Nominated for 14 Academy Awards, the musical “La La Land” by Damien Chazelle has just won six Oscars, including best director, best original score and best song.
La La Land captures the sweetest version of Los Angeles with its sunsets, architecture, neon signs, streets, and beaches.
The film was shot in just 42 days in more than 40 locations, most of them are unknown.
Here are some of the best locations featured in the film that should be on any “La La Land”-inspired itinerary.
Ph: Dale Robinette/Lionsgate
The first scene has been filmed over two days in a ramp at the interchange between the carpool lanes of the 105 (Century) and 110 (Harbor) freeways in south LA.
Rose Towers complex
ph: Lionsgate
For the Mia's apartment the team used bright colors and references to Old Hollywood icons and artist David Hockney. Actually Mia's apartment can be found in the Rose Towers complex, 1725-1729 E 3rd St, Long Beach.
The SmokeHouse Restaurant
The SmokeHouse Restaurant, Burbank, is the setting for the scene in which Mia finds out Sebastian’s talent for the piano.
Cathy’s Corner, Mount Hollywood Drive
Ph: Dale Robinette/AP
This part of the road that passes through Griffith Park is the setting of the duo’s song-and-dance number, 'A Lovely Night'.
Adene Lacy's pool house
Ph: Dale Robinette / Lionsgate
Ph: Kevin Taylor / Cast Locations
The filmmakers wanted a pool with a lot of flora for a party scene and they chose the house of Adene Lacy and her husband, Rob. The house is in the San Fernando Valley but feels like a Hollywood Hills house.
The Lighthouse Cafe, Hermosa Beach
Ph: Lionsgate
Stars of jazz such as Miles Davis, Charles Mingus and Dizzy Gillespie have performed in this cafè in the past. Today, 'the Lighthouse' is no longer a jazz club, but here it's possible to listen to salsa, country and reggae, too. Nearby is Hermosa Beach Pier, where Sebastian first sings 'City of Stars' in the film.
Rialto Theatre, South Pasadena
This cinema, one of the last of its kind in southern California, with its 1,300 seats. But it closed in 2007.
Angels Flight funicular railway (Bunker Hill district of Downtown L.A.)
Ph: Getty images
The 115-year-old funicular railway in downtown L.A. hasn't been working since 2013. It is shown during the leading pair's memorable love story montage.
Griffith Observatory, Griffith Park
Ph: Getty images
Griffith Observatory is an icon of Los Angeles, a national leader in public astronomy, a beloved civic gathering place, and one of southern California's most popular attractions. The Observatory is located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, just above the Los Feliz neighborhood. It is 1,134 feet above sea level and is visible from many parts of the Los Angeles basin. The Observatory is the best vantage point for observing the world-famous Hollywood Sign. (www.griffithobservatory.org)
The Blind Donkey, Long Beach
This location has been used as the Seb's club at the end of the film. Here Mia and Sebastian have their last touching encounter. Today it is a bar where you can drink whiskey, wine and beer instead of jazz.
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