California’s most notable film locations

Hollywood’s award season is underway with the Oscars fast approaching.

With its beaches, spectacular national parks and array of dynamic cities, it’s hardly surprising California is the chosen backdrop for much of the TV, film and music industry. The glamour and reach of the big screen stretches well beyond Hollywood and are reflected across all parts of California.

Current award nominee locations

Los Angeles – The Fablemans & Everything Everywhere All at Once 

Filmmakers created magic in Los Angeles this year, with two films, The Fablemans and Everything Everywhere All at Once, earning nominations at the 2023 Oscars. The Orpheum Theatre at 842 South Broadway in Los Angeles served as a pivotal production location in Spielberg’s drama The Fablemans. The plot of Everything Everywhere All at Once similarly unwinds through Los Angeles, prominently featuring downtown LA. Los Angeles has no shortage of film shoot locations, past and present, which visitors can visit on a tour, perhaps even stumbling across some in current production.

Pasadena and the San Fernando Valley – Babylon

Starring big names Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt, 2023 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nominee Babylon includes scenery throughout California. The film features the stunning Castle Green in Pasadena – one of the oldest standing historic landmarks in Los Angeles – rustic views of Simi Valley and 1910s bungalows in San Fernando Valley, aptly ageing the film and authentically showing the audience this early 20th-century world.

Past winner locations

El Dorado County – Modern Family

Some of the most iconic films and TV shows have used El Dorado County as their backdrop. With a diverse landscape featuring wide open ranch land to lush forests, the area has something for all genres. One of the most famous films to be shot in Gold Country was the Modern Family TV series.

Trona Pinnacles – Westworld

In the Central Valley, just 20 miles from Ridgecrest, lies the Trona Pinnacles. With more than 500 tufa spires, the unique geological features of this national landmark have provided a standout backdrop for many music videos and TV and film shoots, including the popular HBO series Westworld.

Greater Palm Springs – A Star is Born

A Star is Born, starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, racked up 24 major award nominations in 2019. The popular film was shot at several spots in Greater Palm Springs including The Empire Polo Club, the Palm Springs Convention Center, Jalisco Tires and Dillon Road.

San Diego – Top Gun: Maverick

Following the hugely popular release of Top Gun: Maverick, now is the perfect time for fans to head to San Diego, where much of the original film and some of the latest film were shot. Film buffs will want to visit the Miramar Air Station, home to Top Gun’s training school, Kansas City Barbeque, where Kelly McGillis and Meg Ryan belt out “Great Balls of Fire,” and Mission Beach Plunge.

Other famous set locations

Sonoma County – The Birds & The Scream

For years, Santa Rosa and Sonoma County have been the “It” spot for legendary horror directors including Alfred Hitchcock and Wes Craven. Hitchcock filmed his iconic The Birds at Sainte Teresa of Avila Church and the Potter School in Bodega Bay. He also shot scenes from Shadow of a Doubt in the area. Craven shot scenes from The Scream throughout Santa Rosa.

Lone Pine – Iron Man & Django Unchained

Jutting against the Sierra Nevada, the Alabama Hills in Lone Pine is a series of unique rock formations and hills that scream ‘Wild West’ to filmmakers. Nearly every major Western actor from Gene Autry to John Wayne saddled up a horse to film here from the 1930s-1950s. The site was also the setting for scenes from Iron Man and Django Unchained.

Death Valley – Star Wars

Death Valley has long been a popular film location for other worldly scenes so it’s no surprise that it caught the eye of the venerable George Lucas. Both Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi were filmed in the national park. Whether you opt to visit Basin Badwater, North America’s lowest point at 282 feet below sea level, or hike through the colourful rainbow rocks on Artist’s Drive, it is clear why Death Valley was chosen as a filming location with so many incredible sites.

Beverly Hills – Pretty Woman

Beverly Hills is synonymous with celebrities. Countless films and TV programmes including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Pretty Woman have been filmed in spots like the Beverly Wilshire, The Four Seasons and of course Rodeo Drive. If you’re trying to spot a celeb, book a table at their popular restaurant haunts like Maude, The Polo Lounge or Spago.