You can step right into the world of your favorite show.
California’s diverse landscapes have long served as a stand-in for everywhere from distant alien planets to idyllic small towns in Indiana. For television fans, this means many of the most iconic settings from their favorite shows are not on a soundstage but are real places you can actually go and see for yourself. It’s a unique way to connect with the stories you love.
Walking the same streets as your favorite characters or standing in front of a building you’ve seen a thousand times on screen creates a surreal and memorable travel experience. These locations are scattered all across the state, waiting for you to script your own visit.
1. The Dunder Mifflin office building is actually in Panorama City.
Fans of The Office will immediately recognize the drab, beige office park that served as the exterior for the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. Though the show is famously set in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the building itself is the Chandler Valley Center Studios, located in the heart of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. You can easily drive by and see the building that housed Michael Scott’s antics and Jim’s pranks for nine seasons.
While you can’t go inside and visit the sales floor, just standing in the parking lot is a pilgrimage for any true fan, as shared in Visit California. The building is so unassuming and perfectly average that it’s easy to see why it was chosen to represent the mundane reality of office life. It’s a must-see spot to snap a photo and pay homage to the beloved sitcom.
2. You can find Pawnee’s city hall in sunny Pasadena.
The beautiful and grand building that served as the center of government in Parks and Recreation is not in Indiana, but is actually Pasadena City Hall. With its stunning Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, magnificent courtyard, and ornate fountain, it’s far more glamorous than the Pawnee government could likely afford, according to American Sky. The building’s exterior was used extensively throughout the show for scenes featuring Leslie Knope and her dedicated team.
Visitors are free to wander through the public courtyard and admire the architecture that framed so many of the show’s heartfelt and hilarious moments. It’s a popular spot for photos, and standing in the courtyard, you can almost hear the enthusiastic footsteps of Leslie rushing off to her next project. The building is a star in its own right.
3. The high school from Beverly Hills, 90210 is in Torrance.
The famed West Beverly High School, the stomping ground for Brandon, Brenda, Dylan, and the rest of the gang, is not located in Beverly Hills at all. The real location is Torrance High School, a fully operational school that has become an icon of television history. Its unique Spanish-style architecture and striking courtyard have made it a popular filming location for decades, also appearing in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Because it’s an active school, you can’t just wander the halls, but fans can easily view and photograph the famous exterior from the street. Seeing the familiar archways and palm trees in person is a powerful dose of 90s nostalgia, as reported in The Los Angeles Time. It feels like stepping back in time to the days of sideburns, drama at the Peach Pit, and high-stakes teen romance.
4. The dramatic beach runs from Big Little Lies happened in Monterey.
The moody, fog-swept beach where the women of Big Little Lies went for their contemplative jogs is part of Garrapata State Park in Carmel-by-the-Sea, just south of Monterey. The park’s dramatic cliffs and crashing waves provided the perfect, brooding backdrop for the show’s secrets and turmoil. The iconic Bixby Creek Bridge, featured in the opening credits, is also located nearby along the stunning Highway 1.
Visiting the area allows you to experience the show’s distinct atmosphere firsthand. You can explore the windswept coastline, take in the breathtaking views, and feel the powerful Pacific air. The entire Monterey Peninsula embodies the beauty and darkness of the series, making it a perfect destination for any fan wanting to immerse themselves in the world of Madeline, Celeste, and Jane.
5. The pier from The O.C. is in Redondo Beach.
Welcome to the O.C., bitch. While the show was set in upscale Newport Beach, many of its most memorable scenes were filmed about 40 miles north at the Redondo Beach Pier. This pier and its surrounding waterfront stood in for the iconic Balboa Pier, serving as the backdrop for many of Ryan and Marissa’s romantic moments and the gang’s frequent hangouts at the fictional Pier Diner.
Today, you can walk the same pier, grab a bite to eat, and watch the sunset over the Pacific, just like the characters did. The area has a classic, laid-back Southern California beach town vibe that immediately brings the show to life. It’s a perfect spot to reminisce about the teen angst and drama that defined a generation.
6. Buffy Summers’ house is a quiet home in Torrance.
Every Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan knows the house at 1630 Revello Drive, the Slayer’s base of operations and the site of many epic battles and heartfelt moments. In reality, Buffy’s home is a private residence located on a quiet, tree-lined street in Torrance, California. The house is instantly recognizable as the place where the Scooby Gang gathered to research demons and plan their next move to save the world.
While it is a private home and fans are asked to be respectful, it’s possible to view and photograph the exterior from the sidewalk. For anyone who grew up with the show, seeing the house in person feels like visiting a dear old friend. It stands as a humble, real-world monument to one of television’s most iconic heroes.
7. You can drive by the iconic Dunphy house from Modern Family.
The setting for much of the Dunphy family’s chaos in Modern Family is a real house located in the Cheviot Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. This traditional two-story home, with its familiar green trim and front yard, became one of the most recognizable houses on television for over a decade. Fans will remember countless scenes filmed on the lawn, the porch, and the infamous broken step Phil was always promising to fix.
As it’s a private residence, you can only view it from the street, but that’s enough to feel a connection to the beloved sitcom. The neighborhood itself has the same peaceful, suburban feel that was central to the show’s charm. Seeing it in person offers a fun glimpse into the real world behind the on-screen family.
8. Captain Kirk fought a gorn at Vasquez Rocks.
The jagged, otherworldly rock formations of Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park have been Hollywood’s favorite stand-in for an alien planet for generations. Its most legendary appearance was in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode “Arena,” where Captain Kirk famously battles a lizard-like creature called a Gorn. The park’s dramatic, 45-degree angles and secluded canyons made it the perfect backdrop for this iconic sci-fi showdown.
Located just north of Los Angeles in Agua Dulce, the park is open to the public for hiking and exploring. You can climb the same rocks where Kirk fought for his life and pose for photos on the iconic formations. It’s an essential pilgrimage for any Trekkie, offering a chance to walk on the surface of a “distant planet.”
9. The famous Full House home is a San Francisco landmark.
The opening credits of Full House made the Tanner family’s Victorian home in San Francisco one of the most famous houses in America. Although the show was filmed on a soundstage, the exterior shot of this elegant home, located at 1709 Broderick Street, has drawn fans to the city’s Alamo Square neighborhood for decades. It represents the wholesome, heartwarming ideal of family that the series championed.
This is a private residence, but taking a photo from across the street has become a rite of passage for fans. While you’re there, you can also see the famous “Painted Ladies” row of Victorians nearby, which are often mistaken for the Full House home. Visiting the street feels like stepping right into the show’s iconic opening sequence.