🎬 Lights, Camera, Orange County! Famous Movie Locations You Can Visit
Famous Movie Filming Locations in Orange County, California: Newport, Anaheim, Laguna & More
Orange County isn’t just beaches and sunshine — it’s also Hollywood’s backyard. Directors have long used our piers, harbors, stadiums, and historic landmarks as backdrops for everything from surf movies to Oscar-winning dramas. Here’s your Kur8ed guide to iconic filming locations in Orange County (with tips to turn your movie day into a full OC getaway).
Mission San Juan Capistrano — The Mask of Zorro (1998)
📍 Where to Find Famous OC Film Locations
🌊 Newport Beach
Balboa Pavilion & Fun Zone — Beaches (1988)
📍 600 E Bay Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92661
Bette Midler’s Beaches filmed boardwalk and carousel scenes here.
📸 Photo tip: Snap a shot on the boardwalk with the Ferris wheel in the background.
Corona del Mar State Beach — Gilligan’s Island Pilot (1964)
📍 3001 Ocean Blvd, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
This cove doubled as the “deserted island” in the pilot episode.
📸 Photo tip: Frame the rocky cliffs for that tropical illusion.
Fashion Island & John Wayne Airport (Santa Ana) — Jerry Maguire (1996)
📍 401 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Tom Cruise filmed shopping and travel sequences here.
📸 Photo tip: Glam shot outside the koi pond at Fashion Island.
🎨 Laguna Beach
Main Beach & Heisler Park — Savages (2012)
📍 375 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Oliver Stone captured gritty cartel-thriller scenes here.
📸 Photo tip: Sunset stroll framed by palms.
Montage Laguna Beach — The O.C. (2003–2007)
📍 30801 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Luxury resort exterior cameos symbolized coastal glam.
Crystal Cove State Park — Beaches (1988)
📍 8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Oceanfront cabins and cliffs provided multiple backdrops.
📸 Photo tip: Wooden beach cottages at low tide.
🏄 Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach Pier — Endless Summer II (1994), Lords of Dogtown (2005)
📍 Main St & Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Surf culture’s most famous pier, immortalized in films and docs.
🛍️ Costa Mesa
South Coast Plaza — Crazy Rich Asians (2018, exteriors)
📍 3333 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
OC Fair & Event Center — The Hangover Part III (2013)
📍 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
73 Freeway (Costa Mesa to Newport Beach) — The Hangover Part III
Yes, production shut down this toll road for two days of filming.
⚓ Dana Point
Dana Point Harbor — American Sniper (2014)
📍 34571 Golden Lantern St, Dana Point, CA 92629
⛪ San Juan Capistrano
Mission San Juan Capistrano — The Mask of Zorro (1998, inspiration shots)
📍 26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
🎡 Anaheim
Disneyland Resort — Saving Mr. Banks (2013), Tomorrowland (2015)
📍 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
Angel Stadium of Anaheim — Angels in the Outfield (1994)
📍 2000 E Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806
ARTIC (Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center) — commercials/TV
📍 2626 E Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806
Anaheim Packing House — food/travel shows & indie films
📍 440 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805
🏛️ Orange
The Orange Circle (Plaza) — That Thing You Do! (1996)
📍 100 N Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866
Old Towne Orange has hosted over 20 feature films. Tom Hanks transformed the plaza into a 1960s set for his retro rock film.
🏢 Irvine
Masimo (formerly Nikken Headquarters) — Iron Man (2008)
📍 52 Discovery, Irvine, CA 92618
The sleek office doubled as Stark Industries interiors.
UCI Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility — Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
📍 University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
Played a key role in heist-planning scenes.
🏙️ Santa Ana
Old County Courthouse — Catch Me If You Can (2002)
📍 211 W Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Santa Ana Train Station — Rain Man (1988)
📍 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701
🌊 Seal Beach
Seal Beach Pier — American Sniper (2014)
📍 Ocean Ave & Main St, Seal Beach, CA 90740
🛩️ Tustin
Tustin Marine Corps Air Station Hangars — Pearl Harbor (2001)
📍 2950 Air Base Rd, Tustin, CA 92782
Massive blimp hangars doubled as WWII air bases.
📌 Wrap-Up
From Beaches at Crystal Cove to That Thing You Do! in Old Towne Orange, Orange County has quietly shaped Hollywood history. Whether you’re retracing Tom Hanks at Disneyland, Tony Stark in Irvine, or Tom Cruise at Fashion Island, every corner of the OC holds a piece of movie magic waiting for you to step into the scene.
🗺️ Plan Your Visit
📍 Stay Near the Action
✨ Pendry Newport Beach — Modern luxury with curated dining.
✨ Montage Laguna Beach — Oceanfront glamour featured in The O.C..
✨ Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, Autograph Collection — Steps from the historic mission, blending Spanish charm with modern luxury.
✨ JW Marriott Anaheim Resort — Sleek base for Disneyland + Angel Stadium.
✨ Westin Anaheim Resort — Rooftop bar with fireworks views.
✨ Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa — Boutique stay steps from South Coast Plaza.Book with The Orange County Concierge for a true VIP experience — from private drivers to curated tours, we handle every detail so you can simply enjoy the magic of Orange County. Explore Kur8ed Services.