Santa Monica Pier is a historic amusement pier at the foot of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, California. Opened in 1909, it is one of the best-known coastal landmarks in Southern California, with its boardwalk, amusement rides, Looff Hippodrome carousel building, and views over the Pacific. It is also one of the most frequently filmed locations in the Los Angeles area.
Santa Monica Pier appears in numerous films and television productions, including The Sting (1973), Forrest Gump (1994), Ruthless People (1986), Cellular (2004), Iron Man (2008), Her (2013), Modern Family (2009–2020), and Seinfeld (1989–1998). In Seinfeld, the pier was used more than once for reflective outdoor scenes, even though the series was set in New York.
In The Sting (1973), the Santa Monica Pier’s Looff Hippodrome was used as the residence and carousel base of Henry Gondorff, played by Paul Newman. The pier’s older amusement architecture was well suited to the film’s Depression-era setting, even though the story itself is set in Chicago.
In Forrest Gump (1994), Santa Monica Pier is used for the end of Forrest’s cross-country run. The location became especially associated with the moment when he reaches the coast and turns back, making the pier one of the film’s best-known California locations.
In Iron Man (2008), Santa Monica Pier appears as part of the film’s Southern California setting. The pier is among the recognisable coastal locations used to place the story within the Los Angeles area.
In Her (2013), Santa Monica Pier appears in the film’s Los Angeles setting, where its waterfront and amusement area form part of the city’s futuristic but still recognisable urban landscape.
In Ruthless People (1986), Santa Monica Pier is used for the climactic final scene. The pier functions here as a major story location rather than a passing background landmark.
In Cellular (2004), Santa Monica Pier is one of the coastal Los Angeles locations used during the film. Its inclusion helps anchor the action in a recognisable Southern California setting.
In Modern Family (2009–2020), Santa Monica Pier appears in a Season 1 episode. In this case, the pier is used as a familiar Southern California family-outing location rather than as a dramatic set-piece.
In Seinfeld (1989–1998), Santa Monica Pier appears in several episodes as the place where George or Jerry sits alone and thinks through his life and relationships. The pier is identified for “The Engagement” (1992), “The Opposite” (1994), “The Invitations” (1996), and “The Voice” (1997).
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is inseparable from New York in tone, most of the series was filmed in Los Angeles. The series used real New York locations for key establishing shots.
O’Neill House
The O’Neill House is best known as a filming location in two feature films: Breathless (1983) and 8 Million Ways to Die (1986).
The Shelley
The Shelley appears in Seinfeld (1989–1998). In the series, it serves as the exterior of Jerry’s apartment, even though the character’s address is in Manhattan.
Circus Liquor
Circus Liquor appears in Clueless (1995), Blue Thunder (1983), and Alpha Dog (2006).
7 Days Liquor Store
In Superbad (2007), 7 Days Liquor Store is used for the scene in which Fogell, using his fake McLovin ID, goes into the liquor store to buy alcohol.
The Donut Hole
The Donut Hole has appeared in Moving Violations (1985), Dragnet (1987), and Calendar Girl (1993).
Otomi Ceremonial Center
The Otomi Ceremonial Center served as the filming location for Franz Sanchez’s drug factory/laboratory in the 1989 James Bond film Licence to Kill.
Old Joliet Prison
Old Joliet Prison appears in The Blues Brothers (1980), Prison Break (2005–2006), Let’s Go to Prison (2006), Derailed (2005), and Empire (2015–2020).
Buckhead Diner
Buckhead Diner appears in DTF St. Louis (2026), and the building has also been used for other Atlanta-shot productions.
The Exorcist House
The Exorcist House refers to the private residence in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., which was used for exterior filming of the 1973 horror movie The Exorcist.
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