LA’s Most-Filmed Locations: A Quick Tour You Can Actually Walk

Los Angeles is still the capital of on-location filming. No other American city comes close. Its mix of neighborhoods, architecture, and weather has made the city itself a regular character in thousands of films and TV shows.

When most people think of Los Angeles on screen, they imagine the Hollywood Sign or the Walk of Fame. Those images are famous, but they are not the only ones that give the city its cinematic identity. The real workhorses are much smaller. They are streets, intersections, tunnels, and bridges that show up again and again.

These blocks are used so often that they have become visual shorthand for Los Angeles. According to an analysis of IMDb filming data published by American Home Shield, Hollywood Boulevard is the most-filmed street in the United States. That puts it ahead of Park Avenue in New York and Market Street in San Francisco (American Home Shield).

But Hollywood Boulevard is only one piece of the picture. Other blocks are booked repeatedly because they offer a look or a feel that directors want. Some are futuristic, some are gritty, and others are iconic simply because they cannot be mistaken for anywhere else.

By looking at data from IMDb, permit records from FilmLA, reporting from the Los Angeles Times, and supporting histories from other sources, it is possible to put together a defensible list of the most-filmed blocks in Los Angeles.

How the List Was Built

There is no single public record of the most-filmed blocks in Los Angeles. Permits are issued for productions, but block-by-block data is not easy to track. To put this list together, we relied on a mix of public information and local reporting.

The main source for overall street rankings is the American Home Shield study, which used IMDb data to geocode thousands of filming locations. That study provides a clear ranking of the most-filmed streets across the country, with Hollywood Boulevard taking the top spot.

For individual blocks, we used a simple definition. A block is a street segment with a distinct look that makes it attractive for film. It might be a tunnel with a unique curve, a bridge with a skyline view, or a building with recognizable architecture.

Finally, we used supporting sources like FilmLA, the Los Angeles Times, Discover Los Angeles, Wikipedia, and Google Arts & Culture to confirm repeated use and to provide specific examples.

2nd Street Tunnel (Downtown Los Angeles, Figueroa to Hill)

The 2nd Street Tunnel is one of the most recognizable filming locations in the city, even if most people don’t know it by name. It is a curved tunnel lined with white tiles and lit by evenly spaced lights. The effect is a glowing corridor that reads clean, futuristic, and controlled.

Directors use the tunnel for different reasons. Car commercials love it because the simple white background makes the vehicle stand out. Science fiction films use it to suggest a futuristic or sterile environment. Action films use it for chase scenes, where the curve and the lights create a hypnotic visual rhythm.

It has been used in Blade Runner, The Terminator, Kill Bill, Transformers, and many other films. Wikipedia maintains a list of appearances that stretches across genres and decades (Source: Wikipedia). The Los Angeles Times once described it as “the most recognizable city landmark most Americans have never heard of,” which captures its strange position as both anonymous and everywhere.

Crews like the tunnel for practical reasons. It is downtown, inside the 30-Mile Studio Zone, and relatively easy to close off for filming. That combination of looks and logistics is what makes it so popular.

6th Street Viaduct (Arts District to Boyle Heights)

The 6th Street Viaduct is another classic. The original bridge was built in 1932 and quickly became a star. Its sweeping arches and skyline views made it a favorite for directors. The bridge appeared in Grease, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Drive, and dozens of other productions.

FilmLA data showed that in 2014, the old viaduct was the third most-filmed location in Los Angeles, with 86 production days that year alone (Source: Los Angeles Times). That number is especially high for a single piece of infrastructure.

The old bridge was demolished in 2016 after structural concerns made it unsafe. For a few years, Los Angeles lost one of its most filmed blocks. But in 2022, the new “Ribbon of Light” bridge opened. NBC Los Angeles noted at the time that “Hollywood got its favorite location back,” reflecting how important the spot was to the industry.

The new bridge has a dramatic design with tall arches and pedestrian walkways. It offers the same sweeping views of downtown but with a fresh, modern look. Since opening, it has already appeared in music videos, commercials, and films, proving that it will carry on the legacy of the old viaduct.

The underpasses and surrounding Arts District streets also add to its appeal. They provide gritty industrial backdrops that can be used for car chases or urban dramas. The bridge itself gives grandeur, while the area around it offers texture and grit.

Lower Grand Avenue Underpass (Downtown Los Angeles, 4th to 5th)

Lower Grand Avenue is a multi-level roadway that has become one of the most filmed spots downtown. The lower level has thick concrete beams overhead, wide shadows, and little street-level clutter. The space feels enclosed but still open enough for cars and cameras.

It has been used in The Dark Knight, The Terminator, The Soloist, and many commercials. Google Arts & Culture highlights it as a recurring backdrop in films that need a gritty, moody atmosphere.

Directors like it because the split-level design gives instant depth to a shot. A chase scene in Lower Grand has a built-in sense of scale. Student filmmakers also use it for the same reason. It looks dramatic without requiring expensive set design.

For crews, it is easy to close and easy to light. That combination makes it one of the most reliable film spots in the city.

L.A. River at the 4th to 7th Street Bridges

The Los Angeles River is one of the city’s most filmed landscapes. The concrete channel, framed by historic bridges, has been used in films for decades. It is stark and industrial, but flexible enough to serve different moods.

The river is famous for car chases. The truck and dirt bike scene in Terminator 2: Judgment Day is probably the most iconic. But it has also been used for quieter moments, like scenes in Chinatown, and for stylized action like Grease and The Italian Job.

The Los Angeles Times has tracked its long history as a film location, noting that it has been in use for generations. FilmLA has even described it as one of the most iconic filming locations in the world.

Part of its appeal is practical. The wide concrete channel provides space for cars, cranes, and stunt rigs. Crews can work in relative isolation while still being close to downtown.

For viewers, the river is a visual signal that says “Los Angeles” right away.

Hollywood Boulevard (Highland to Vine)

Hollywood Boulevard is more than a street. It is a symbol of the city and the industry. The stretch between Highland Avenue and Vine Street is especially famous. This is where you find the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, and some of the densest clusters of Walk of Fame stars.

According to the American Home Shield study, Hollywood Boulevard is the most-filmed street in the entire United States. That makes sense. Few places say “Hollywood” as quickly as this block.

It has been used in Pretty Woman, La La Land, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and countless other productions. Reality shows, news crews, and documentaries also film here constantly. The energy of the street is chaotic and colorful, and directors do not need to fake it.

Filming here is not easy. The street is always crowded with tourists, performers, and traffic. But that difficulty is part of what makes the location valuable. When you film here, the atmosphere is built in.

Broadway at 3rd: Bradbury Building Block

The Bradbury Building is one of the most famous film buildings in Los Angeles. Built in 1893, it looks ordinary from the outside, but the interior is extraordinary. The atrium rises five stories and is filled with natural light. Iron railings, open staircases, and vintage elevators create a space that looks both historic and futuristic.

The building has been featured in Blade Runner, (500) Days of Summer, The Artist, and Chinatown. Its versatility is the reason directors return. It can play as a futuristic dystopia or as an elegant historic space.

Discover Los Angeles and Wikipedia both document its long history as a film location. It remains one of the most distinctive backdrops in the city.

The surrounding Broadway block adds context, with period storefronts and the energy of the Historic Core. But it is the interior that makes the Bradbury iconic.

Union Station (Alameda and Cesar E. Chávez)

Union Station is the largest train terminal in the western United States. It opened in 1939 and combines Spanish Colonial Revival and Streamline Moderne design. The architecture is dramatic but timeless, which is why directors love it.

The grand waiting room, with its high ceilings and Art Deco chandeliers, has been used in Blade Runner, Catch Me If You Can, The Dark Knight Rises, and The Soloist. Its long benches and large windows make it versatile. It can stand in for airports, banks, or generic civic buildings.

Los Angeles Magazine has written about its long film history, and IMDb-based lists often rank it as one of the most filmed buildings in America.

For crews, it is also convenient. It sits in downtown, is inside the 30-Mile Zone, and has enough space for equipment and extras.

Sunset Boulevard (Hollywood to Beverly Hills)

Sunset Boulevard is one of the city’s longest and most varied filming locations. It runs from downtown to the Pacific Ocean, but the stretch between Hollywood and Beverly Hills is the most filmed.

The Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, with its neon billboards and rock history, is a popular backdrop for nightlife scenes. The Beverly Hills stretch, with its palm-lined streets and luxury storefronts, gives a very different look.

The American Home Shield study ranked Sunset Boulevard as the fifth most-filmed street in the country, just behind Hollywood Boulevard.

It has been used in Sunset Boulevard, Almost Famous, Collateral, The Big Lebowski, and many more. Its appeal is its range. In one street, you can capture grit, glamour, and wealth.

Grand Avenue Cultural Core (Disney Hall and MOCA)

Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles has become a modern film backdrop. The Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry, has stainless steel curves that catch the light in dramatic ways. The surrounding museums and plazas add sharp lines and contemporary spaces.

The Los Angeles Times has noted how often this area is used for film and photography. The architecture looks futuristic without any extra set design.

Commercials, sci-fi films, and fashion shoots use this stretch of Grand Avenue because it feels like a city of the future.

Why These Blocks Work

These blocks are used often because they combine strong looks with good logistics.

They are visually clear. A tunnel, a bridge, or a boulevard skyline can be identified quickly on screen. They are practical. Many are inside the 30-Mile Studio Zone, which keeps costs lower for productions (Source: California Film Commission). And they are supported by a centralized permit office. FilmLA handles most film permits in the city, which makes the process easier for crews (Source: FilmLA).

The underpasses and tunnels are especially valuable because they can be closed and controlled. For stunts or complex lighting, that control is essential.

Living on a Filmed Block

For residents and property owners, living in a famous filming location has pros and cons.

On the positive side, there is pride in being connected to film history. Some property owners even receive location fees when their buildings are used, which can be a small financial benefit. These areas are often well maintained and desirable, since crews need them to look good on camera.

On the negative side, filming can disrupt daily life. Street closures, bright lights, and late-night shoots can be frustrating. Residents may have to work around productions that occupy sidewalks or block parking.

FilmLA maintains a community section on its website to keep residents informed about upcoming shoots and to help them navigate the process (Source: FilmLA).

Final Thoughts

The most-filmed blocks of Los Angeles are not always the landmarks tourists expect. They are tunnels, bridges, boulevards, and stations that combine unique looks with practical advantages. They appear again and again because they are cinematic shorthand for the city and easy for crews to use.

They show how Los Angeles functions not just as a backdrop, but as an active part of film storytelling. The city provides the atmosphere, scale, and energy that directors want, while offering a permitting and logistical system that makes filming possible.

For residents, the presence of filming is both a source of pride and a challenge. It can disrupt daily life, but it also ties neighborhoods directly to the global image of Los Angeles.

In the end, these blocks remind us that in Los Angeles, the line between real streets and movie sets is always thin. The city itself is part of the story.