Los Angeles is full of famous landmarks, but the most used filming locations are not always the ones tourists talk about. In practice, crews return to a handful of proven areas because those places are predictable, visually flexible, and workable on a tight schedule. If you know where productions actually film most often and why those locations keep winning, you can scout faster, plan more efficiently, and choose spaces that reduce friction on shoot day. This guide focuses on real LA locations that show up repeatedly on call sheets and the practical reasons they keep getting booked.
Hollywood Hills and the Mulholland corridor
Few places read as “Los Angeles” as quickly as a hillside street at golden hour with the city stretching out below. The Hollywood Hills and the roads around Mulholland Drive are used constantly for establishing shots, night scenes, lifestyle commercials, and narrative moments that need instant production value. The reason is not just the view. Hillside locations often provide a controlled footprint where the crew can stage gear, keep talent tucked away, and capture multiple angles that look expensive without building anything. When a production wants a modern LA atmosphere but still needs practical access to vendors and studios, searches often start around Hollywood and radiate outward based on the day’s needs. The most reliable hillside locations tend to share a few traits: straightforward load-in, a plan for parking, and a layout that supports movement rather than forcing the crew into tight hallways.
Downtown energy without the downtown headaches
Downtown Los Angeles is one of the most filmed zones in the city because it can double for countless places. A few blocks can deliver historic facades, modern glass, gritty alleys, and rooftop horizons. The catch is logistics. Some shoots love the density, others need an urban feel without losing time to congestion, parking limitations, or long resets between setups. That is why many productions expand their search into nearby areas that still feel central and adaptable. A lot of “city” work that audiences assume is deep downtown is actually shot in and around Central LA, where crews can often keep the same visual story while making the day easier to execute. If you are planning a shoot, the biggest time-savers are simple: confirm where equipment can stage, identify a quiet area for wardrobe and talent, and make sure the location can support a quick company move if your plan changes.
Griffith Park and the natural backdrops near the core
Griffith Park is a production staple because it offers nature, trails, and iconic viewpoints within minutes of major hubs. The park reads as “LA outdoors” without forcing the crew into a far-off wilderness move. It also offers a range of textures, from open ridges to shaded areas that can play as different places depending on lens choice and blocking. A common pattern is to pair a daylight exterior in the park with an interior setup nearby, so the day stays efficient and the company move stays short. When a production needs a recognizable LA atmosphere but wants to keep the footprint contained, it usually helps to keep a few backup options in Los Angeles proper, rather than trying to solve everything with one perfect, fragile plan.
The Westside coastline that reads instantly on camera
When a script needs “California,” productions often head west. Coastal areas are used constantly because the light is different and audiences recognize it immediately. The horizon line, palm silhouettes, and open sky create a calm, expansive feel that is hard to fake. Locations near Santa Monica and Venice show up repeatedly in commercials, lifestyle shoots, music videos, and narrative work that wants a clean West Coast tone. A big reason is controllable production value. Indoor-outdoor spaces, decks, balconies, and large openings allow crews to move between setups quickly. You can shoot a conversational interior, step outside for a visual reset, and come back in for coverage without relocating. If you are planning a coastal shoot, the practical priorities are straightforward: confirm wind and audio expectations, check where gear can stage without blocking walkways, and plan around the strongest light window so you are not fighting harsh midday sun.
Neighborhoods that double for anywhere
Some of the most used filming locations are popular precisely because they do not scream “Hollywood.” Productions often need clean suburban streets, tidy commercial corridors, or modern residential pockets that can play as many different places. That is where areas like Culver City, El Segundo, and other nearby neighborhoods become consistent workhorses. These locations tend to offer dependable access, a simpler parking plan, and fewer surprises. Even when a production is not filming in the same spot twice, it often repeats the same decision logic: choose places that reduce risk, keep the crew moving, and make approvals predictable. Over time, those areas become favorites because they behave well under real production pressure.
Why these locations keep getting reused
Visuals matter, but reliability is what makes a location popular. Producers return to places that can handle crews, equipment, and schedule changes without turning into a day-ending problem. That usually means clear rules, cooperative access, predictable staging space, and a location that looks good from multiple angles. If you are hosting or scouting, the best way to think about “popular” is not fame. It is repeatability. A location that keeps the day smooth gets remembered, recommended, and rebooked.
Summary
The most popular filming locations in Los Angeles are the ones that consistently solve production problems while still delivering a recognizable look. Hollywood Hills and the Mulholland corridor deliver instant skyline value. Central LA offers flexible city texture without the worst friction. Griffith Park gives nature near the core. The Westside coastline provides bright, unmistakable California light. If you plan with logistics first and visuals second, you will understand why these areas keep appearing on screen and why crews come back to them again and again.