In the 2003 Ridley Scott film “Matchstick Men,” Roy Waller, played by Nicolas Cage, lives in this Los Angeles home.
LOCATION: 3508 Meier St, Los Angeles, CA 90066
The market where Roy shops and takes an interest in the cashier is Fields Market in Canoga Park. In the film, the market is called Cambridge Farms, which was in fact the name of the business at the time, before later changing names. The store is a staple of film and television, appearing in such films as “Bird Box” and “Lady Bird,” 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
Angela, played by Alison Lohman, attends school at Venice High School, which also appears in the films “American History X,” “Heathers,” “Grease” and more.
LOCATION: 13000 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
In Joel Schumacher’s 1993 film “Falling Down,” Michael Douglas plays the central character, referred to only as “D-Fens,” which is his license plate number. The film follows D-Fens as he makes his was from Los Angeles to Venice Beach. For the most part, the locations actually do follow this path, with a few exceptions.
The opening traffic jam is set at the 101 interchange of the 110 freeway. The traffic pileup is in the southbound lane to the left, while D-Fens abandons his car and takes the northbound lane to the right on foot.
LOCATION: Interchange of I-110 / I-101, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Beth, the estranged wife of D-Fens, played by Barbara Hershey, lives just off the Venice boardwalk. This view next to her house, facing towards the beach, is seen multiple times in the film.
LOCATION: 201 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Beth’s house was unfortunately completely remodeled and looks nothing like it did in the film.
LOCATION: 18 Ozone Ave, Venice, CA 90291
The police station where Detective Prendergast, played by Robert Duvall, works was a set built at Warner Bros. Studios (4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91522).
D-Fens makes his was to the market of Mr. Lee, where the first outburst of violence occurs over an overpriced can of soda. This location is right next to the 101 freeway, making it a logical stop along the path of D-Fens. The market has since been demolished and a park (Madison West Park) now exists in it’s place.
LOCATION: 458 N Madison Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Later in the film, Prendergast makes his way to the market and climbs this embankment. After spotting a billboard, he correctly places the proximity to the abandoned car and identifies D-Fens as his suspect. A note to those interested in visiting, this dead end next to the park is not a very safe area, serving as a makeshift homeless community.
As D-Fens makes his way through East L.A., he sits to rest and is approached by two gang members demanding his briefcase. D-Fens refuses and things quickly turn violent. The hilltop where the scene was shot has been converted in to a park, Vista Hermosa Natural Park, but the skyline of downtown Los Angeles still matches up.
LOCATION: 100 N Toluca St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Looking for retribution, the gang members spot D-Fens in front of a theater, where they attempt to ambush him with a drive-by shooting. The theater has since been demolished, but the surrounding buildings where the car rolls up still match.
LOCATION: 2524 East Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (looking down from N Fickett St)
After hitting everyone in sight except D-Fens, their car turns off East Ceasar E Chavez Ave onto N Ficket St and crashes in front of this building. D-Fens walks up and takes their bag of weapons.
LOCATION: 2600 East Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (at N Fickett St)
D-Fens is standing next to a children’s playground in MacArthur Park, when a beggar starts asking him for a handout. The playground has since been moved to another section of the park, but the structure to the left, seen in the film, still stands at the original spot.
LOCATION: 2230 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90057
The beggar follows D-Fens through this tunnel, making up a sob story, which is quickly exposed as a lie. MacArthur Park is not the safest of areas in general. We wouldn’t recommend tourism here. This pedestrian walkway is one of several locations rumored to be the bridge that served as the inspiration for the Red Hot Chili Peppers song “Under the Bridge,” but singer Anthony Kiedis has never confirmed the true location.
On the other side of the tunnel, the D-Fens gives the beggar his briefcase. The lake in the background is also seen in the movie “Drive,” where Ryan Gosling’s character makes a deal with some criminals.
After discovering the briefcase only contains some lunch food, the disappointed beggar throws the apple at D-Fens, who kicks the apple and continues up the stairs to the left.
The “Whammyburger” in the film is the biggest departure from the true path of Los Angeles to Venice Beach. The restaurant, Angelo’s Burgers, is located much further south in Lynwood, California. It still bears a strong resemblance to how it appeared in the film, aside from the fictitious Whammyburger set dressing. Angelo’s was in fact the same restaurant at the time of filming. It has not changed ownership. The burgers there are quite good as well.
LOCATION: 10990 Atlantic Ave, Lynwood, CA 90262
A view inside the Whammyburger.
A poster for the film can be found inside, noting that filming took place on May 12, 1992.
Celebrating his last day, Prendergast eats lunch at a Mexican restaurant.
LOCATION: 4067 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
In one of the more poignant scenes in the film, D-Fens sees a man protesting, because he has been denied a loan and was determined to be “not economically viable.” The building is now a post office.
LOCATION: 5350 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
The scene where D-Fens shoots up a phone booth was shot over on Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood, right along the iconic Sunset Strip. While the El Pollo Loco restaurant to the left was seen in the film, most of the other businesses in the plaza had changed since filming. The entire plaza has since been demolished.
LOCATION: 8148 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046 (now demolished)
The army surplus store where D-Fens meets a Nazi store owner could be found back towards East L.A. The building really was a surplus store and still operated decades after filming, including at the time of our visit. It has since closed and been renovated, however.
LOCATION: 3828 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Here is a view of the front counter when it was still in business, which was brimming with quite a bit more merchandise than seen in the film.
Some of the rocket mortar props seen in the film were found in the store, albeit a bit tucked away.
The back of the surplus store, where more violence occurs, was actually a set constructed at Warner Bros. Studios (4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91522).
The construction scene, where D-Fens fires a bazooka, faces towards the 110 and 105 freeway interchange. The same interchange can be seen in the films “Speed” and “La La Land,” the latter of which also opens with a traffic jam, albeit to much different results.
LOCATION: Intersection of S Broadway / W 112th St, Los Angeles, CA 90061
This church can be seen in the background of a few shots during the construction scene.
Near the end of the film, D-Fens finally finds his family at the Venice Fishing Pier. The pier had long been closed at the time of filming and was once set for demolition, but after community backlash, was ultimately saved and restored. The building at the end of the pier is no longer there, but otherwise the area looks the same for the most part.
LOCATION: Venice Fishing Pier, Los Angeles, CA 90292
Prendergast approaches and finally meets D-Fens.
Prendergast and D-Fens have a standoff in the film’s climactic scene.
There are quite a few locations to this film, some demolished or remodeled, others still standing. Other than a few slightly unsafe areas, if you’re a fan of visiting filming locations, most of them are worth a visit. “Falling Down” has grown in stature in the years since the film’s release and it has rightly taken it’s place among the the most iconic Los Angeles-based films.
In the 1998 Tony Kaye film “American History X,” Derek, played by Edward Norton, lives at this house in Venice, California. After a racially motivated assault in front of the house, Derek is sent to prison.
LOCATION: 2206 Meade Pl, Venice, CA 90291
Derek and his friends play a basketball game at the Venice Beach Recreation Center in order to determine which race wins rights to play on the court.
LOCATION: 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Derek and his skinhead crew vandalize the former Archie’s Ranch Market in North Hollywood, which has since closed and is now a gym. This angle seen in the film is from the rear parking lot. The same market appeared in the film “10 Items Or Less.”
LOCATION: 7500 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91605
Danny, played by Edward Furlong, attends school at the famous Venice High School, most well know for its use in the film “Grease.” It also appears in such films as “Matchstick Men” and “Heathers.”
LOCATION: 13000 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Derek escapes a confrontation with his former supremacist friends and disposes of a gun in a dumpster at this intersection. This is located just one block up from the basketball court seen earlier in the film.
LOCATION: 18th Ave & Speedway, Los Angeles, CA 90291
Later in the film, Derek and his brother Danny visit Johnie’s Coffee Shop Restaurant in midtown Los Angeles. The restaurant closed many years ago, but still operates as a filming location. It has appeared in “Reservoir Dogs,” “The Big Lebowski,” “Miracle Mile,” “Gone in Sixty Seconds,” the 1983 film “Suburbia” and many more.
LOCATION:6099 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
For the opening to the 1994 action film “Speed,” Keanu Reeves and Jeff Daniels find themselves pitted against a bomber, played by Dennis Hopper, who has rigged an elevator with explosives, demanding money in order to spare the hostages trapped inside. The opening was filmed at the The Gas Company Tower in Downtown Los Angeles. The same location was featured in the 2000 film “Charlie’s Angels,” as well as “Fracture.”
LOCATION: 555 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Jack and Harry, played by Keanu Reeves and Jeff Daniels, make their introduction into the film flying down into frame in a speeding cop car right next to The Gas Company Tower. This same location was featured in the film “They Live.”
LOCATION: Near the intersection of Hope Pl / S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (facing towards W 5th St)
After the elevator job goes wrong, the bomber resurfaces by blowing up a bus as Jack exits a restaurant. This is The Firehouse restaurant in Venice, which still operates today.
LOCATION: 213 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291
The bus makes a hard right, with all the passengers moving to one side, in an attempt to prevent it from tipping over, at the 110 and 105 freeway interchange. This same spot is seen in the film “Falling Down,” where the character played by Michael Douglas fires a bazooka at the construction site.
LOCATION: Intersection of S Broadway / W 112th St, Los Angeles, CA 90061 (the bus turns right on W Imperial Hwy)
The famous bus jump scene was filmed on the Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange, which connects the 110 and 105 freeways in Los Angeles, back when it was still under construction. The same interchange was used for the opening dance sequence in “La La Land.”
LOCATION: I-110 / I-105, Los Angeles, CA 90061
Late in the film, Howard Payne sets up a money drop for his ransom at Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles, just a couple blocks from where the opening scenes were shot.
LOCATION: 532 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (near the intersection of S Hill St / W 5th St)
Just a bit further down S Hill St, next to the above shot, you’ll see this structure, also located in Pershing Square. A sniper is posted beside the ball sculpture, waiting for Payne to surface, unaware the bomber has different plans.
One of the more well-known filming locations in Los Angeles is the house from Wes Craven’s 1984 horror classic, “A Nightmare On Elm Street.” The house can be found, not on Elm Street, but a road just off of Hollywood Blvd, called Genesee Ave.
The house of Nancy Thompson, played by Heather Langenkamp, it a fairly popular spot and receives a regular stream of visitors and fans of the films.
LOCATION: 1428 N Genesee Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Just across the street, you’ll find the house of Glen Lantz, played by a young Johnny Depp.
LOCATION: 1419 N Genesee Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
The high school seen in the film is John Marshall High School. A regular location in film and television, it has also appeared in such movies as “Rebel Without A Cause,” “Pretty In Pink,” “Can’t Hardly Wait,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Bachelor Party,” “Grosse Pointe Blank,” “Grease” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” as well as such TV shows as “Boy Meets World,” “Boston Public” and many more. It was even used in the Van Halen music video for “Hot For Teacher.”
LOCATION: 3939 Tracy St, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Tina Gray’s house can be found in Venice.
LOCATION: 620 Milwood Ave, Venice, CA 90291
In the alley behind Tina’s house, you’d find the location where Freddy chases her.
LOCATION: Milwood Ct / Electric Ct, Venice, CA 90291
The cemetery seen in the film is Evergreen Cemetery, in particular the Ivy Chapel, which is located near the back of the grounds. The cemetery closes early, so if you’d like to see it, don’t plan for an evening visit.
LOCATION: 204 N Evergreen Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033
The bridge where Nancy and Glen discuss dreams can be found at the Venice Canals near Venice Beach. The bridge they stand on connects Linnie Canal to Court C. The same bridge is seen in the Oliver Stone film “The Doors,” as well as “The Little Rascals.”
LOCATION: The bridge between Linnie Canal / Court C, Venice, CA 90291 (GPS coordinates: 33.985319, -118.464566)
“The Big Lebowski,” one of the great comedies of the Coen Brothers, shot all around the greater Los Angeles area. Several of the movie locations are surprisingly difficult to gain access to however, so if you’re a fan of the film and want to check out the places where it was shot, just be aware it may be a more difficult process than you’d expect.
First, we start with the apartment of The Dude, played famously by Jeff Bridges. The exterior apartment complex can be found in Venice, while the interiors were shot on a sound stage. The complex has since been renovated, but still bears some resemblance to how it appeared in the film. The entrance is gated with a tall hedges along the street, making views difficult.
LOCATION: 606 Venezia Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Here is a wider view of the apartment from the street.
The apartment complex across the street can also be seen in the film. This complex is frequently mistaken as being The Dude’s.
LOCATION: 609 Venezia Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Just outside of the apartments on Venezia Ave, looking down toward Zeno Pl, you’ll see where The Dude confronts Da Fino, the brother shamus.
LOCATION: Venezia Ave, Venice, CA 90291 (in front of The Dude’s apartment)
The famous bowling alley in the film no longer exists. It was the Hollywood Star Lanes, formerly located at 5227 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029. The building was torn down in 2002 to make way for a children’s elementary school.
The Big Lebowski’s mansion consisted of two locations. The exterior was shot at 10231 Charing Cross Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90024. It is a private, gated property, not visible from the street and has since been completely remodeled. The interior of the mansion is the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. The City of Beverly Hills actually owns the property, which is routinely used for filming. The outside grounds are open to the public, but getting inside is more difficult. Due to hosting productions and private events on a regular basis, only a few times a year does the city open the inside up for public viewing. It can be done if you are patient and keep an eye out for these select dates, however.
Inside the Greystone Mansion, this wall is where The Dude talks with Brandt, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, and looks at all of The Big Lebowski’s awards and achievements, including his “Little Lebowski Urban Achievers.” It’s known as the “Breakfast Room” inside the mansion.
LOCATION: Greystone Mansion, 905 Loma Vista Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Brandt is seen walking these hallways of Greystone Mansion several times in the film, as are The Dude and Walter, played by John Goodman.
Another famous location inside of Greystone Mansion; The Dude talks to the distraught Big Lebowski in front of this fireplace, where The Dude is hired to find the kidnapped Bunny Lebowski.
The very same room was used in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood,” as Daniel Plainview’s office, where his son visits him late in the film. It was also seen in “Air Force One” and “Flowers In The Attic.” A little tip for Lebowski fans, this room can usually be seen without access inside the Greystone Mansion. If you go to the front of the building and look through the windows, usually there are no curtains and this room, which is on the ground level, left of the main windows, can be seen. The hallway Brandt walks down can also be seen through a doorway window, just around the corner to the left of this room, near the fish pond. Only the Urban Achievers room truly requires access inside the mansion to be seen.
Walter accompanies The Dude on a money drop at this bridge, but things don’t go as planned. It is portrayed as a wooden bridge in the film, but this was set decoration added by the production.
LOCATION: Torrey Rd, Fillmore, CA 93015 (GPS coordinates: 34°23’40.9″N, 118°47’55.3″W
The coffee shop where Walter tells dude he can “get you a toe by 3 o’clock… with nail polish” is Johnie’s Coffee Shop Restaurant in midtown Los Angeles. The restaurant actually closed many years ago, but still operates as a filming location. It has appeared in “Reservoir Dogs,” “American History X,” “Miracle Mile,” “Gone in Sixty Seconds,” the 1983 film “Suburbia” and many more.
LOCATION:6099 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
The Dude, Walter and Donny pay a visit to Larry Sellers’ house, “near the In-N-Out Burger.” It’s in front of this home that Walter destroys the red corvette. Today, the home is partially obscured by trees.
LOCATION: 1824 Stearns Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90035
Late in the film, The Dude pays a visit to Jackie Treehorn’s house. In the film, the property is shown as being right on the beach. Those beach scenes were filmed at Point Dume in Malibu. In reality, however, the house is located in the hills of Benedict Canyon, nowhere near the beach. It’s the Sheats-Goldstein House, one of the most unique and famous houses in Los Angeles. It’s actually located just above Cielo Dr, where the Manson Family’s infamous murder of Sharon Tate and four others took place. The house regularly hosts photo shoots for models and at one time even allowed porn shoots. In 2016, the property was donated to LACMA, which hosts occasional events there. The house is tucked away at the end of a cul-de-sac, down a long, private drive and is not visible from the street. Unless you are a professional photographer or model, the only way to get onto the property is most likely, similar to Greystone Mansion, to keep your eyes peeled for a rare, public invitation.
LOCATION: 10104 Angelo View Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
The German nihilists order pancakes at Dinah’s Cafe in Culver City, where it is revealed the woman, played by Aimee Mann, has severed her toe. The same restaurant has also appeared in such films as “Nightcrawler” and “The Limey.”
LOCATION: 6521 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Despite the show’s name, very little of “Beverly Hills 90210” was ever shot in Beverly Hills.
The Walsh residence can actually be found in Altadena, California.
LOCATION: 1675 E Altadena Dr, Altadena, CA 91001
The cast attends “West Beverly High,” which was also filmed far from Beverly Hills at Torrance High School, down in Torrance, California. The same school was used on the TV series “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and the film “She’s All That.”
LOCATION: 2200 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90501
Another shot of the school seen frequently on the show.
A few different locations served as the famous “Peach Pit” on the show. In the first season, several episodes depicted the restaurant at this West L.A. restaurant.
LOCATION: 10801 Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
However, production switched to this Venice location for the remainder of the season.
LOCATION: 1027 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
The most well-known location for the “Peach Pit,” used from the second season onward, can be found in Pasadena. The building has hosted a variety of restaurants since filming ended and no longer bears much resemblance to how it appeared on the show.
LOCATION: 45 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
If that wasn’t enough Peach Pit for you, in 2019, a special pop-up version surfaced in Los Angeles, which has since closed. The same location was previously used as a pop-up for “Twin Peaks.”
Dylan, played by Luke Perry, lived at this house in Altadena. It’s located just a few houses down from the Walsh residence.
LOCATION: 1605 E Altadena Dr, Altadena, CA 91001
Steve’s house can be found in Encino. The house was also seen in the films “Ghost In The Machine” and “The Dentist.” Trees in the yard are making the front of the property increasingly difficult to see from the road.
LOCATION: 16711 Bosque Dr, Encino, CA 91436
Andrea’s house was formerly located at 540 N Gramercy Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90004, but the houses on this block have since been demolished and replaced by an apartment complex.
Kelly and Donna’s beach house can be found right along the walkways of Hermosa Beach. The same property was featured in the 1980s comedy “My Stepmother Is An Alien.” It’s quite a nice area to visit, even if you’re not a fan of the show.
LOCATION: 3500 The Strand, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
As snow falls on “O’Hara’s Pub” in the opening scenes of Terry Zwigoff’s “Bad Santa,” the sunny streets of Venice, California are probably the last thought in the minds of the viewers. However, that’s exactly where the scenes were shot, at a store front along the famous Abbot Kinney Boulevard. A wooden facade was partially built over the store front, along with a neon sign, with only the outer brick lining still visible. It’s located just a couple doors down from the record label where Paul Rudd works in “This Is 40.”
LOCATION: 1100 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Willie, played by Billy Bob Thorton, lives at this apartment, located in Long Beach.
LOCATION: 1161 Magnolia Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
Willie finds someone searching through his motel room. This scene was also filmed in Long Beach.
LOCATION: 446 W Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90806
Willie hides out at Thurman Merman’s house, which can be found in West Hills, California.
As time has passed, appreciation for Michael Mann’s crime saga masterpiece “Heat” has continued to grow. Few films have ever captured Los Angeles so magnificently as Mann did here. Even after all of these years, a few locations remain secret, but most have surfaced.
The opening shots of the film show Neil McCauley, played by Robert DeNiro on the Metro Green Line, arriving at the Redondo Beach Station. Director Michael Mann would return to this same station for the closing scenes of “Collateral.” If you plan to visit this station, the only way to access the platform is by purchasing a fare.
LOCATION: 2406 Marine Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Neil steals an ambulance from the St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach. The same hospital shows up again later in the film, when Vincent Hanna, played by Al Pacino, rushes his step-daughter Lauren, played by Natalie Portman, to the emergency room.
LOCATION: 1050 Linden Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
Chris, played by Val Kilmer, purchases explosives from a company in Whittier. However, the building seen in the film was later demolished. Here is how the area appears now.
LOCATION: 10006 Rose Hills Rd, Whittier, CA 90601 (demolished)
Vincent and his wife Justine live in what is known as the “Sixth Street House” in Santa Monica. A famous architectural piece, the house has the designation of historical landmark. Much of the front of the home is obscured by a wall and shrubs, making it a bit inconspicuous. The side of the home offers better visibility. In the film itself, only the interiors of the house are seen.
LOCATION: 2634 6th St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
The Mexican food stand where Waingro gets picked up has since been demolished. This is what the area looks like now.
LOCATION: 1233 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006 (demolished)
What matches up better is the plaza across the street, seen in the background as Waingro walks to the truck.
The robbery of the armored truck takes place on Venice Blvd, exactly as Hanna states in the film. It’s near the Los Angeles Convention Center, just underneath the interchange of the 10 and 110 freeways. The detention center scenes from “Scarface” were filmed nearby as well.
LOCATION: Venice Blvd / Convention Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90015
The robbers emerge from underneath this split overpass for the collision.
This is where Vincent arrives to investigate the aftermath.
McCauley’s crew torches the ambulance here.
LOCATION: W 22nd St / Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90007
McCauley meets with Nate, played by Jon Voight, at a parking garage in Downtown L.A. They are seen on the ninth level, which is now private and monitored by a security guard. Here is a view of the same area a couple levels down, which is public.
LOCATION: 333 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
McCauley’s crew takes Waingro to the former Johnie’s Broiler in Downey, where they attempt to kill him in the parking lot, but he ultimately escapes. The restaurant has a unique history, having appeared in many other films, such as “Short Cuts,” “License To Drive,” “The Game,” “My Stepmother Is An Alien,” “One Hour Photo,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and many more. In 2007, the building was demolished. However, Bob’s Big Boy purchased the property years later and rebuilt it based on the original blueprints and even some of the same materials. So what stands now closely resembles what was seen in the film.
LOCATION: 7447 Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA 90241
The location of Neil’s oceanfront home, where Chris sleeps off a domestic spat, has long been subject to debate. The house most commonly believed to be the correct location can be found on Malibu Cove Colony Drive, a private road just off the Pacific Coast Highway. Old real estate listings showing the interior of the home match closely with what was seen in the film, down to fixtures and appliances. The same house was also featured in the film “Less Than Zero,” where Jami Gertz tells Andrew McCarthy she’s not going to college. However, since then portions of the home have been remodeled, making it a difficult task to match up in person.
The entrance to Malibu Cove Colony Drive has a gate and guard on duty, preventing any public access (most beachfront roads in this area are likewise private). On the opposite side, however, are the outskirts of Escondido Beach, which is open to the public, but also presents its own challenges. First and foremost, the houses sit very close to the water. All of them are perched on stilts, as the tides can reach all the way up to the base of the properties. Visitors should use caution if they walk these narrow shores, as the high tides can leave you little room to cross. It also makes photography a challenge, unless you plan to take a swim. The next challenge is simply identifying the correct home. Many of these beachfront homes have been heavily remodeled. If you attempt to match them to satellite views, many details won’t align in person, due to remodeling. Some of the homes also resemble one another, particularly their patios, making it even more confusing. It’s easy to see why, after decades, the location has remained subject to debate. To be certain we found the correct home we were seeking, we used a combination satellite imagery and GPS. A drone (or jet ski) is likely a better method to view the house, but if you do attempt it on foot, use caution and do your research.
LOCATION: 26940 Malibu Cove Colony Dr, Malibu, CA 90265
The home of Chris Shiherlis can be found in Northridge. The house has since been remodeled some.
LOCATION: 19514 Romar St, Northridge, CA 91324 (remodeled)
This view, seen as Chris drives away, still matches up.
The bookstore where Eady, played by Amy Brenneman, works is located at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. The entire area, an outdoor pedestrian mall, was heavily renovated and the bookstore is long since gone.
LOCATION: 1254 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (remodeled)
The cafe where Eady gets to know Neil was likewise part of the 3rd Street Promenade. Much like the bookstore, the cafe is long since gone and the building has been remodeled.
LOCATION: 1457 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (remodeled)
Eady’s house sits perched on stilts in the hills of West Hollywood, offering a magnificent view over the city. There’s not much to see from the front of the house itself on Blue Heights Dr. Signs declare the cul-de-sac where it sits to be private property, but you can still see it well from the public section of the road. The floor to ceiling windows and patio area are much better seen from lower streets, such as Viewmont Dr (near the 1600 block, just before it reaches a dead end). The house found renewed interest in 2014 with the TV series “Bosch,” where it serves as the home of the titular detective.
LOCATION: 1870 Blue Heights Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069 (best seen from around the 1600 block of Viewmont Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069, just before the road hits a dead end)
Here is a view of the city, as seen from Blue Heights Dr, just before you reach Eady’s house, closely resembling what you’d see from the home.
Vincent and Drucker visit Albert’s chop shop in Wilmington. At the time of filming, the area was rumored to host an actual chop shop, though now it’s just a train maintenance area. The distinct, yellow sulpher pile still remains and there is a very strong smell in person.
LOCATION: 1017 Foote Ave, Wilmington, CA 90744 (near the railroad tracks)
Plans for the bank heist are first offered to Neil and Nate when they visit Kelso, played by Tom Noonan. The house was filmed on Dodds Circle in Los Angeles, which is also where Trejo’s house is located in the film. Neil and Nate first park here, overlooking the 10 freeway.
LOCATION: Dodds Cir, Los Angeles, CA 90063 (just off Dickson Ave)
McCauley then discusses the plan with Kelso at his house, which is fenced off around the entire perimeter.
LOCATION: 1235 Dodds Cir, Los Angeles, CA 90063
The restaurant where Donald, played by Dennis Haysbert, begins working under the abuse of a crooked manager is Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank (not to be confused with the Downey location covered earlier in this article).
LOCATION: 4211 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505
Later in the film, Neil happens to be dining inside with his crew and spots Donald cooking and immediately recognizes him as a former prison buddy.
Neil speaks to his driver, Trejo, from a phone at the restaurant, where he is informed Trejo is being tailed by cops and cannot join their heist. In need of a last-minute, replacement driver, Neil offers Donald a job on the spot.
McCauley follows Charlene, played by Ashley Judd, to this hotel in Burbank.
LOCATION: 3901 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505
Vincent later meets up with Albert at a club to speak with another informant.
LOCATION: 3548 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005
The drive-in theater where a deal goes wrong was demolished not long after filming took place. The area has since been redeveloped. This is how it appears now.
LOCATION: 5700 W Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90045 (demolished)
The restaurant where Neil’s crew dines can be found in Santa Monica, near the pier.
LOCATION: 1535 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
The motel where Hanna investigates a crime scene linked to Waingro has long since been demolished. A parking lot now stands at the site, but many of the buildings seen in the background still match up.
LOCATION: 944 Georgia St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (demolished)
Lauren is sitting on a bus bench in Santa Monica when she sees Hanna passing by in a car.
LOCATION: Hollister Ave / Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
The police car u-turns and picks up Lauren.
McCauley’s crew proceed to take down a metals repository, only to abandon the job midway, after McCauley hears a noise and correctly surmises the police are watching.
LOCATION: Near 1309 Factory Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Vincent stands in this general area after the failed operation.
After realizing the police are on to them, McCauley’s crew considers splitting up at this power station in Torrance. Here is a view of the general area.
LOCATION: 17680 Yukon Ave, Torrance, CA 90504
Neil’s crew stages a fake scout of an industrial area, where they are surveilled by the police, only to discover Neil’s true intent is actually surveilling the LAPD back. Hanna’s crew can be seen exiting down the stairs of this large drum, located in Wilmington.
LOCATION: 841 S La Paloma Ave, Wilmington, CA 90744 (facing S Fries Ave)
The police stand in this area at Terminal Island in San Pedro, as Hanna realizes they’ve been tricked. The area they stand is just past the fencing of this parking lot. To get here, you travel down New Dock Street. There is a checkpoint to the right for trucks, but if you keep left, the road bypasses the checkpoint for passenger vehicles. You can reach this parking lot, which is as close as you can get to the exact spot. If you plan to visit, we recommend doing so on a weekend, as weekdays the road can be backed up with long lines of trucks arriving to the port.
LOCATION: Near 700 New Dock St, San Pedro, CA 90731 (GPS coordinates: 33°45’18.5″N, 118°15’21.6″W)
You can see this building in the background of the shots.
You can also see the right side of this building, confirming they would have been standing directly to the right beyond the fencing.
Hanna is seen landing in a helicopter in this area, which is actually a church parking lot.
LOCATION: 1430 Imperial Hwy, Los Angeles, CA 90047
Hanna drives down the 110 freeway, connecting to the 105 freeway, in pursuit of McCauley. The express ramp to the left was also where the opening of “La La Land” was filmed. The bus jump from “Speed” was likewise filmed on the same interchange, when it was still under construction.
LOCATION: I-110, Los Angeles, CA 90061 (GPS coordinates 33°55’58.1″N, 118°16’50.6″W)
Hanna is then seen driving down Interstate 105 past these signs, in pursuit of McCauley.
LOCATION: Century Fwy, Inglewood, CA 90304 (GPS coordinates: 33°55’58.2″N, 118°21’32.4″W)
Just slightly further ahead, Hanna pulls McCauley over in this area and invites him for a cup of coffee.
LOCATION: Century Fwy, Inglewood, CA 90304 (GPS coordinates: 33°55’54.7″N, 118°21’44.6″W)
One of the film’s famous scenes is of course the face to face meeting between Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. The conversation took place at the excellent Kate Mantilini, an institution of Beverly Hills which closed in 2014 after the restaurant could not afford a rental increase by the building owners. We managed to capture some photos from when the place was still open.
LOCATION: 9101 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (now closed)
Above the entrance to the restaurant, this image from the iconic scene was hung.
After meeting Neil, Vincent returns to a hotel where he’s staying, only to discover his step-daughter Lauren has attempted suicide in his bathroom. This was filmed at the Hotel Angeleno, just off the 405 freeway. The hotel was mostly seen from interior views in the film, aside from a shot of Vincent looking down at the freeway from his balcony.
LOCATION: 170 N Church Ln, Los Angeles, CA 90049
The exterior of the famous bank robbery scene is set in downtown Los Angeles at the Citigroup Center. This same location was also featured in such films as “Fight Club,” “To Live And Die In L.A.,” “The Hidden” and more.
LOCATION: 444 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
The bank interiors were filmed at this building, also located in Downtown L.A.
LOCATION: 350 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
The robbery then spills out onto the streets, in what many consider one of the greatest shootouts ever filmed.
LOCATION: Intersection of W 5th St / S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
McCauley and Chris attempt to escape in the parking lot of a grocery store. At the time of filming, this was just a parking garage, dressed to appear as a grocery store. The entire area has since been redeveloped and a large building now stands in it’s place. However, you can still match up some of the buildings seen in the background.
LOCATION: Near 831 S Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (GPS coordinates: 34°02’45.9″N, 118°15’36.8″W)
Cheritto, played by Tom Sizemore, takes a hostage in this area, which is actually the rooftop of a small parking garage. There is a walking path directly onto the rooftop from 4th St.
LOCATION: 445 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Trejo’s house, much like Eady’s, sits on stilts over a hillside of L.A., where he is discovered by McCauley near the end of the film. It sits on the same small road as Kelso’s house from earlier in the film, which was discovered as a result of finding this home for the film.
LOCATION: 1219 Dodds Cir, Los Angeles, CA 90063
The home of Van Zant, played by William Fichtner, can be found near West Hollywood, not far from Eady’s house. The back area where McCauley approaches is not visible from the street.
LOCATION: 9024 Thrasher Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Nate’s bar was filmed at The Blue Room in Burbank. The same location appears in “Memento” and the 1997 film “Touch.”
LOCATION: 916 S San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502
Neil talks with Eady as the two look out over the ocean next to this tree. It’s located next to a popular park in Pacific Palisades known as The Point at the Bluffs, which has a beautiful view over the water.
LOCATION: Via de Las Olas, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 (GPS coordinates: 34°02’08.0″N, 118°31’53.5″W)
After the robbery, the police try to bait in Chris by setting up a meeting with his wife Charlene. After she tips him off with a subtle gesture (on a patio at 119 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291), he leaves the scene. He’s stopped next to Venice Beach by the police, where he presents false identification and escapes.
LOCATION: Navy St / Speedway, Los Angeles, CA 90405
Thinking Neil is gone for good, Hanna leaves the police station and kicks a TV out of his car onto the street at this intersection. This same intersection has appeared in such films as “Speed” and the 2001 remake of “Ocean’s Eleven.”
LOCATION: W 5th St / S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
The hotel where Neil tracks down Waingo can be found right next to LAX airport, just as depicted in the film. Neil parks in this alley next to the hotel.
LOCATION: 5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
McCauley flees from Hanna into LAX airport.
LOCATION: Los Angeles International Airport, 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045
The final standoff between Hanna and McCauley actually takes place in a field just across the street from the end of the LAX runway. You can see some similar structures still standing there.
LOCATION: Near Aviation Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 (GPS coordinates: 33°56’21.0″N, 118°22’36.7″W)
Film Oblivion 