17599, Los Alimos Street, Granada Hills, Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council District, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 91344, United States of America
Porter Valley Country Club, Beckford Avenue, View Ridge Towne Homes, Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council District, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 91326, United States of America
Scene: (bus stop)
Porter Valley Country Club, Beckford Avenue, View Ridge Towne Homes, Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council District, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 91326, United States of America
Scene: (trick or treating)
Porter Valley Country Club, Beckford Avenue, View Ridge Towne Homes, Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council District, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 91326, United States of America
Scene: (Michael being followed by blue car)
Porter Valley Country Club, Beckford Avenue, View Ridge Towne Homes, Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council District, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 91326, United States of America
Scene: (bubble breaks free)
Prospect Avenue, La Crescenta, Los Angeles County, California, 91046, United States of America
17599, Los Alimos Street, Granada Hills, Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council District, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 91344, United States of America
Porter Valley Country Club, Beckford Avenue, View Ridge Towne Homes, Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council District, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 91326, United States of America
Scene: (police start chasing the bikes)
Baird Avenue, Northridge, Northridge South Neighborhood Council District, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 91324, United States of America
Forest Route 16N21, Del Norte County, California, United States of America
Scene: (Michael finds ET unconscious next to a culvert.)
Wrightwood Community Services District, 1275, Evergreen Road, Wrightwood, San Bernardino County, California, 92397, United States of America
Scene: (E.T. looks out over city lights)
Spielberg’s beloved story of a boy and his stranded alien is pure suburban Americana – filmed in the real cul-de-sacs of the San Fernando Valley, with the misty forest where E.T. is left behind shot among the towering redwoods of far northern California.
Where was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial filmed?
E.T. was filmed in the Los Angeles suburbs – Tujunga and Northridge – and among the redwoods near Crescent City in northern California.
Every E.T. location, explained
1
Elliott’s home – the LA suburbs
Elliott’s house and neighbourhood used real suburban streets in Tujunga and Northridge, part of the Los Angeles area.
2
The forest – the redwoods
The misty forest where E.T. arrives and is finally left used the towering redwoods around Crescent City in Del Norte County.
3
The Halloween chase
The famous flying-bike escape and Halloween scenes used the suburban streets of Northridge.
4
The Californian outdoors
The film’s wilder scenes ranged into the mountains and forests of California.
Planning a visit
The redwood forests of far northern California, around Crescent City, are the film’s most evocative real location – ancient, misty and vast, exactly as E.T. found them.
E.T. Fun Facts
1
Shot in real suburbia Elliott’s world used genuine cul-de-sacs in the San Fernando Valley.
2
Reese's Pieces made history After M&Ms declined, Reese’s Pieces featured – and sales reportedly soared.
3
The bikes really flew The iconic flying-bike shot became one of cinema’s most beloved images.
4
Filmed roughly in order Spielberg shot much of the film in sequence to help the young cast’s performances.
5
A redwood forest star The arrival-and-farewell forest used northern California’s giant redwoods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was E.T. filmed?
In the Los Angeles suburbs (Tujunga and Northridge) and among the redwoods near Crescent City in northern California.
Where was the forest filmed?
In the redwoods around Crescent City, Del Norte County, California.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – the northern California redwood parks are open to visitors.
Who directed E.T.?
Steven Spielberg.
What candy features in E.T.?
Reese’s Pieces, after M&Ms turned down the chance.
