It’s been almost 30 years since “Back to the Future” hit movie screens (July 3, 1985). It’s one of those timeless films that just doesn’t seem to ever age. And like another film that comes to mind (“The Shawshank Redemption”), whenever it pops up on cable, I can just never seem to change the channel. No matter how many times I watch it, it never gets old. It just so happens to be one of my all-time favorites.
I’ve lived in Los Angeles for a very long time, but for some reason I’ve never thought about going out and looking for the various locations where the film was shot. That is, until recently. I thought that in order to celebrate its 30th anniversary, I would go out and located some of the films famous locations and see what they looked like today. Were they even going to be recognizable? Well let’s find out in this “Back to the Future” scavenger hunt. (I’ll add all of the address where you can find these locations at the very end.)
The first location sought out was that of Marty McFly’s residence. Here’s what it looked like in the films.
And here is what it looks like today in June of 2015. Not much has changed at all. It’s still very recognizable.
Next let’s move on to George McFly’s house as seen in the movie year 1955.
And now in 2015.
And not let’s forget Marty’s mother’s house (Lorainne Baines) from when she was a teenager.
And as it looks today! It’s changed a bit.
Next we move to our favorite villain of the series — Biff Tannen. His house from the movie year 1955.
And now let’s fast forward 60 years (or 30 however you look at it). Looks almost the same.
We now move over to everyone’s favorite scientist – Doctor Emmett Brown. Here’s his home from the movie.
And now in June of 2015. This home is actually named The Gamble House, located in Pasadena. It’s open for public tours.
Do you remember the Burger King that Marty skateboarded past at the beginning of the first “Back to the Future?” He had just left Doc Brown’s house and was late to school.
Well, it’s still around. And found in Burbank. Doc’s home in the background was nothing more than a temporary movie set which was built just for that scene. Sadly, it’s gone.
And although everyone may not have enjoyed High School, I’m sure everyone was a fan of Hill Valley High School, the place that Marty could never seem to be on time to. Here it is in both movie years 1955 and 1985.
And here it is again in the year 2015. In reality, it’s actually Whittier Union High School in, well, Whittier.
Remember that tunnel fight between Marty and Biff at the end of “Back to the Future 2?” Marty was desperate to retrieve Grays Sports Almanac from Biff before he could destroy the future with it.
Well, it wasn’t a set. The tunnel exists by the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.
And finally we come to every movie fans favorite Mall — Twin Pines (or Lone Pine) Mall from Hill Valley. As seen in 1985…
And now seen in June of 2015. I also captured the spot where Marty fell down the hill at the end of the movie. The Twin Pines (Lone Pine) sign is obviously gone since it was only a prop for the film (and not the actual name of the mall – which happens to be Puente Hills Mall).
Just to show you how popular this mall location is, I took these pics early in the morning before it opened, and as I finished up a car load of people pulled up with a camera to do the exact same thing. Remember, this movie came out thirty years ago and folks (like myself) are still showing up at all times of the day and snapping pics of these locations. It just shows you what a popular timeless classic this film has become.
And now I thought I’d add one more. It’s of the famous Hill Valley Court House (and clock tower), circa 1955 and 1985.
And here’s a picture of it from 2013 located on the Universal Studio backlot. There was a fire back in 2008 that damaged (or destroyed) many of the Hill Valley Courtyard Square sets so a lot of them had to be rebuilt.
And here’s the famous DeLorean which you can still see on the Universal tour.
And just for shits and giggles, do you remember when Eric Stoltz was originally set to play Marty McFly. They shot about six weeks of footage before recasting him with Michael J. Fox. Well here’s the family ‘fade away’ photo that Marty had with him during the original film, alongside the one they shot when Stoltz was in the role.
And for one extra little nugget, click HERE to be brought to a page on this site where you can download the original “Back to the Future” Collector’s Edition Magazine from 1985.
Well, I certainly hope you enjoyed this little scenic tour for what I would consider one of the best films ever made. And if you live in or plan to visit Los Angeles anytime in the future, here’s the addresses of where you can find these various locations.
And please remember, if you go to where these homes are located, real people live there so you may want to be a bit respectful of their property and their privacy. I took the pictures from a distance and never trespassed. I’m sure they get people touring all the time, but all the same… be nice.
Back to the Future Locations
Marty McFly’s House – 9303 Roslyndale Ave, Arleta, CA
George McFly’s House – 1711Bushnell Ave, South Pasadena, CA
Lorraine Baine’s House – 1727 Bushnell Ave, South Pasadena, CA
Biff Tannen’s House – 1809 Bushnell Ave, South Pasadena, CA
(George’s, Lorraine’s, and Biff’s houses are all located on the same street)
Doc Brown’s House – (The Gamble House) 4 West Moreland Place, Pasadena CA
Burger King outside Doc Brown’s House (from beginning of movie) – 545 N. Victory Blvd, Burbank CA
Hill Valley High School – (Whittier High School) 12417 E. Philadelphia St, Whittier, CA
Tunnel where Marty and Biff fought (from BTTF2) – Observatory Tunnel, Mt Hollywood Drive at Vermont Canyon Road, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA
Twin Pines/ Lone Pine Mall – (Puente Hills Mall) 1600 Azusa Ave. City of Industry, CA
Hill Valley Courthouse Square – (Located at Universal Studios – on the backlot) – 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608