From Dr. Evil to Batman: Top Movie Spots to Visit in Los Angeles

So you want to be a movie star? Even if you don’t have the chops to make it big in a Hollywood blockbuster, you can still check out some of the most famous movie settings in Los Angeles. From Dr. Evil’s lair to Batman’s cave, the City of Angels is home to some of the most epic filming locations on the planet. Are you ready for your close-up?

The Spy Who Shagged Me in Malibu

If you watched “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” and wondered where in the world Dr. Evil’s lair was located, you might be shocked to learn that the island volcano hideaway was actually in Malibu, California. If you make a trip to the sandy shoreline and cliff-face of Zuma’s Point Dume Beach today, you’re more likely to run across whale-watching tourists than evil tyrants with incredible comedic timing, but it’s still worth a visit. Since Zuma’s Point is deserted around sunset, it’s the perfect place to ask that special someone, “Do I make you horny, baby?”

Those Fockers in Arcadia

In the Ben Stiller flick “Meet the Fockers”, the characters played by Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand lived in Florida, but in reality, their house was located in Arcadia, California. Believe it or not, the Focker family abode is a 19th century Queen Anne Cottage found in the heart of the Los Angeles County Arboretum. Since this cottage and park is just outside of Downtown L.A., it has been featured in a number of different movies. This is one attraction that’s kid friendly, so feel free to bring the little fockers with you when you visit.

Incite Rebellion at the Griffith Observatory

Built in 1935, the Griffith Observatory in the Hollywood Hills is one of those iconic landmarks everyone should see at least once. The Griffith Observatory played a big part in “Rebel Without a Cause”, featuring the ever-cool James Dean, as well as other big movies like “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle”, “Gangster Squad”, and “Transformers”. When the skies are clear, public telescopes are open free of charge so you can see the stars, and we don’t mean the D-list variety.

Batman and the Queen: The Perfect Couple?

What do a caped superhero and the royalty of England have in common? Not much, unless you happen to be talking about the Queen Mary ship in Long Beach, California. Just next to the ship is a geodesic dome known as the Queen Mary Dome, which used to hold Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose, the largest plane in the 1960s. Since the interior of the dome is basically an enormous sound stage, and is more than five times the size of the largest stage at Warner Bros. Studios, it is the perfect place to film all kinds of movies, including a few of the Batman movies. The Queen Mary offers several tours throughout the year if you want to see some tinsel town relics on full display. Just don’t touch any artifacts, unless you want a bat boomerang thrown your way.

Get a Rush (Hour) in Chinatown

If you have ever tried to drive through Los Angeles, you are already familiar with the crazy traffic in the city. In Chinatown, you can get a taste of a whole different kind of rush hour that features stars like Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. “Rush Hour” was filmed at several different spots within Chinatown, but one of the most memorable was a fight scene in Foo-Chow Restaurant. The eatery is still in the same location, so you can stop in and order their signature egg drop soup. A word of warning: it was cool when Jackie Chan busted his moves in the restaurant, but today’s waiters won’t appreciate it!

If you’re a movie buff, don’t miss out on exploring some of the city’s most iconic film locales. Whether you want to do your best Dr. Evil impersonation or are a serious superhero fan, one or more of these destinations can be the ultimate place to spend a day in La-La Land.

What’s your favourite Hollywood movie?