A Guide to La La Land in Los Angeles

Damien Chazelle’s La La Land isn’t just an ode to chasing your dreams, it’s an homage to the power of film making and a love letter to Los Angeles. While we follow Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) as they fall in love, we also get to explore the allure of the city through its old haunts and historic landmarks. And there’s no better way to discover the magic of Los Angeles than by visiting some of the iconic locations used during the shooting of the film.

While there are far too many places used in the movie to list, here are some of the most memorable stops along the way in La La Land:

Griffith Park

No single location was probably used more during the filming than the sprawling Griffith Park. If you head over to Fern Dell, you’ll find the spot where they shot the showstopping “Lovely Night Dance,” a bit of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire classicism that featured a nonstop take filmed during the magic hour of dusk. And after their first date, where they take in a screening of Rebel Without A Cause, Mia and Sebastian drive up to the Griffith Park Observatory, the same place where the knife fight from Rebel was immortalized.

Colorado Street Bridge

Featured briefly in the movie, Pasadena’s Colorado Street Bridge was the perfect backdrop for a romantic sunset stroll, something that La La Land lovers can actually reenact for themselves. Built in 1912, the bridge spans the Arroyo Seco watershed below and is lit by Beaux-Arts style light standards. And while one could talk about the bridge’s dark past and the woeful spirits said to haunt it, it’s worth noting that beneath the bridge you’ll also find hiking trails that lead to a public archery range.

Lighthouse Cafe

From the outside, you probably wouldn’t know that Hermosa Beach’s Lighthouse Cafe was once the west coast epicenter of jazz. The nondescript beach bar was turned into a jazz venue by double bassist Howard Rumsey who went on to form the club’s own house band, the Lighthouse All-Stars. Over the years, everyone from Miles Davis to Chet Baker have performed at the Lighthouse, which makes it a perfect destination for Sebastian to take Mia and demonstrate his love for jazz. Today, your music options aren’t as restricted as they probably once were as they regularly feature country and reggae nights. And just a few steps away from the Lighthouse is the dreamlike Hermosa Pier, where Sebastian first sings “City of Stars.”

Watts Tower

During one of Sebastian and Mia’s adventures, they are seen visiting outsider art masterwork, the Watts Towers. Simon Rodia, an Italian immigrant and construction worker, built the 17 interconnected structures over a period of 33 years, starting in 1921 and walking away in 1954 after endless permit issues with the city. When the city tried to tear down the famous structure, a committee was formed that ultimately saved the Towers from destruction. Upon close inspection, you’ll find that the 99-foot-tall historic landmark was built from rebar and found materials like pottery, tile, seashells, and glass.

The SmokeHouse

You might recognize The SmokeHouse as Lipton’s, the fictional bar where Sebastian begrudgingly plays Christmas tunes to keep the lights on. This old Burbank haunt was built at the end of World War II, and was a favorite of producers and stars that were working on the Warner lot across the street. You can still hear live music Thursday through Saturday, but don’t be disappointed when you find that Gosling isn’t the one pounding the keys.