This self-guided tour of Los Angeles filming locations is totally flexible, so you get to choose which spots you want to see most and go right to them!
Visit the site where Joe Mantell uttered the famous words “Forget it Jake, it’s Chinatown” in Roman Polanski’s all-time classic, Chinatown, and take in some striking scenery while you’re there.
Want to see a courthouse from The Dark Knight Rises, a police station from Blade Runner, and a bank from Catch Me if You Can? Lucky for you, they’re all the same building: Union Station!
If old-timey sci-fi is more your speed, check out the LA City Hall, featured in War of the Worlds and The Adventures of Superman.
Or check out the Bradbury Building, where the climactic final showdown takes place in Blade Runner. Plus, get some surprising facts about that famous scene!
Banks tend not to fair too well in Hollywood, and this couldn’t be more true of the next stop on this tour, where Doc Oc wreaked havoc in Spiderman 2 and Jim Carrey was robbed in The Mask.
Into surrealism? You’ll find it at the Palace Theatre, which doubled as the mysterious Club Silencio in David Lynch’s mind-bending Mulholland Drive.
Fans of the supernatural can’t miss the Cicada Club, the setting of a season of American Horror Story, and the Millenium Biltmore, where the Ghostbusters catch their first ghost--and only break a few things in the process. If you’ve ever wondered how Hollywood gets away with all its destruction, you’ll get a glimpse into that here!
Travelers needing a meal break can dine like Denzel at the Pacific Dining Car, where Denzel Washington’s character takes Ethan Hawke for a meal in the cop thriller Training Day.
Those with a bad case of nostalgia will definitely want to stop by Echo Park Lake, home to none other than the lagoon from Gilligan’s Island. But don’t worry, this park has something for the contemporary film-lover as well, since it’s the location of Dom’s house in the Fast and Furious franchise.
Take a step back in time at the Music Box Steps, where Laurel and Hardy performed one of their most iconic bits during a simpler time. Then, head to The Virgil for a more contemporary musical landmark. This was where Lady Gaga first performed in the recent remake of A Star Is Born!
Most high schools never see a serious film crew, but it’s part of the culture at John Marshall High School, which has served as a set piece for everything from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Nightmare on Elm Street and beyond.
Finally, pay a picturesque visit to Griffith Observatory. This observatory wasn’t just a filming site for movies like Rebel Without a Cause and La La Land--it also offers the best views of Los Angeles anyone could ask for! From here, you’ll be able to get close to the famous Hollywood sign and see the whole city sparkling below. The tour concludes here.
Entrance ticket
