The Most Popular Filming Locations in Los Angeles

As the birthplace of Hollywood and home of the stars, Los Angeles is a real life filming set. Wandering through this boisterous city you’ll notice a lot of familiar looking settings - scenes you have witnessed in TV shows or films. From violent movies like Pulp Fiction, to the hopelessly romantic La La Land, the diversity of movies produced in LA is astounding. While it’s simply impossible to name every single place that has been featured in Los Angeles movies, here are some of the most iconic filming locations in LA.

Griffith Observatory 

 While talking about the most known filming locations in Los Angeles, Griffith Observatory is easily among the top of the list. One of the most beautiful places in Los Angeles, this public Observatory attracts large crowds of people every year. Whether it’s to admire the picturesque views of the city below or to indulge in scientific discoveries, the Griffith Observatory is a must see for visitors. The Griffith Observatory also offers challengings hikes, beautiful grass for picnics or yoga, as well as diverse events held all throughout the year.

It comes as no surprise that one of the best movies about Los Angeles was filmed right here, at this very place. As we’re sure you have guessed, the movie in question is La La Land. During one of the main protagonists’ outings, they head over to the Griffith Observatory and dance around the building.

Point Dume at Zuma Beach

 Point Dume continues to be a very popular filming location for movies, advertisements, TV shows, and videos. The reason being that it is very close to the film and television industry epicenter. As with many Malibu beaches, Zuma’s Point Dume Beach has scenic views and soft white sand, making it the perfect backdrop for any Hollywood film. 

Many Los Angeles movies have been shot at this location. This is where Jackie Treehorn’s beach party in the Big Lebowski was filmed, including some vital scenes in the Planet of the Apes series. 

Leo Carillo Beach 

 This state park was established in 1953, named after Leo Carrilo who worked on the State Parks Commission. The 1.5 miles of beach are stunning and offer a plethora of outdoor activities like swimming, surfing, beachcombing and more. There is a lot to explore in one of the most beautiful beaches in California. 

Leo Carillo Beach also happens to be where some scenes of the legendary movie Grease were filmed. Others include the Usual Suspects, Cast Away, and The Karate Kid. Visit this state park to enjoy the many things it has to offer, and to admire it as the location of these iconic movies. 

UCLA Campus

Located in Beverly Hills, UCLA is among the most beautiful college campuses in California, with 419 acres of aesthetic spots to discover. The University’s grounds are dotted with trees and contain miles of lush grassy areas, giving it an urban feel. A lot of movies filmed in Los Angeles have taken advantage of these beautiful spots. UCLA has been featured in iconic movies such as the Godfather and Legally Blonde, and classic TV shows like Gilmore Girls and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 

The Office Building

While we are led to believe that the office from The Office is located in Scranton, PA, it is actually filmed in a building in Van Nuys. While it may not look like much with its gray and simple structure, this is where the shenanigans of The Office took place. Dunder Mifflin is a paper company after all, the filming set did not need to incorporate an especially impressive looking building. This is also where the Chandler Valley Center Studios are located. 

BradBury Building 

 The BradBury Building is a Los Angeles architectural landmark that has withstood the test of time. This legendary structure was built back in 1893 and has been used as a filming set for multiple movies throughout the past 40 years. The inside of the BradBury Building is where the magic happens, the atrium is built in a way that lets light flood through. Along with the five open-floor geometric staircases, the BradBury Building is one the best filming locations in Los Angeles.

The building has been featured in many television shows, music videos, and literature. The most notable movies it has appeared in are The Artist, 500 Days of Summer, and Blade Runner. 

Angels Knoll - The Bench 

One of the more easily accessible film locations in Los Angeles is the infamous bench, featured in the hit indie movie 500 Days of Summer. This is where one of the most iconic scenes takes place, where the main character sits on the bench overlooking the city. This bench is located in the heart of downtown LA at Angels Knoll Park next to Grand Central Market and Angels Flight. The park is closed off at night so you will only be able to see or sit on the bench during the day. 

Randy’s Donuts 

Among the most famous landmarks in LA, Randy’s Donuts attracts crowds of people, and not all of them come to savor their delicious donuts. Many people recognize the landmark and are frantic to take pictures of it, or just look at it. This makes Randy’s Donuts one of the most visited LA film locations. Featured in movies like Iron Man 2 and Mars Attacks, head over to Randy’s Donuts to admire this iconic filming set, and why not grab a donut along the way. 

Angelino’s - Strip Mall 

The NightCrawler is a movie mostly set at night, so when the crew were out scouting for locations appropriate for the visuals of the film, it had to be after the city got dark. That is how the bakery Angelino’s was discovered to be one of the perfect locations to film . Located at 1522 West Sunset Boulevard, the Strip Mall at Laveta Terrace in Echo Park is where the bakery can be found. This local bakery is loved by many for its donuts, croissants, smoothies, and many more. 

This is one of the Los Angeles filming locations that can only be recognized at night, as everything looks quite different during the day.