AdventureSci-FiComedy

🎬 Where Was Back to the Future Part II Filmed? Complete California Location Guide

1989

Robert Zemeckis

Added January 15, 2024

5 Locations

Journey to Hill Valley's iconic future! Discover where Marty McFly's time-traveling adventures came to life in Southern California.

About 🎬 Where Was Back to the Future Part II Filmed? Complete California Location Guide

🎬 Where Was Back to the Future Part II Filmed? Complete California Location Guide

Get ready to punch it to 88 mph, because we’re diving deep into the real-world locations behind one of the most iconic time-travel films ever: `Back to the Future Part II`! This movie took us on a wild ride, from a futuristic 2015 to a dystopian alternate 1985, and back to the past of 1955.

While the DeLorean and hoverboards stole the show, the brilliant backdrops – from quaint town squares to bustling malls – made Hill Valley truly unforgettable. These places aren't just sets; they're the foundations of cinematic history.

Imagine standing where Marty perfected his hoverboard skills, or snapping a selfie at the infamous Twin Pines Mall (or is it Lone Pine Mall?). It’s more than just a movie; it's an adventure waiting to be explored.

So, buckle up! We’re about to embark on a thrilling journey to explore the very spots where Marty and Doc Brown redefined what’s possible. Get ready to add some serious movie magic to your next California itinerary!

🗺️ Major Filming Locations

🎬 Universal Studios Hollywood, Backlot, Courthouse Square - Hill Valley's Heartbeat ⏳

Aerial view of Universal Studios Hollywood Courthouse Square, showing iconic clock tower and town square.

🏛️ The Location

Universal Studios Hollywood's backlot is a legendary filmmaking hub, and its Courthouse Square set is perhaps one of the most famous in cinematic history. It's a meticulously crafted facade of a quintessential American small town, designed to be endlessly reconfigured for different productions.

🎥 In the Film

This set is the heart of Hill Valley, appearing prominently in all three Back to the Future films. In `Part II`, it served as the bustling, futuristic town square of 2015, the desolate, graffiti-laden alternate 1985, and the familiar 1955. The iconic clock tower, in particular, is instantly recognizable.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: Universal Studios Hollywood, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608, USA

🕒 Hours: Varies; generally 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM (check park schedule)

💰 Admission: $109 - $150+ (theme park admission required)

🌐 Website: www.universalstudioshollywood.com

💡 Pro Tip: Take the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood to get an up-close look at Courthouse Square. The tour guides often share fascinating movie trivia about its use in `Back to the Future`. 🎬 Fun Fact: The Courthouse Square set has been featured in hundreds of films and TV shows, making it one of the most recognized backlots in Hollywood history!

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🎬 9303 Roslyndale Avenue, Arleta - The McFly Family Home 🏡

Exterior view of the residential house at 9303 Roslyndale Avenue, a classic suburban home.

🏛️ The Location

This charming, unassuming suburban house in Arleta, California, became a cinematic landmark as the residence of the McFly family. It’s a classic example of a mid-century California home, nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood.

🎥 In the Film

The exterior of 9303 Roslyndale Avenue is where Marty, Doc, and Jennifer land in 2015, and also where they experience the shocking alternate version of their home in the dystopian 1985. It’s the scene of many pivotal, emotional moments for the McFly household.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: 9303 Roslyndale Avenue, Arleta, CA 91331, USA

🕒 Hours: Exterior viewable 24/7 (residential area)

💰 Admission: Free (public street)

🌐 Website: N/A (private residence)

💡 Pro Tip: If you visit, be respectful of the residents. It’s a private home, so take photos from the street without disturbing anyone. A quick drive-by is often the best way to experience it. 🎬 Fun Fact: While the exterior is real, the interior shots of the McFly house were filmed on a soundstage, allowing for the elaborate set designs needed for the futuristic and alternate reality versions.

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🎬 Golden Oak Ranch, Placerita Canyon Road - Future Hill Valley's Countryside 🌳

Panoramic view of Disney's Golden Oak Ranch, showcasing a large open field and distant hills.

🏛️ The Location

Owned by The Walt Disney Company, Golden Oak Ranch is a sprawling film and television production facility spanning hundreds of acres in Santa Clarita, California. It features diverse natural landscapes, from fields and creeks to various built sets.

🎥 In the Film

Golden Oak Ranch provided the open, natural backdrops for several future scenes in `Back to the Future Part II`, particularly for the landscapes surrounding Hill Valley. It was used for shots of the flying cars and the general countryside aesthetic of 2015.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: 19802 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall, CA 91321, USA

🕒 Hours: Not generally open to the public; primarily a working studio ranch.

💰 Admission: N/A

🌐 Website: N/A (private studio property)

💡 Pro Tip: While you can't typically enter the ranch, you might catch glimpses of its perimeter from Placerita Canyon Road. For an immersive experience, consider visiting other Disney properties like the Studios in Burbank. 🎬 Fun Fact: Golden Oak Ranch has been a staple in Hollywood for decades, featuring in countless films and TV shows, from The Mickey Mouse Club to Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

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🎬 Puente Hills Mall, 1600 South Azusa Avenue - Twin Pines Mall - A Time-Traveling Hub 🛒

Exterior shot of Puente Hills Mall, featuring its entrance and surrounding parking area.

🏛️ The Location

The Puente Hills Mall is a large shopping center located in City of Industry, California. Like many malls of its era, it boasts a vast parking lot and distinctive exterior architecture, making it ideal for the cinematic transformation.

🎥 In the Film

This mall is instantly recognizable as the iconic Twin Pines Mall (later Lone Pine Mall) where Doc Brown first demonstrates the DeLorean's time-travel capabilities. In `Part II`, it reappears briefly, anchoring the alternate 1985's grim reality.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: 1600 S Azusa Ave, City of Industry, CA 91748, USA

🕒 Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM (check for current hours)

💰 Admission: Free (shopping mall)

🌐 Website: www.puentehills-mall.com

💡 Pro Tip: Head to the expansive parking lot, which served as the primary filming location for the time-travel demonstrations. It's a surprisingly ordinary place with extraordinary film history! 🎬 Fun Fact: The mall was originally named Puente Hills Mall, but was renamed "Twin Pines Mall" for the film. After Marty accidentally runs over one of Old Man Peabody's trees, it becomes "Lone Pine Mall" in the altered timeline.

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🎬 Burger King Restaurant, 545 N. Victory Blvd, Burbank - Biff's Future HQ 🍔

Exterior view of the Burger King restaurant at 545 N. Victory Blvd, Burbank, a typical fast-food establishment.

🏛️ The Location

This specific Burger King restaurant in Burbank, California, is a commercial building situated on a busy street. It's a standard fast-food establishment typical of American suburban landscapes.

🎥 In the Film

This Burger King played a pivotal role as the exterior of Biff Tannen's corporate headquarters in the dark, alternate 1985. The drab, imposing look it took on contrasted sharply with its real-world function, demonstrating the transformative power of filmmaking.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: 545 N Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502, USA

🕒 Hours: Typically 6:00 AM - 12:00 AM (check local store hours)

💰 Admission: Free (customers welcome)

🌐 Website: www.burgerking.com

💡 Pro Tip: Grab a meal inside and imagine the nefarious dealings of BiffCo happening just outside. It's a fun, quick stop for any true fan of the alternate 1985 storyline. 🎬 Fun Fact: The production team dressed the Burger King building with elaborate and menacing set pieces to turn it into Biff’s Gambling Paradise in the alternate 1985, completely altering its everyday appearance.

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🎬 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets

Diving into `Back to the Future Part II`'s production is almost as mind-bending as the film itself! The creative team faced monumental challenges bringing a complex future and a grim alternate reality to life, especially given the state of visual effects technology in the late 1980s.

🎭 Director's Vision

🎯 Location Strategy: Director Robert Zemeckis and his team primarily relied on Universal Studios' vast backlot for its versatility, transforming the same sets into vastly different eras and realities. Real-world locations like the Puente Hills Mall were chosen for their expansive, modern feel, perfect for futuristic or suburban settings.

🎨 Visual Style: The film embraced bold, contrasting visual styles for each timeline. The glowing, sleek chrome of 2015, the grimy, desolate wasteland of alternate 1985, and the nostalgic charm of 1955 were all crafted meticulously, with locations providing the canvas upon which these visions were painted.

🎪 Production Highlights

🎬 Double Duty: Many actors, especially Michael J. Fox, pulled double — or even triple — duty, playing multiple characters in the same scenes, a feat made possible by sophisticated split-screen and motion-control techniques.

🎭 Recasting Challenges: The replacement of Claudia Wells with Elisabeth Shue as Jennifer Parker necessitated re-filming the ending sequence of the first film to seamlessly transition into `Part II`.

🎨 No CGI Here! Most of the fantastic futuristic effects, including flying cars and hoverboards, relied on practical effects, miniatures, wires, and highly skilled puppetry rather than computer-generated imagery.

🎯 Predicting the Future: The production team made educated guesses about 2015 technology, some of which (like video calls and finger scanners) turned out to be remarkably accurate.

🌟 Cast & Crew Stories

😄 Hoverboard Hype: Robert Zemeckis famously stated in an interview that hoverboards were real, leading to a massive demand from toy companies and a brief period of public confusion.

😮 Crispin Glover's Absence: Due to creative and financial disputes, Crispin Glover did not return as George McFly. They used previously shot footage, a body double, and clever camera angles to incorporate the character without him.

🎉 Filming Marathon: Parts II and III were shot back-to-back over an eleven-month period, which was an arduous but necessary undertaking to manage the complex narrative timelines and cast commitments.

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🗺️ Plan Your Visit

Ready to step into the world of `Back to the Future Part II`? Here's how to make your cinematic pilgrimage a breeze through Southern California.

🏨 Where to Stay

💰 Budget: The Garland (North Hollywood) - $150-200/night - Close to Universal Studios with a retro-chic vibe.

🏛️ Mid-Range: Loews Hollywood Hotel (Hollywood) - $250-350/night - Centrally located, easy access to major attractions.

✨ Luxury: The Kimpton Everly Hotel (Hollywood) - $350-500+/night - Offers stunning views of the Hollywood sign and easy access to attractions.

🚗 Getting Around

🚇 Metro: Los Angeles has a decent Metro system. The Universal Studios location is accessible via the Universal City/Studio City station on the B Line (Red). Other locations are more spread out.

🚗 Car: Renting a car is highly recommended for exploring these dispersed locations. Traffic in Southern California can be heavy, especially during peak hours. Parking varies by location.

🚶 Walking: Only possible within specific sites like Universal Studios or the mall. The locations are too far apart for extensive walking between them.

📸 Photo Tips

🌅 Best Times: Visit Universal Studios early in the morning or late afternoon to beat crowds and get the best light at Courthouse Square. The open-air mall is good any time.

📱 Instagram Spots: At Universal Studios, the Courthouse clock tower is a must-snap. At Puente Hills Mall, try to capture the expansive parking lot that Marty flew across.

🎬 Movie Moments: Recreate Marty's iconic poses in front of the clock tower or mimic his hoverboard stance (safely, on the ground!) in the mall parking lot.

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❓ Quick Answers

🎬 Is this based on a true story?

No, `Back to the Future Part II` is a fictional science fiction adventure film. Its premise of time travel and alternate realities is entirely imaginative.

🗺️ Can I visit all locations in one day?

It's ambitious but possible! Universal Studios Hollywood requires a significant portion of a day. The other locations (McFly house, Golden Oak Ranch exterior, Puente Hills Mall, Burger King) are scattered across the greater Los Angeles area. Plan for a very full day with lots of driving.

💰 How much should I budget?

Excluding travel to LA, budget around $150-200+ for car rental and gas for one day of location hopping (depending on car choice and driving distance). Admission to Universal Studios is a major cost (approx. $109-$150+). Food and incidentals will add to the overall budget.

📱 Are there guided tours?

Universal Studios offers a Studio Tour that takes you right through Courthouse Square. There are no specific `Back to the Future Part II` themed tours for all outside locations, but many general Hollywood film location tours might include some of these spots.

🎭 When was this filmed?

`Back to the Future Part II` was filmed from February 1989 through September 1989. It was shot back-to-back with `Back to the Future Part III`, which started immediately after.

🌍 Is California safe for tourists?

Yes, California is generally safe for tourists, especially in designated tourist areas. As with any major urban area, common sense precautions are recommended – be aware of your surroundings, secure valuables, and follow local guidelines.

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🎬 Ready for Your Cinematic Adventure?

From the futuristic hustle of Hill Valley 2015 to the gritty reality of alternate 1985, `Back to the Future Part II` transports us to incredible worlds, all built upon real locations. Standing where Marty stood, or driving past the infamous Twin Pines Mall, brings the magic of cinema to life in a truly unique way.

So, fire up your virtual DeLorean, map out your journey, and get ready for an unforgettable trip to uncover the hidden gems of `Back to the Future Part II`'s filming locations. Don't forget to share your adventures with us on social media using #WhereWasItFilmed and tagging @wherewasitfilmedco!

Which `Back to the Future` location are you most excited to visit? Let us know in the comments below!

Year Released

1989

Director

Robert Zemeckis

Filming Locations

5 locations

Behind the Scenes

Robert Zemeckis and his team masterfully crafted the future of 2015, the dystopian alternate 1985, and even a trip back to 1955 in 'Back to the Future Part II.' The ambition was immense, requiring groundbreaking visual effects and meticulous set design. Many real-world locations were transformed, often digitally or through extensive set dressing, to transport audiences through time.

Universal Studios' Courthouse Square served as the primary set for Hill Valley, both past and future.
Elisabeth Shue replaced Claudia Wells as Jennifer Parker due to Wells' family illness.
Crispin Glover (George McFly) was digitally inserted and filmed a body double due to salary disputes.
Michael J. Fox played four different characters: Marty McFly, Marty Jr., Marlene McFly, and alternate 1985 Marty.
The film famously predicted several technologies, including video calls, thumbprint scanners, and flat-screen TVs.
Director Robert Zemeckis joked hoverboards were real in a 'making-of', causing a fan frenzy.
The DeLorean's 'Mr. Fusion' prop was made from a Krups coffee grinder.
Parts II and III were filmed back-to-back, a logistical challenge for the cast and crew.
The scene where Marty sees himself in 1955 required complex motion-control photography.
Old Biff's makeup took Thomas F. Wilson hours to apply each day.
The hoverboards were filmed using various techniques, including wires and wheeled platforms.
The movie's iconic opening sequence with the DeLorean taking flight was a difficult special effect to achieve.

Location Gallery

Universal Studios Hollywood, Backlot, Courthouse Square

9303 Roslyndale Avenue, Arleta

Golden Oak Ranch

Puente Hills Mall

Burger King Restaurant, 545 N. Victory Blvd, Burbank

Travel Tips

Best time to visit most of these locations is during spring or fall for mild weather.
Consider booking accommodations in advance, especially during tourist season.
Guided tours are available that cover Universal Studios Hollywood, Backlot, Courthouse Square, 9303 Roslyndale Avenue, Arleta, Golden Oak Ranch in one day.