Location 01Safari Inn
California, Burbank Free to see
Filmed here: Clarence and Alabama's hideout motel room and exterior
The Safari Inn in Burbank stood in for Clarence and Alabama's hideout, both the motel room interiors and the exterior. It is still an operating motel, so the exterior is visible from the street at any time and fans frequently stop by for photos. Its retro sign and courtyard look much as they did on screen. The property has appeared in many other productions, including Apollo 13, so film buffs get two locations for one visit.
Location 02Vista Theatre
California, Los Angeles Ticketed
Filmed here: Theater where Clarence and Alabama meet for Sonny Chiba triple feature
This historic Los Angeles theater is where Clarence and Alabama meet for the Sonny Chiba triple feature. Its Egyptian Revival interior actually doubled for a Detroit cinema, one of the film's cleverest tricks. The venue still operates as a movie house, and buying a ticket gets you access to both the lobby and auditorium. Check the screening schedule in advance and build a visit around a film you want to see anyway.
Location 03Rae's Restaurant
California, Santa Monica Free to see
Filmed here: Diner scene where Clarence and Alabama eat pie
Rae's Restaurant in Santa Monica is the diner where Clarence and Alabama eat pie. It remains a working 1950s-style diner, open to the public, and the counter booths retain the look captured on film. Order a slice of pie and sit where the couple sat. It sits near the ocean in a walkable part of Santa Monica, so it pairs easily with a beach stroll or the pier on the same afternoon.
Location 04Six Flags Magic Mountain
California, Valencia Ticketed
Filmed here: Roller coaster scene (Viper)
The Viper roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia provided the film's amusement park sequence. The park is open to the public with paid admission, and thrill rides remain the main draw. Coasters at parks change over the years, so expect the surrounding landscape to differ from 1992 even if the park itself is instantly recognizable. It lies north of downtown Los Angeles, so allow a half day for the trip.
Location 05Former Ambassador Hotel
California, Los Angeles Closed
Filmed here: Lee Donowitz's hotel suite/lobby scenes
The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles stood in for producer Lee Donowitz's hotel suite and lobby scenes. Sadly, this stop no longer exists: the hotel was demolished after filming, and the site is now part of an LAUSD school campus. There is nothing to tour, though passersby can view the grounds from the sidewalk. Fans of old Hollywood may still want to drive past, given the building's place in film history beyond this production.
Location 06Capitol Records Building
California, Hollywood Outside only
Filmed here: Establishing shot during drive into LA
The Capitol Records Building in Hollywood appears as an establishing shot during the drive into Los Angeles. The tower remains one of the city's most recognizable landmarks, and the exterior is viewable from the street at any hour. There is no need to enter; the film moment is about the skyline anyway. It sits close to Hollywood Boulevard, so it combines naturally with the Vista Theatre or other central LA stops.
Location 071113 San Fernando Road
California, San Fernando Outside only
Filmed here: Opening bar scene with Clarence talking about Elvis and Sonny Chiba
This San Fernando address is the bar where Clarence opens the film talking about Elvis and Sonny Chiba. It is a private building today, so the visit is exterior only. The facade remains identifiable for dedicated fans, and the street is easy to reach by car. Do not expect a bar to enter; treat it as a quick photo stop on the way between the Safari Inn in Burbank and other San Fernando Valley sites.
Location 082122 Vista Del Mar Ave
California, Los Angeles Private property
Filmed here: Dick Ritchie's apartment
This Los Feliz address played Dick Ritchie's apartment, the aspiring actor's home that Clarence visits. It is a private residence with no public access, so view it respectfully from the sidewalk and move on. The building sits in a pleasant hillside neighborhood near other attractions, including the Vista Theatre, which makes it a natural add-on rather than a destination in its own right. Keep any photos brief and quiet.
Location 09The Athenaeum at Caltech
California, Pasadena Private property
Filmed here: Additional interior scenes
The Athenaeum at Caltech in Pasadena hosted additional interior scenes for the film. It operates as a private club with limited access, so most visitors cannot walk in. The Caltech campus itself is pleasant to stroll, and the building's exterior can be viewed from campus paths. Pasadena sits east of central LA, so pair it with other east side stops if you go.
Location 10El Matador State Beach
California, Malibu Free to see
Filmed here: Final beach scene doubling for Mexico
El Matador State Beach in Malibu played Mexico in the film's closing beach scene. It is a public beach with parking and access available, and its sea stacks and coves make it one of the prettiest stops on this list, film fan or not. Arrive early on weekends, as the small lot fills fast. The descent to the sand involves stairs and a short steep path, so wear sensible shoes.
