Travel Itinerary
The magic of cinema doesn’t only live in studios – it thrives in real places scattered across America.
Think of beaches where romances unfolded, forests where heroes battled, and city blocks that became backdrops for timeless stories.
These iconic filming locations let you swap the popcorn for an adventure and walk straight into the movies themselves.
1. Kualoa Ranch – O’ahu, Hawai’i
Dinosaurs once roamed here! Well, movie dinosaurs anyway. This 4,000-acre working cattle ranch doubles as Hollywood’s favorite prehistoric playground in the Jurassic Park franchise.
Those towering valley walls and lush landscapes have also hosted Kong: Skull Island and dozens of TV shows like Lost. Book a movie sites tour to see the fallen log from Jurassic Park and other film remnants scattered throughout.
2. Halona Beach Cove – O’ahu, Hawai’i
Romance lingers on a tiny pocket beach where Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr shared their passionate kiss in From Here to Eternity.
Golden sand shimmers between jagged lava rock formations, a secluded cove that feels a world apart from Waikiki’s bustle. Salt spray perfumes the air as waves crash, and just steps away the Halona Blowhole erupts with seawater plumes, nature’s own dramatic special effect adding a touch of Hollywood flair to every visit.
3. Griffith Observatory – Los Angeles, California
Stars above and stars below! This iconic domed building perched above Los Angeles has witnessed James Dean’s rebel angst and Ryan Gosling’s dreamy dance moves.
La La Land fans flock here for sunset selfies on the same terraces where Sebastian and Mia waltzed among the stars. By day, explore space exhibits inside; by night, gaze through telescopes at the real celestial show.
4. Bradbury Building – Downtown Los Angeles, California
Step inside and gasp as an unassuming exterior reveals a Victorian steampunk wonderland of wrought-iron staircases, open-cage elevators, and a soaring light-filled atrium.
Blade Runner fans instantly recognize the setting where Harrison Ford hunted replicants in a rain-soaked finale, and free ground-floor access invites visitors to bask in the amber-lit glow that has enchanted filmmakers for decades.
Dust motes swirl in shafts of sunlight, ironwork smells faintly metallic, and every corner feels alive with cinematic history.
5. Vasquez Rocks – Agua Dulce, California
Those tilted sandstone slabs ring a bell? Countless Star Trek episodes transformed them into alien planets, most famously when Captain Kirk wrestled the Gorn lizard-man, tumbling across angled rock in pure ’60s drama.
Blazing Saddles and Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey also showcased the formations, proof that Hollywood can’t resist their otherworldly pull.
Trails invite hikers to step into the scene themselves, crunching over sun-warmed stone scented with desert sage, striking sci-fi poses without needing a starship.
6. Forrest Gump Point – Monument Valley, Utah
Ready to stop running? Stand on the very stretch where Forrest Gump ended his cross-country journey, a straight desert highway unfurling toward towering red buttes that beg for a photo.
Mile marker 13 on Highway 163 pinpoints the spot where Tom Hanks delivered his famous line, and early morning light washes the scene in golden glow while cool desert air carries the faint scent of sagebrush – making that alarm clock feel like the best decision of the trip.
7. Ghost Ranch – Abiquiú, New Mexico
Red rock mesas under impossibly blue skies! This sprawling 21,000-acre retreat center recently transformed into 1940s Los Alamos for Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
Georgia O’Keeffe painted these same landscapes for decades. City Slickers filmed its cattle drive scenes across these rust-colored hills. Hiking trails let you explore the same vistas that have inspired artists and filmmakers alike – no atomic knowledge required.
8. Ecola State Park – Cannon Beach, Oregon
Goonies never say die! Final treasure-hunting scenes from the beloved ’80s adventure came to life along dramatic Pacific cliffs where waves crash and seabirds cry overhead.
Haystack Rock towers from misty shoreline as the backdrop to One-Eyed Willy’s ship, a sight that still stirs childlike wonder.
Oregon Film Trail markers guide fans to the very spots where movie magic unfolded, while salty breezes and sweeping coastline views prove rewarding even without the cinematic connection.
9. Martha’s Vineyard – Massachusetts
Beware of sharks! Picturesque island stood in as Amity Island for Spielberg’s summer blockbuster Jaws, drawing fans from across the globe.
Brave visitors leap from American Legion Memorial Bridge, now forever “Jaws Bridge,” before wandering to Menemsha Harbor, a spot still echoing with memories of Quint’s boat heading out to sea.
Seafood shacks tempt with fried clams and lobster rolls, their buttery aroma drifting across salty breezes – just avoid ordering shark steak unless you’re hungry for cinematic irony.
10. Rocky Steps – Philadelphia Museum Of Art, Pennsylvania
Feel like a champion while climbing 72 stone steps that have fueled underdog dreams since Sylvester Stallone’s triumphant run in 1976.
Visitors by the thousands strike Rocky’s arms-raised pose at the top each year, while the bronze statue at the bottom provides a must-snap photo stop.
Early mornings bring crisp air, quiet streets, and the best chance to sprint upward without weaving through crowds – gray sweatsuit optional, eye of the tiger spirit required.
11. Hook & Ladder Company 8 – New York City, New York
Who ya gonna call? A working firehouse in Tribeca doubled as Ghostbusters headquarters in the original films, and its bright red door on a corner street still grabs fans at first glance.
FDNY firefighters continue running operations here, so visitors snap photos respectfully while sirens and city scents of roasted nuts and exhaust mingle in the air.
A Ghostbusters logo painted on the sidewalk seals the deal, playful proof that even in New York City, supernatural services never went out of style.