10 Movie Locations in Los Angeles

Movies are my passion! I’ve dabbled in acting, both on-screen and as a stand-in, which has taken me to some seriously cool movie and show spots. I’ve clocked hours in all the big film studios in LA and strutted my stuff in plenty of outdoor settings too. And you know what? Even on my days off, I can’t resist checking out more locations, ’cause hey, I’m just fascinated by the whole movie biz!

Below are some of my favorite movie locations, most of which are in or around Los Angeles.

Pretty Woman

Ah, that scene from Pretty Woman where Richard Gere climbs the fire escape to declare his love for Julia Roberts’ character – iconic, right? It was shot at the Las Palmas Hotel on 1738 Las Palmas Ave in Hollywood. But guess what? The neon sign, the beautiful tree – all gone. Now, there’s this huge apartment complex that has taken over the landscape. Times change, but the memories linger.

Collage of a man in a suit hanging from a ledge, a vintage hotel exterior with a bold sign, and a modern building's facade. Urban, tense, contrasting eras.

A Nightmare On Elm Street

Who could forget Nightmare on Elm Street? It’s a classic! And guess what? Part of that horror masterpiece was filmed at John Marshall High School (3939 Tracy Street, Los Angeles, CA 90027). But that’s not all – this school has quite the Hollywood resume. It’s been featured in other iconic films like Grease in 1978, Girls Just Want to Have Fun in 1985, and Pretty in Pink in 1986. Talk about a star-studded campus!

Collage of a high school: Students on steps and a grass area, a grand building exterior, and a horror character with a clawed glove. Tone: mixed, eerie.

Michael Jackson – Thriller

Even if it’s not from a movie, the location of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” house is undeniably cool. It’s like a piece of pop culture history standing right there at 1345 Carroll Ave in Echo Park, California.

Collage showing a spooky Victorian house at night with a person running away, a smiling person in a red jacket, and the same house during the day, surrounded by trees.

Planet Of The Apes

The iconic final scene of the original Planet of the Apes movie was indeed filmed at Westward Beach (exact location is at Pirates Cove!! many have this wrong), which is located just below Point Dume. It’s a fascinating bit of trivia tied to the history of both the film and the stunning coastal landscape of California.

Top image shows a coastal cliff with orange-hued rocks, a sandy beach, and gentle waves. Bottom image features a statue's remains on a deserted beach, conveying solitude.

Pulp Fiction

In “Pulp Fiction,” Bruce Willis’ character, Butch, runs into Ving Rhames’ character, Marsellus, after a double-cross. Butch ends up hitting Marsellus with his car and they get into a brutal scuffle in a pawn shop. It’s a tense and pivotal scene in the movie. The scene takes place at 2760 Fletcher Drive at Atwater Avenue.

Top image: A man in a suit holds a pink box and drink at a street corner, with an apartment building and traffic light nearby. Bottom image: A quiet street lined with palm trees, featuring an automotive shop and crosswalk.

Halloween (1978)

Ah, the famous hedge! In the chilling slasher flick Halloween, masked murderer Michael Myers is seen lurking behind this hedge. The scene adds to the suspense and terror of the film. The location of the hedge is at 1019 Montrose Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030, USA

Collage of a masked figure standing near hedges and a sidewalk, alongside images of residential streets with green lawns and trees. Ominous mood.

Kill Bill: Volume 1

The Bride, played by Uma Thurman, seeks vengeance on Vernita Green, also known as Copperhead, portrayed by Vivica A. Fox. The Bride catches Vernita off guard at her home, leading to a tense confrontation. However, their fight is interrupted when Vernita’s young daughter arrives home, prompting a temporary truce between the two women. Their battle is postponed, setting the stage for a later showdown. The house is located at Atlas Street 5500-5518, Los Angeles.

Split image; top left shows a quaint house with a sign reading "Atlas." Top right features a woman facing a green house with toys on a lawn. Bottom image depicts two women pointing inside a room, looking focused.

Crime Scene: The Vanishing At The Cecil Hotel

Netflix documentary series that explores the mysterious disappearance of Elisa Lam from the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles. The hotel gained notoriety for its dark history, including being the residence of serial killers and other disturbing incidents. The documentary delves into the circumstances surrounding Elisa Lam’s disappearance and the subsequent viral elevator footage that captivated the internet. It’s a gripping and haunting exploration of true crime and urban legend. But the hotel was also featured in the 1984 film “Purple Rain,” starring Prince. (638 Main Street, Los Angeles)

Collage of Hotel Cecil. Includes close-up of vintage signage, detailed building facade, an angled view of the exterior, and a film scene with two people.

Laurel and Hardy

The iconic Laurel and Hardy music steps can be found in Los Angeles, specifically at the Music Box Steps in the Silver Lake neighborhood. These steps (located at 923-925 North Vendome Street near the intersection of Del Monte Drive) gained fame after being featured in the Laurel and Hardy film “The Music Box,” where the comedic duo struggles to deliver a piano up the steep staircase. It’s a classic moment in film history!

Four-panel image showing a steep outdoor staircase. Top left: a person struggles with a large crate; top right: stairs lined with plants; bottom left: "Music Box Steps" sign by stairs; bottom right: a narrow staircase with greenery. The mood is historical and reminiscent.

Beverly Hills 90210

Beverly Hills 90210 was one of those shows that practically everyone tuned into at some point. And who could forget the Walsh family’s house? It’s located at 1675 E Altadena Drive, adding a touch of reality to the show’s glamorous setting.

Collage of images showing a 90s TV cast posing together and a house with lush greenery. A person stands in front of the house, smiling, and making a peace sign. The tone is nostalgic and cheerful.

Movie Locations in Los Angeles Map

I mapped out a route you could drive, and in a perfect world with no traffic, it’s about 95 miles and a little over 3 hours. Yeah, right—impossible! Personally, I’d break it up into sections or at least do Point Dume separately. You can tweak the route, but just keep in mind—you don’t want to end up lost in Skid Row area after dark. That said, even if you only hit a few spots, it’s still cool experience!

Heads up: This section contains affiliate links. That means if you click and make a purchase or booking, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend services I use or genuinely believe in. Thanks for helping support this blog!

Fly for Less