Los Angeles is the epicenter of the film industry due mainly to its many lots and studios, able to accommodate countless on-camera projects every day. However, the city is also prime for on-location shooting, thanks in no small part to that omnipresent sunshine and those mild temperatures.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration for your upcoming gig, or are just in search of an entirely free way to spend a day off, below are nine landmarks from television and film around Los Angeles, which you can visit right now!
Griffith Observatory, seen in “La La Land”
Judging by the film’s title, it’s not surprising that there are several spots in the Academy Award-winning “La La Land” you can visit around the city. Griffith Observatory, though, is the backdrop to one of the movie musical’s most lush romantic scenes, and thus prevails as the must-visit locale. Located in Griffith Park, the south-facing facility offers some of the most jaw-dropping 360 views of the entire city (smog levels permitting).
Cher’s house from “Clueless”
The beloved ‘90s flick is basically synonymous with Beverly Hills, so it may shock (and horrify) you to hear that the “It” girl’s mini-mansion is not actually in Bev Hills, but rather, its neighboring ‘hood, Encino, just off of the Ventura Freeway. But don’t “as if” us: the house is definitely still gorgeous and worthy of a visit for any valley girl-loving fan of the film.
The bench from “500 Days of Summer”
As seen throughout the film at a few pivotal moments, the bench from “500 Days of Summer” is a symbol that’s equal parts melancholy and promise. In other words, it will elicit tears for one reason or another. The dreamy spot is actually called Angel’s Knoll (because of course it is) and it’s located in Downtown Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the park was closed in 2014. That said, if you’re up for some rule-breaking fearlessness, you can still pay a visit.
Jerry’s apartment from “Seinfeld”
This one may sting. While Manhattan was central to much of the nine seasons of “Seinfeld,” the sitcom was actually shot in Los Angeles. Unlike many other New York-set/L.A.-shot series, the comedy even used California exteriors opposed to co-opted shots from the other coast for its title character’s building. For any “Seinfeld” diehards who want to get a real taste of the building, it’s in Koreatown.
The titular house from “American Horror Story: Murder House”
The first season of “American Horror Story”—regarded by many as one of its best—would have been far less fruitful if not for the truly horrifying home which contained all the action. The crib bears the name The Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, named after its German architect and is situated adjacent to what’s been billed Billionaire Row. You can even rent the place out for a measly $1,450/night if haunted mansions are your thing.
“The Golden Girls” house
Blanche, Rose, Sophia, and Dorothy shacked up in a ranch-style home in Brentwood that’s is still around today and that, thankfully, has received very minimal facelifts, thus maintains that “Golden” glow. Though the residence was meant to be in Florida on the hit series, the façade shots were initially of this house on North Saltaire Ave. Interestingly, though, an exact replica of the exterior was built on a lot at Disney-MGM Studios for later seasons.
The firehouse from “Ghostbusters”
Fire Station No. 23, located in Downtown L.A., is definitely best-known for housing the ghost-hunting guys in each of the “Ghostbusters” films (despite the fact they were supposed to be in New York City, a recurrence on this list, you may have noticed). However, the 1910-built firehouse, which is still operating to this day, has also served as location for “The Mask,” “Police Academy 2,” “National Security,” and more projects.
LACMA’s Urban Light as seen in “No Strings Attached”
Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Urban Light exhibit is undeniably cinematic, with its many architectural lines and ample golden-hued lighting. The already-unmistakable L.A. landmark on Wilshire Boulevard was only erected in 2008, so surely more films will make use of it in the coming years. So far, the most memorable feature was in the Natalie Portman/Ashton Kutcher apprehensive-rom-com “No Strings Attached,” in which the two come to a pivotal head beneath the lineated lamp posts.
Mrs. Robinson’s home from “The Graduate”
The house is located on North Palm Beach Drive in Beverly Hills and, surely, we needn’t say anything more except, “Here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson.”
Inspired? Check out Backstage’s Los Angeles audition listings!
