Lights, Camera, L.A.: 3 Movie Locations You Can Visit
Three Los Angeles landmarks you have seen on screen, lined up as one self-guided afternoon: a mirrored Downtown atrium, a Beverly Hills estate, and a pier over the Pacific. Each stop pairs the films it is known for with what you can actually walk, photograph, and ride today.
The Route, Downtown to the Coast
Westin Bonaventure, Downtown's Glass Towers
Located in Downtown Los Angeles, the Westin Bonaventure is recognizable for its cylindrical glass towers and dramatic circular atrium. Its futuristic design has made it a Hollywood backdrop. In Interstellar, the hotel doubled as NASA headquarters, while True Lies featured Arnold Schwarzenegger riding a horse into one of its glass elevators. The hotel appears in In the Line of Fire and other productions. Visitors can explore the public lobby, admire the geometric interiors, and enjoy skyline views from the restaurants. Ask hotel staff before photographing restricted areas or filming indoors.
Greystone Mansion and Its Formal Gardens
Film fans may recognize it as Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters in X-Men; it also appears in The Social Network, The Big Lebowski, and Spider-Man 3. The grounds are generally open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, while mansion interiors and the theater open during select first-weekend programs. Reserve ahead, allow one to two hours, and explore the terraces, fountains, and formal gardens.
Santa Monica Pier Over the Pacific
Stretching into the Pacific, Santa Monica Pier is one of Los Angeles's most recognizable coastal landmarks and a favorite filming backdrop. It appears in Forrest Gump, Iron Man, Her, and The Sting, among many others. Forrest's cross-country run famously reaches the pier, while Iron Man uses its amusement park and shoreline for energetic city imagery. Visit in the late afternoon: ride Pacific Park's Ferris wheel, stroll the wooden deck, and stay for sunset over the ocean and evening lights. The address is 200 Santa Monica Pier; weekends are busiest.
