ted’s Bogus Journey” shot in Southern California. The film begins at Bill and Ted University, which was shot at the Japanese Garden of the Tillman Water Reclamation Plant in Van Nuys, California. The location has been used in countless TV shows and films, notably serving as the “Starfleet Academy” in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: Voyager” and “Star Trek: Enterprise.” Other TV shows to film there include the original “Knight Rider,” “Murder She Wrote” and the original “Charmed.” Films such as “Bio-Dome,” “Twins,” “Rising Sun,” “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery,” “Zoombies” and “Most Wanted” also filmed at the location.
LOCATION: 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406
Bill and Ted, played by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves, audition for the Battle of the Bands at the San Dimas Civic Auditorium, which is actually the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. The building is now closed to the public, but available for filming and private events.
LOCATION: 1855 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Bill and Ted live at this apartment in West Hollywood. The same building has been featured in the films “L.A. Story,” “The Limey,” “Rush Hour” and more.
LOCATION: 1400 N Hayworth Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Evil Bill and Ted, two robot replicas from the future, arrive at the Circle K. This is not the same location from the first film, which is located in Tempe, Arizona. Instead, this incarnation can be found in Santa Clarita.
LOCATION: 28200 Bouquet Canyon Rd Ste Q, Santa Clarita, CA 91350
Evil Bill and Ted toss Bill and Ted off the top of the famous Vasquez Rocks, after which they meet the Grim Reaper, played by William Sadler. One of the most popular filming locations in all of California, the iconic rocks have appeared in such films as “The Flintstones,” “Dante’s Peak,” “Jingle All The Way,” “Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back,” “Hail, Caesar!,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Paul” and dozens more. Television shows which featured Vasquez Rocks in episodes include “The Fugutive,” “The A-Team,” “MacGuyver” and perhaps most famous of all, the original “Star Trek” series, where the rocks were seen in numerous episodes, serving as multiple different planets. The rocks have also been seen in music videos for Michael Jackson, 311 and many more, as well as countless commercials.
LOCATION: 10700 Escondido Canyon Rd, Agua Dulce, CA 91350
Visiting the filming locations of the classic 1994 film “Forrest Gump” is a staggering feat, as the story unfolds all across the United States and the production likewise followed that path.
The famous opening scene of the feather falling was filmed at Chippewa Square in Savannah, Georgia. It descends past the steeple of The Independent Presbyterian Church Administration Building.
LOCATION: The Independent Presbyterian Church Administration Building, Savannah, GA 31401
Here is a wider view of the full building.
As the feather falls closer to the ground, we see the First Baptist Church in the distance.
LOCATION: First Baptist Church, 223 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401
The feather finally reaches the ground and settles on the shoe of Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks. Forrest sits at a bus stop and recounts the story of his life to strangers sitting on a bench waiting for their bus rides. The location where Forrest sits is at the intersection of Hull Street and Bull Street in Chippewa Square. In reality, there is no bus stop or bench there. They were added for the film. Instead, there are just some plants.
Here is a wider view of the area.
LOCATION: Chippewa Square, Savannah, GA 31401 (at the intersection of Hull St / Bull St)
The actual bench from the film can be found at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. It can be seen on their studio tours.
LOCATION: 5555 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
The exterior of the lounge where Forrest finds Jenny, played by Robin Wright, performing nude, can also be found in Savannah. The name of the restaurant is Love’s, just as depicted in the film, but it is a seafood and steak joint and you won’t find any nude performers there.
LOCATION: 6817 Chief Of Love Rd, Savannah, GA 31419
The interior of the scene was actually filmed at the former Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, which has long since been demolished. The hotel was a staple of film and television, appearing in such films as “The Graduate,” “True Romance,” “Seven,” “Bobby,” “True Lies,” “L.A. Story,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “The Mask” and dozens more. Only this post and statue from the original building remain at the location.
LOCATION: 3400 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010 (now demolished)
Forrest celebrates New Year’s Eve with Lieutenant Dan, played by Gary Sinise, in what is supposed to be New York City. This was actually filmed on 6th St in Downtown Los Angeles. This area is right next to the locations used for the Nite Owl Coffee Shop from “L.A. Confidential” and Wild Bill’s Leather from “Seven,” both of which were fictional businesses.
LOCATION: Near the intersection of E 6th St / S Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
On the same street, as Forrest exists a TV studio, Lieutenant Dan is waiting for him outside. This was actually on a ramp built above this sandwich shop, which has since been removed. The same sandwich shop has appeared in the films “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Rumor Has It” and “A Lot Like Love.”
LOCATION: 118 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Lieutenant Dan then loses control of his wheelchair and slides down the ramp into this wall at the same location.
Later in the film, Forrest begins running, from coast to coast. He is seen reaching the famous Santa Monica Pier.
LOCATION: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
He reaches the end of the pier and turns around to begin running back across the country. There is a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant located on the pier itself as well, although of course it was not a filming location.
As Forrest runs through Flagstaff, Arizona, he steps in a pile of manure and helps coin the phrase “Shit happens.”
LOCATION: Near 106 N San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Also in Flagstaff, Forrest runs past the former Twin Arrows Trading Post. The building featured two large, wooden arrows piercing the ground. Some mud splashes on Forrest and he uses a t-shit to clean off his face, creating the famous smiley face t-shirt. The building now unfortunately sits abandoned.
LOCATION: Twin Arrows Trading Post Ruins – Historic Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Here’s a closer look at the arrows, which are slowly deteriorating.
Forrest’s running attire from the film can be found on display at Planet Hollywood in Florida.
LOCATION: 1506 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Late in the film, Jenny is working as a waitress and sees Forrest on television. This was filmed at Debi’s Restaurant in Savannah, located just a few blocks away from the opening scene of the film.
LOCATION: 225 E Bay St, Savannah, GA 31401
The restaurant is quite proud of their connection to the film and the front is decorated with quotes from the film and a shot of the scene.
We’ve only covered a portion of the vast filming locations here. The production also shot scenes in South Carolina, Utah, Arizona, North Carolina, Vermont, Maine, Montana and Washington D.C.
Film Oblivion 