Recommended
Donate
These Artist Directories are a passion of mine.
My goal has always been to supply an affordable and attractive way for ALL artists to get world wide exposure via the internet and the means for people LOOKING for art to FIND it!
However, during these difficult times, even just $35/year is beyond some people's budgets. On that same note, most people don't realize that it costs me thousands of dollars a year to keep these websites going.
In that respect, I've decided to offer Free Listings to Everyone - with the hopes that those, who can afford to, will make a donation (no matter how small) to help keep these sites alive and thriving.
I can't do it without your help. Please donate.
- Thank you, Hillary
California - Vacation at Famous Film Sites!
(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) – Home to thousands of film productions over the years, California offers movie buffs the chance to vacation on location – to visit the sites of their favorite films while taking a trip to the Golden State.
“Because of our 300-plus days of sunshine each year, snow-capped mountain peaks, miles of coastline, desert valleys and rich agricultural land, California has been the preferred backdrop for a variety of films,” said President and CEO Caroline Beteta of the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC). “But film buffs aren’t just limited to movie sites. Visitors can also play where the stars have shot, as well as take in some of our independent film festivals, and venues for tomorrow’s blockbusters.”
Hollywood has recently discovered the charm and scenic beauty of Calistoga, located in the San Francisco Bay Area Region, and anyone watching movies can see the proof. Debuting last summer was “Bottle Shock” (2008), a movie with Alan Rickman and Bill Pullman depicting a 1976 blind tasting in Paris widely credited with launching California wines onto the international scene. While Calistoga was featured in "Bottle Shock," most of the movie was filmed in Sonoma County. Last summer, visitors rubbed elbows with Adam Sandler, who was in town filming “Bedtime Stories” (2008). San Francisco is also a favorite of cast members and directors, with many famous films shot at various Bay Area venues, including “Dirty Harry” (1971) with locations at City Hall and Golden Gate Park, “Vertigo” (1958) at the York Hotel, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1978) at the Civic Center, and most recently “Milk” (2008) with actor Sean Penn, who won the 2009 Academy Award for Best Actor for his work in “Milk,” which was filmed at City Hall and Castro Street.
Lights! Cameras! Surf! Newport Beach, an opulent seaside community based in the Orange County Region, epitomizes the quintessential California lifestyle with its beaches, prestigious yachting community and picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the area has starred in many movies, including “A Few Good Men” (1992), “Jerry Maguire” (1996) and “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion” (1997), today this Hollywood shooting location is probably best known for its popular television series “The O.C.,” which premiered in 2003. In 2007, MTV replaced its hit teen-reality series “Laguna Beach” with a new show called “Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County,” which is based on the lives of wealthy high school students living in Newport Beach. But Orange County’s fame isn’t limited to Newport. Coto de Caza, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ladera Ranch, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and Costa Mesa have all been television locations for the popular reality show “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” which premiered in 2006, along with University of California, Irvine, which was one of the backdrops for “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001). For film watching, Huntington Beach’s SoCal Film Festival, September 14-23, offers scores of movies, professional workshops and special guests.
Many would say that Lake Tahoe in the High Sierra Region ought to be in pictures, and they would be right. One big-screen production to capture the beauty of the region was “The Deep End” (2001), which won an award for Best Cinematography at the Sundance Film Festival, and showcased the region’s towering mountains and scenic, winding roads. More dramatic views of Tahoe can be seen in “The Godfather: Part II” (1974), where the exclusive West Shore Fleur du Lac served as the Corleone Estate and locale for a family confirmation in the beginning of the film. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Arnold can be seen being chased through snowy Tahoe Donner in the opening scene of “True Lies” (1994), and Michael Keaton’s snowman slides around Truckee and North Tahoe in “Jack Frost” (1998). Meg Ryan is seen cycling near South Tahoe’s Fallen Leaf Lake in “City of Angels” (1998), and Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift frolicked on the waters of Lake Tahoe (standing in for upstate New York) in “A Place in the Sun” (1951). Those seeking high-energy, fast-paced cinema can take part in the Tahoe Adventure Film Festival, held annually in South Lake Tahoe each winter, where the best adventure sports films showcase BASE-jumping, skiing, rock climbing and surfing.
In the Deserts Region, the Imperial Sand Dunes has provided cinematographers with glimpses of the Mideast out west. The Imperial Sand Dunes are the largest mass of sand dunes in California and extend for more than 40 miles, making it perfect for barren, arid movie scenes. Situated just off Highway 8, the Buttercup Valley dunes are frequently filmed because they are easy to reach, and have been the central location for “Patriot Games” (1992), when Harrison Ford as CIA specialist Jack Ryan tracks the terrorist activities of an IRA splinter group to this locale. Buttercup is also one of the sites of “Return of the Jedi” (1983), as the Tatooine home of the sand-pit-dwelling Sarlacc monster, which almost consumes stars Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford. In Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s alpine location at 8,516 feet has also hosted major motion pictures, including “Into the Wild” (2007) and “The Cool Ones” (1967).
It’s easy to vacation on location in Sacramento, as the city has hosted many film and television productions. Start at the California State Capitol building downtown, which has portrayed the Capitol in Washington, D.C., in the television series “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Women” which premiered in 1993, and the television movie “Path to War” (2002). The Central Pacific Passenger Station in Old Sacramento, also part of the Gold Country Region, was featured in the film “Memoirs of a Geisha” (2005), and East Sacramento streets have substituted for the East Coast and Midwest neighborhoods in “American Beauty” (1999) and “Lucky Numbers” (2000) with John Travolta, who also starred with Kyra Sedgwick and Forest Whitaker in the film “Phenomenon” (1996), was shot in Auburn. Visitors can be guests to a bevy of new films at the Sacramento International Film Festival at the Crest Theatre, March 28 to April 5, and the 10th Annual Sacramento Film & Music Festival, a celebration of both visual and musical works from around the world, July 24 through August 2, also at the Crest Theatre.
In the Los Angeles County Region, Santa Monica’s streets, homes, beaches and landmarks have been featured in a myriad of movie and television shows, but probably the most famous show to be filmed here was “Baywatch” (1989), which was set primarily on the north end of Santa Monica Beach. The Santa Monica Pier has also made dozens of cameos on screen, including such films as “The Sting” (1973), “Terminator 2” (1991) and “Speed” (1994). And, of course, Forrest Gump ends his run across America at the pier (1994). Santa Monica is also documented in the 2001 release of “Dogtown and Z-Boys,” a film that follows the evolution of modern skateboarding. Visitors might get a glimpse of major stars and directors at the Los Angeles Film Festival, June 18-28, in Westwood at the historic movie theaters in Westwood Village, as well as theaters on the University of California, Los Angeles campus. The Hollywood International Film Festival, October 21-26, also features top celebrities and directors, along with dozens of new films, with most screenings taking place at the ArcLight Cinema. The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Outfest, has shown more than 4,000 films and videos since 1982. This year, the festival takes place in Hollywood, downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica and West Hollywood, and is scheduled for July 9-19.
Now in its fourth year, the Coyote Film Festival in Middletown brings the best of independent films to Lake County, part of the North Coast Region, March through November, one Saturday each month. The festival screens a selection of documentaries, shorts and animations. Guest filmmakers are also invited, and question-and-answer sessions are held following screenings. Lake County has also been the location for several feature-length movies, including “Sherman’s Way” (2008), where a captivating odd couple, an Olympic has-been and a rigid pre-law Yale student take to the open road.
Over a century ago, Hollywood cinematographers and location scouts discovered the Central Coast Region and Oxnard’s breathtaking beaches. In fact, it was in 1921 that Paramount Studios found the city’s sprawling coastline to be the perfect stand-in for the Egyptian desert, using it to film Rudolph Valentino’s “The Sheik.” Other Hollywood studios and stars followed behind, including “Back to the Future” (1985). Oxnard’s Hollywood Beach was also home to the hit televisions series “Melrose Place,” which premiered in 1992. San Luis Obispo has silver screen connections and was a location for “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” (2007), starring Johnny Depp and filmed at Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes. Visitors can take part in the rolling of the red carpet at the 15th Annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, March 6-15, which will screen 100 top-notch independent films, documentaries and shorts from throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia and Africa.
The Inland Empire Region will also be celebrating all things film at the Lake Arrowhead Film Festival, touted as a filmmakers’ film festival, April 2-5 in Lake Arrowhead. The festival only screens films in two theaters over the course of the event, creating the intimacy that larger festivals are now emulating. The Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival, September 9-13, brings together two influential and enduring art forms. The festival, based in Temecula, features screenings of feature-length films, shorts, student films, documentaries and animation, along with up-and-coming, unsigned music artists representing all genres of music. There are also various workshops on screenwriting, producing, directing, acting, film finance and distribution.
The San Diego County Region is home to a wide variety of film festivals. The prestigious San Diego Film Festival is a competitive four-day fest where urban edge meets perfect-weather escapism. This year, the festival will be held September 24-27, just four blocks from the ocean in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. The 10th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival, October 15-29, supports and promotes the diverse Pan Asian experience through the media arts. Celebrating films and videos by Latinos, the 16th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival, March 12-22, presents more than 140 videos and films from across Latin America and the U.S. The 19th Annual San Diego Jewish Film Festival, which showcases American and international feature films, documentaries and short films that explore the Jewish experience, is held every February in San Diego.
California filmmakers and photographers display their dazzling digital work and compete for cash prizes and best of show at the Sundial Film Festival, March 13-15, at the Cascade Theater in Redding, located in the Shasta Cascade Region. The festival will also include a presentation of “Angle of Inspiration,” a film documentary about the making of the Sundial Bridge followed by commentary by the filmmaker.
The California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs - in partnership with the state's travel industry - that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to the CTTC, travel and tourism expenditures total $96.7 billion annually in California, support jobs for 924,100 Californians and generate $5.8 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about the CTTC and for a free California Visitor’s Guide, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com.