Ever wondered where your favorite movies were actually filmed? Los Angeles serves as the backdrop for countless iconic film scenes, from futuristic sci-fi adventures to classic romantic comedies. These Los Angeles filming locations aren’t just movie sets – they’re real places you can visit, explore, and even recreate famous scenes from your favorite films.
The city offers movie buffs an incredible range of accessible filming spots, including the legendary Griffith Observatory, the historic TCL Chinese Theater, and the instantly recognizable Hollywood Sign. This guide will take you through 10 must-see locations where movie magic comes to life, complete with visitor information and the best photo opportunities at each spot. Whether you’re planning a dedicated movie location tour or just want to add some Hollywood glamor to your LA trip, these sites deserve a spot on your itinerary.
Griffith Observatory
Image Source: griffithobservatory.org
Perched atop Mount Hollywood, the Griffith Observatory stands as Southern California’s gateway to the cosmos and one of Los Angeles’ most filmed locations. This architectural marvel has been captivating visitors and filmmakers alike since 1935.
Griffith Observatory in popular films
The Observatory’s stunning architecture and panoramic views have made it a filmmaker’s dream. La La Land featured an enchanting dance sequence where Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone waltzed through the stars in the planetarium. The iconic Rebel Without a Cause immortalized the location with James Dean’s famous knife fight scene, now commemorated by a bronze bust near the front lawn. Other notable appearances include The Terminator, Transformers, and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.
Griffith Observatory visitor experience
Your visit to this celestial wonderland comes with some impressive perks:
- Free admission to the building and grounds
- Live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium
- Public telescope viewing on clear evenings
- Interactive exhibits and demonstrations
- Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater presentations
Griffith Observatory best photo spots
For capturing perfect shots, the Observatory offers multiple prime locations. The Charlie Turner Trailhead provides the best head-on views of the building’s distinctive architecture. The front lawn not only offers great building shots but also frames the Hollywood Sign in the background. The Observatory’s terraces and rooftop areas provide spectacular cityscape views, especially stunning during sunset and nighttime hours.
Pro tip: Visit on weekdays, particularly Monday or Tuesday, to avoid school field trips and larger crowds.
Hollywood Sign
Image Source: Hollywood Sign
Standing proudly above the Los Angeles landscape since 1923, the Hollywood Sign has evolved from a simple real estate advertisement to one of the most recognizable filming locations in the world.
Hollywood Sign history
Originally spelling out “HOLLYWOODLAND,” this iconic landmark was constructed for $21,000 (equivalent to $380,000 in 2023) to advertise a new housing development. The sign featured 4,000 light bulbs that blinked “HOLLY,” “WOOD,” and “LAND” in sequence. In 1949, the last four letters were removed, creating the “HOLLYWOOD” sign we know today. After falling into disrepair, the sign was completely rebuilt in 1978 thanks to donations from celebrities like Hugh Hefner and Gene Autry.
Hollywood Sign hiking trails
The Mount Hollywood Trail offers the most popular hiking route, starting from Griffith Observatory’s parking lot. For a more challenging adventure, try the Cahuenga Peak Trail, a three-mile trek rewarding hikers with unique views from behind the sign. The Brush Canyon Trail provides a moderate 6.4-mile round-trip experience with stunning city vistas.
Hollywood Sign best viewpoints
For the perfect photo opportunity, check out these prime viewing locations:
- Lake Hollywood Park – The easiest close-up view with convenient parking
- Griffith Observatory – Offers spectacular distant views alongside other attractions
- Hollywood & Highland Center – Perfect for combining shopping with sign-spotting
- Lake Hollywood Reservoir – Provides a nature-focused perspective with the sign as backdrop
- Mount Lee Drive – The best front-facing view, though parking can be challenging
Venice Beach
Image Source: LAParks.org
The vibrant energy of Venice Beach has made it the second-most filmed location worldwide, capturing Hollywood’s imagination since Mary Pickford’s 1910 silent film “Never Again.”
Venice Beach in movies and TV
From Orson Welles transforming the boardwalk into a Mexican border town for “Touch of Evil” to the recent pink-tinged scenes in “Barbie,” Venice Beach’s colorful backdrop has graced countless productions. Notable appearances include:
- “White Men Can’t Jump” (both 1992 and 2023 versions)
- “The Doors”
- “Californication”
- “NCIS: Los Angeles”
Venice Beach attractions
Muscle Beach Venice, nicknamed the “Home of Bodybuilding,” has been attracting fitness enthusiasts since 1963. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno trained at this legendary outdoor gym, which remains open daily for workouts. The Venice Beach Skatepark offers 16,000 square feet of world-class skating terrain, while the Venice Art Walls showcase rotating collections of street art and murals that attract millions annually.
Venice Beach boardwalk highlights
The one-mile Venice Beach Boardwalk serves as a vibrant street market and free speech zone, featuring everything from bohemian clothing boutiques to unique street performances. You might catch Harry Perry, the famous guitar-playing skater, or browse original artwork at one of the 205 free spaces allocated to artists and performers. The iconic suspended ‘Venice’ sign at Windward Avenue marks the entrance to this bustling thoroughfare, where the diversity of humanity provides endless entertainment.
Santa Monica Pier
Image Source: Wikipedia
As one of Los Angeles’ most iconic landmarks, the Santa Monica Pier has served as a cinematic backdrop for countless Hollywood productions, its distinctive Ferris wheel and carnival atmosphere creating the perfect setting for both romantic encounters and dramatic scenes.
Santa Monica Pier on screen
The Pier’s most memorable appearance comes from Forrest Gump, where the titular character concludes his cross-country run beneath the historic pier sign. Ocean’s Eleven showcases George Clooney and Brad Pitt meeting at The Lobster restaurant, while Hannah Montana: The Movie features a spectacular birthday celebration at Pacific Park. The location continues to attract filmmakers with its unique combination of seaside charm and urban energy.
Santa Monica Pier rides and attractions
The crown jewel of the pier is Pacific Park, LA’s only admission-free amusement park. Notable attractions include:
- The Pacific Wheel – world’s first and only solar-powered Ferris wheel, rising 130 feet above the pier
- West Coaster – the only oceanfront steel roller coaster on the West Coast
- Heal the Bay Aquarium – a hidden gem beneath the historic Carousel building
- Historic Merry-Go-Round – operating since the early 1900s
Santa Monica Pier dining options
From casual boardwalk bites to upscale dining experiences, the pier offers something for every palate. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. provides movie-themed dining with ocean views, while the newly opened “Snackville” features specialty outlets like Smashie’s Burger and Cosmic Funnel Cakes. For a more refined experience, waterfront restaurants offer fresh seafood and panoramic Pacific views.
Union Station
Image Source: Union Station Los Angeles
Los Angeles Union Station stands as a masterpiece of architectural design, blending Art Deco grandeur with Spanish Colonial charm since its grand opening in 1939. This transportation hub has become one of Hollywood’s favorite filming locations, thanks to its timeless elegance and versatile spaces.
Union Station’s cinematic history
The station’s most memorable appearance comes from Blade Runner, where its stunning ticket concourse transformed into a futuristic police headquarters. The Dark Knight Rises reimagined the grand waiting room as a kangaroo court presided over by the villainous Scarecrow. Pearl Harbor utilized the station’s period-perfect architecture to transport viewers back to the 1940s.
Union Station architecture
The Historic Ticket Hall showcases 30 windows crafted from American black walnut, while massive Art Deco chandeliers illuminate the Grand Waiting Room. Here, you’ll find 286 leather-upholstered mahogany chairs where countless travelers (and movie stars) have rested. The building’s unique blend of architectural styles emphasizes LA’s diverse cultural heritage, featuring elements of Mission Revival alongside streamlined Modern design.
Union Station guided tours
Explore this architectural gem through various tour options:
- Free art and architecture tours every second Sunday (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
- Virtual educational tours available Monday through Friday
- Special access to the historic ticketing hall during guided tours
- Custom group tours for 5-40 participants with advance booking
Bradbury Building
Image Source: LA Conservancy
Behind an unassuming Romanesque facade in downtown Los Angeles lies a magical Victorian masterpiece that’s captured the imagination of sci-fi filmmakers for decades. The Bradbury Building, completed in 1893, stands as a testament to timeless architecture and cinematic history.
Bradbury Building in sci-fi films
This architectural gem gained worldwide fame as Sebastian’s apartment in Blade Runner, where Harrison Ford’s character navigated its intricate staircases in the film’s climactic scenes. The building’s steampunk-like atmosphere has made it a favorite for science fiction productions, appearing in The Outer Limits and Quantum Leap. More recently, it starred in The Artist as the Kinograph Studios headquarters.
Bradbury Building unique features
Step inside to discover a breathtaking five-story Victorian court that rises almost 50 feet to a glass ceiling, flooding the space with natural light. The building’s signature elements include:
- Two open-cage hydraulic elevators still operated by human conductors
- Ornate French wrought-iron railings crafted for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair
- Italian marble staircases with elaborate ironwork
- A mesmerizing mix of glazed and unglazed yellow and pink bricks
Bradbury Building visitor information
You can explore this architectural wonder free of charge from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekends. While visitors can only access the first landing, you’re welcome to take non-commercial photos throughout the atrium. Pro tip: Visit during sunny hours when natural light creates stunning shadows through the atrium’s glass ceiling.
Millennium Biltmore Hotel
Image Source: Wikipedia
Since Hollywood’s golden age, the Millennium Biltmore Hotel has been the crown jewel of Los Angeles filming locations, hosting everything from ghostbusting adventures to glamorous award ceremonies.
Millennium Biltmore Hotel movie appearances
This grand dame of downtown LA has starred in countless productions. Ghostbusters fans will recognize the magnificent lobby as the Sedgwick Hotel, where our heroes first encountered Slimer. The hotel’s elegant interiors have graced scenes in Mad Men, Chinatown, and Beverly Hills Cop. Most recently, the Crystal Ballroom served as a backdrop for Oppenheimer, maintaining the hotel’s century-long tradition of movie magic.
Millennium Biltmore Hotel architecture
The hotel’s breathtaking design showcases a blend of Spanish-Italian Renaissance Revival and Beaux Arts styles. Notable features include:
- Hand-painted Smeraldi frescos adorning the main Galleria
- Two stunning 22-foot Austrian crystal chandeliers in the Crystal Ballroom
- The Rendezvous Court’s Moorish Revival ceiling with 24-karat gold accents
- A reproduction of the royal hall where Queen Isabella heard of Columbus’s discovery
Millennium Biltmore Hotel ghost stories
The hotel’s corridors echo with tales of supernatural encounters. The most famous spectral resident is Elizabeth Short, the Black Dahlia, last seen in the lobby on January 9, 1947. Her ghost reportedly haunts the tenth and eleventh floors, eternally riding the elevators while staring straight ahead. Other reported apparitions include a ghostly nurse on the second floor and a mysterious faceless boy on the roof, making the Biltmore as famous for its haunted history as its Hollywood connections.
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park
Image Source: LA County Parks – COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Just 45 minutes north of Los Angeles, dramatic sandstone formations thrust skyward at impossible angles, creating one of nature’s most spectacular filming sets. These 932 acres of geological wonder, known as Vasquez Rocks, have been captivating visitors and filmmakers for nearly a century.
Vasquez Rocks in science fiction
The location’s otherworldly landscape has made it a sci-fi favorite, most notably in Star Trek. The jagged peaks first appeared in the original series’ “Arena” episode, where Captain Kirk battled the Gorn. Since then, it’s featured in multiple Trek series, including Star Trek: Picard, where it finally played itself rather than an alien world.
Vasquez Rocks hiking trails
The Pacific Crest Trail winds through the park, offering both short walks and challenging hikes. A moderate 3.4-mile loop trail showcases the park’s geological wonders, while shorter nature trails provide educational stops about the area’s fascinating earthquake-formed landscape.
Vasquez Rocks photo opportunities
Capture the perfect shot at these prime locations:
- Main rock formation during golden hour for dramatic shadows
- Pacific Crest Trail overlook for panoramic views
- Canyon walls for interesting geological patterns
- Sunrise at the visitor center for best lighting on the peaks
The park remains open from sunrise to sunset, with free admission and ample parking near the main formation.
Paramount Pictures Studio Tour
Image Source: www.paramountstudiotour.com
Welcome to Hollywood’s oldest major movie studio, where over a century of cinematic history meets modern-day movie magic. As the last remaining major studio in Hollywood, Paramount Pictures offers an intimate glimpse into the world of filmmaking that you won’t find anywhere else.
Paramount Pictures Studio Tour highlights
Step into the heart of Hollywood with these exclusive experiences:
- Hold an authentic Academy Award
- Explore the iconic New York Street backlot
- Visit active sound stages and working sets
- Peek inside the prop warehouse featuring treasures like Bumblebee from Transformers
- Experience the famous “blue sky tank” where Star Trek IV and The Truman Show filmed ocean scenes
Paramount Pictures Studio Tour booking info
Choose from three distinctive experiences: the 2-hour Studio Tour ($65), the 3-hour Premier Tour ($150), or the ultimate VIP Tour ($4.5 hours/$215). Advance reservations are strongly recommended, and children must be 10 or older to participate. Parking costs $24, though it’s complimentary for VIP tours.
Paramount Pictures Studio Tour movie magic
What makes this tour special is its intimate, behind-the-scenes access. You’ll explore Grace & Frankie’s actual set, witness how the blue sky tank transforms into ocean scenes, and discover how special effects bring movies to life. Your guide uses an iPad to show clips from famous scenes filmed in the exact spots you’re standing, bringing Hollywood magic full circle.
TCL Chinese Theater
Image Source: TCL Chinese Theater
No Hollywood landmark captures the glamor of cinema quite like the TCL Chinese Theater, where movie magic has lived since 1927. This iconic movie palace continues to be the crown jewel of Hollywood Boulevard, hosting everything from blockbuster premieres to daily tours.
TCL Chinese Theater iconic forecourt
The famous Forecourt of the Stars started by accident when actress Norma Talmadge stepped in wet cement during construction. Today, nearly 200 celebrities have left their mark here, from Marilyn Monroe’s delicate prints to R2-D2’s wheel tracks. Fun fact: You’ll find not just hands and feet, but also Jackie Chan’s nose print and the hoofprints of famous Hollywood horses!
TCL Chinese Theater movie premieres
Since Cecil B. DeMille’s “The King of Kings” first graced its screen, the theater has hosted countless star-studded premieres. While you might not score an invitation to these exclusive events, you can still watch the red carpet excitement from Hollywood Boulevard. The theater now features North America’s largest IMAX screen, making it a favorite for major film debuts.
TCL Chinese Theater guided tours
The VIP Tour takes you behind the velvet ropes to discover:
- Historic movie costumes and props
- Stories about famous imprint ceremonies
- The theater’s distinctive Chinese architecture
- Access to the same seats where stars sit during premieres
Tours run daily, lasting about 30 minutes, but arrive early in the day for the complete VIP experience before movie screenings begin.
Conclusion
Los Angeles stands as a living museum of cinema history, where movie magic materializes in real-world locations. These ten iconic spots showcase the city’s remarkable range of filming backdrops, from the celestial heights of Griffith Observatory to the Victorian splendor of the Bradbury Building. Each destination tells its own Hollywood story while offering visitors unique ways to connect with their favorite films, whether through guided tours, photo opportunities, or simply standing where countless stars have stood before.
Movie buffs will find these locations bring their favorite scenes to life in ways no screen can capture. The architectural grandeur of Union Station, the timeless charm of the TCL Chinese Theater, and the otherworldly formations at Vasquez Rocks await exploration. These spots remain active filming locations today, meaning visitors might even glimpse tomorrow’s classic movies in production. Pack your camera, wear comfortable walking shoes, and prepare to step into the real Hollywood, where every corner holds a piece of cinema history.
