The 2001 comedy “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” starring Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, was primarily filmed in Southern California, with some additional footage shot in Smith’s home state of New Jersey. The film opens in 1970s Leonardo, New Jersey at the Quick Stop Groceries, where Jay and Silent Bob are shown as babies sitting outside the store in strollers. The location is of course famous among Smith fans as the primary location of his debut film, “Clerks.”
LOCATION: 58 Leonard Ave, Leonardo, NJ 07737
As the story jumps to present day, the original characters from “Clerks,” Dante and Randall, played by Brian O’Halloran and Jeff Anderson, talk inside at the counter. Randall decides to call the police on Jay and Silent Bob, to get rid of them loitering outside.
Jay and Silent Bob stand next to the RST Video, where they appear in many of Smith’s other films.
LOCATION: 60 Leonard Ave, Leonardo, NJ 07737
Brodie’s Secret Stash, a fictional take on Smith’s “Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash” was filmed at the real store, formerly located at 35 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. It has since relocated to a bigger space down the road at 65 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701.
The Mooby’s restaurant seen in the film now sits vacant in North Hollywood. This same location was used as Pig Burgers in “Better Off Dead.” Here Jay meets Justice, played by Shannon Elizabeth, and he and Silent Bob join up with her friends, who turn out to be diamond thieves.
LOCATION: 6223 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606
Justice and her accomplices stop at this liquor store in Winnetka, where Jay and Silent Bob try to stand out front, but can’t get comfortable leaning on the glass windows. The same liquor store also appeared in the film “Magnolia” and The Smashing Pumpkins’ music video for “1979.”
LOCATION: 20001 Roscoe Blvd, Winnetka, CA 91306
The women set up Jay and Silent Bob as patsies, sending them on a mission to rescue a monkey from a testing lab, while they actually stage a diamond heist. These scenes were filmed in Valencia, California.
LOCATION: 27220 Turnberry Ln, Valencia, CA 91355
This area is where the science lab entrance was located.
To the right is where the Diamond Exchange entrance was located.
The Arena Diner, where Jay and Silent Bob escape police, was filmed at the famous Vasquez Rocks. 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,” “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey,” “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, Radiohead, 311 and many more, as well as countless commercials.
LOCATION: 10700 Escondido Canyon Rd, Agua Dulce, CA 91350
The building where Jay and Silent Bob run into Pumpkin Escobar, a fellow unionized drug dealer played by Tracy Morgan, was formerly located at 1557 N El Centro Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028. It has since been demolished and a parking lot stands in its place.
E! News does a story in front of Mirimax Studios, which does not actually have a real studio lot. The scenes were filmed at the CBS Studio Center in Studio City. The film’s studio lot scenes were all shot here as well.
LOCATION: 4024 Radford Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
At the end of the movie, numerous characters from Smith’s past films are seen coming out of the El Rey Theatre, which is depicted as a movie theater. Jay then invites everyone to the concert “across the street.” The El Rey is in fact a live music venue, not a movie theater, and the closing performance by Morris Day & The Time was filmed inside the same location. The venue also appeared in the film “License To Drive.”
LOCATION: 5515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
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 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 house from the 1999 comedy “American Pie” can be found in Long Beach, California. In the film, Jim, played by Jason Biggs, makes a pact with his friends to lose their virginity. Jim lives with his family at this home, where many famous scenes take place, including a memorable encounter with a sexy foreign exchange student, played by Shannon Elizabeth, as well as the infamous pie scene.
LOCATION: 4153 Cedar Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807
The house where Michelle, played by Alyson Hannigan, lives can also be found on the same road.
LOCATION: 3925 Cedar Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807
Kevin’s home can be found in Pasadena.
LOCATION: 3689 San Pasqual St, Pasadena, CA 91107
The high school used in the film is Millikan High School in Long Beach.
LOCATION: 2800 Snowden Ave, Long Beach, CA 90815
The boys frequent this restaurant, located in Monrovia.
LOCATION: 402 S Myrtle Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016
The exterior of Stifler’s house can also be found in Pasadena.
LOCATION: 3644 Lombardy Rd, Pasadena, CA 91107
The interiors of Stifler’s house, however, used this house in Altadena. The house has been used in many productions, including “Can’t Hardly Wait,” “Bye Bye Love,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and “I Know Who Killed Me,” as well as such TV shows as “The Mentalist” and “This Is Us.”
Film Oblivion 