Farralone Estate

Farralone Estate, also known as Byrdview and the Fox Residence, is a Mid-Century Modern residence at 9361 Farralone Avenue in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA. The house was commissioned in 1949 by banking heiress and socialite Dora Hutchinson and completed around 1951 to designs by architect William Pereira, with assistance from Victor Cusack. Situated on a secluded hilltop overlooking the San Fernando Valley, the single-storey residence is distinguished by its extensive floor-to-ceiling glass walls, some reaching 16 feet in height, broad terraces and a 50-foot outdoor swimming pool. The property also includes a separate guesthouse and landscaped grounds. Singer and actor Frank Sinatra leased Farralone for several years during the 1950s and early 1960s, when the estate became associated with parties attended by prominent Hollywood entertainers. Marilyn Monroe is also reported to have stayed in the guesthouse. The property’s largely preserved modernist architecture, spacious interiors and elevated setting subsequently made it a frequently used filming location, particularly for productions depicting wealthy California residents.

Farralone Estate has appeared in numerous films and television series, including Tomcats (2001), Six Feet Under (2001–2005), Swordfish (2001), The Salton Sea (2002), Lords of Dogtown (2005), Bewitched (2005), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), Dreamgirls (2006), Transformers (2007), Moonlight (2007–2008), Mad Men (2007–2015), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000–2015), Californication (2007–2014), Savages (2012), The Last Man on Earth (2015–2018), Station Eleven (2021–2022), Snowfall (2017–2023), The Lincoln Lawyer (2022–) and Beef (2023–). Its swimming pool, terraces and glass-walled living areas are among the most frequently filmed parts of the property. The house has represented everything from a Hollywood mansion and a Palm Springs retreat to a Malibu residence and an extraterrestrial landing site.

In Tomcats (2001), directed by Gregory Poirier, Farralone Estate represents the home of wealthy bachelor Kyle Brenner (Jake Busey). Kyle is one of two remaining members of a group of friends who established a financial wager to reward the last man among them to remain unmarried. His friend Michael Delaney (Jerry O’Connell), desperate to collect the money, visits Kyle while attempting to arrange a marriage between him and Natalie Parker (Shannon Elizabeth). The modernist residence is used as Kyle’s luxurious Los Angeles home, with its spacious architecture reflecting the wealthy lifestyle that allows him to pursue women without any apparent interest in settling down.

In Six Feet Under (2001–2005), Farralone Estate appears in the first-season episode An Open Book (2001), representing the residence of Margaret and Bernard Chenowith, played by Joanna Cassidy and Robert Foxworth. Their daughter Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) brings Nate Fisher (Peter Krause) to the house, where he unexpectedly meets her parents. The property appears during scenes around the swimming pool, including a conversation between Nate and Brenda in the water before Margaret and Bernard return home. The couple’s unconventional behaviour immediately makes Nate uncomfortable, particularly when Brenda introduces him as the man she is sleeping with. Later, Nate sits outside by the pool with her parents, who discuss their daughter’s relationships and suggest that their supposedly unexpected meeting may have been deliberately arranged by Brenda. The house’s glass-walled living areas and outdoor swimming pool are visible throughout the visit.

In Swordfish (2001), directed by Dominic Sena, Farralone Estate represents the luxurious hillside residence of Gabriel Shear (John Travolta), a mysterious criminal mastermind who recruits computer hacker Stanley Jobson (Hugh Jackman) for an elaborate financial robbery. Stanley visits Gabriel’s home during a lavish evening party, where guests gather around the illuminated swimming pool. Gabriel questions Stanley about his ability to break sophisticated computer security systems, while Ginger Knowles (Halle Berry) is also present. The poolside sequence includes Berry’s widely publicised debut topless appearance, with the house and its outdoor entertaining area forming part of the setting.

The production used the estate’s actual swimming pool and terraces, although the surrounding landscape was digitally altered to make the residence appear much closer to downtown Los Angeles. The real property stands in the hills of Chatsworth, overlooking the San Fernando Valley rather than the central business district. The house’s long glass walls and modernist layout are visible during the scenes involving Gabriel, Stanley and Ginger.

In The Salton Sea (2002), directed by D. J. Caruso, Farralone Estate represents the home of Nancy and Verne Plummer, played by Shirley Knight and R. Lee Ermey. Their son-in-law, Danny Parker (Val Kilmer), whose real name is Tom Van Allen, visits them while investigating the murder of his wife, Liz. The couple have become concerned about his self-destructive behaviour and involvement with drugs. During the visit, Danny sits with Nancy and Verne at their dining table, where they question him about his life following Liz’s death. Nancy brings coffee to the table and attempts to persuade him to move on, while Verne remains more openly suspicious and disapproving. The scene uses the modernist house as the Plummers’ California residence, with its dining area providing the setting for the uncomfortable family conversation.

In Lords of Dogtown (2005), directed by Catherine Hardwicke, Farralone Estate appears during the rise of skateboarder Tony Alva (Victor Rasuk). After distancing himself from the original Zephyr skateboarding team, Tony begins establishing his own professional identity and enters into a business arrangement with promoter Topper Burks (Johnny Knoxville). The estate provides the setting for a scene in which Tony discusses his new logo and commercial image. The house’s glass-walled interiors and surrounding grounds represent the wealthy Southern California environment into which the young skateboarder is being drawn as his commercial career develops.

In Bewitched (2005), directed by Nora Ephron, Farralone Estate represents the home of television actor Jack Wyatt (Will Ferrell), who has been cast as Darrin Stephens in a remake of the classic television sitcom Bewitched. Jack lives in the modernist mansion while struggling with his declining career and recent divorce. The property appears during scenes involving Jack’s personal life, including a party he throws following the end of his marriage. The house’s large living areas and outdoor entertaining spaces are used as his private residence, contrasting with the more modest cottage occupied by Isabel Bigelow (Nicole Kidman), the real witch recruited to play Samantha in the fictional television production.

In Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), directed by Shane Black, Farralone Estate appears as the Hollywood mansion where petty criminal turned aspiring actor Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) attends a Christmas party shortly after arriving in Los Angeles. The gathering is hosted by retired actor Harlan Dexter (Corbin Bernsen), with guests moving through the house and its outdoor entertaining areas. Harry meets private detective Perry van Shrike (Val Kilmer), better known as Gay Perry, who has been hired to prepare him for a film role. He also encounters Harmony Faith Lane (Michelle Monaghan), a woman he knew during childhood who has since moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

The party scenes were filmed at the actual Chatsworth estate, with its modernist exterior and open entertaining areas visible as Harry moves among the guests. The residence appears early in the film, before Harry becomes involved in the murder investigation that forms the main storyline.

In Dreamgirls (2006), directed by Bill Condon, Farralone Estate represents the Hollywood mansion occupied by singer Deena Jones (Beyoncé Knowles) and her husband, record producer Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx). Following the enormous commercial success of Deena Jones and the Dreams, the couple move into an expensive modernist residence overlooking Los Angeles. The property’s spacious rooms, extensive glass walls and landscaped surroundings are used to portray their new lifestyle. The mansion appears during the later stages of their marriage, when Deena becomes increasingly unhappy with Curtis’s control over her career and personal ambitions. The production used the actual house for the couple’s Hollywood residence rather than constructing its entire interior on a soundstage.

In Transformers (2007), directed by Michael Bay, the swimming pool at Farralone Estate appears during the arrival of the Autobots on Earth. After entering the atmosphere as glowing meteor-like objects, the alien robots descend into several locations around Los Angeles. Ironhide, the Autobot weapons specialist, lands in the swimming pool of a private residence, startling the occupants as the enormous mechanical creature emerges from the water. The property’s outdoor swimming pool and surrounding modernist architecture are visible during the brief sequence. The robot was added through computer-generated imagery, combining the actual swimming pool with the animated Transformer. Other Autobots land at separate locations around Los Angeles before assembling and searching for Sam Witwicky.

In Moonlight (2007–2008), Farralone Estate appears in the first-season episode The Ringer (2007), representing the home of Coraline Duvall (Shannyn Sossamon), the former wife of vampire private investigator Mick St. John (Alex O’Loughlin). The property appears in flashbacks to their relationship during the 1950s. One sequence takes place during a party at Coraline’s modernist residence, where Mick watches her socialising with other guests. Later, Coraline approaches him and suggests that they go swimming together. As Mick unzips the back of her dress, he notices a fleur-de-lis tattoo on her shoulder, a detail that becomes significant when he encounters a woman who appears to be his supposedly deceased wife many years later. The estate’s swimming pool, glass walls and outdoor entertaining areas are visible during the flashback scenes.

In Mad Men (2007–2015), Farralone Estate appears prominently in the second-season episode The Jet Set (2008), representing a luxurious residence in Palm Springs. Don Draper (Jon Hamm) abandons a business trip to Los Angeles after meeting Joy (Laura Ramsey), a wealthy young woman who invites him to accompany her to the desert. She takes him to the modernist house, where a small group of wealthy and apparently aimless Europeans are staying. The building’s long glass walls, landscaped gardens, terrace and swimming pool are clearly visible as Don arrives and meets the other guests.

Shortly after entering the property, Don becomes dizzy and collapses, later awakening to find himself being cared for by Joy and her companions. Much of the subsequent action takes place in the house and around the swimming pool. Don spends time relaxing with Joy, observes the unusual relationships among the guests and begins a brief affair with her. During one poolside sequence, a man named Christian arrives with his children, searching for his estranged wife. The episode makes extensive use of the actual estate, whose original Mid-Century Modern architecture requires relatively little alteration to represent the wealthy California setting of the early 1960s.

In CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000–2015), Farralone Estate appears in the ninth-season episode Kill Me If You Can (2009), serving as the residence of wealthy art dealer Carsten Pennington. The episode opens with the discovery of Pennington’s body floating in the swimming pool following a party at the house. His head has been severely injured, and investigators Raymond Langston (Laurence Fishburne) and Wendy Simms (Liz Vassey) arrive to examine the scene.

The investigation takes place around the property’s outdoor pool and adjoining living areas. Langston examines bloodstains near the water, while Wendy searches for evidence connected to the previous night’s gathering. Inside the house, they discover a damaged antique vase and begin investigating Pennington’s dealings in valuable artworks. His fiancée, Darcy Farrell, is questioned about the party and the visitors who may have had a reason to kill him. The estate’s swimming pool, terrace and luxurious interiors are used as the fictional Las Vegas residence throughout the investigation.

In Californication (2007–2014), Farralone Estate appears in the fourth-season episode Lawyers, Guns, and Money (2011), representing the mansion of film producer Stu Beggs (Stephen Tobolowsky). Stu has become romantically interested in Marcy Runkle (Pamela Adlon), who operates a waxing business. Hoping to spend time alone with her, he arranges an appointment at his home under the pretence of requiring a professional waxing treatment. When Marcy arrives at the property, she discovers that Stu has deliberately misled her into visiting him. Furious at the deception, she insists that he undergo the treatment he has requested. The scene takes place inside Stu’s modernist residence, with the mansion’s spacious interiors establishing his wealthy Hollywood lifestyle.

In Savages (2012), directed by Oliver Stone, Farralone Estate represents the California residence of Elena Sánchez (Salma Hayek), the powerful leader of a Mexican drug cartel. Elena has travelled to the United States while attempting to expand her criminal organisation’s operations along the California coast. The estate’s modernist rooms and secluded hilltop grounds provide the setting for her private residence during the American portions of the story. The property is separate from the Mexican compound associated with Elena and the coastal residence occupied by Ben (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), Chon (Taylor Kitsch) and Ophelia (Blake Lively).

In The Last Man on Earth (2015–2018), Farralone Estate represents an expensive Malibu residence occupied by the survivors of a worldwide pandemic. The house is initially associated with Gordon Vanderkruik (Will Ferrell), whose sudden death leaves the property available to the surviving group. Its modernist architecture, large swimming pool and spacious interiors become recurring parts of the series’ setting after the characters relocate to the California coast.

The property appears throughout the second season and continues to feature in the third, including episodes such as Valhalla (2016) and The Wild Guess Express (2016). The survivors use the residence as their communal home, gathering in the living areas, relaxing by the swimming pool and attempting to establish a new domestic routine. Although the story places the house overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, the actual estate is situated inland in Chatsworth. Digital effects were used to replace the San Fernando Valley landscape with a coastal setting, giving the fictional residence an oceanfront position that it does not possess in reality.

In Station Eleven (2021–2022), Farralone Estate appears in the third episode, Hurricane (2021), representing the Los Angeles home of actor Arthur Leander (Gael García Bernal) and his wife Miranda Carroll (Danielle Deadwyler). The modernist residence and its swimming pool appear during flashbacks to their marriage before the global influenza pandemic. Arthur hosts a dinner party attended by fellow actors and friends, including Elizabeth Colton (Caitlin FitzGerald) and Clark Thompson (David Wilmot). The gathering takes place in the house’s open living and dining areas, with the adjoining pool and terrace forming part of the setting.

During the party, Miranda discovers that Arthur has been showing her private drawings to Elizabeth, with whom he has also been having an affair. Humiliated and furious, she confronts him before withdrawing from the gathering. Later, as Miranda prepares to leave, she reveals that the pool house is on fire. Arthur rushes outside and discovers the building burning beside the swimming pool, where Miranda has been working on her graphic novel. The flames illuminate the surrounding terrace as Arthur desperately attempts to deal with the fire. The estate’s glass walls, swimming pool and outdoor structures are recognisable throughout the sequence.

In Snowfall (2017–2023), Farralone Estate appears in the fifth-season episodes Comets and Commitment (2022), representing the residence of CIA operative Grady Williamson. Grady has been overseeing the agency’s covert drug-trafficking operation in Los Angeles while his predecessor, Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson), has been absent. The luxurious modernist house reflects Grady’s increasingly extravagant lifestyle and his relaxed approach to the operation.

In Commitment, Teddy visits Grady’s residence as he attempts to regain control of the CIA’s activities in Los Angeles. Their confrontation takes place at the house, where Teddy questions Grady’s behaviour and his management of the operation. The estate’s modernist interior and secluded grounds are used as Grady’s private residence during the early episodes of the season.

In The Lincoln Lawyer (2022–), Farralone Estate appears during the first season as the home of wealthy technology entrepreneur Trevor Elliott (Christopher Gorham), who is accused of murdering his wife Lara and her lover. Defence attorney Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) represents Trevor as the case develops into one of the most important trials of his career. The estate is used for Trevor’s private residence, while the separate Malibu property where the murders occurred is represented by another house.

Farralone appears in the sixth episode, Bent (2022), when Mickey confronts Trevor about suspicious circumstances surrounding the trial. Mickey has discovered evidence suggesting that someone may have attempted to manipulate the jury, and he demands an explanation from his client. The modernist residence provides the setting for their confrontation, with its extensive glass walls and expensive furnishings reflecting Trevor’s considerable wealth.

In Beef (2023–), Farralone Estate appears in the first-season episode I Am a Cage (2023), representing the vacation home purchased by Amy Lau (Ali Wong) and her husband George Nakai (Joseph Lee). Following the successful sale of Amy’s business, the family spends time at the luxurious property with their daughter June (Remy Holt). The house’s bright interiors, floor-to-ceiling glass walls and large swimming pool are clearly visible as the family relaxes together.

During one scene, Amy and George spend time with June at the house, discussing their new circumstances and the possibility of extending their stay. June is particularly enthusiastic about the property and asks to remain another night. The family also talks about Amy’s recently completed business deal and the greater freedom it should bring to their lives. The spacious living areas and outdoor swimming pool are used directly, with the residence appearing as an affluent California holiday home rather than a fictional architectural creation.

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