The Glitzy LA Locations From ‘Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood’
Quentin Tarantino’s ninth film is a self-confessed love letter to Los Angeles. Alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, the city itself is the star of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, with many LA locations featuring in the movie.
Quentin Tarantino’s latest offering, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, is an entertaining period piece set in the 1960s. Filming took place in Los Angeles between June and November 2018, with numerous Hollywood landmarks woven into the narrative. While some were dressed to look accurate to the period the film was set in, for others no such sleight of hand was required, as they remain almost identical to how they were in their heyday. Here’s a guide to some of the locations used in the film and how they were featured in the latest Tarantino blockbuster.
Casa Vega
Bar, Diner, Restaurant, American
Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) and Cliff Booth (Pitt) are seen drinking at Casa Vega, an LA institution founded by Rafael ‘Ray’ Garcia in 1956. Casa Vega continues to be a celebrity haunt thanks to current owner Christina ‘Christy’ Vega Fowler. Famous guests are assured privacy as the popular spot accommodates special requests like discreet entrances and exits, plus low lighting for incognito meals. Diners slide into classical red leather banquettes and can dine on dishes like the Vega Ribeye and the Casa Vega Molcajete with sliced flank steak, chicken breast, tiger shrimp and grilled chile relleno. If you’re looking for the ultimate Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood experience head straight for table C6.
Cicada, South Olive Street
Restaurant, Italian
Cinerama Dome
Cinema
Los Angeles has many iconic movie theaters, but Pacific Theatres’ Cinema Dome is truly unique. In Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, the movie theater is dressed for the premiere of the disaster film Krakatoa, East of Java (1968). The Dome, a favorite of Tarantino’s, is famous for its seemingly impractical curved screen. Flat screens are so passé.
El Coyote Mexican Cafe
Restaurant, Mexican
Opened in March 1931, El Coyote Mexican Cafe moved to its current location in 1951. El Coyote is known for its lively, colorful setting, which features autographed photos of Hollywood stars who have dined here. Sharon Tate (played by Margot Robbie in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood) dined here on the night of her murder by members of the Manson Family.
Musso and Frank Grill
Restaurant, American
Legendary Hollywood restaurant Musso & Frank plays itself in Tim Burton’s award-winning biopic Ed Wood (1994) and also features heavily in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. Recognized as Hollywood’s oldest restaurant, the institution marks its centennial in 2019. It’s here in the movie that Dalton meets Al Pacino’s shady agent, who sells the actor on the idea of trying his hand at spaghetti westerns. Fittingly, the restaurant serves Italian cuisine.
Fox Regency Bruin Theatre
Cinema
The famous Regency Bruin Theatre opened in December 1937. In Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, Sharon Tate (Robbie) stops by the Bruin to watch herself in The Wrecking Crew, the 1968 film starring Dean Martin. There are various other film landmarks in the theater’s surrounding area, plus nearby streets full of vintage clothing stores so you can perfect the retro look yourself.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Amusement Park, Park
Corriganville Park
Park
Before being destroyed in a wildfire in 1970, Corriganville Movie Ranch in Simi Valley was used in over 3,500 productions. Today the site is home to Corriganville Park, home to a number of nature trails, and was used in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood to portray the historic Spahn Ranch. The main residence of the Manson Family, Spahn Ranch was owned by George Spahn (Bruce Dern in the movie), who allowed members of the group to stay.
Further destinations featured in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood can be found on the Discover Los Angeles site.
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